I Just Don’t Get It. 

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I went to a Steve Vai guitar clinic around 2005, and the first thing he said when he sat down was "hey can I get a new stool? This one doesn't match my shoes." So not only is he a master of guitar, and style, but also has a legendary sense of humour

This entire episode is a masterclass in taking the piss without saying a single negative comment. 10/10

I was so thrown off by the angle change of the drums. Helping me understand that they turned the kit 90 degrees counterclockwise really helped make sense of everything going on. As always, thank you Justin for the high level analysis!

"So there are nine greater guitarists than Steve Vai in the world, apparently" got me to sub. You're awesome, man. Fantastic voice and personality 👊

"He's not wearing a jumper and he's outdoors" one of the best music critical sentences ever.

Far better musicians that me, everyone in this band. But I just can't bring myself to be interested in their music. Good for them doing so well

At 34, Polyphia isn't the type of music I really find myself going back to again and again; this goes to the music of my parents' generation and sometimes of my generation. The music is too involved, but I can dive deep into those Steve Vai bends in Ego Death. His solo is tops, and Polyphia even had a hand in helping structure it, so I think it's great that this stuff exists.

He's turned the drumset 90° counterclockwise. THAT'S analysis. 😂😂

Tim has said in interviews that he tries to write his playing the same way a pop singer uses their voice. Made a lot more sense to me once I heard that. Explains why regular people find it catchy even though it's definitely guitar nerd music, just cleverly disguised as pop.

As a metal head guy in is 50's, I dig this new generation of guitarists like Tim Henson, Manuel Gardner Fernándes, Ichika Nito, etc... They add to the music spectrum, prog, instrumental, shredders, whatever your musical tastes, period.

Justin reviewing Polyphia: 40% Guitar & music 50% Clothes 10% Furniture

Great reaction from Justin once again with how detailed his analysis is about polyphia knitwear techniques.

I think the best thing about Polyphia is that they're pushing virtuosity and doing it with strictly instrumental music into the mainstream. Pretty cool. Whether you like their music or not.

I like the old blues, rock 'n roll, hardrock, metal and this too. The style change in polyphia came when Tim got into trap and hip hop. Made beats like it, learned them on guitar. He constantly takes from different styles and absorbs it. Somehow manages to make it sensible. Well I like it. It is called music taste, not music law.

I discovered this band a few days ago, specifically this song. It has latched on to my brain with a force that is unusual. It's got a lot of depth, but it also sucks you in with some dirty hooks right away. I listen to a lot of different stuff, and this appeals to me very much. I do love Spanish guitar and other genres and the fact that they're blending so much together is fascinating to me.

can i inquire as to which headphones you are wearing in this video good sir? many thanks

I saw them live recently and at first wasn't sure what to expect. It was truly a top-notch show. Their use of lighting that was synced to the music really helped to make for an immersive experience. After seeing them live, my respect for them shot up even higher. I don't love all of their music, but the songs I do like, I really like! Such an innovative sound. You can tell a song is by Polyphia without seeing them.

I'm glad that stuff like this exists. It's absolutely not for me, but if only stuff I liked existed there'd only be about 40 songs ever! Each to their own and may we not judge!

Justin, absolutely love your content. Your sense of humour is absolutely legendary and commentary is on point and super enjoyable! Subscribed and on board for more! Cheers 👊🧡👍

Polyphia are an inspiration to me not an aspiration, I've achieved my own style combining everything I've ever heard and wedging into Rockerbilly. I learned a couple of tricks from Tim and use them when I'm lost got cramps or to get from A to B . I'm definitely pleased with the new twist they've given me. We needed this.

I think Polyphia did a great job respecting Steve not only in his parts in the track but in the video as well, I cannot think of a more respectful way to introduce Steve in the video than have him sitting on a gorgeous throne and a soulful solo to go with it.

as a guitarist/musician, they make me wanna push myself a lot more on my istrument. I love when they release new music.

Nice hearing a talented guitar player give credit where it's due.. 👏👏 that was a fun reaction video

I have had the honour to meet Steve a few times as the Evo experience. What a generous and graceful man. He has fertile creativity and just soooooo calm. The thing I remember the ,most was him telling me that his playing wasn’t easy for him at all and he worked zillions of hours to get his skill and music as another language for him. Absolutely unbelievable player and a veery decent man.

I can’t call myself a fan, but they have alien level talent. I hope this contributes to society celebrating extraordinary things again rather than celebrating the mundane.

