3 comments about The Complete John Peel Sessions.

1. I am a JAMC fan and think this album is absolutely great. I believe it clearly captures the magic of the band. And the capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.



2. All of these 21 live tunes are unreleased. However, the actual songs were released on the 'Psychocandy' and 'Darklands' CDs. If you're looking for new songs, you'll find mostly covers here. (The JAMC were never good at acoustic covers, so even kangaroos can guess what 'My Girl' sounds like). Most of the tunes have the same straight-to-tape sound of the original CDs, except sloppier. Some intense tracks really do terrify (In a Hole, Taste The Floor, Some Candy Talking), I found the rest to be nothing we haven't heard already. OK, but hardly great.



3. A good reminder for all who've forgotten what a genius band the JAMC was. The first several track are very early, pre-Psychocandy noise hysteria, but the real revelation is hearing stripped-down acoustic versions of the songs on that album. They're almost more wonderful without all the feedback--pristine, melodic songs whose delicate music runs against their nihilistic lyrics. Things get a bit lame later in the disc with some of the JAMC's less distinguished later tracks, but the acoustic version of "My Girl" is killer.

2 comments about From Paris with L-U-V.

1. THis is a must have for any rock and roll fan. Cassual listerns will have to listen twice though to appriecate it. THe New york dolls are a lot harder on this album and a love it. This album shows how great the new york dolls and is a testament to the greatest rock and roll band ever it. It shows the beggining of punk metal new wave indy and everything in between. The reason why the new york dolls are genry less is because the started it all. New wave punk hair metal. Started a decade of big hair every thing a decade early. The thing this album does is lie to rest the rumors why the new york dolls never made it big the where to good to real for the early seventies. This album also makes every other band from that era sound like pussy's. Kiss Led Zepplin Black Sabbath does not compare to this. THis is the new York dolls the way they should have been presented to the world.
   
   P.S. When listening to this album imagine it is 1973 and this comes on the radio.



2. I wasn't expecting much, but this is good stuff. The mix is OK, and David's French is hilarious. Then again the introduction that proclaims Johnny Thunders is "back to zee fifteees" is worth the price of admission. The set is performed with elan, with such tunes as "Puss 'n Boots" and Personality Crisis" and "Stranded in the Jungle" !! belted out in the way we wanted the Dolls doing it on those live CDs we wasted money on. Between lighting cigarettes and moments of, shall we say, light stomachs, the Dolls miss cues and forget where they are and distill rock and roll to its essense, skidding along the edge of diddly/berry, stop to pose, and rock again. A great document.

5 comments about Pixies at the BBC.

1. 
   The reason I bought this cd was that I had issues with the sound quality on albums like "Surfer Rosa"-sort of muddy, and lacking immediacy. I was hoping the BBC compilation would have a fresher and crisper sound to songs I liked. Generally speaking, the sound quality in compilations like this and the "B Sides" one are superior to that on albums like "Surfer Rosa".
   
   In any case, it was on this cd that I first heard any version of "Down to the well" and I was instantly drawn to it...from the cool Kim Deal incantation throughout the song, to the cool "Creep" like guitar effect in the song [I mean the Radiohead song of this name-maybe Radiohead got this effect by listening to this song in any case]. Listening to the regular album version of this song was a major disappointment...the whole arrangement was inferior to the one in this cd. Kim Deal's vocals are very feint, and the intro isn't as good either.
   
   That song is a good example of compilations like this improving on the originals. The flipside of that is songs like "Monkey gone to Heaven". After falling in love with the album version and then listening this version, this version pretty much spoiled for a while my appreciation of the original version when I came back to it. Even though it's hard to label Francis Black a great vocalist, you appreciate his brilliant theatrics and performance in the original song because it is lacking here. This version, unsurprisingly, also lacks the lush, beautiful orchestral arrangement of the original. The worst bits, I suppose, are where Francis treads on Joe's great guitar solo by adding a few extra words, which puts Joe out of whack for what should be a highlight of the song. More forgivably, Francis varies lyrics in another part of the song...not to any great effect, but it mixes things up in any case.
   
