Album Reviews

This live set pressed as two picture discs is little more than a souvenir "audio tour book" from a band to its loyal fans. Picture discs don't usually sound good and this one is no exception, though the records are quieter than some normal black ones I've bought lately.

These are probably DAT tapes drawn from board mixes and they sound distant and reverberant. I bought Scabdates because I wanted to hear how well these guys could pull off their intricate studio maneuvers onstage and they prove more than capable.

However, the live set also points out the group's writing limitations, as songs begin to sound mightly similar after a while. There are plenty of musical pyrotechnics, and lots of fast turns and shifts, but there's also too much "noodling."

Basically, if you're a fan, go for it, if for no other reason than to support your musical heroes. Otherwise stick with the two previous studio sets. I haven’t yet checked out the new studio album.