1 comments about Live on the Riverboat.

1. This is a great live album, and it's very simple...Simon Fowler on guitar and vocals and Oscar Harrison on drums. It's Ocean Colour Scene's 50% but it's enough to achieve a good sound for this collection of songs like "The Day We Caught The Train" or "North Atlantic Drift".
   
   It isn't an album for those who are looking for some new musical revelation, it is an honest record from two musicians who enjoy playing for their fans, and you can realise it as long as you are listening to "Live On The Riverboat".
   
   This album was originally released just for the fans of the band, but I can tell you that if you like british pop-rock, you can try this CD. It's an acoustic compilation from a very good band whose influences include The Who, Small Faces, Neil Young, The Jam, Free or Fairport Convention.
   
   Oh! and you can take advantage of this: The CD case has a very curious design with a blue gel package, very nice!

1 comments about Midnight Court at the Lyceum.

1. This has been in circulation for some time as a bootleg (which I could never find!), but finally, an official release. Full marks to the designer: the CD booklet and case back capture the feel of 1969. The sound is not of the best, but that's to be expected. The only time it seriously breaks down is for a few seconds during "Salamanda Palaganda" - it sounds like the original tape at some point got chewed up.

   Considering that Unicorn was only a few months from release at the time this was recorded, it's surprising that more songs from Unicorn aren't featured. The first half concentrates on selections from the first two albums, plus, of course, the first two singles. It's only after they've won the audience that "new" material appears.

   There's a lovely moment after "Once upon the Seas of Abyssinia" when Marc asks if there are any Pink Floyd fans in the house and Steve plays the first few notes of Interstellar Overdrive. They then launch into a raucous version of Do You Remember. This must have been quite a shock for the audience, the first time most of them had heard Tyrannosaurus Rex going electric!

   Two bonus tracks, recorded earlier in the year in Denmark are included: a manic Strange Orchestras and a wonderful version of Eastern Spell, the latter worth buying this album for alone!

5 comments about 4 Great Thrash Songs.

1. I first saw the Victim's Family live at the Berkeley Square in 1991. They were one of the best live bands I have seen, period. These guys put the power in power trio, and they refused to be put in a box. Their influences seemed to range from punk, thrash, jazz, funk, and metal. They played with as much energy and tightness as any of the big dogs on the scene in their day, and they inserted a healthy dose of humor as well. I had the privelege of seeing them a total of 3 times, and each performance was amazing and left me wanting more. This CD captures the raw energy and amazing technical ability of this obscenely overlooked and underrated band. If you appreciate good and rockin' music with great creativity, get this CD and you will not be disappointed!!



2. I saw Victim's Family for the first time in '91 in a National Guard armory of all places; they played with Nomeansno and Nuisance (<----'nuther remarkable band, too bad they's gone) and a host of other one's. It's kind of hard to compare Victim's Family and NoMeansNo...so I won't. Elise ...however; she has no idea what the hell she's talking about. Ignore her most urgently, buy this album and anything else your grubby little hands can get ahold of by Victim's Family.



3. I saw Victim's Family live in '91 in Petaluma's Phoenix Theater... when they opened for NoMeansNo (and GREEN DAY opened for THEM... quite an incredible show since I love all three bands, but just gives you some HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE). Victim's Family is from my home town, Santa Rosa... and they are also my favorite band of all time. Perhaps it's because of how Ralph screams, or because of how they boldly go where no-one dares with their guitars... how can anyone deny that with the amount of talent they have, they could destroy anyone, yet they CHOOSE to play this very ORIGINAL and NOVEL type of music. They used to tour with Primus all the time... and you know the story of how Claypool (do you know who he is little girl?) almost became the bassist for Metallica... but Metallica just said "That guy's just got his own thing going on..." almost as if to say "No way we'd give up our corporate strategy to have the most talented bassist on earth play for us." Victim's Family is in Primus' league in terms of talent AND originality, but their music is just so much cooler (and less self-indulgent). This live album really capture's their energy... and I'm happy to see that they've reunited. Just realize... Victim's Family don't necessarily strive to make music that is "pleasing" to vapid high school chicks...