   Other songs I enjoyed on this album were:
   
   "Levitate me"- Francis nearly yodels in this and his word play is nice too. The "oi" chant is more obviously an AC/DC type chant [a la "TNT"] than in the original album version.
   
   "Caribou"-has some typical Francis type screeching and some nice poetic lyrical form-sort of like Haiku?
   
   "Hey"
   
   Some other songs which had something of interest to them:
   
   "Wild honey pie"-another over the top vocal performance by Francis. Has a touch of "London calling" by The Clash to it. I suppose this kind of simple, repetitive lyric works better than other such songs by the band...at least it's funny here.
   
   Perhaps the best example of overly simple lyrics [yet again, the song title is endlessly repeated] being used to good effect is "There goes my gun". Kim does some nice backing vocals here.
   
   "Dead"-nice word games in this song-not very sophisticated though. Touch of the White Stripes about it.
   
   "Subbacultcha"-bass heavy, like a lot of Pixies songs. Has a bass line not unlike the tune to the tv show "Peter Gunn".
   
   "Wave of mutilation"-has an intro which reminded me of Lennon's "Starting over".
   
   "Letter to Memphis"-starts out in hard rock form, verging on heavy metal. An early riff in the song sort of reminded me of the Bay City Rollers, but gosh, my memory of that band was never that strong!
   
   "Ana"-a nice mellow song with Francis having a gentle singing style, unusually. The lead guitar's melody is nice too.
   
   In contrast to "Is she weird"-another bass guitar based song where Francis just goes berko, vocally.
   
   Overall, since there isn't a compilation by this band which compiles all the versions of songs I like best from this band, I'd say that this compilation is good if you want to hear the superior version of "Down to the well". It's not exactly "Essential" Pixies, as "Surfer Rosa" and "Doolittle" are, but if you want to add to your Pixies collection, I can say that albums like "Bossanova" and either this album or "Complete B sides" are definitely worth considering.



2. This was actually the first Pixies album I got (ca. 1998, better late than never) and it's still one of my favorite albums by anybody. The first song is a very creative take on an obscure semi-song from the Beatles' White Album. Black Francis and co.'s screamed version is almost unrecognizable, but in a delightfully ear-splitting way. Most of the songs are stripped to their core essence, highlighting the band's rock-solid songwriting. It also makes an interesting introduction to the band's catalog - sort of like an "alternative" greatest hits album.



3. This is listed here as a 'live' album. This should be clarified for potential buyers: this is not the 'live' album you are hoping/looking for. This is a collection of songs by the Pixies recorded at BBC Studios in the UK over the course of several years. Yes, the tracks appear to have been recorded live (most likely in one take), but otherwise any resemblance to a live album ends there. And besides, nowhere on the cd does ever use the actual word 'Live'. With that clarified, let's move on.
   
   While some Pixies fans balk at this album, I actually find it to be pretty essential-easily up there with their collection of B-Sides, and in my opinion, up there with Bossanova (their weakest album). Pixies at the BBC offers a view of the band that cuts to the bone: no studio gimmicks, up front vocals, solid mixing of the rhythm section, and an incredible spread of songs from every album (minus Surfer Rosa), plus 2 outstanding covers (of The Beatles and David Lynch, no less-Pixies were the masters at choosing the best cover material ever).
   
   Many songs here are somewhat stripped down (possibly causing much of the fuss with hardcore Pixies fans) here. 'Is She Weird' for example dispenses with any lead guitar, providing the song with even more immediacy. 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' seems more primal performed without the string section. 'Manta Ray', always a personal favorite of mine (an outtake from Doolittle), shines so pristine here, it's too bad they didn't squeeze it onto Doolittle. And 'There Goes My Gun' tears out of the speakers like a rocket-seeming more like a companion song to 'River Euphrates' and 'Something Against You' from Surfer Rosa than anything off Doolittle. It's actually quite interesting to see how the band's sound was shaped in the studio to a large degree.
   
