Stereophonics--Live from Dakota

Live albums have always struck me as being just one more way that bands can sell their listeners the same old songs again. Yet, I suppose I’d rather have a live album than a greatest hits package, which was the Stereophonics’ thinking as well. After releasing five albums over ten years (four of which went straight to the top of the charts), no one would blame the trio for releasing a "Best Of" record. A far better choice was this 2-disc live album that not only spans their career but captures the Stereophonics’ live energy. So while the songs may have been sold to you already, the live versions are so different and worth-while that perhaps the Stereophonics escape guilt. All of the band’s biggest hits can be found among the 20 song set-list, including a fast-paced "The Bartender and the Thief," and raw take of "Devil." "Madame Helga" and "Traffic" explode onto the second disc, and the whole experience is wrapped up by the breath-taking "Dakota." Also found are wonderful versions of "Superman," which kicks off the concert in a fury, and "Deadhead," my personal favorite off the entire installment. For any Stereophonics fan, this is a definite must. The songs that were polished and wrapped into singles packages have been stripped into their rawest form, with echoing instrumentals and Kelly Jones’ scratchy vocals. And, if you read this wondering who these boys are, this is a great place to start. The energy captured in this release out-does by far any greatest hits package, and is a wonderful supplement to the Stereophonics’ studio releases. Don’t miss it!

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)