The ending, pure gold🤣 "Im not even going to pretend I understood what the f**k was just going on" 🤣

Much like you with Polyphia, I've come back to this video a multitude of times to try to get what you don't get about polyphia, as I struggled myself to adequately explain the appeal. I think I've finally got it. What I love about Polyphia, is for me it just scratches an itch nothing else can, to me guitar while being really cool and respectable as an instrument always felt so uniformly expressive when it's used in song. Like in metal it's driving, it's loud, it'd distorted. With Hendrix it's intricate, clean, and bright. The thing with both of those, and many of the other guitar sounds I've heard, it's not very complex, and not very expressive outside of massive sound changes. That's what I love about Polyphia is they somehow all use their instruments so expressively and expertly. No matter which one of the members I'm focusing on, I almost feel like I understand what the guitar is saying. I can feel the bass grooving through the tune, and how it's trying to complement the guitars, the drums gives a great sense of the energy and feel of the song. It's almost more similar to an acapella group, where although everything sounds harmonious and together, each individual member gets to choose their moment to use their instruments expressively. Polyphia has reformed my perspective on what guitar is and what it can be. It's the first time I've been made to feel that I want to actually learn guitar for a reason more than just being able to play it for my various music projects I like to work on. Sorry if that all was a bit lofty and weird in description, but it really is the best way I can describe why polyphia's music hits such a great cord for me.

While I can appreciate the talent on display in Polyphia, I couldn't ever see myself sitting down and listening to their music. Their music simply comes off as way too "busy" and they never really get into any certain groove for long enough to catch my attention, and I say that as someone that listens to jazz regularly. Sometimes less is more.

i think these kids are phenomenal on multiple levels... obviosuly their talent, but also for bringing guitar driven music to a new generation and evolving how the guitar is used as an instrument.

I don't get it either, and at a certain point, you understand that not liking it doesn't make it bad, or good, or anything. I like prog, I like guitar, I like interesting rhythms. But this just isn't my bag no matter how many people tell me it's great. The trap beats, the fast slides, the harmonics, the "fiddly diddly dee" parts, seem to be ever present when people tell me to check out a new polyphia song. Good for those who do enjoy it, otherwise all music would sound the same.

His face during the trumpet solo at the end 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Randomly clicked on a video about Polyphia, without even realising it was from one of the most influential musicians of my childhood! Love your music man, I'm glad to see you doing well and having fun with the community

I always wondered why The Darkness had a subtle comedy undertone to them, your personality explains so much

I heard this mad guitar sound coming from my 16 year old son's room. Went and asked what it was and my son was actually playing it (mind blown!) he just says 'Math rock', apparently Tim Henson is one of the the new guitar influences on young guitarists. It's defintely a good thing, he's learned some new interesting techniques and uses it for his GCSE music performances. Currently trying to get him to guest play on our cover of I believe in a thing called love for our band. He said no the big turd!

😂 I just heard Polyphia for the first time this evening and I like what they do. Have always been a fan of elite virtuosity - John McLaughlin, Clifford Brown, Glenn Gould - and these guys have it. Like a lot of the things they do rhythmically & harmonically. Melodically they are more like r&b which I don’t personally like as much and maybe their music is a little repetitive - like a video game track but, hey, they’re the best from this generation & they’re damn good!

I not crazy about it. Gen Z lets impress people with funk slap.... I would rather try to do something as well as Mahogany Rush

Steve Vai’s Studious Elder Statesman Cardigan is a brilliant band name. You constantly inspire me, Justin!

You’re amazing at light entertainment and that sounds like an insult but it’s not - you’re just an affable, likeable, intelligent, wonderful chap.

Dude. This is the first video I've seen by you and I laughed so fucking hard. How do you do that Italian chefs kiss in British?

Not a musician myself but I’m very sound oriented musically. I don’t care obviously how a musician does it. Just the sound they produce. And at 68 I greatly or rather my ears greatly enjoy their music. I’m simple.

Man, I have nothing but respect for these lads. The genius, personalized way they are bringing people back to an appreciation for musicianship and progressive music with perfect marketing ( Tim's look, hip-hop sounding beats, great videos, etc. ) Is a great thing. Anyone who can bring human music back is cool with me.

Parts of it makes me feel like I am listening to a bass player on an electric guitar.

You're fun to watch and listen to Justin! Thanks for the videos!

What is your acoustic? I have a ‘98 CL-20 that looks similar. 😀

All the guys in that band are very clearly, incredibly talented. I don't dislike them. That said, there isn't anything about them that makes me want to re-listen to any of their music. I get bored about halfway through most of their songs. Nothing I've heard them do sticks in my head or makes me want to come back for more. Their stuff just seems to lack feeling and a true sense of depth. I'm not sure 'soulless' is the correct or most accurate term, but it definitely trends in that direction.

