Articles by "Live Album Reviews"


Duo twosome Katie and Caleigh who have been friends since long ago, decided that they would come together to create art in the form of music. Thus forth, the pop punk, progressive, alternative rock group called Tough On Fridays was made into what it was, exploding onto the music scene in only 2017. Releasing a few pieces of works, including most recent being a live album titled "Live at Texas Indie Fest". This album of sorts, consisting one of the singles that had made them take off called "Lush", with other likable tracks such as "Retrospect". Other notable tracks being noticed as crafty with well rounded material. But “Retrospect” and “Lush”, stand on a firmer grounding, that they are more pulsating, progressive in tone, that they keep the music kicking, that you never get tired of it. You partake in it, enjoying it, that you find yourself bobbing to the beat of the music more or less. When it comes down to it, the overall release may be short and brief, but that’s what makes it just as sweet. These girls in Tough On Fridays being rowdy with just the right amount of sass, make this album a whole lot more entertaining upon each listen.


Kittie, an act, that will always do what they want, because that's the way and how it is going to be. With that, in 2014 the band had been posting on social media website Facebook, this project that was secretive, in the works. Old photos of past and present members all together in the same room with of all things a camera! This would lead to them launching a crowd funding campaign by the Indie Go Go company, as they would celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band, with a documentary to be foreseen, having those said members of the past and present tell it all in film and book format.

 After this was all set up their goal had been reached in 8 hours time, having gotten Rob McCallum to direct the documentary with Mark Eglinton to pen the tell all biography. The campaign closing with a total amount of $40, 525 raised, 203% of the initial goal pretty much. Since 2014 with all this out and about, all was taking place with filming and what not moving forward. Several years later, a reunion of the original lineup for a one night concert would take place in 2017, this being the marking point of the band's anniversary documentary, teaser clips of what was to come from all of this would be posted, having the energy for it be ecstatic. It would be just a short while later before word of a 3-disc set of a DVD, Bluray and CD would be making itself known. The DVD/Bluray being the documentary with the CD portion consisting of audio of live recordings of their catalog of content.

So then, how does the documentary and live album hold up to all of the buzz that it was lead up towards. Well the documentary itself is quite extensive, as it brought it most members in to share their part of the band's journey from past to present, minus two of the band members not participating in it. But far from that minor mishap, the documentary as a whole, was a lot of fun to see and hear about really. Not really realizing how many guitarists and bassists came and went into this band that is Kittie was a lot to take in, from not just being a fan but relating to it somewhat, knowing that a lot of bands face this type or ordeal and it sucks. But Kittie has pulled through to this very day, making it work out, with even newer music in the pipe line as we speak. Seeing what people who are just like you and me, do in their own lives, as musicians, and what they deal with within such an industry and its accompanying scene, was just interesting.

The live album that's included is by far, one of the most intense recording's of a live showcase ever recorded. The angst and energy of the crowd and vibe of the band, is a win/win situation. Everything performed out of their catalog of content, it is as if, the band never really left. While there has been some time of the band's disappearance to take on this documentary and pursue other things, this live release, is just chalk full of what can be expected from a Kittie show. Whether you have heard or ever seen them live beforehand, or even if you have not, this live album does it for you. By hearing it, you get it all in one full sweep of the music, everything is just there and hits you with force you just accept it.

It is just one of those documentaries by a band, who has females in the role, doing what they want to do, make music, but make it their own way. It's a documentary with a live album attached to it, that makes Kittie be themselves, a heavy duty act with no plans on stopping, just taking it with stride, as the music does as well.


Long time rockers Soil went ahead and recorded a concert of theirs back in October of 2011 for a CD/DVD release out at the Electric Ballroom in London, England. This was a sold out showcase that captures that night of Soil history along with some behind the scenes footage that you can only find on this release.

Being rejoined by frontman Ryan McCombs the man behind Drowning Pool at one point in his career he then returned to Soil for this event of theirs celebrating their 10 years together. This set captures the concert mania that is Soil having songs such as "Breaking Me Down", "Redefine", "Halo", and "Wide Open", being performed for the sold out crowd that just brings the heat and craziness from start to finish.

The CD portion relives this night having the band and Ryan goofing off not leaving anything out for the fans keeping it all together having you get a feel and vibe of how and why Soil is who they are live especially. Overall this is release Soil has made possible and really showcases their passion and love for the music and the fans that have been there for them through all of these years. This is a set that you will not want to miss and fans of Drowning Pool, Papa Roach, Hurt, and Hellyeah will definitely dig it.

