Reviews (3)

An Incredible Live Experience
I received Bjork's "Live Box" as a Christmas present for 2004 and was so excited to finally have my hands on it. I had, after all, wanted to own this box set a few months prior to actually owning it. The four CD's contained within it are live versions of Bjork's first four solo studio albums "Debut," "Post," Homogenic" and "Vespertine." It's taken me quite a while to truly appreciate them all as individual sets, but it's been worth it because it is truly an exceptional piece of music to add to any Bjork fan's collection.

The third album in the collection is "Homogenic Live." This album often reaches dizzying heights of pure excellence and genius with probably no low points. Most of the songs are recorded in different locations around the world on Bjork's world tour of the album in places such as Cambridge, Paris, Washington, Prague, Spain, London, Tourhout, Vienna and Montreux all throughout 1998. Just like with the "Post Live" album, this adds a cultural aspect to the live material you're hearing which is very European and appealing. As well as adding a flavour to the music, this also showcases just how amazing Bjork is live in every different location possible. The album itself has 16 live songs here, which is great value for money. Three of the songs on this album were actually taken from the "Later With Jools Holland" show broadcast in the UK on 29th November 1997.

The album opens with "Visur Vatsenda Rósu," which is a rare Bjork song. There's actually no singing in this instrumental piece, and it serves more as a warm-up for the songs that follow. "Hunter" is up next and is instantly recognisable by the low hum that opens the song. This is a great live version of one of my favourite-ever Bjork songs, because the percussion is stronger than ever before, especially towards the end; you can hear every little minuscule beat that forms that epic arrangement. "You've Been Flirting Again" is not really good live because Bjork sings it in Icelandic (I think) instead of English. However, respect to her for doing this, but I'd have preferred to have heard it in English. "Isobel" is up next and begins brilliantly with the tribal feel that infected the original. This live version is great, but the only flaw with it is that the build-up to the string-section in the chorus is a bit of an anti-climax here. I expected something very epic and dramatic, when in fact it's rather feeble and weak.

"All Neon Like" is really superb live. Bjork brings something to this song live which can't be replicated in the studio. The sounds that open the song are really ominous and the build up to the part where she sings, "And the luminous beam - it feeds you!" is brilliant, it's almost devastating, like the sound you'd expect to hear if somebody stumbled over a dead body. "Possibly Maybe" opens beautifully with its telephone-like intro echoing all around the arena. Bjork's vocals here are very strong working in harmony with the instruments. "5 Years" was always one of my favourite songs from Homogenic, and this version is amazing too. The heavy, crunching beat that pounded in the original is here in all its ferocious splendour as the violins make a great addition by coming in earlier in the song than in the original. "Come To Me" is amazing here live and definitely one of the best live songs I've heard in quite a while. This is one of the few songs from "Debut" to feature on this tour, but it works very well with an unforgettable violin intro which runs for the first minute. It's absolutely beautiful. The three-note beat which made this song so brilliant then starts shining through the strings as they fade out gently.

"Immature" is another great song live because the bouncy percussion of the original is more focused upon here. The structure is very broken down with all these songs, which is what you have to understand and appreciate when hearing Bjork live. The live versions become almost new songs in themselves, but still retain their identity of the album versions. Bjork's vocal-wails in this song are brilliant and I am particularly amused by the part where she goes, "Silly girl, silly girl! So silly! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" The next song is "I Go Humble" which is that great, rare Bjork song which we first heard on the Post Live album. It also sounds great here, and much better than on the aforementioned live album. "Bachelorette" is the first of three songs to be taken from the Jools Holland show. The epic grandeur of this song is still present and Bjork's vocals add something more than the original did. "Human Behaviour" is brilliant live. The rolling percussion of the original is replicated here which sounds much better than on the live version on the Debut Live album. Bjork's personality also shines through in the way she stretches the vocals of the original by singing, "They're terribly, TERRIBLY MOODY! Ha-ha!" It's great. That voice just transcends anything!

"Pluto" is probably the most frantic Bjork song of her entire career. Many people would agree, and that hardcore style is not repeated in the live version. This is perhaps for the best as hearing the original in full live could cause some serious damage to the eardrums! The addition of violins in this live version is amazing, though, adding something different as always - it also changes the mood of the song and makes it more dramatic, if that were possible. "Jóga" is the second song to be taken from the Jools Holland show and is not really one of my favourites. I mean it's great live but the violins and organs have replaced the volcanic eruption sounds which made the original so amazing. "So Broken" is also from the same show and has a brilliant Spanish feel to it. This is a rare Bjork song which hasn't even been performed many times, and was a song intended for Homogenic but left off because I guess it wasn't up to the standard of the other 10 songs. It's still a great song though. The album closes with "Anchor Song," which is like the most popular live song that Bjork sings! She always seems to sing this song live, and I hate the original. The live version isn't bad however.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Homogenic Live is one of those rare treats for music lovers. I bet fans of Eminem or Nelly would love for them to bring out live albums, but they won't because their music isn't up to the genius-level of Bjork's! To see them live is basically just a replica of their albums, except you have thousands of mindless, screaming girls in the background. Bjork deconstructs her music especially for a live setting, which works amazingly. She's a genius. Never forget it. This album is probably the best of the four live albums that she's released, or is a tie with Vespertine Live. Either way you should own them both.

hella good
i saw bjork live right after she released 'homogenic' and she totally rocked the house. it remains one of the best shows i've ever seen, ever ever. i think this CD really captures her creative energy and innovation of that particular period, and is a must for bjork fans, particularly those that favor the original homogenic recording. her live take on 'immature' is immaculate, perfect. hella good, i vote yes.

Great stuff.
I picked this up at random a few weeks ago; seeing as I really like Homogenic and was really curious about how Bjork sounded live. Wow. I had no idea how awesome this CD would be. Pretty much every Bjork song I went crazy over on the albums is here in its full glory; "5 Years" has never sounded so powerful, nor has "You've Been Flirting Again/Isobel." Plus, there's some cool stuff that isn't on any of her studio albums, such as "I Go Humble," "So Broken," and the violin intro. Trust me, if you can only get one Bjork album, make it this one. Even if you're already a pretty big fan, you'll find something to like about this. I'm really impressed with the whole "live" series, just judging from this CD. Who knows; maybe I'll check out Post and Vespertine live too. Bjork rules for releasing not one, but four live albums. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If your lone experience with The Supersuckers is as a guitar-posing, riff-wielding, cowboy hat-clad garage band, you’ll find this ultra-rare transformation to nightclub country band as surprising as it is intoxicating. Recorded live in their hometown and retracing the sketches of their 1997 countrified album Must’ve Been High, the band--led by animated vocalist Eddie Spaghetti--scrounges through its decade-plus catalog, turning 100 mph originals like "Creepy Jackalope Eye" and "Born With a Tail" into whittled down, off-the-cuff slices of Nashville twang. Spaghetti’s whiskey-soothed pipes strike a balance, slithering between the guitar-and-harmonica interplay of Dan "Thunder" Bolton and guest Dave Lipkind, who transform "Doublewide" into line-dancer's bliss and make "Sail On" ripe for a Glen Campbell comeback. After the rambunctious Tractor audience take backing vocal honors on "Killer Weed" (from Spaghetti’s solo record Sauce), the ‘Suckers close out the night with a hard-core honky-tonk version of Buck Owens' "Alabama, Louisiana or Maybe Tennessee"--the closest to that lone experience that you’re gonna get. - Scott Holter ... Read more

Album Description

Canadian only 3 track single, replaces the International A-side 'Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of' with 'Walk On' which is the single North America is opting for as their second lifted from their Platinum selling 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'. This edition features the same b-sides as the second parter of the UK pressing, 'Beautiful Day (Live From The Farmclub.com)' & 'New York (Live From The Farmclub.com).Includes exclusive artwork! Slimline jewel case. 2001 release. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

U2's Still Going Strong
"Walk On" is my favorite song off "All That You Can't Leave Behind," and I think it shows that despite having been a band for over 20 years, U2 is still capable of writing great songs. I think the song is neat in how it goes thru three different musical phases in the same song, and lyrically it's pretty good. Also included in the single is "Big Girls Are Best," a simple, but catchy song. Overall, it's a great single.

Get this only for the live tracks
"Walk On" is one of the highlights of 'All That You Can't Leave Behind', and this is merely a shortened version of that song. That said, there is no excuse for cutting off a song that was only 4:55 to begin with. So if you REALLY like the song, get 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'.

The b-sides are live performances from the relatively small FarmClub venue (you can hear individual whistles and claps). "Beautiful Day" is nicely done and even more anthemic with its extended ending (e.g., Bono singing "Go with soul!"). "New York" has a more dramatic guitar sound at the end than on the studio version, and Bono sings the refrain a bit more straightforward. (A MOMENT OF BITCHING: They really should have put a live version of "Elevation" on here, which is quite different from the studio version - especially their Saturday Night Live performance in December 2000.)