I love how you don't try to figure everything out if you know its not in your wheel house, but rather look for inspiration anywhere you can even in the set their using. You are a true artist, gentlemen and a scholar. Great reaction Justin 🤘

Theres no heart...No soul I wanna "feel" the song,the instrument. I want that 1 note to reach out and grab my attention............And hold that attention. Music of today just cant do it....Much how Polyphia's music is...But also,its not only soulless and grooveless... It just seems like they are out to attain the "how many notes I can play in 1 minute" Or the ever so popular,"lets make this as hard as possible so people think we're cool " type of approach.

They really aren’t doing anything unique or new. The most unique thing is putting rap beats behind their music but this style of tapping and harmonics is used by the majority of artists on the Candyrat label or the west coast gospel quartet players. They just were smart enough to market their sound to an audience too young to know the difference. Everything’s knew to kids. 😂

Hey Justin! I’m a new fan to The Darkness and I’ve gotta say I truly love your music. I’m a drummer, and listening and playing to your songs has lit a new fire in me. Thank you so much.

Watching Justin try to play the intro is the most relatable thing I’ve seen from this channel

What Polyphia is doing is basically elevator music. It has nothing raw about it, it doesn’t make you close your eyes and feel anything. It’s basically just a bunch of what the fuck is happening. And that’s exactly the response I would expect they were going for.

Justin your home decor opinions on the video set, as well as the Sultans of Swing comment has made me have the best belly laugh in a while. Thank you so very much, friend!

Their song Playing God is such a fusion of everything you can possibly listen to. Progressive rock , bossa, funk, jazz, classical, hip-hop??. I don't know. It's wild. They're wild.

For me it's just a really cool display of guitar virtuosity without devolving into absolute guitar wankery

that 'snake hips' comment has me giggling every time I think about it. I first watched this video earlier today and I had to come back and write this because I woke up, grabbed a drink from the fridge, it popped into my head again and I giggled. Thank you for a line that I can't wait to toss out sometime.

Took me a minute to realise who you were mate, I'm glad you're riding again!

Can't deny that the Polyphia people are talented musicians. It's pretty amazing to listen to, but needs to be in very small doses.

Polyphia does a hell of a lot of timing runs in their music. Slaps ,slams , picks, finger picks, drags. That exactness of the timing is amazing . Their song Chimera features just an amazing rhythm that is just perfect. It's all speed playing with Polyphia but nothing is about distortion. They are popping every note , full speed with clarity. Young fingers and massive talent on display for sure.

Tim uses his channel to teach guitar techniques but also fundamentals of musicality. They even do an a Cappella version of one of their popular songs.

I really appreciate the sweater breakdown and analysis

I can't stop watching videos of Tim playing and producing. Polyphia's music doesn't do much for me but the talent and innovation is awesome. Steve Vai's style has never done it for me but again appreciate he's a legend

Polyphia puts me in a tough spot because theyre so good at their isntruments that I feel like im missing out on something by not listening to them but I always end up skipping their songs when theyre in my queue

What was the instrumental song you played for your intro at OVO Wembley a couple of weeks ago ?? PS was it ABBA? PPS blind man is my fave of yours, please play it more often🤘🏻

I liked mistakenly calling a computer a confuser. If that was planned, that was genius. If that was a genuine mistake, thats comedic gold.

That basic riff that goes through it all, even down to the trumpet at the end, is really catchy. I love that part. Around 1:35 in that video, I also like the tone of those little lead pieces. It reminds me of Prince.

The first part of Vai is underrated, he is doing a technique of bending different strings with different fingers in different pitches in parallel

That music is as interesting as a 5 star/5 course dinner at a luxurious restaurant, where you leave still hungry and not knowing what the fuck you just ate.

Hello Justin, from a fellow East Anglian (although I now live in New Zealand). If you could wipe any song from your mind just so you could have the experience of listening to again for the first time, what would it be? Love the gentle vibe of your wonderful channel. You're like the Bob Ross of reaction videos. Keep on keeping on. Matt

The typically most often comment about Tim Henson and Polyphia is that it's creative music but doesn't speak to most listeners. Haha. Concerts are full and t shirts sales are up. but yeah, it does nothing for me. I still prefer "Boomer Bends" over mimicking computer glitch noises.