4. "it didn't really get good until 'the end of 96" This is the most patently absurd and solipsistic remark I've ever heard in regards to "punk". Please, Victims Family is unique in their style and generally timeless in their content (a few notable exceptions here and there). I first saw them at a tiny venue in northern Colorado that doubled as a ballet studio, the place was absolutely packed and the show was unparalleled in my experience. I have never seen a band with as much energy and enthusiasm since, this album comes remarkably close to capturing that same energy. If you want to relive (or live for the first time) your favourite Victims Family concert, you can't do better than this. Fortunately for us all, they have regrouped and I hope they will be putting out new material soon. As for the comment, "it didn't really get good until 'the end of 96," you should add, "...the end of 96 when I started paying attention to punk." Your "punk" is a derivative, copy-cat, one-off cr@p in a shrink-wrap compared to how it all started and the spirit it embodied. This album will get you closer to it than any amount of your cheap corporate-punk ever will.



5. A good live album from the most powerfully performing band I've ever seen in concert. I had the chance to see them in Barcelona twice by the time they recorded the album... Don't miss this original jazz-noisy trio... and please, forget about comparisons with more 'popular' bands...

No comments about Live N Sleazy.

1 comments about Peel Sessions.

1. Peel songs can be something or not. The UNDERTONES were one of those bands who pretty much recreated their songs in the Peel studios live like they sounded on their records. I've heard several live UNDERTONES shows and they really got into it. Actually, I sent like 12 friends and relatives to see their San Diego show in like 1980 and I was workin' that evening. BUMMER.
   So, yeah, these Peel songs are nice but not crucial. Yer not gonna hear great variations on the studio versions here. A big UNDERTONES fan should definitely get them cuz, well, cuz it's more UNDERTONES, in theory. Otherwise, I'd stick with their studio albums.
   
   I always wanna hear Peel sets by the bands I really like to see if there's variations on some of their great songs. You don't really find that here. SLITS did a cool Peel set. Heck, there's gobs of bands who played it over the decades. I'm just glad they've released a bunch of 'em. chrisbct@hotmail.com

5 comments about 01 Lyon,France (Official Bootleg) Neurosis.

1. Neurosis is one of my all-time favorite bands, and probably the most honest bunch of musicians out there. This CD marks the first ever oficial Live recording of the band's music, and it delivers. Even though this CD has only six tracks, it's a normal-time running CD (Neurosis' songs tend to be very long) and even though some very good songs from the "Times of Grace" era are missing (especially "Under the Surface"), it includes two of the band's best songs: "Times of Grace" and Through Silver in Blood's "Locust Star" (arguably Neurosis best song ever), so you can't go wrong with this CD. The sound quality is not the best but it is pretty decent considering this is a "bootleg" recording. All in all, a must for any Neurosis fan and the closest thing there is to experiencing the band's live performance.



2. I am a huge neurosis fan, and have pretty much everything they have released. i have seen the band several times live,and can honestly say that they are one of the best live acts out there. This "bootleg" is a pretty good example of the band live., and pretty much sonically captures the fury that is neurosis live. My only gripe is the track selection. I think there are stronger songs that they could have chosen, even though the track list is pretty good. Lost was an excellent choice, but I would have liked other songs from the Times of Grace CD, such as Under the Surface (an AMAZING live song), or End of Harvest. Overall, a great example, I hope the band quickly puts out more from the bootleg series.



3. I am a huge neurosis fan, and have pretty much everything they have released. i have seen the band several times live,and can honestly say that they are one of the best live acts out there. This "bootleg" is a pretty good example of the band live., and pretty much sonically captures the fury that is neurosis live. My only gripe is the track selection. I think there are stronger songs that they could have chosen, even though the track list is pretty good. Lost was an excellent choice, but I would have liked other songs from the Times of Grace CD, such as Under the Surface (an AMAZING live song), or End of Harvest. Overall, a great example, I hope the band quickly puts out more from the bootleg series.



4. I am a huge neurosis fan, and have pretty much everything they have released. i have seen the band several times live,and can honestly say that they are one of the best live acts out there. This "bootleg" is a pretty good example of the band live., and pretty much sonically captures the fury that is neurosis live. My only gripe is the track selection. I think there are stronger songs that they could have chosen, even though the track list is pretty good. Lost was an excellent choice, but I would have liked other songs from the Times of Grace CD, such as Under the Surface (an AMAZING live song), or End of Harvest. Overall, a great example, I hope the band quickly puts out more from the bootleg series.



5. I am a huge neurosis fan, and have pretty much everything they have released. i have seen the band several times live,and can honestly say that they are one of the best live acts out there. This "bootleg" is a pretty good example of the band live., and pretty much sonically captures the fury that is neurosis live. My only gripe is the track selection. I think there are stronger songs that they could have chosen, even though the track list is pretty good. Lost was an excellent choice, but I would have liked other songs from the Times of Grace CD, such as Under the Surface (an AMAZING live song), or End of Harvest. Overall, a great example, I hope the band quickly puts out more from the bootleg series.