3 great songs on one tiny single
Keep in mind that if you already own the "Stuck in a Moment" singles, you won't be getting anything new off of this single as it features the same B-sides... but it's still a great CD to have, especially if you're a U2 collector.

1. Walk On - A very uplifting song. It starts off with Bono talking over Edge's piano and Larry's drumming. Then in come Edge's signature chiming guitar notes. This is indeed the "pure U2 sound" - whatever that means. ;) The song is pretty much the same as the version on "All That You Can't Leave Behind", except it's about 20 seconds shorter.

2. Beautiful Day (Live from Farmclub.com): I'd imagine this was U2's first attempt at performing Beautiful Day live infront of an eager audience... and they passed with flying colours! Edge starts off the song giving you a taste of his signature chiming guitar notes. Bono sings the lyrics with ease and confidence... almost like he's completely aware that the song will be recorded for future listening. The live version isn't much different than the original recording, other than a few ad lib vocals at the end. All in all, this is a great version of Beautiful Day and it gives me that nice, warm, fuzzy feeling. ;)

3. New York (Live from Farmclub.com) - This is the highlight of the single. The intro beats are speckled with Edge's distinct chiming guitar, and Bono sings the lyrics like he's reading poetry. The song sounds very repetitive for the first 2 minutes, but then it cuts into some energetic guitar and vocals. I swear, Bono is singing like he did back in 1982 with his random "a-hoooo"'s. Even if you listen carefully to Edge's guitar, you'll notice how similar it sounds to his guitar on Under A Blood Red Sky. At certain points (especially during Edge's solo), I got chills down my spine. It totally brought U2 back to their early era style-wise. I never thought I'd hear this style of rawness again from U2. It's a pleasant surprise!

Live from Farmclub
This CD single doesn't contain songs you can't get anywhere else, but it does contain 'versions' of songs you can't get anywhere else. The tracks are: Walk On, Beautiful Day, and New York. The last two tracks are from U2's live performace for Farmclub.com and are worth the price of this CD single. Bono's vocals are passionate and electrifying on Beautiful Day, while New York is much more enjoyable here than on the album. ... Read more

Album Description

The Slits turned punk inside out. This remarkable, hitherto unheard treasure captures the full force of The Slits during their 'lost' years, unvarnished, avant-garde and at their most fearless. Recorded live at the Gibus Club in Paris on January 26th, 1978. It's raucous, it's fast and it's furious. Castle. 2005. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

These polkas kick ....
I lived in Denton for several years but never got the chance to see Brave Combo. My wife and I made the 30 minute trip (from Dallas) last year on the Thursday after Thanksgiving for the annual Christmas on the Square event and finally saw them. These guys are the best. You don't have to be a polka-nerd to enjoy their music.

d-e-n t-o-n t-e-x-a-s
buy a map and come on down

D-E-N-T-O-N is the place
1. What is the text about? ...

2. What is good about it? The melodies are infectious and the lyrics often amusing.
3. What is not so good about it? Polkas are surprisingly aggressive to the ears.
4. Who might like it? Polka lovers, but also those new wavers/"alternites" who like stray a little far afield.
5. Personal bias: Have seen Brave Combo a dozen times; play the accordion.

Almost like being there!
Don't worry if you think you won't like polka. Those who have been there know that seeing Brave Combo live at every opportunity is a happy addiction. An instant pick-me-up that gets your dancing feet moving and your endorphins flowing into a polka-loving, just-like-flying physical high. If it's been a while since your last Brave Combo fix, put this CD on, turn up the volume, and you're there! This CD includes some of the band's best live numbers, done flawlessly as always. It's guaranteed to get your blood moving. In short, this album kicks ...!

Exactly What the Title Says
Imagine, if you would, a German full brass Ooom-Pa band playing polkas after each member of the band just drank a liter of Mountain Dew and a liter of Jolt Cola. Now add this twist, imagine this band was actually VERY competent and VERY influenced by good-time Tex-Mex Austin style rock and roll. Twisted up enough yet? Imagine no more! You have just conjured up the goofy but ridiculously fun 'band', "Brave Combo" and their 2001 album "We Are Not the Enemy: Kick Ass Polka". When the wine gets flowing and the party gets ready for a new twist on the Conga Line, break out Kick Ass Polka and have the joy-paramedics ready for some business! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow!
I actually purchased this record on itunes after listening to a few samples, and all I have to say is that I am amazed. The depth of the sound of this live show is nothing short of astounding; I cannot believe that this is a 3 piece band. For the most part, the performances are dead on (especially the vocals- this guy can sing, unlike a certain girl who performed at the orange bowl), and this record is worth every penny, no matter what the price is. If you like nada surf's studio stuff (or any barsuk artist for that matter), you will definitely not be disappointed... this cd has not left my car's cd player in 2 weeks and it'll probably stay there for another couple of weeks. Simply amazing!

Name of the Song
1. Blizzard Of 77
2. Treading Water
3. Ice Box
4. Amateur
5. Inside Of Love
6. Killians Red
7. Hi Speed Soul
8. Happy Kid
9. Fruit Fly
10. 80 Windows
11. Bacardi
12. Stacemate
13. Robot
14. Blonde On Blonde
15. Popular
16. The Way You Wear Your Head

I do not have listen to this record but that are the name of the song enjoy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Sex Pistols weren't the only golden-era punk band to flame out quickly. In fact, Live at Max's Kansas City '79 captures the Johnny Thunders- and Walter Lure-led Heartbreakers in the first of their many brief reunions, a gig that came only a year and a half after the issue of their sole studio album, L.A.M.F. This disc features prototypically exuberant and sloppy versions of most of that classic's irresistibly catchy three-chorders, along with a few other Thunders staples ("London," "Milk Me"). You can smell the magic on this important (and fun!) document of one of the period's great American bands. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Johnny Thunders Live Does Not Get Any Better
The Heartbreakers just might have been the best band in the world in the late 1970's. Unfortunately, they were shunned by record companies and were never widely known. Today, they are almost forgotten. You can hear them here at their best, in front of a delirious home-town Max's Kansas City crowd. Scorching Johnny Thunders-Walter Lure guitar duels are punctuated with hilarious lewd banter. This CD release includes tracks with Jerry Nolan and a truly heartbreaking version of So Alone. Absolutely essential for the Johnny Thunders enthusiast, and a warning for the uninitiated: The Heartbreakers might change your world.

another Thunders live album
There are several Johnny Thunders live albums out there. This is one he made with Walter Lure under the rubric "Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers."

Johnny was a brilliant performer, even though he was pretty erratic. (And so was/is Walter Lure.) The sound is pretty good on this disc (originally recorded at Max's in NY City, not longer after he and Walter Lure lost the Heartbreakers' record deal), the low points aren't as low as usual, and the high points aren't as high. Jerry Nolan is missing from this particular edition of the band, but Billy Rath is present. The later recordings from the 1980s are generally more interesting (albeit much less professional than this effort.)

One good thing about this live set is that he isn't constantly stopping the show to tell the soundman to turn the ****ing PA up. (Why was Johnny always hassling the soundmen? I wonder if he was suffering from hearing loss? It's possible...) Another good thing is that most of his best tunes are present.

Wild
This in my opinion is the best live album of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers. Wild and intense, in the same time vulnerable and melodious, really far out. It also doesn't disturb that much, when the beginning of a song doesn't work out and they need a second start. My favorite songs are „Chinese Rocks", „Get Off Of The Phone", „One Track Mind", „Can't Keep My Eyes On You" and „I Wanna Be Loved".

Great Rock and Roll
All the songs on here rock and the on-stage banter is really funny and amusing. If you love rock and roll then this album is a must have. It captures the Heartbreakers at their sloppy greatest. I'll never know why they never got the attention they so deserved.

R.I.P. Johnny Doll
Anyone who has ever seen Johnny Thunders live, whether it be solo or with the brilliant Heartbreakers, knows what a train wreck he could be on stage. This album documents his six-string genius before the wheels finally came off, effortlessly casting off razor sharp riffs and barbs at the audience. I saw him near the end, at Detroit's St. Andrew's Hall, and he never even completed one song, instead breaking down into incoherent, drug-addled babbling. Sad... I miss you, Johnny! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The BEST collection of Biongo songs on one album!
Simply Amazing! Danny Elfman And the rest of boingo really out did themselves. Some of the song sound a bit different than the original recordings but in no way will you think the live version sounds bad. there are also a few rare songs on the album(clowns of death & helpless). If you like this album, you'll love the video. The video and the audio cassette also includes one extra song that the cd does not(Just Another Day).The video also includes the original videos to insanity and little girls. I highly recomend this album

Weak, compared with other Boingo albums
I read the other reviews, and I must say that the people who wrote them must have been really stoned at every concert they ever went to, and never listened to the studio albums. First of all, for a "best of the best, greatest hits, thanks to the fans" album it does not contain many great songs. There are no songs from Dark at the End of the Tunnel. Private Life, Nothing to Fear, Just Another Day, Pain, and Good for Your Soul are all missing. They have been replaced by such loser self indulgent tunes as I am the Walruss, Clowns of Death, and Water. Moreover, the recording sounds like it was done by some guy with a micro cassette recorder stuffed in his pocket. The crowd noise is a nice idea, but it gets in the way of the music. If your are looking for a good compilation try Boingo Alive or Best 'o Boingo. They were obviously put together by people who understood that a greatest hits album is not an opportunity for the band to indulge its own desires, but rather is a vehicle for compiling the songs people like.

