Stereophonics – Live At Dakota
I wasn’t sure how to approach a live album as they are a tricky mistress; on one hand it gives you a taste of a band in the live arena but on the other I saw the band a few years back opening up for some annoying American singer. But this Live album shows how the band should be heard in a live setting. The album was recorded on their recent tour supporting their album last year “Language Sex Violence Other?”
The album begins with two cuts from “LSVO” “Superman” and “Doorman.” In the live setting they sound a bit rawer and “Doorman” still has those odd lyrics. “Devil,” “Pedalpusher” and “Deadhead,” also from “LSVO,” make an appearance. But they don’t forget the classics with great renditions of “Mr. Writer” and “Local Boy In The Photograph.”
The second disco opens up with a personal favorite “Hurry Up And Wait.” The rest of this disc plays out like a greatest hits set. “Vegas Two Times,” “Traffic,” “Just Looking,” and an old b-side “Carrot Cake And Wine.” The album closes out with “Dakota,” a number 1 single which will certainly become a stable in the band’s set for years to come.
It is tough to really gauge a live release. The band sounds in excellent tight form. The songs sound great. It will certainly be a pleasing package to their already huge followers. It is a great picture of what the band has been doing live.
By John Siwicki