   My favorite song here, though, has to be '(In Heaven)'. A fan of surreal cinema (also check the lyrics to Debaser), Frank/Black/Francis loved Eraserhead, and so, the Pixies covered this song penned by David Lynch. It's so utterly raw, terrifying, and simple, that for me, it's one of the band's defining moments. And the shock of feedback/guitar hitting the floor at the end perfectly finishes it all off.
   
   Certainly this is not a typical Pixies 'album', and it is far from perfect (no Surfer Rosa tracks-come on!!!), yet somehow, as much as any other Pixies release (with the exception of the truly live 2nd disc from the Death to the Pixies compilation-an absolutely stunning testament to the greatness of this band), Pixies at the BBC captures their essence: exciting, raw, odd, adventurous, funny, and, yes, cool.
   
   While it's no Surfer Rosa or Doolittle (I mean, come on, what is?!)-this is as good of a place as any to discover the most exciting and creative rock band to emerge since the 1960's.



4. The title of this CD mentions "EXTRA TRACKS", but the song listings are the same as the other PIXIES LIVE CD. They both have 15 songs listed, and are in the same order. I don't see any extra tracks here. Where are the extra tracks thou speakest of?



5. BBC is a wonderful compilation of the Pixies. It contains several alternative versions to many of you favorite Pixies songs. I recommend that anyone who like great music should obtain BBC.

5 comments about Plague Mass (1984 End of the Epidemic).

1. Diamanda Galas makes some of the most uncompromising music in the world. Just look at the reactions in the reviews. It's nearly impossible to just "sorta" like Galas - she's either terrifying and wonderful, or a source of unlistenable garbage. Obviously, I fit in the former category. It goes beyond her incredible vocal range or her bizarre extended techniques - it's her artistic vision, as if her entire oeuvre combines to create this massive wave of anger, bitterness, and defiance. It's definitely not for those with delicate sensibilities.
   
   Having said that, lets talk about "Plague Mass." I consider this one of her most well-conceived and perfectly realized works to date. It's one of the more powerful musical experiences I've yet had, even if the text doesn't necessarily speak to me as directly as it might to some. I've not known anyone with AIDS, but the raw anger of the work transcends the message.
   
   There are instrumental parts, but they're really just there to support her voice and add some dramatic tension until midway through when percussionists enters. Galas employs equal parts music performance and theater. Over the course of the work, she channels a range of personalities, many times over the course of a single section. You can't always understand the words, but the tone, texture, and delivery gives the listener a pretty good idea what's going on.
   
   I could describe the libretto, but that's probably the easiest aspect of the work to understand. Actually *listening* to the music in the correct frame of mind is much more difficult. Again, many will not enjoy the suffocating darkness or the aural assault of Galas's voice and that's fine - it's not easily accessible in any way. That said, I think we're best off listening without expectations. We normally listen to music with a more-or-less similar frame of mind. Most music follows a set of rules and conventions, which allow it to communicate easily with a wide audience. Experimental music such as this ignores those conventions, and therefore, we must set aside our preconceived notions about music when approaching something as radical as the "Plague Mass." To be fair, even after listening with an open mind, some listeners may still find it unsettling to the point of unlistenability. That's a perfectly reasonable reaction, but I would hope that before coming to that conclusion, everyone who decides to check this album out gives it a serious chance judging it on its own terms.
   
   I recommend this to adventurous listeners and fans of the avant garde. If you're undecided, I'd highly recommend listening to the online samples before purchasing. It should give a fairly accurate idea of what to expect.
   
   "Plague Mass" is definitely one of Galas's most personal works and it really comes through in a powerful way. If you can get past the oppressive darkness, you'll find a very moving experience.