A party on a disc!
Two discs actually. This set is so much fun. I was not fortunate enough to make it to one of their final performances, but these cd's almost make me feel like I was there. I'm thrilled that most of the old songs are pretty faithful to the originals...that makes for better sing-a-longs. But some are jazzed up a tad, and that's ok. The version of Insanity that's on here is pretty cool, and the slightly extended version of Grey Matter...bring it on! Get the video or dvd of this and watch Danny play on that song, it's worth it. I'm disappointed with some of the lower class songs included, like Piggies. And what's up with I Am the Walrus?? Did they really have to do that one at their farewell shows? Oh well, minor flaws. You'll love this set if you're a big fan.

old songs, new songs, killer new versions of old songs
I'll start by mentioning the only thing wrong with this album - Danny Elfman's voice seems to have been a bit strained on the two nights this was recorded and lacked his usual vocal depth and range.

That being said, this is a fantastic album. It would serve as a fine intro for anyone who just wants a best-of album but. But it's also for the most hard-core Boingo fans: it includes a few tracks heard nowhere else and the remakes of Only a Lad, Little Girls, and Who Do You Want To Be... it's like Elfman went back to these songs and wiped away their early-80s quirkiness, stripped them down to the pure Whoop Ass underneath, and let them run wild.

Boingo Forever!!!
This is truely the definative album for the definative band. If you get just one Boingo album, get this one. You'll be able to sustain yourself for at least a year on this prime Boingo cut! Its got a great mix of songs from all the albums (Except Dark At The End Of The Tunnel,its one weakness), a wealth of energy, a good mix of rare Boingo thrown in there and the live feel of Boingo Alive. The band is at its peak here. Steve Bartek's awe inspiring guitar work, Danny Elfman's darkly humorous singing, John Avila's rock solid basslines, Vato's speed drumming and of course, the imortal horn section. And let's not forget Warren Fitzgerald's palm muting and pich bend guitar work. Crank up the cd, feel the energy of that last Holloween show.

From the tribal "Insanity" to the comforting "We Close Our Eyes" the 2 cds span a wealth of musical styles. This cd is a excellent spring board to start your Boingo collection from. Buy it now and sing the praises of Boingo in the streets!!! ... Read more

Album Description

22 track live album from the Scottish new wave veterans. Recorded at various venues on their 'The Final Fling' tour in May 2000. Includes material from their 1983 debut album 'The Crossing' up to their critically acclaimed 1999 studio album 'Driving To Damascus'. Tracks include, 'In A Big Country', 'Fields Of Fire' and 'Somebody Else'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

What a Way to Go!
Big Country has left us, but not without a Final Fling. The album commemorating their final tour does not disappoint. With the exception of a few tracks, the Scottish/English rockers show that indeed, they preferred to go out with a roar rather than a whimper.

Highlights include "Somebody Else," co-written by BC frontman Stuart Adamson and Ray Davies of The Kinks. This song, like so many others off of Driving to Damascus, their last studio disc, shows a more balanced, melodic side to Adamson's songwriting. "Dive Into Me," another DTD track featured on this set, is another standout, with its swirling guitars and its theme of surrender to the timeless.

The Crossing, the band's 1983 breakthrough debut, is given ample coverage here, perhaps a little too much so. Although "Inwards" still has its zing, "Porrohman," The Crossing's finale, sounds tired on this disc, as does "Lost Patrol." However, "Where the Rose is Sown" and "Come Back to Me," from their second Steeltown disc, is given new "live" life.

All of BC's studio discs are represented, which is good, because often overlooked powerhouses like "You Dreamer" from Why the Long Face and "Kansas" from The Buffalo Skinners benefit greatly from the live treatment.

In a perfect world, BC would have become infinitely more popular than they were. They were quite prolific, with two rarities sets to their credit and bonus tracks aplenty on the re-releases, but they never got the popularity they so richly deserved. At least, with this live swan song, they once again give an example to the world of what a true guitar band should sound like.

Big Country was a one-off. I hope that their breakup is temporary. Even though not enough people hear their stuff (especially not enough Americans), the music world is better off with them in it. For now, I'll just bid them farewell and, of course, stay alive.

DESERVES 6 STARS
One of the best live albums ever recorded, as simple as that. The two CD's showcase how great this band was live (this was recorded on what was being considered Big Country's final tour of the UK in May of 2000 and as the album was being released the bass player announced his departure from the band) and how much the audience loved them. The song selection comes from all 8 studio albums ('cos one song was featured on two) and is a great representation of their wonderful song & music writing.

This album is really beyond description: it's awesome, amazing, mind-blowing, fun etc. It's also a sad album because it's the swan song of a band that was never realized and whose members after 18 years has decided to go their own way.

I've been playing this album so loud and often that my neighbors are starting to like it.

Imperfect, but I'm happy to have it
I only got Come Up Screaming recently, and I really wanted it to be the definitive performance of Big Country's best songs. It's a welcome addition to the catalogue, but ultimately doesn't quite achieve that status.

The sound is clean, straight-ahead rock, and the vocals are stronger and clearer than I've heard from them anywhere else. The simplicity allows many of the songs to stand alone and sound better than ever before. There are blistering performances of 'The Storm', in particular, and 'Harvest Home', while 'Where the Rose is Sown' is melodic and powerful. 'Broken Heart' is something of a revelation, shorn of the plasticky production of Peace in Our Time. 'Dive Into Me', which I hadn't heard before, is dynamic and uplifting. This should surely have been a huge hit, if uplifting guitar anthems could still be hits in this day and age.

But there are quibbles. A minor one is that Stuart's lead guitar doesn't seem to have enough sustain, so that it sounds a bit thin and trebly on some of the high parts, and at times is buried in the mix. Missing, too, is the spiralling guitar lead-out at the end of 'Inwards'.

I also have a few issues with the song selection. I've never liked 'King of Emotion' nor the overlong, strident 'We're Not in Kansas'. Neither am I really enamoured of any of the most recent songs apart from 'Dive Into Me' ('John Wayne's Dream' is particularly ho-hum and obvious). Of The Crossing songs, I'm not sure that 'Porroh Man' really works here. Where's 'Close Action' or 'I Walk the Hill', both of which would sound great in this stripped-back setting? Where's the moving ballad 'Ships' or, if epics are in order, the much-overlooked 'Sailor' from The Seer?

I guess it depends on whether this is supposed to be a best-of, recorded in Big Country's natural environment, or a unique collection of live performances which happens to be a swansong. If it's the latter, why have versions of five of the same songs with much the same live "tweaks" as on Brighton Rock? (Though I do enjoy the snatch of "Wild Mountain Thyme" thrown into "Fields of Fire"). If it's the former, then there's just a few too many "you had to be there" live moments. While the odd bum note and missed vocal are fine, the crowd participation is ultimately a bit overdone. It's spine-chilling on "The Storm" when the crowd sing the high harmony part leading into the chorus. It also works on "Chance", which lends itself to a singalong. But they really didn't need to put a couple of "this is yours" choruses into every one of their better-known songs. In my view, the "introducing the band" interlude ruins "In a Big Country", too.

Enough complaint - I guess I was just looking in vain for that elusive perfect Big Country album. I've still played this over and over since I got it, and it's worth the purchase price for the versions of "The Storm" and "Where the Rose is Sown" alone. For anyone new to Big Country, however, I would recommend getting the great first three albums plus Restless Natives. This is a fine reference point for them.

And yes, truly tragic irony in Stuart's parting comment to the crowd - "remember, stay alive"...

Come Up Motting
It's amazing how many people thought Big Country split in the mid-eighties. In fact, the band carried on recording and gigging until 2000. It is a story of unrealized potential, lack of support from record labels, and a musical style that the music industry couldn't pigeon-hole. However, let's go back to the beginning.

