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Live in Phoenix
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Barnes and Noble
Live in Phoenix
Current price: $19.99
Barnes and Noble
Live in Phoenix
Current price: $19.99
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Say what you will of their flat-ironed haircuts, wordy song titles, and relationships with exasperating Hollywood starlets, but the boys in
put on a fairly tight show. Still, is that enough to save
from being dragged underwater by its own weight? Recorded during the
tour, this CD/DVD package features both sides of the band: the talented emo-rock outfit headed by vocalist
(displayed on the audio disc), and the flashy, image-conscious group with
at the center (as evidenced by the DVD). The video portion is enjoyable enough, particularly if you're a dedicated fan, as the pyrotechnics and confetti cannons add a bit of spectacle to the band's performance. At the same time, it's all too easy to overlook
's presence when you're given those visuals, and his contributions are the real meat of
's sound.
may be the most famous bandmember (even if his agenda seems to center on three things here: screaming into the microphone, introducing songs with unintentionally hilarious speeches, and wearing a fashionable hoodie during the height of summer in an Arizona nightclub), but
proves his worth as one of the most competent emo vocalists around, nailing the high notes in
and plowing his way through series after series of tongue-twisting melodies. He deserves more recognition, and the fact that
so easily hijacks the spotlight shows why many critics dismiss this band. Then again, perhaps the CD's messy cover of
is to blame.
makes a brief appearance on the song's guitar solo, but his presence only heightens the realization that we're listening to
and
, not the celebrated partnership of
. When the bandmates stick to their talents,
shows them to be competent musicians who've been irrationally slandered by those outside the emo circle. But when
overstep their boundaries, this album threatens to capsize, regardless of the strength of the performances. ~ Andrew Leahey