2. This is a requiem mass,for all people throughout the world who have died of aids.A disease possibly created by fascists to kill off the gays,blacks,and all the undesirables.This cd is a beautiful and sometimes frightening performance by Galas for all who have suffered needlessly.Gala's brother had died of aids,and she knows many other who have died,from the horrific disease.In this performance she also takes a stab at all those right wing politicans and fundamentalists who misinterpret the bible,and use religion as a political weapon,and a means of control and repression,which inevitably causes many millions of people to suffer,and greatly reduces their quality of life.Galas is very outspoken advocate and provocator.This is one unnerving,passionate,and powerful album.This album is recorded live and she performs meaningful poetic texts,from different sources,including the bible,and from her own pen,among others.Some of it spoken,but most of it sung with her incredible otherwordly operatic voice.The plague mass actually sounds similiar to an opera or classical requiem,with a heavy avantguard influnece.The acoustics are amazing,and her operatic voice is massive and cuts like steel through a cathedral!



3. I have tried to keep an open mind towards Diamanda Galas. I have an appreciation of all things "musical" ranging from Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music" to Throbbing Gristle's "Heathen Earth" to the works of Laurie Anderson, early Swans, Lydia Lunch, even Neil Young's "Arc". But this and most of her other works are crapola posing (not too well I might add) as "music" or "art" and they are neither. Even dear, sweet Yoko(an obvious influence), sounds like Beverly Sills compared to this caterwauling, shrieking spawn of Satan. I guess I just don't get it. Give me "Cambridge 1969" any old time :)
   
   How could anyone sit through an entire disc of this? I think Diamanda needs an exorcism or something.
   
   Good God, man.



4. 
   Two words describe this cd- DISTURBING and CREEPY. I can only listen to certain sections of this cd because there are times when Diamanda's voice gets to that chilling, blood curdling point that I'm about to experience an anxiety attack. But the irony of it all is that there is something about her performance that wants you to remain and continue to listen to her. There's just that fascination factor that keeps me enthralled. I just skip to the parts I can't handle. Also I can only listen to this cd in the daytime-too frightening to listen to at night! This was a live recorded concert at Saint John of the Divine Cross(I've forgotten-maybe in error?)in NYC. Her message of how the Regan administration ignored the relevance of AIDS in it's early days(lack of funding for research)and it being considered a gay disease and the igorance it accompanied; to how it is akin to the black plague to contemporary times. She takes you through sections set up as a mass; with each section having a purpose and meaning. Diamanda shreiks at the ignorance of the plague and how it eats away at it's host.



5. In 1991, on the month of October, Diamanda Galas ascended the stage of New York City's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. There, she performed and recorded what may be the most memorable sound ritual ever to be heard by audiences. Both harrowing and angelic, "The Plague Mass" is a vocal exorcism birthed by a modern banshee. In most of the tracks, her operatic screams echo off the walls of the church, piercing the brain like flying shards of stained glass. Other moments allow her to disturb listeners with her hoarse, beastly hisses. However, Galas's intention was not merely to shock the religious. Instead, she turned the Holy Bible inside out in order to address the rampant suffering caused by AIDS. At a time when this disease was ruled as a divine punishment for gays and lesbians, Galas chose to spit gospel curses to every Christian responsible for persecuting and ostracizing HIV-infected patients. With candles flickering in the darkness, she speaks in manic tongues, vomiting forth a gospel hurricane that showed compassion to AIDS victims and unforgiveness to the viciously pious.
   In "Were you a Witness?," Galas first expresses her anger towards America's mass media. It's apparent that the many deaths caused by the disease (including those of famous musicians like Freddy Mercury and Liberace) were treated like exhibits in a sensationalistic tabloid circus. She faces the money-hungry reporters and warns, "To all cowards and voyeurs, there are no more tickets to the funeral." "This is the Law of the Plague" incorporates several Psalms and Chapter 15 of the Old Testament. Here, in front of the rolling roar of dragon drums, Galas cackles in the role of a corrupt judge; a sanctimonious fascist who vehemently labels AIDS patients as "unclean." With a blood red light looming over her, Galas takes an appalling look at society itself. It's one where doctors, priests, and politicians deliberately leave HIV patients for dead just to avoid scandal and hatred. In addition, the singer labels the Devil as an impotent homophobe who can only be aroused by human suffering. "I Wake Up and See the Face of the Devil" allows Galas to portray the average victim. With a mind ravaged by dementia, she lies helplessly in a sterilized hospital room as a stern cleric forces her to confess her sins. The members of the clergy are warped into dirty angels that hover over the morgue like buzzards. Later, as the heartbeat percussion rises in its volume, Galas rips out some Revelations text. Predicting the arrival of the Antichrist, she leads 3,000 of his armies to massacre all devoted Christians who slaughtered and oppressed people with HIV. In an alarming fury, Galas spews a bitter poem concerning how anyone carrying the virus is shamelessly denied access to medical care, insurance, and surgery. She validly declared Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome as a form of homicide, making her audience aware of how infected men and women are robbed of their dignity. From there, in the track "Sono L'Anticristo," she proudly labels herself the son of Satan, since the Antichrist was as much of an outcast on Earth as Jesus. Then, "Cris D'Aveugle: Blind Man's Cry," a text originally written in 1873 by Tristan Corbiere, becomes a sad and spiritual communion played by a demonic symphony. In the Frency language, Galas leads her choir into a pit of despair, an afterlife that gives no love or comfort after HIV. As the bell tolls, Galas decrys the scourge of injustice. It's one in which family members killed by AIDS aren't properly buried because even the morticians are too afraid to embalm the corpses. During this song (as well as others on this album), her whispers get increasingly suffocated through a pair of hemorrhaged lungs, fading into a grim silence. Finally, the raw emotion of the blues tune, "Let My People Go" spills over the grim notes of a grand piano. Nothing is more terrifying than a virus that destroys the body's ability to defend itself. Galas believed that once AIDS strikes another host, that individual is doomed to suffer a lifetime of sorrow and cruelty. While comparing the illness to a sentence of life in prison, she expresses that person's depression in one sentence: "The Devil has designed my death, and he's waiting to be sure that plenty of his black sheep die before he finds a cure."
   I recommend this album to anyone craving the works of a powerful, controversial artist. Diamanda Galas is a sonic martyr that liberates the soul from mainstream bondage.

