Live Trax Vol. 12

I love this show; there's so much great music packed into an hour and a half. WAREHOUSE is a great opener, and this is a very good 1995 version. RECENTLY is really strong. I don't remember ever hearing the violin intro to MONKEY before, but it's beautiful, and Roi's touches are also beautiful. So raw and early in its development. WHAT WOULD is about as good as that song gets; great energy, really tight. My notes on DRIVE: "the drummer, the drummer, the drummer!" It's cool to hear TYPICAL full band at this time, because it became a Dave solo feature soon after. This is really one of the all-time great song eras for the band IMO. Dave's vocals are a little low in the mix towards the end, but with Carter, Stefan, and Roi jamming so well, who cares? #36 has so much joy in it. Carter and Roi are great. ANTS is fantastic all around, the real essence of the band. Let's be honest: #40 is the reason this show was selected for release, and it may be the best version ever, but WTF is up with the guy screaming in the background? Mix him down. Finally, I love the 1995 WATCHTOWER performances. The band is just unhinged. Then it all gets slow and low and mellow, before Roi explodes again. Just great.