The band formed in 1981 when hugely-talented vocalist/lead guitarist/songwriter Stuart Adamson left Scottish punk band The Skids and joined with long-time Dunfermline pal and ex-nuclear submarine cleaner Bruce Watson on rhythm guitar. In 1982 the original rhythm section was fired and Tony Butler (bass) and Mark Brzezicki (drums) were recruited from On the Air via session work. On the Air was a three-some with Simon Townshend, who's now helping brother Pete out in The Who.

The band signed up with Phonogram and released their first single 'Harvest Home'. It introduced the band's distinctive twin-racing guitar sound. References have been made to a 'bagpipe' sound. Let me tell you that most bagpipes I've heard would make a deaf dog cringe. We'll leave this stereotype to the ill-informed. The band's second single, 'Fields of Fire', hit #10 in the UK charts in 1983. The excellent first album, 'The Crossing', charted initially at #4 and eventually reached a peak of #3. Subsequent touring and singles releases confirmed Big Country as the hot new act in the post-punk music industry.

Big Country's second album, 'Steeltown', hit the UK charts in 1984 and went straight in at #1. More successful singles and sellout gigs followed. The band then took a brief sabbatical to record the soundtrack to the movie Restless Natives.

The third album, 'The Seer', was released in July 1986 and reached #2 in the UK charts supported by the success of their biggest hit single (at #7) 'Look Away'. High profile live appearances followed at the classic 1986 Princes Trust Concert and at Knebworth, supporting Queen at their last ever UK gig in front of 200,000 people (including this dog!). Looking back, 1986 was the band's commercial peak.

Each of the five studio albums that followed had some elements of experimentation and achieved varying degrees of success. The sixth studio album, 'Buffalo Skinners', was a classic twin-guitar hard rocking album that eventually reached #25 in the charts, but with proper support from the record label could have brought the band back into the big time.

Big Country's last studio album, 'Driving to Damascus', encompassed many of the styles of the previous albums and had a more relaxed leaning consistent with Stuart Adamson's move to Nashville in the US.

So, what do we have in Come Up Screaming? A double live album of 22 of their best tracks taken from the Glasgow and London gigs on the 'Final Fling' tour of May 2000. The album kicks off with the rousing 'Harvest Home', quickly followed by the hard-rocking 'King of Emotion' from the 'Peace in Our Time' album. 'John Wayne's Dream' and 'Driving to Damascus' follow with Adamson and Watson in great form, supported by the tightest rhythm section in the business. Other classic tracks follow including 'The Storm' with the unique E-bow intro; a quieter moment with 'Come Back to Me', before cranking up again for the ever-popular 'Look Away' and 'Wonderland'. The finale is formed of four tracks from 'The Crossing' in rapid succession - the epic 'Porroh Man', 'Chance' with vocals as usual loudly augmented by the crowd; theme song 'In a Big Country', and great favourite 'Fields of Fire', all with the racing guitars on full throttle.

Where are they now? Sadly, Stuart Adamson took his own life in December 2001; Bruce 'the man who invented the seagull' Watson is recording and touring with ex-Marillion-frontman Fish; Mark Brzezicki has been recording and playing in Procol Harum, and Tony Butler currently concentrates on remastering and music production.

It's always been a mystery why Big Country never made the big time commercially. They shied away from publicity-seeking at the height of their popularity, when many of their less-talented contemporaries sought the limelight. The band stayed together for most of their 18 years and continued to be a great live act to go and see. However, a band with four top ten albums and four top ten singles should not have been forgotten so easily. Their legacy is kept alive by the ever-supportive ex-Manager Ian Grant, the two websites he runs (Track and Big Country), and an enthusiastic group of fans across the world. Live and rarities albums continue to be released and some of the studio albums have been lovingly remastered by Tony Butler. The big stores in Thailand have seen fit not to import 'Come Up Screaming', so the best bet is the Track Records website - www.trackrecords.co.uk or the Big Country website - www.bigcountry.co.uk

Mott the Dog.

Live Rock at its best
Fitting 2 CD live performance from one of, if not the best rock act of the past 20 years with material representative of 8 studio albums. If you lost touch with the group in the mid-eighties then this is a great album to reacquaint yourself with them doing what they do best LIVE!
In A Big Country and Fields of Fire have to be the two best encore songs it is possible to rock to. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The best live cd of this year
I was amazed when i bought this new release. face to Face is a great band that mixes words in a manner that allows you to know the songs as fast as you hear them. On second listen you will find yourself driven to join in the rantings. Of course this is the way of poppy punk! There is little talking, and none that serves to impress with dumb drug comments (such as in the NOFX live album which strains to get attention ***) If there is one punk album that will give you your moneys worth, this is it.

Wow
I had the pleasure of seeing Face to Face live a few years ago and they played one of the tightest, most intense sets I have ever seen any band play. This album proves to me that I didn't just catch them on a 'good night' -- every night is a good one for this band. What can I say? Muscially, these guys just blow your mind, and nothing proves that more than a live performance. This CD is brilliantly produced (for a live album) and really catpures the band's sound and the crowd noise. CLose your eyes and it feels like you're there. Classic F2F tunes appear (too many to mention) and the delivery is seamless. A great place to start for the new F2F fans and a must-have CD for fans of great punk and great rock and roll.

Face to Face Live! They just f*ckin rock live!
What can I say except, Kick Ass! Face to Face just rocks pure and simple and they totally sound awesome live! The live album is a great album because you really get a feel for what Face to Face is like, 4 guys(well on this album) just flat out rocking out and totally pleasing the crowd. Unlike a lot of live albums the lead singer will just ramble on and talk, but not Face to Face. Lead singer, Trever Keith keeps the crowd happy but just playing, he does talk a little throughout the album, but nothing lame. So I advise all you fans of Face to Face, if you never got the chance to see them live, get this freakin album and hear Face to Face deliver punk rock at it's finest!

Best CD I Own!
No joke! I have over 500 cd's and this is my favorite one.

The Social D. cover is great!

Great Album
I love this album. It's tight and focused but driving, like a high-speed train barely staying on the tracks.

It has all the speed and flash of many punk and metal bands, but with great poetry and musicality. And unlike many bands, you can actually make out the words of the song while they're singing them!

My favorite rock album! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Landmark Recording
I was at this show and let me tell you that this album is an important document in the annals NYHC history. Not only do Agnostic Front perfectly represent the NYHC style of the time, it represents it at it's pinnacle moment. Agnostic Front was in top form and their performance that day was mind blowing. Everyone there knew they were witnessing something special as this album was recorded. This was supposed to be Agnotic Front's farewell performance. After that day it seems the hardcore scene was forever changed, it died a little, and "Live At CBGB" is it's swan song. As "A Music Fan" notes below, the recording is very clean, and he feels that the vocals may have been re-recorded. It's possible. Agnostic Front had to perform their trademark tune "Eliminator" twice because of microphone problems (that unfortunately wrecked both performances), but otherwise this album is exactly as I remember it being performed. If you are a hardcore fan, or a music historian, you owe it to yourself to own this album.

1 minor flaw but still essential
This album captures the essence of a Sunday Matinee at CB's (minus the beatdowns). The only thing that prevents this album from garnering a 5 star review is the fact that alot of the tracks and vocals sound like they were re-recorded - it sounds a lil too clean..some of the rawness is missing. I would have liked all of the feedback and sound drop-outs when the band is getting jumped on by the crowd left intact, but having said that, this is worth it just to hear Vinny Stigma telling the crowd to "sing this song in uni-since." Also killer versions of "Anthem," "Blind Justice/Last Warning," and Iron Flag's "Crucified."

Fast and Furious
This introduced me to Agnostic Front. From start to finish, it plows through you like a freight train. Even the GUITAR SOLOS were brutal! Roger & company aren't messing around here. This is the best of old school NYHC. Don't pass it up.

Agnostic Front: Kings of Hardcore and the Live Show
I picked Live At CBGB up for the first time when I was 16. It was the first time I ever had heard AF, and I was completely blown away by it. Eleven years later and I still get chills from this album. anyone whowants to know what real hardcore sounds like should pick it up.