Ive only heard a little of this band's back catalogue, so I'm not really qualified to be casting aspersions. In the general sense this is the kinda music you get what you got a legion of kids practising complex licks and parts and posting them to social media. I kinda miss songs in the traditional sense of the world. Could be wrong but I was taught that you write the song first before you write the guitar solo, their music kinda seems like they're doing it the other way round. Also it doesn't hurt that their leader is a goodlooking dude and looks a bit like an anime character come to life, kids love that shit

Justin I just want to say thanks for giving me “I believe in a thing called love” to sing at karaoke every time

Imagine that, I didn't give a shit until Vai showed up lol.

I had my wife listen to GOAT , she said “that didn’t have words but I know it’s gonna give me nightmares “

I have been a fan of guitar music for a long time. Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Satriani, Petrucci, etc. This music normally is totally my jam. But all those guys I mention have structure in their songs, hooks to keep the player on track. With Polyphia, it's like a weird jazz improv section where each song is just a mess of stuff, and it's all impressive stuff, but it's so hard to listen to because it never seems to go anywhere or have a point.

By the way. Has anybody noticed that the Polyphia video doesn’t make sense? None of their guitars are plugged into anything. So they are literally miming and finger synching. I mean, couldn’t they have recorded a live performance?

You can't beat good old British sarcasm. It's a dying art, so I'm so glad Justin is reviving & practicing this cultural tradition.

that made me laugh a little more than i think i was suppose to. Love your humour , keep these coming

I feel like this is ASMR rock. Not that that is a thing but all of the fret sounds, the string spunds of moving up and down the neck, the tapping. Has a lot of the ASMR qualities.

Back in the day, there was always a video with a release or most of the time. Is it expense or production or platform - what is the road block to music videos?

I dont care for polyphia I get it, it's amazing from a technical standpoint. I just like music with some feelings and a good hook.

Steve Vai is the Michael Bolton of guitar. Clearly amazing never made anything I've actually liked.

Had heard OF Polyphia, but first time hearing their music. I'll be heading over to Spotify now...

I laughed so much at this clothing review. Mind you Justin I hold you responsible for the tea damage splats on my IMAC! Keep up the the great reviews.

I just wanted to say thank you. I believe in a thing called love, is one my favorite songs I've heard. You are the reason I can blast this song at people and air guitar them into the floor.

I genuinely laughed out loud at that "It wasn't a single" line. Perfect comic timing from Justin!

i'm reminded of when i was a kid listening to some jazz guitarists from my dad's music library. this is like a modern spin on that - for me. if i focus too much on the technicality, i miss the groove and the flow of the song

"Snake Hips Vie" killed me just now

Polyphia are the type of band that need backup dancers.

I love your different, humorous approach to the reaction video here, Justin. Also how did I not know you were a RU-vidr now? I still sing I Believe In A Thing Called love randomly all the time and that whole album is incredible. Black Shuck is one of my favorites

I'm not totally in the know about Polyphia either, but for anyone interested in learning about the guys more, Finn McKenty on his channel The Punk Rock MBA just very recently did a video covering a bit of their history, which helps explain their music and overall style changes as well over the years.

I get that this isn’t a lot of peoples music taste. But Tim Henson is the reason I started playing guitar three years ago and I’m so happy I discovered him and this style of music.

Best knitwear would be a Granny award not a Grammy... lol

Justin, I think you should make a metal album. Your vocals over some motorhead or slayer type stuff would be cool. Just an idea 😌

I have played drums for 39 years and Justin is probably in my top 5 of rock stars , he's just a cool guy and has THE most powerful voice out of the top 5

I won't listen to it again, but I think it's very important to have this stuff out there and to have music evolve versus the nonsense of most of modern pop. So often in my career I've had to almost yell at people to just try stuff. Who cares, get it out there. Let it be loved or hated. I don't care if you're a garbage man, musician or scientist....just try it. Especially those who are world class.

That made me laugh and smile. I very much enjoyed this video. Thank you. PS I have no idea what they are doing either.

Man, "snake hips Vai" killed me off. I bloody love ya. You're my musical Russell brand. I don't care if you like that or not, you are OK? OK!

I quite like the sound of the Ibanez. Lofty, yet sharp. Steve Vai is the man though. I was watching with my husband who was thinking about selling his Ibanez. Thanks to you he is locking himself up with his amp now, doing the fiddley diddlydee stuff until the neighbours complain again.

In renascense, artists had a portfolio that showed what they can do, someone were good drawning hands, other nails, other were good with transparence and highlights and shadows, other people were good at other different things. Polyphia for me is just that, a portfolio book. They just open the drawer where the book was. I see the melody of their musics as the pages of that portfolio book, different pages sign the new repetition, and they just draw in it the things they want to show us, the things they are good at, different shapes of the same thing, for different type of clients.