Steve Vai Review of "Mystery Tracks - Archives Vol. 3" @ iTunes By: Robert Silverstein he second individual release distilled from Vai's massive 10 CD Secret Jewel Box Set, the 2003 release of Mystery Tracks Archives Vol. 3, is actually a collection of bonus tracks featured on various Japan-only releases of his albums, contributions to other artists' works and assorted unreleased demo tracks. According to Vai, "It's sort of like a golden scrap pile. Devour with a silver spoon." The best songs here really rock and the whole album keeps up quite a musical pace. Tracks like the driving, melodic Hank Marvin / Jeff Beck inspired "San-San-Nana Byoushi" (from 1995) and the glorious symphonic rock sound of "Feathers" and "Misfits" (both from 2002) are just a few of the standouts here. Vai's mostly instrumental electric guitar concepts just seem to improve, album to album. Mystery Tracks Archives Vol. 3 is fabulous throughout and while the cover art is cool, the only drawback is the tiny black text on the inside, which is way too minuscule reading for us aging boomers. © Robert Silverstein / MusicWeb Express 3000 Speeding San-San-Nana-Byoushi Sofa Essence Feathers Misfits Maple Leafs