After an indefinite hiatus, a series of shows in the Toronto and Buffalo area in November 2000 sparked the resulting magic on this impressive live compilation. With a more mature and aged delivery, lead singer
Ron Hawkins
sounds eerily similar to
Elvis Costello
in his early days with
the Attractions
, specifically on songs such as the infectious and pleasing
"Gamble."
Most of the tunes keep to a very tight musical game plan, but there are some fluffy lightweight and rowdy barroom moments all contained in one song, with
"Salesmen, Cheats & Liars"
a good example, although the overall live effect is muted in the fact there is a rather spliced feel instead of concert continuity.
"City Full of Cowards"
is another highlight of the first half of the album, which also includes a bonus disc consisting of three newly recorded songs. The tightness of the group is also surprising given the lapse between projects. The studio songs come off a bit too polished and with some more bite. But whether this is a brief asterisk or the start of something new, the live disc is an ideal snapshot of an underrated band going out on top. ~ Jason MacNeil