DMBlive Vol. 2

I'll keep this review short, like the release itself (1:21:58 song time): RHYME is the highlight of the show and arguably the best-ever released live version. PAY FOR, ANTS, and MINARETS are also very strong, but if not for RHYME I'd have rated this show a 0 because it isn't bad, but it isn't particularly inspiring, either. It lacks the raw energy of 1993 and the refinement that came later in 1994. For example, TRIPPING has a ton of energy, but Boyd's playing is too abrupt for my taste. Similarly, TWO STEP is good, but there isn't enough brooding in it; that came throughout 1995 and into 1996 in particular. And then there's the question of the sound quality; as a two-track soundboard (vs. a Live Trax multi-track mix) there's only so much they can do; WATCHTOWER is particularly notable for the sound quality being borderline unlistenable (almost all drums and bass during the jam).