No comments about Live at the Roxy Club.

5 comments about The Oath That Keeps Me Free (Live).

1. Recorded live in December of last year as a benefit for a cause undefined (at least on my promo copy), Earth Crisis rip through a set of their brashest material. To be honest, I usually approach metal-cum-hardcore with a sense of impatience, as I place a high premium on the sort of variety that normally eludes these types of bands, but Earth Crisis rise above their genre limitations, only faltering during a grindcore cover of Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" (and then only because Fudge Tunnel beat them to it). But despite my favorable impression of this particular album, I still wish bands of this style (grind-influenced hc/thrash) would take a lesson from similar groove-oriented bands such as Helmet or Clutch and start incorporating vocal melodies in place of the throat tearing screams which, yes, even Earth Crisis are guilty of. What you lose in out-and-out bottom heavy crunch you make up for in versatility (and let's face it- you're never going to beat Cannibal Corpse or old Slayer anyway).



2. First off... earth crisis is, and always was a "local" band to me... i grew up in syracuse ny,... the home of alot of amazing hardcore bands... and the home of an amazing scene... The oath that keeps me free is indeed an amazing live album from this great NYHC god that is earth crisis.... Recorded at hungry charlies in syracuse new york.... i was there.. and the show was in fact amazing... and if you like true hardcore music and you respect earth crisis as a great sxe hardcore band then this is definately a cd to pick up...



3. This was actually one of the first hardcore cds i ever bought in 1998. This was an eye opener to the passion of SxE Hardcore! The CD is raw power, passion, and deep meaning from start to finish! It's also heavy as hell! Buy it if you want to hear an awesome Hardcore band at their best: Live!



4. I gotta give these guys credit for being one of the most passionate groups out there right now--hardcore or not. These guys play and perform with such raw intensity and power you can't help but take notice. You wanna talk about passion in life, these boys seem to have it! Like them or not, they play with such ferocious and unbridled energy it is easy to get caught up in it. And only this kind of PASSION in a band could draw such a strong following and at the same time such deep hatred, as well. Props to the Earth Crisis boys. And what a powerful message, too! Word up! --Kelly Magovern



5. Earth Crisis is the best straight edge hardcore Band on the Market. Not for your average radio listener Check out the samples and see for yourself.

1 comments about Play It at Your Sister.

1. First the good news. There is finally a release of the Damned's amazing BBC In Concert performance from May 1977, where the original quartet, at their musical peak, run through most of their debut album plus a few singles tracks. For those who've never heard the original Damned, they're generally described as a "punk" band, and they are. But this is primal, high-energy rock that belongs in the pantheon with the Stooges, MC5 and vintage Motorhead. And on this live set, they're faster and tighter than any of those bands. Simply incredible musicianship by what must have been, at the time, the fastest rock band ever. Kudos especially to drummer Rat Scabies--as wild as Keith Moon yet remarkably on the beat, always keeping the momentum up.
   
   This package is worth the money just for that 24-minute live set. Unfortunately, it's a mess in every other way. The live set would make a perfect release on its own. There's also the (almost) complete Stiff Records studio recordings from 1976-77--one song is missing, a b-side version of Stretcher Case (but we get that song in three other versions on this set). The Damned Stiff recordings are a classic ouevre and would also be a great release on their own (fitting on one CD). The debut album is just as exciting as the live set I described above, with an even more powerful, amazingly raw studio sound.
   
   Unfortunately this great music is watered down with already available BBC session recordings that repeat many titles in less exciting versions. And the BBC sessions are interspersed chronologically with the studio recordings, which means you get lots of repetition of songs, often very close to each other.
   
   Finally, the mastering on the Stiff recordings is terrible. The drums come across better than ever, but the sound in some places is excessively bright. Yet in other places, there's distortion that sounds like nobody even did a quality-control check. "See Her Tonite", a highlight of the debut album, is unlistenable here, with "in the red" noise throughout and a horrible blast of static near the end.
   
   There are also three unreleased demos from 1976. These sound terrible compared with the long available bootleg versions. The tape hiss is removed, but so is all the life in the guitar sound. And there's a live "bonus" disc from a 1976 concert that is probably the worst-sounding recording I've ever bought from a "legit" record company.
   
   The package includes a seven-inch-size book with lots of nice photos and a long essay. I haven't read the essay, but just in scanning the basic track info and credits, I found countless typos and errors, more signs of a rush job with poor quality control.

No comments about Live at Shepperton 1980.