Hide the kids...
These guys make the ultimate distinction between punk and hardcore. This isn't an album for somebody looking to expose themselves to Agnostic Front for the first time, but it is an excellent one for people already familiar with their hard hitting style. They're often misclassified as a racist band, which couldn't be further from the truth. They just tell the truth about the world, and that offends/scares a lot of people... ... Read more

Amazon.com

The joke's starting to look a little worn around the edges. It's facile to observe that the people who toss the phrase "family values" around don't have Limp Bizkit, Korn, Filter, or Primus in mind when they talk about wholesome entertainment. Well, duh. That said, this a solid collection for those who like the aforementioned bands and their allies, though just about all of this stuff is available in other versions. One highlight is Staind's heavy-duty "Mudshovel," though the best performances overall are from Limp Bizkit, which explains why they provide 4 of the 16 tracks on the album and no other act serves up more than 2. Tracks from Method Man and the Crystal Method weirdly break up the metal that dominates, and there's the obligatory acoustic bonus track, featuring Aaron Lewis of Staind and Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Limp Bizkit and Korn Do It Again
Limp Bizkit and Korn have made another awesome Family Values Tour and cd. These guys blow me away. Instead of Rammstein, Orgy, and Ice Cube they have added Method Man, Redman, Filter, Staind, The Crystal Method, and Primus. Limp added the most songs, with 5. They added the singles Nookie, Break Stuff, and Re-Arranged, along with I Would For You and a duet with Aaron Carter of Staind called Outside. You will find listening through on this album pretty easy. I also reccomend buying the regular casing instead of the Limited Edition packaging because the other is stupid. Read my second review for it and you will learn more about it. My favorite tracks are Rockwilder by Method Man and Redman and Mudshovel by Staind. Here is my song by song review:

1.Break Stuff-Limp Bizkit You've all heard this song before but it sounds different on live.

2.Lacquer Head-Primus OK song. Not to great. Not quite feelin it.

3.Mudshovel-Staind Great! My favorite song on the cd along with Rockwilder.

4.Falling Away From Me-Korn The song is a little different live but still really good.

5.Rockwilder-Method Man, Redman Great! My favorite track along with Mudshovel. Different live too, Redman is backing up Method Man a little while Method Man sings.

6.Hey Man, Nice Shot-Filter Not quite feelin it.

7.Rearranged-Limp Bizkit Again it sounds different live but still great.

8.A.D.I.D.A.S./Good God-Korn A.D.I.D.A.S. is better but Good GOd is still good.

9.My Name Is Mud-Primus Too busy listening to the rest of the cd for this one. Sorry. Check back later.

10.Welcome To The Fold-Filter Same as above.

11.Keep Hope Alive-The Crystal Method Same as above.

12.I Would For You-Limp Bizkit Horrible, just horrible. Slow, acoustic, and horrible.

13.Nookie-Limp Bizkit Awesome song. You've heard it. You don't need my word on it.

14.Outside-Staind and Limp Bizkit See tracks 9, 10, and 11. I know it's acoustic though.

Buy it but if you have kids by the edited. I don't really like live albums but this one is my favorite besides Family Values 98 which I also reccomend. Buy both. I reccomend it to anyone who likes plain metal, rap metal, any rock, or plain rap. By the way, what are Filter and The Crystal Method doing here? I'd rather see Slipknot and Papa Roach or Fenix Tx, or System Of A Down, or Static X, or anny metal band. There should be more Method Man or Redman or bboth too. Well, BUY THIS TODAY! OR ELSE!

The Second Best in the Series.
1.Limp Bizkit-Break Stuff-5/5Limp Bizkit, performing "Break Stuff" as the first song on the show. Wouldn't that get you hyped up? This song sounds really cool live.
2.Primus-Lacquer Head-?/5I don't like Primus, so I've never listened to it, so I can't rate it.
3.Staind-Mudshovel-5/5-My favorite on the album, the crowd goes crazy on this song. Great sound quality.
4.Korn-Falling Away From Me-5/5-Korn didn't get much crowd action on this song, probably because it was new at the time. Still, really good, but isn't this Korn's tour? Shouldn't there be more of their songs? I think Limp Bizkit took over.
5.Method Man & Redman-Rockwilder-0/5-Let's get one thing straight: RAP [is bad].
6.Filter-Hey Man, Nice Shot-?/5Just like #2:I'm not big on Filter, so i can't rate this becasue I haven't listened to it.
7.Limp Bizkit-Rearranged-5/5-This is a fun song live, and I love how Fred talks to the crowd.
8.Korn-A.D.I.D.A.S./Good God-5/5-Korn got a huge crowd response on both these songs, and especially on "A.D.I.D.A.S.". The Third best.
9.Primus-My Name Is Mud-?/5-See #2.
10.Filter-Welcome To The Fold-?/5-...You know...
11.The Crystal Method-Keep Hope Alive-3/5-I don't like techno, but this song is really cool. Fun to listen to when you're bored.
12.Limp Bizkit-I Would For You-3/5-This is Ok, but gets boring after a while.
13.Limp Bizkit-Nookie-5/5-I don't need to explain it, we all know what happens when Limp does "Nookie".
14.Aaron lewis & Fred Durst-5/5-This is a beautiful song, and it's even better live. Aaron Lewis has the best voice in the world. Second best on here.

...If you're going to get the Family Values albums, get '01 first, '99 second and '98 third.

Good bands, decent collection.
I would think this would appeal mostly to those who saw this tour, but it's still a good disc. I don't like it as much as the 1998 tour, but it's still good. "Limp Bizkit" dominates this collection, but there's still good songs from "Primus", "Staind", and "The Crystal Method". The live "Outside" is the bonus song here, and "Durst" also covers "I Would For You", which is an old "Jane's Addiction" song, though it's not near as great as the original. Overall this is good if you like the bands, otherwise it doesn't have much "Value".

hmmm...
"Family values" is pretty good live album that features some most shining alternative/metal stars from end of century.of course Staind's "Mudshovel" or Primus "Laquer head" are great as other tracks but the appearance of Method man and redman is quite scary.And Korn's is not sounding so good on here,without a kick.they had a bad day or what?
also the sound is not superb.bass is vanishing somewhere or it tottaly blows your speakers out so you can't hear other instruments.if the production was better than i would give it 1 star more.also - why do we need it? tracks are all like studio versions (except fred durst's "I would for you" that appears only on this cd) and you can get them with better sound on other compilation albums...
well i have got mixed feelings about it.a good compilation from this tournee.i mean,fans will buy it but i wuoldn't call it a great album.just a compilation.not the strongest one around...

A decent little package.
Seeing how I have had this CD for two and a half years now and have reviewed the other two Family Values live discs (1998, 2001), I figured what better time than now to review the 1999 disc which, despite it's shortcomings, delivers a great sounding live show. Before I go on in this review, I should mention how crisp and clear the sound quality is on all of the songs. If only all live albums could sound this good.

The headliners in 1999 were Limp Bizkit, who after being the opening act on the 1998 tour, had finally reached superstardom with two multi-platinum albums under their belts. And what better time than before their 15 minutes of fame was over for them to headline. Really, the band is in top-form on here. All of the LB tracks (sans "I Would For You," a Jane's Addiction cover) draw from "Significant Other," which still stands to date as their most successful (and in my opinion, best) album. Although the song selection is a little weak, they still deliver an excellent performance. I especially enjoyed listening to "Nookie" and "Re-Arranged."

Korn are also featured on here, but not as extensively as Limp Bizkit, for two reasons: One, Korn were not the headliners and two, Korn only appeared for a few dates on the tour. That being said, however, their selection on here is great. You get a combo of "A.D.I.D.A.S." and "Good God" that just sounds excellent and a nice rendition of "Falling Away From Me" that only suffers from Jonathan's strained vocals (I suspect he had a cold or something).

Minimally featured are the Crystal Method and the hip-hop duo Method Man & Redman. Crystal Method perform "Keep Hope Alive" and it is the only track of theirs that is on here. I like Crystal Method, but live techno? Kind of pointless. I think the CD could have benefited from more Method Man and Redman, the latter being one of the best and most underrated MC's of the 90's. Their contribution "Da Rockwilder" serves as a nice break in the otherwise alternative/nu-metal clutter.

Staind give their radio-hit "Mudshovel" a nice performance, and frontman Aaron Lewis shines on the acoustic track "Outside," which everyone has heard by now and ended up being the song that catapulted them into fame.

Primus contribute two songs "Lacquer Head" and "My Name is Mud" that are pretty enjoyable, but for the uninitiated, might be boring. They sort of stick out like a sore thumb on this tour, but give a nice performance nontheless.

Finally, Filter. I have nothing against Filter, and the two songs they contribute are really good songs ("Welcome To The Fold" and "Hey Man, Nice Shot"), but they sound like complete cacophony on here. Really, listening to them perform on this CD I get the impression that they must be the worst live band ever. These tracks will make even die-hard fans cringe.

So, overall, I think this is a pretty good live CD. Once you can get past the pointless, preachy, typical Fred Durst rambling throughout the booklet, you'll enjoy it. But just like the other two Family Values CD's, it's hit or miss. If you didn't like any of the bands before, this CD won't change your mind, but if you happen to be a fan, you will find something to make you happy on here -- That is, unless you're a Filter fan... ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Depeche Mode rock out harder than ever
Okay, at first glance, I was a bit doubtful about this album. In fact, despite being a huge DM fan (and despite the fact that the studio version of Songs of Faith and Devotion is still one of my favorite albums of all time), I put off buying this one for a few years. Upon looking at the tracklisting, I saw that the disc is made up of the exact same songs from the studio album arranged in the exact same order. There are no live tracks from other albums here..no bonuses...just a live version of Songs of Faith and Devotion in its entirety, in sequence.

