That sets him apart. Even Vai and Satriani - both not mindless shredders - say that. He has exquisite bending and vibrato, and yes he's darn fast, but he's always in time as well. And while he's become laughing stock with his flourishy drama, he doesn't sound like a machine.
But his musical tastes ...
What could this guy do in a prog band where the music really challenges him.