1 comments about Live at Maxwell's.

1. This is a great introduction to a great band. It's also a great overview for all of us who already know and love Imperial Teen. Their music and live show is sweet in so many ways. It's sweet in the 'great' way. It's also sweet, because the band is so sweet. It was one of the warmest and most melodic shows I've ever seen. So, this CD is a great souvenir of the concert experience.....If you're in the mood for a sexy, poppy, melodic, sweet band, check this out!

5 comments about Warped Tour 2003.

1. This is the only Warped Tour Compilation I actually bought because my friend bought the 2007 Compilation and he said there are only 14 good songs that are true punk and ska.(Dumbass) I was looking at most of the 2000's compilations and I decided to buy the 2003 one and I also took sample listens for each song on iTunes. So many amazing bands for $6 and on two cds and 50 amazing bands I know and some I don't know STUN and Stairwell. (I liked there songs by the way) The bands I knew before were Less Than Jake, Suicide Machines, Early November, Swingin Udders, Simple Plan, Lagwagon, Authority Zero, Mest, Maxeen, The Used, Dropkick Murphys, NOFX, Face to Face, Glassjaw, and Slick Shoes. This is a great way to find good new bands and don't waste your money on any upcoming warped tour crappy 2 cd deal. I also recommend the 2002 compilation as well.
   Without the warped tour cds what would we do for music. Probably be another MTV I am pop but I think were rock. (Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco) (I WANT TO BE A CHOLO) (GO MANIC HISPANIC!)



2. this was just an impulse buy, i saw it on sale for $6 and recognized a few of the bands, so i bought it. it is great. i'll definatly try to go to the warped tour this year. but shouldnt this carry a 'parental adivsory' sticker? the f-word is spaced out over both discs, but especially in the casualties' "made in nyc", they say the f-word at least 20 times. its an awesome song though, its a tribute to the ramones.