So, anyway, a few years passed, and I found a used version and picked it up. I threw it into my stereo and was treated to an extended buildup to "I Feel You" with crowd noise, and rhythmic loops...and as I got into the buildup and excitement, the pounding live drums came in and kicked my adrenaline into overdrive. Yes, it was one of those rare CD moments where you just step back and say "wow" out loud.

If you have good speakers, you'll be treated to one of the best sounding live CDs ever released. If you have a good subwoofer, the drums and bass will amazingly shake the whole room while maintaining perfect clarity in the mix. The album is slightly rougher than its studio counterpart, maybe a bit more rock-oriented and organic, yet it's still immaculately produced, performed, and mixed. It's also louder and oddly sounds more layered, presenting almost a "wall of sound" effect using delay and reverb as well as additional sampling (for instance, you'll find certain samples being used more than they were on the studio album to add more intensity to parts of various songs). Even weaker songs from the album like the gospel-esque "Get Right With Me" are reworked with enough pavement-cracking drums and rocking guitar to drop your jaw to the floor.

As for the band, they're oddly in top form, despite the many problems they were going through at the time. A long-haired, tattoo-covered Dave, struggling with drug use and barely able to stand on stage at times during the tour (as later admitted) gives a strong, heartfelt performance delivered through a confident rockstar persona (with a little help from some background vocals, including female gospel singers). The rest of the band rock out, as well, with strong guitars, driving drums, and near perfect use of synthesizers and samples. This is the sound of a band on the edge of implosion sounding perhaps more cohesive and skilled than they ever had before or have since.

Overall, this album is a heavier, more powerful, more organic version of its studio counterpart...a live album full of adrenaline pumping emotional buildups and earth shattering intensity that accentuates already-powerful epic songs. If you didn't like the original studio album or are just a mild fan, then a live version with the exact same tracklisting is obviously quite unnecessary. However, if you loved the studio album, don't hesitate to pick this one up. Buy it, crank the volume on a stereo system with good bass, and get ready for an amazing ride.

Great live music... but for hard core DM fans only.
SOFAD, the studio version, is classic DM. I don't know why so many people say they don't like it. However, that is beside the point, we are talking about the live album here. The advantage they had in the studio was of pumping up or enhancing David's voice if it was necessary. You cannot do that so much on a live recording and the fact that this was recorded while Dave was going through his drug and alcohol problems does not help. I've seen DM in concert and I own the 101 CD (Dave sounds great on that!) and to be honest, he doesn't sound very good on this CD. The singing is not as clear and energetic as when he is off the drugs and alcohol. He just sounds so stoned on this recording. I almost thought he was going to forget the words a few times the first time I heard the CD. I also do not like the backup singers. They're too, well, I don't know, too something. Anyway, if you are a hard core DM fan, then you MUST have this and will probably LOVE it! If not, then skip it and go for the studio version or 101 instead.

For A Live Albumn, This is by FAR One of the Best
There is no question about this albumn being superior to the original studio albumn release. The live version of JUDAS as one of the best songs... I used to have the lyrics written on a piece of paper pinned to my bathroom wall. Yes, I really did :)
Buy this albumn, true fans will not be dissappointed.

Eh...
I'd say Depeche Mode's SOFAD Live is pretty much on par with its studio counterpart (with some minute exceptions; some for the better, but more for the worse). If you are racking your brain trying to decide which to buy, I advise the studio version, but I should point out that "I Feel You" and "Mercy in You" are slightly better and work better with the somewhat rougher recordings. Everything else's a different matter, though. The dodgey sound quality of the backing music to "In Your Room" and "Judas" does zero for either song and sound very bad compared to the polished studio versions. If you're a crazy DM completist, buy SOFAD Live, but it's not worth it.

2.5 stars

Disaster! (And, yes, I am a Depeche Mode fan)
"Songs of Faith and Devotion" may be their only No. 1 album, but it was also their weakest one. Nevertheless, someone out there thought it'd be a good idea to release the very same album again, only this time it's a live recording. Not only is the track listing the same, but the live recordings are also similar. I'm so glad DM outgrew their desire to be a rock band because this record is a sure bomb. Save your cash and get "101" if you want a decent live album. ... Read more

Album Description

This is an album or rare, unreleased recordings from March1979, recorded live at San Francisco's Deaf Club. The sound quality is excellent, & it features the original 5-pieceline-up of Dead Kennedys. This is only the second-everauthorized live release from the band, after 'Mutiny on the Bay' from 2001. 15 tracks including a never-before heard DK song 'Gaslight', plus an 8-page booklet of brand-new art!Digipak. Manifesto. 2004. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

relevant irrelevance
simply put...dks at their best. the band thrashes, the crowd is pumped, & jello mixes political pokes w/ irrelevant jabber. some classic lines in this one, like "...this one's for the blind hitler-saluter's...ill in the head". also, a great cover of "viva las vegas". personally, i don't think it gets much better than the dks rippin "holiday in cambodia". WARNING: PLAYING THIS ALBUM IN YOUR CAR MAY RESULT IN SPEEDING VIOLATIONS! PLAYING THIS ALBUM IN YOUR ROOM MAY RESULT IN BROKEN ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT! if you like the dks, you probably have this already, but if you never heard a dk song before, this is a great album to get you into the band. buy it, burn it, steal it, borrow it...just get it.

They could play a bit
The original DKs at last sounding as if they can play...which they always could. A great lost gem and fxxxxg brilliant in the car!! Ive just seen the fake Dks twice in Scotland and they were also brilliant as they slowed the songs down from the 80s thrashy political hardcore to their original speed.(and power)

The greatest band ever....

Glorious punk from the past, despite the current acrimony
This is a great CD, which is important to say right up front. If it weren't for the lawsuit between Jello and the rest of the former DK's there would not be any controversy over this recording. Despite the ugliness of that legal battle (irrespective of which side you plant yourself), this CD delievers where MANY 20+ year old recordings do not. It simply sounds great, a not so inconsequential achievement for a punk recording given the paucity of both funds and quality recording equipment typically available to such bands at that time. In addition, there are several unreleased songs on this recording (most notably "Gaslight," which is great) and Jello is in rare form. Sure, there are a few glitches in the performance (there always will be in "true" live recordings; note: Performance glitches, not recording), but this is the last show with 6025, so c'mon! stop with the punk posturing and just enjoy this CD for the rare document that it is. In my opinion, this recording is better than the "Mutiny on the bay" recording, which is also great despite the mudraking that also surrounded it's release. Bands like this do not exist anymore and any bootleg of the Kennedys that you can get your hands on will not come close to touching the quality of this disc. A disco version of "Kill the poor" an early version of "When you get drafted" (Back in Rhodesia) and a cover of the Honeycomb's "Have I the right" make this an essential document that you'd be a fool to miss

This is great!
This cd sounds like it was performed practically yesterday and it' well over 20 years old! Others may disagree, but I enjoyed hearing the old songs (with 5 members). Some of their later stuff was good but lacked the rage of the first two albums. There is even some Jello banter between songs- live DK isn't the same without it. DK fans should own this cd. Even if you don't like the set list, it's at least a great piece of DK and punk history.

What's the point?
If you have "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" and "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables" you pretty much have everything on here. "Gaslight" is okay, but it's not worth buying a CD for. Maybe it'll wind up on a bootleg 45 like "Cold Fish" did, but it's not that thrilling anyway. Neither are the covers. It's not really fair how much the remaining DKs have been demonized in the scene, but then again, putting out junk like this and the "Lost Tapes" DVD isn't helping their cause any. Hey, how about writing new songs? Maybe they could drop the nostalgia tour, change their name to The Iraqi Scientists or something and try to be interesting or original again. But, this CD is just plain boring. ... Read more

Album Description

1994 Warner Brothers release featuring 13 tracks, all non-album cuts! Includes live versions of 'Give It Away', 'SuckMy Kiss', 'I Could Have Lied' & 'Nobody Weird Like Me', the'Coneheads' hit 'Soul To Squeeze', the cult fave 'Fela'sCock', their interpretation of the Stooges' 'Search &Destroy', mixes of 'Give It Away' and 'If You Have To Ask'and more! Each disc comes in a separate standard jewel case &all three are housed together in an embossed, colorful, CD-sized slipcase box. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Die hard "CHILLIS" fan
Ah, yes, you definitely seem like a die hard "CHILLIS" fan. So big a fan, in fact, that you can even spell "chili" right. So die hard that you must use all capital letters when speaking their name. What a fantastic commentary, nice work.