Yes's latest release "Yes In the Present: Live From Lyon" is a package that comes with two CDs and a DVD that contains 55-minutes of footage of concert footage and interview segments. The CDs consist of a live recorded performance in Lyon, France on December 1, 2009 and this concert features new singer, Benoit David who does a superb job with the band's unique but catchy sound. His vocals develop a similar but close structure to that of Jon Anderson which should make any Yes fan quite impressed. The remainder of the band contains such members as Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Alan White (drums), along with Oliver Wakeman (keyboards) having Wakeman leave the group before its 2011 work with Geoff Downs. Either way the instrumental style is solid and sleek maintaining that rock vibe with pop rock vocals that are modern and clean. As for the the other disc takes the music up a notch but keeps it mellow and deep. Yes has come a long way and has developed their source of style and sound over the years and this live portion couldn't be any better.


In a little of over seven years Seattle, Washington formed Aiden in which during that time span a series of events had commenced in just a matter of moments. Being lead by front man Wil Francis (vocals, guitar, piano, lyrics), Jake Davison (drums), Nick Wiggins (bass), and Angel Ibarra (lead guitar) Aiden had expressed their talent through music thus taking the world by storm with EPs, LPs, and a everything in between there wasn't anything that these guys could not do.

After the New Year had begun Aiden set off on a tour and made a pit stop in Chicago there stood a venue known as there stood the Bottom Longue music venue where this foursome of musicians would be given their lives to the likes of the Devil. “From Hell…With Love”, takes what Aiden has done over their seven year run and comprises it all into a double-disc set. The DVD for one consists of the 10 song set taking material between the time span of 2009's "Knives" all the way to the far reaches of the past with fan favorites like "World By Storm", "Die Romantic", and "The Last Sunrise". Front man Wil Francis doesn't ask the crowd to participate as much as he'd like but rather orders his followers to destroy everything in sight. The crowd, which is always in frame, looks like a blur every so often until “Scavengers of the Damned”, when Francis demands that his fans join him upon the stage and they do just that in a great number too. It's during these precise moments that you realize that Aiden is a band that continues to thrive. In despite of how tired, sore, or sweaty they may be, everybody in attendance seems to want to out-scream the other just to grab the band's attention. One fan looks like a exact replica of Francis during the era that was "Nightmare Anatomy". It's quite clear that this show is the fans home than a show perspective.

In addition to this, Aiden offers its fans their entire music video catalog as well as adding on an interview segment, documentary piece as well as some in-depth performance clips of their more down to earth acoustic moments. Aside from the DVD being the main contender here, the CD portion takes the concert segment and allows the listener to relive Aiden’s concert experience over and over again.


Over this past course of the summer, pop-punks All Time Low had stripped down their songs to justify their essential heartbeats that were exclusively intended for MTV’s Unplugged. The band’s set was shot in New York City where their proclaimed high energy flare up was taken down several notches for this candle-lit studio filled with some very fortunate fans who intently sung right along.

That very performance has now become available for the fans in a digipak CD/DVD format, which not only includes the performance footage but a bonus interview section, with never before seen outtakes from the MTV special, featuring All Time Low performing not just one but two brand new songs off their latest release “Nothing Personal “– which included “Damned If I Do Ya, (Damned If I Don’t)”, and “Weightless” among the many other favorites taken from their previous release “So Wrong, It’s Right and Put Up Or Shut Up”, “Dear Maria, Come Me In”, “Coffee Shop Soundtrack”, “Jasey Rae”, and a surprise duet with Kaye Voegele on “Remembering Sunday”.

This CD/DVD combo truly delivers just as much as All Time Low tends to do when it comes down to their performance ranking whether that’d be plugged in or unplugged to an amplifier you will never be disappointed when it comes to the musical notes that is, All Time Low.


“The End”, isn’t your average take when it comes to releasing an album title let alone a full blown combo of a CD and DVD thrown together. With the Feisty Piranhas they tend to present this modern rock n’ roll influence that takes a lashing out at the punk scene with an “in-your-face” attitude – which is clearly noticeable when it comes to this double header release.

On the CD portion you’re given 17-tracks of hard hitting punk rock but the audio from the live performance isn’t all that great. The vocals and instruments in the backdrop aren’t up to speed and cannot compare to other live albums that I’ve come across. This live portion of the album just doesn’t present that mega energy impact that these so-called Feisty Piranhas have been known to portray.

Whereas the DVD portion is the live effect of what the CD offers but the DVD tends to add a little more than just audio tracking and live performance footage. It adds on this withdrawing effect of notability for one being that during the entire performances the video footage is clearly taken from two if not more showcases of the band’s performance rank. Which lacks the whole viewing effect from witnessing one song from one point and then jumping to another song at another spot it just doesn’t add up it makes the viewer more confused than enjoying themselves.

The Feisty Piranhas combo hands down is quite interesting especially the packaging it comes in but as for the CD/DVD’s themselves they’re nice to listen and watch as often as you may like but not as quite as enjoyable as one would think possible.

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