3. I got this at a yard sale because I was interested in the genre of music. The genre of this album is really more than I expected, though. I was expecting a lot of punk songs that sounded the same. But what it really is is a lot of different genres mixed into one thing called alternative. There are all kinds of music on this. There are 52 songs by 52 different artists. There were a couple songs that weren't great and I don't think I would have enjoyed live, but there were a lot of songs that really catchy. There are a lot of small name bands on this various artists mix, but there are also some big names like Yellowcard and Story of the Year. Altogether, I thought this was a good CD and definitely worth my time. I also think that any punk, metal or just plain rock fan should posess it.



4. This is probablly the best Warped tour album yet. Most of the bands are true punk and are incredible. My favorites are Lagwagon,Authority zero, and Avenged sevenfold. This compilation host some of the best punk groups and their best songs. For $7 by it.



5. this cd is really really good. warped tour never fails to please. the best songs are by these people...the used, YELLOWCARD, story of the year, matchbook romance, the early november, avoid one thing, taking back sunday, audio karate, simple plan, maxeen, coheed and cambria, and mest. BUY THIS CD

5 comments about Live at the Whisky a Go-Go.

1. Why?
   Because it rocks.
   Start to finish, it's rocking and shows X in top form.
   If you're ever sitting there, wondering "hmm, what to play right now?", this is one that will ALWAYS sound great.
   If you do not own this record, you need to buy it NOW.



2. What hasn't been said here already? Just giving my 2 cents of praise for this monster rockabilly explosion! Hardcore from start to finish. John Doe's and Exene's vocals are a match made in heaven and hell all at once.



3. Okay, I am forever in love with my friend who introduced me to X, because oh my god I don't know how I lived without them. I had the incredible fortune to see them two months ago in S.F., and it was definitely one of the best shows I'd ever been to. Despite the decline in quality that occured in their albums in the nineties with the loss of Billy Zoom, now that they're all back together performing they have this incredible power reminiscent of "the good old days". While their stage prescence can't be entirely recorded into audio, this album comes really damn close.
   So... I recommend: Get this album (assuming of course you already have Los Angeles and Wild Gift... those are the prerequisites), and as soon as you get a chance GO SEE THEM! and send my love.



4. 'Live At...' was recorded while the band was out on tour in 1988,with additional guitarist Tony Gilkyson.So,now X was a five piece.No complaint here.Total of 21 songs performed in 72 minutes of up-beat all American home grown old-school punk.Very good choice.Recently,I got to see all four original members reunite for a decent length tour.Which was:Exene Cervenka-vocals,D.J.Bonebrake-drums,John Doe-bass and Billy Zoom-guitar.These 'new wave' era punksters STILL put on a great live performance.They did many of the tracks on this live CD,like "Los Angeles","Burning House Of Love","My Goodness","Devil Doll","Hungry Wolf","Riding With Mary"(my favorite X song),"White Girl" and "Johnny Hit".A nice find.



5. Take this one....Please! If you like rock and roll, punk, alt... any or all of these etc....this is the one I'd take out of my whole collection. If you want the concert experience while sorting laundry, mopping the floor, or breaking up with your lover-BUY THIS ONE!~Thanks to all the members of X for being the greatest!

5 comments about Live at the Key Club.

1. Pennywise have always been one of my favorite 90s Punk Bands. And this live cd f*ckin kills. Most of their best tracks on 1 cd
   
   1. Intro
   2. Wouldn't It Be Nice 10/10
   3. Living For Today 9/10
   4. Final Chapters 10/10
   5. Can't Believe It 8/10
   6. Unknown Road 10/10
   7. Homesick 9/10
   8. No Reason Why 20/10
   9. Fight Till You Die 9/10
   10. Peaceful Day 10/10
   11. Society 10/10
   12. Straight Ahead 10/10
   13. Pennywise 9/10
   14. Perfect People 10/10
   15. Minor Threat 10/10 Great Cover
   16. Same Old Story 10/10
   17. Alien 10/10
   18. Bro Hymn 15/10
   
   Get this for an intro to Pennywise or if u want the best live cd/recording ever



2. Wow!..What a live album by an awesome punk band. The energy displayed here by Pennywise is incredible and should not be overlooked by any Pennywise fan. Most of the material played is older songs, but that says nothing. All of them are great in their own way. Their fast and aggressive style is clearly seen on every song.
   