LIVE RARE REMIX by Red Hot Chili Peppers
An awsome compulation of rare, live and remixed songs by everyones favorate band the red hots. A must have at to hear the funk these clever little musicians put out esspecially live for any poor person who has not attended a chilis concert yet. I give it the big three thumbs up

This is for the die hard CHILLI PEPPER fan's!
This is a small 3(cd) box set, But it has rare material that you can't find anywhere else! Personally I think they should of put more tracks on the (cd's), but all together it's worth the money! The remixes are decent, the live song's are pretty cool, but the rare song's are the coolest song's in theis box set! Sikamikaniko is one of my faviorate CHILLI PEPPER song's ever! I suggest only the "die hard" CHILLI PEPPER fan's get this rare gem! ... Read more

Album Description

Through a special arrangement with Columbia Records we are able to bring to you Shawn's rare, classic solo live recording, previously available only at Shawn's early gigs. The original has become a genuine collector's item among her many fans. Includes brilliant performances of some of the best songs from her Columbia Records releases Steady On (A Grammy winner)and Fat City, in addition to several never-before-released tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Almost renders "Stedy On" obsolete!
"Live '88" was the cassette tape that Shawn Colvin used to sell at her live shows before she landed a recording contract with Sony. It features eight of the ten songs that wound up on her fine debut album "Steady On," and when it finally saw a CD issue in 1995, it all but rendered that album obsolete.

The reason is fairly simple. The presentation on "Live '88" better fits that songs than the studio production of "Steady On." Here Shawn is accompanied by just her remarkable voice and her acoustic guitar. Call it Shawn Unplugged if you will.

As good as "Steady On" is, this is the CD on which you should hear these songs. The lone exception to the above rule is "Another Long One" which does benefit from the "pie tin" sounding production given it on "Steady On."

So, I guess the solution is to get "Live '88" first, and get "Steady On" when you can. Not only does "Live '88" have the superior version of these great songs, but it also has a breathtaking cover of Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song." Even if it were the only decent cut on the album, "Live '88" would still be worth getting for it alone!

Almost renders "Steady On" obsolete!
"Live '88" was the cassette tape that Shawn Colvin used to sell at her live shows before she landed a recording contract with Sony. It features eight of the ten songs that wound up on her fine debut album "Steady On," and when it finally saw a CD issue in 1995, it all but rendered that album obsolete.

The reason is fairly simple. The presentation on "Live '88" better fits that songs than the studio production of "Steady On." Here Shawn is accompanied by just her remarkable voice and her acoustic guitar. Call it Shawn Unplugged if you will.

As good as "Steady On" is, this is the CD on which you should hear these songs. The lone exception to the above rule is "Another Long One" which does benefit from the "pie tin" sounding production given it on "Steady On."

So, I guess the solution is to get "Live '88" first, and get "Steady On" when you can. Not only does "Live '88" have the superior version of these great songs, but it also has a breathtaking cover of Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song." If it were the only decent cut on the album, "Live '88" would still be worth getting for it alone!

Emotion and Earthly Beauty
Having known Shawn Colvin just from her overplayed studio efforts, I was unprepared for this album, which not only approaches but achieves true greatness. She should NEVER return to the studio, given the capabilities on display here: a voice of lyrical sweetness and flawless intonation, perfectly integrated guitar playing of great imagination, and song-writing capabilities that are, if not exactly on the Joni Mitchell level (whose are?), impressively mature.

Oddly enough, the true stand-out here is a version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Kathy' Song" which, if it doesn't cause you to tear up, you're some sort of heartless automaton. There isn't a weak track on the album, and repeated hearings leave one with an odd hybrid of awe and love. One can only wish she'll see fit to record in this manner again. Very highly recommended.

The ultimate "girl-and-a-guitar" album -- buy it immediately
Prior to purchasing this CD, I was a lukewarm Shawn Colvin listener. Basically, I knew her from "Sunny Came Home" and "Polaroids", and although I liked her, I wasn't in a rush to buy her discography. Then I stumbled on an Amazon review titled "Renders Steady On Obsolete" or something like that. It was such a rave that I purchased "Live 88" -- NOW I'M A RAVING SHAWN COLVIN FAN! All that the aforementioned reviewer said is true, plus this: While Shawn Colvin isn't the guitar virtuoso of a Patty Larkin or the songwriting genius of a Dar Williams, this album will blow you away as much as Patty or Dar ever did. The "unplugged" format showcases Shawn's voice, which is heart-rending on "Shotgun Down the Avalanche" when she sings "I will raise up my voice/Into the void/For you have left me nowhere to go". If that doesn't raise the hairs on the back of your neck, demand your money back! "Kathy's Song" is a fave, and even though I recognize that the lyrics of "I Don't Know Why" are a bit trite, I still mist up when she sings "And everytime that you look that way/I would lay down my life for you". If you're ever forced onto a desert island with a solar-powered CD player, be sure to take this one. Ten years (and one bad sunburn) later, you'll still be happy with your choice!

Shawn Colvin signing live: why listen to her any other way?
There are some artists where hearing them sing their songs with just a guitar is not just a treat, it is the preferred mode of listening. My contention would be that Shawn Colvin is just such a singer. All you have to do to acknowledge the point is to listen to the first two tracks on his album, "Diamond in the Rough" and "Shotgun Down The Avalanche," and compare the "Live '88" versions with the originals on "Steady On." That should prove the case. This album contains a nice mix of songs written by Colvin along, as well as with her songwriting partner and producer, John Leventhal. My only complaint, albiet a minor one, is that there is only one cover song, Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song." Fortunately, Colvin has an album of cover songs.

Even with the publicity of her Grammy award-winning "Sunny Came Home" and her touring with the first summer of Lilith Fair, Shawn Colvin remains more of a cult figure in terms of both her reputation and the affection of her audience for her work. She is one of those artists that you can get people hooked on quite easily. "Live '88" is not the first Shawn Colvin album you would want to listen to, but it will become one of your favorites. ... Read more

Album Description

The agro-electro messiahs have returned with their firstlive album, recorded at four stops on their 2002 US tour &compiled by Sascha K. himself. Metropolis. 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

It's a live album so what do you expect
Some of these tracks are great but then they're mixed with some that could be better. It could have been better there's no doubt about that but perhaps with a different show or if they hadn't rush released this CD as a " limited " release ( I still see it in the shops though )

One for the fans really

not as good as it could be.
this was a worthwhile relase, but it had some serious flaws. the song selection is lackluster..."the only good one's a dead one" was performed live, and is unarguably one of the best pig songs ever, yet it doesn't make release? and they pile on the bad (we might as well come out and say it) "yohoho" instead? i'd also like to hear more of their older works, perhaps with a bit of a retooling with their new sound. instead, many of the tracks sound like the studio songs, just not as clear and with worse vocals--sasha's voice seemed to fade out a bit on some of the tracks, and he didn't have that much emotion or energy.

overall, a nice release but not worth the price. good for collectors/fans/what-have-you, but newcomers should try a different album (*cough cough* NIHIL *cough cough*).

Great Show, limited album
Having seen the Sturm and Drang tour in Houston and Austin, the thought of having the concert translated to an album was very exciting. Kmfdm DOES have an amazing live performance, and the album captures some of this...however, that is not the bone I have to pick.

A few of the songs didn't make the cut for good reason I'm sure. Even still, I was expecting a more complete translation of the live experience. Godlike, for example, is missing from this disc, by far the highlight (and end) of the show. 2 of the 4 Pig songs performed are also absent (the only good one's a dead one and Everything). Also missing in action is Kmfdm's Skurk, Preach Pervert, Urban Monkey Warfare and Rules. Understandably, the disc probably didn't have enough memory available to capture the entire show, but a 2 disc set of higher quality would've been a worthy purchase. I understand there is to be a DVD to be released of the S&D 2002 tour, hopefully it will corret these few oversights.
Despite these minor rants the scaled down live show present here makes for solid listening, and brings back memories of the show (for those of us who were there) and brings also a desire to see it again.

For Fans Only
This album is great only if you have heard the songs before and are interested in hearing them a little different, or, if you are partial to mixed up albums. However, newcomers to KMFDM should NOT PICK UP this disc. The quality of the live recording does no do the group justice. KMFDM are rumored to have a killer live show, but it seems like you have to be there in person to be impressed.