   -A Pennywise Fan
   
   
   Highlight Tracks:
   
   Fight Till You Die
   Perfect People
   Wouldn't It Be Nice
   Same Old Story
   Living For Today
   Bro Hymn



3. "Hello, we're Pennywise from Hermosa Beach, California!"

   Hey, where the hell are you going? Come back here, or I'm gonna catch ya, tie ya up and force ya to listen to this! This is one case where you can't judge a review by its cover.

   So Pennywise are from California, and they are popular with skate and surf kiddies, but if you're expecting watered down Offspring/Green Day type pop-punk, then you're out of luck. This is faster, more intelligent, and dare I say it, heavier ... If you want Good Charlotte or Blink 182, then go and listen to er... Good Charlotte or Blink 182. And Pennywise deliver live, something the pretend punks only wish they could.

   Unlike the modern day pretenders, Pennywise have one foot firmly in the early 80s, and are damned proud of the fact. Check the cover of "Minor Threat", where Jim lists the bands he grew up listening to. Some of their songs here, particularly older tracks like "Final Chapters" and "Unknown Road" sound like Bad Religion or The Descendents with a rocket ... The song "Pennywise" could almost have come from Suicidal Tendencies. There is an old school Hardcore edge to much of the band's material. Something else the casual observer might also miss is a hint of Thrash, particularly in the guitar playing. Don't believe me? Check out "Fight Til You Die" and "Perfect People" for yourself. It beats most of what Megadeth or Helloween produced in the 1980s.

   Even several years after his suicide, original bass player Jason is still an important figure for the band. If he wrote a song, they let everyone know. The set closer "Bro Hymn" is dedicated to his memory, and what a belter of a song to be remembered by. The distinctive bass riff and classic "whoa, whoa" shoutalong refrains get everyone going, for a raucous all-in finale.

   This is by no means a perfect live album. The odd track sounds a little flat, like there was not much atmosphere at the gig. The overly commercial "Alien" in particular sounds out of place. The crowd do not seem terribly enthusiastic at times, as if they are unfamiliar with the band's back catalogue. The playing is near on note perfect though, and is still definitely live, rather than doctored in the studio. For a summer time beer drinking party hard live album, you could do a lot worse than this.




4. a band that sounds good live.good cd if ur not a big fan of pennywise but want something with some of there best work then this cd is a must have



5. This is the latest Pennywise c.d. that I have gotten and it was shocking to hear how amazing a live show put on by Pennywise can be.My only regrets are the lack of good songs from about time and the fact that the song alien which sounds like it was written by a totally different band was on here.
   Also wouldn't it be nice wasn't nearly as godd as how it is on the self titled album.Pennywise manages to pack a-lot of awesome energy into this album with tracks like fight till you die and cant believe it and the touching Bro Hyhm.
   I would reccomend listening to Pennywise before getting this c.d. Get About time or the self titled but I wouldn't reccomend Unkown for new listeners to Pennywise, I thought that almost all of the songs on Unknown road sounded terrible with the exceptions of Homesick and Unkown Road the song and the vocals get really whiny and annoying.
   So if you really become a Pennywise fan I would reccomend that you buy this c.d. it rocks my socks.

5 comments about Live in a Dive.

1. This album is guaranteed to get you into an accident, keep it out of the car at all times! Great set list, great sound, great band.



2. I guess if you're a pimply-faced dweeb who likes having some moron sound like he's had his larynx removed, then this would be for you. All the so-called songs sound the same with this jerk screaming unintelligible rage into a microphone, while some no-talent one-chord idiots bang the same noise in the background. You're better off sticking with Justin Timberlake or some other useless boy toy. At least you can understand what he says.
   
   :^D



3. The cd comes with a quicktime movie file on it that looks to be about a half hour long. It's broken. It plays about 1 1/2 minutes before it stops playing. As for the CD? I don't even need to say anything about it, its SOIA!



4. This is an awesome SOIA album. It really shows off their energy, and the songs sound almost exactly like they do on their studio albums. Normally, I avoid live albums because they sound like crap, but the sound quality was excelent, and they play their best songs with Lou's comments to the crowd ("punk wasn't available at the mall, it wasn't cute, it wasn't about fashion, it was an attitude, a way you lived").

   I hope these guys come to Tucson, cause I'll be first in line to get my tickets.




5. great album. furious, nuts etc. all the usual hardcore comments. glad to hear the band with balls live. still in my mind, the greatest sick of it all song ever is call to arms. it is flawless on this album.

5 comments about Live From the Middle East.

1. ... "if dimension, fidelity, and artistry are more your bag, Live pretty much bites. --Sue VanHecke"
   
   Sorry Sue, I can't agree with that. Saying the Bosstones lack artistry is almost laughable. The Tones showcase some of the most talented musicians I've come across in my time. Masterful bass playing, a tight brass section, excellent guitar work and frankly, Dicky Barrett's vocal's are individual, endearing and soulful.
   
   All up a great CD!



2. Wow...wow is all I can say about this display of live concert music. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are my favorite band, and I completed my collection of their cd's by laying down $18 for this cd- and I don't regret it oooone bit.
   Between the awesome blend of songs from all their albums and the raw energy being witnessed, this cd can please anyone who's in the room. Cd's such as Devil's Night Out and More Noises and Other Disturbances weren't all that great to me...but this cd has made me come to love both of those "okay" cd's just because hearing some older songs by MMB played live seemed to bring a new light over them!
   It's plain and simple...BUY THIS ALBUM! It's a must-have for annny MMB fan.



3. Like the Grateful Dead, the Bosstones are better live than recorded. This is essentially a live greatest hits album. It has all the songs of theirs that I could name, good sound, and an amazing 22 tracks. It's the only Bosstones disc I need, especially with "Where'd you go", "Someday I suppose", and half of the "Let's face it" album. Who needs that anymore. If you enjoy that "live" energy, and listen to bands like Fishbone and The Reverend Horton Heat, you'll love this.



4. Recorded during the Bosstones annual hometown throwdown shows right after their breakthrough album Let's Face It, Live from the Middle East actually does a good job capturing the essence of the Bosstones live. It features classic songs as well as a ton of songs off of Let's Face It, all in all it's a massive 22 song collection and every song sounds great. The set opens with 1-2-8 off of Let's Face It, it then goes into the classics Do Somethin Crazy, He's Back and one of my favorite Bosstones songs Devil's Night Out. With this live album they also breathe new life into songs such as Dr.D, Howwhywuz Howwhyam, Cowboy Coffee, and Where'd You Go. All of which are highlights of the album. Songs such as Kinder Words, Hope I Never Lose My Wallet, and Hell of a Hat also sound just as good live maybe even better than their studio recordings. Other songs from Let's Face It include the title track, Rascal King, Noise Brigade, Royal Oil, and their hit single, The Impression that I Get. The band sounds very tight on the live album, as any band would after touring for months at a time. Honestly the one low point of the album is the song Royal Oil, I'm just not a fan of that song, I actually think it's one of the worst song's they've ever recorded. The album ends on a great note also with The Impression that I Get, the classic Someday I Suppose (also featured in the movie Clueless), and the short Lights Out, which features the band members going back and forth singing to each other, definately a highlight of the live album. Live from the Middle East is definately worth the money, of course nothing will ever capture the essence of the Bosstones live but this cd comes extremely close, you should definately check them out if you get the chance to.



5. This live CD by the Bosstones is also a nice pre-Pay Attention "greatest hits" collection. Songs are taken from everything from Devil's Night Out to More Noise... to Don't Know How To Party. Many selections also come from Let's Face It. The recording quality is not as bad as some may say. All the songs do credit to the studio versions, with that touch that can only be felt live. The only song that just plain stinks is "The Impression That I Get" because it does nothing to capture the essence of the original masterpiece. Dicky's voice is in top-form, and he switches from growling to his deep tone very nicely. So there you have it. A live 22-track compilation of some of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones greatest. My only gripes are the bad quality of song 20 and all the unneeded language.