KMFDM, better than the BEST! STRUM & DRANG tour rocks!
I've always been a fan of KMFDM's work. Every album they put out seems to top the last. Honestly, I didn't know how anyone could top "Adios" but then the MDFMK album came out. Needless to say it blew my mind! A couple years later KMFDM returns with "ATTAK!" and totally topped MDFMK's album, "ATTAK!" being my favorite to date. And now they put out a wonderful live album that seems to capture everything great about KMFDM. They play old school classics like "ULTRA" and "SPIT SPERM" as well as some new killer tracks like "DIRTY" and "ATTAK/RELOAD." This album has it all! Although I can't say I attended the "Strum & Drang" tour (I wanted to go VERY badly!), I can only imagine the crazy wonders they do live for the crowd. This album captures the live magic and slams it face first for everyone to enjoy in the comforts of their own home. Although I wouldn't tell anyone interested in learning who KMFDM is to let this be their fist experiance (Leave that to ATTAK! and ADIOS) it makes for a nice addition for the avid KMFDM fan. In other words, a must for any KMFDM fan. What are you doing still reading this? BUY IT! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Sadly, I agree with "monkey_brains7945"
I was very excited to receive my copy of this bootleg, and having purchased some Pearl Jam concerts previously, I expected a lot more quality. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not comparing the two bands at all, but live recordings should have a higher quality standard than the one found on this record. I understand that they're a "new band", and their live material is quite limited, but come on! They should have picked better material to put on the record. It's very short and badly mixed. I guess the only thing that kept me from throwing it in my "crappy cd" pile, was the autographed cover. If you want live material, buy the DVD instead. It also has some faults, but it's far better than this CD. More material, and perfomed a lot better.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA JUST HOW GOOD THIS ALBUM IS!!!
ALTHOUGH THIS ALBUM IS LIVE, IT KICKS ASS THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BAND, IF I COULD ONLY TELL THEM IN PERSON JUST HOW GREAT THEIR MUSIC IS, AND HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THEM PUTTING FORTH THEIR NATURAL MUSIC TALENT. I GOT THIS ALBUM AFTER THEIR CONCERT THAT WONDERFUL NIGHT WHICH WAS HONESTLY THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE, AND I LISTENED TO IT THE WHOLE WAY HOME FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS, AND LOVED IT THE INSTANT I POPPED IT IN. EVERY TIME I LISTEN TO IT, IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES I NEVER WANT TO FORGET FROM THAT NIGHT, YOUR REALLY STUPID IF YOU DONT EVER GIVE THESE GUYS A LISTEN TO, AND IF YOU DONT WANNA IT'S YOUR LOSS, YOUR MISSING OUT ON THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!

Back to the good stuff
Chevelle's recently released live CD proves to those people who feared that good rock n' roll was dead that it is alive and well. These guys produce a sound unlike any I have heard from any three person band since CCR. They are incredibly talented and passionate about their music and their fans. This is an album that I listen to almost every day and am still finding amazing parts and lyrics. It is an album that you can put in start listening to it and truly look forward to the next song. I would like to take this time to thank the members of Chevelle for making the album and putting every ounce of energy into their live shows and songs.

CHEVELLE IS LIVE!
Great songs, great sound, short playlist. Chevelles third album, Live From The Road, delivers a great musical album. But an extremely weak playlist. Only 10 songs, one is a song off the Dare Devil Soundtrack, leaving only 9 songs, making a weak album. And although I don't JUST listen to Christian music. They include the curse hell on track 8. Very dissapointing. But if you're a true chevelle fan, i highly reccomend this album!

Disillusioning...
Wonder What's Next was a very solid album. The songwriting was incredibly simplistic, but the melodies were catchy, the sound was hard and tight, and Pete's voice shined. A lot of the greatness of the sound could probably be attributed to lots of studio time, and work with producer GGGarth. After hearing WWW, Live from the Road was, to say the least, a disappointment. The vocals were very weak and often off key. He often sang an octave below what he sang on the CD. The high notes he attempted were often missed. He barely put any power into his singing either. This is incredibly apparent in the verses of Family System, which were remarkably passionate on the studio CD. Let's move on to instrumentation. The guitar tone was CRAP. Plus all of Pete's guitar playing was profoundly sloppy. The guitars and bass were out of tune on many songs. Plus the CD just sounds like poop. The drums were not recorded well, and they are way too quiet. Terrible mix job. All around, a disappointment. Sorry guys. This is for die-hard fans only. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Consisting of one disc recorded from a Boston radio broadcast in 1979 and the other from a large concert hall in Atlanta in 1983, Live! demonstrates the evolution of the Police's sound while showing off their ability to perform onstage. Aside from the track listings (although several of the same tracks are found on both discs), there are notable differences between the two concerts. The production is the most obvious. The 1979 recording, sounding raw like a well-done bootleg, is mixed for a punk band, which the Police largely were at the time. The Atlanta recording is slick and professional, perfect for the world-famous pop stars they had become. The second major difference is the performances themselves. In the Boston concert, because they had less material to fill an entire show, the band extended the songs by improvising on themes and progressions (while at the same time frequently lead-footing the tempos). In contrast, the Atlanta show featured a denser mix. Three backup singers doubled the number of people onstage, while the songs were moody and atmospheric. Again the band expanded on its arrangements. You won't hear your favorite licks from many of these songs, but the fair exchange is getting to hear drummer Stewart Copeland's inspired improvised fills; Andy Summers's cautious, delicate guitar textures; and Sting's rasta chants. Aside from being a transcendent live album, this collection makes it very clear that the Police were so much more than just Sting and "two other guys." Quite the opposite is true. It testifies not only to the strength of the songwriting but, more important, to the band's musicianship. The Police were a perfect musical trinity, each member an indispensable and inseparable part of the whole. --Beth Massa ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A couple of good live concerts
If you have this album and their box set "Message in a box", then you have everything that The Police have ever put out. There will be no need to buy any of their individual albums. This 2 cd set showcases The Police live in concert .. the first disc in 1979 and the 2nd in 1983. Disc 2 contains all their most popular stuff from the Synchronicity album, so may appeal to fans more than disc one. Also as one other reviewer has stated, Sting's singing is certainly not up to par on disc one, as he does state to the audience that he is suffering from laryngitis, but considering that, it is amazing that he does manage to sing as well as he does. But for real Police fans, and especially those who want everything from this band, then this is a must have. And also I have to rebuke something that a previous reviewer stated, the 1979 concert was not recorded at the Arles Arena in the South of France in August, but at the Orpheum in Boston in November. And to prove that, listen to the end of track three, where Sting says to the audience that "This is the first time I have been to Boston..."

Police Live - A Must for any Police Fan
I wasn't sure what to expect from this CD when I bought it. Disc One is the Police of the old school; no backup singers and just the three of them. It's only of their first two discs as well, no Zenyatta, Ghost or Synchronicity. The 2nd Disc is 1983. They have backup singers, the recording is better quality and they play mostly just their hit tunes. I like disc one better, but I think most will like disc two because it's more commercial. The only song I would have liked to hear on one of the discs would be 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic', but you can't have it all. If you have all the Police discs, you should get this one because it's nice to hear versions of these songs that aren't from the studio. It's worth the money!

Historical musical document, not the best sound quality
The sound quality of these live renditions by the legendary British band The Police are not top notch, which is why I take off one star off of them. However, the material is all top of the line and a very nice display of the band's live performances in their early days (disc 1) and their final tour (disc 2), as well as a fairly comprehensive compilation of their music. On this end, I'd probably recommend their "Message in a Box", which sums up their entire production and a few B-sides and live tracks in a very nice 4-disc box with a colorful and insightful booklet.

One star down for disc 2...
I love disc one. It is fantastic. It actually got me back into simple rock n roll after years of listening mainly to more complex jam rock and jazz. I put it on my stereo one night when I was just sitting around my apartment a few years back, and I was bouncin round the room (to quote Phish). Since that time I have gotten back into this kind of music (elvis costello, the clash, etc.) while still listening to the other stuff. The Police were a punk band, I don't care what anyone says, and they wrote some clever, catchy tunes.

Now disc two is another matter. It sounds nice, well-done, but doesn't have that spirit the earlier music had. Alone it gets 2 stars from me, but disc one gets six so it averages out somewhere in the middle, I go with four. Disc one is more than enough to justify the price, however. I urge you to buy it, and wear out that first disc!!

Good, could have been great.
It's hard to complain when you get two cd's of live "Police", but I'll do it anyway. Both the performance and sound are good, but for your only live album, it should be excellent. The song choices are fine, but two cd's of two shows is too much. Unless you're a fanatic, one disc of live hits and fan favorites would be better. Actually, I usually just listen to disc 2 for that very reason. Of course if I was more of an optomist, I'd say it's two cd's, of two shows, full of all the hits and more. What else could you want in a live "Police" album? ... Read more

Album Description

Limited edition 1997 Japanese release on Reprise with 11 live tracks from various 1995-1996 shows in Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Prague and Tokyo. Five of the tracks are previously unreleased live recordings: 'F.O.D.', 'When I Come Around', 'Going To Pasalaqua', 'Geek Stink Breath' and 'Stuck With Me'. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Green Day Rulzz!!
This CD is a must for any Green Day fan. I have been a fan since 94', and always will be. Keep rocking Green Day!

Green Day Rules!
This CD is great! I suggest you buy it if you like Green Day alot! ... Read more