antiReviews: Firehouse: Bring Them Out Live! Review By Scott Vile
Label: Spitfire
Records
Release Date:
7/18/00
Recorded in Osaka, Japan, in April 1999, the band was smart to go where the bulk of their fans are so they can get a good, energetic recording. Not that the band didn't cheat; Bill Leverty once confessed that certain songs were played during their recorded Japanese concert more than once to keep mistakes at a minimum.
But for the most part, the band sounds really good in this live recording. Surprisingly, the bass and drums are both highly audible. In fact I'd say the volume level of each instrument is about perfect. Firehouse says they take pride in making their songs in concert sound just like the albums, and this CD proves that they are successful in that regard.
It's too bad that after playing the same songs for a decade, the band isn't improvising and changing the songs to keep them interesting. It must be boring for them to play each song straight from the book. It's boring for me as well. Why buy a live CD when you can basically get the same effect by playing your old records with cheering in the background? This is possibly more of a personal preference, I'm sure some fans don't like when bands stray too far from the original versions.
The track listing is varied, including material from every album but of course focusing on their more successful first two CDs from the early 90s. It is a good way of giving the fans the old songs they want while showing that they do take pride in their recent work.
Your happiness with this album ultimately will come from your opinion of Firehouse. If you were never a fan like me, this won't appeal to you. Back in the day I thought rockers like "All She Wrote" and "Don't Treat Me Bad" were cool, but I didn't respect their ballads that are still played at nearly every wedding and Senior Prom ("Love Of A Lifetime" and "When I Look Into Your Eyes"). But I'm sure the Firehouse die-hards out there will love this. The recording and performances are strong, and that's the only really important factor.
The Band:
CJ Snare � Vocals
Bill Leverty � Guitars
Perry Richardson
� Bass
Michael Foster �
Drums
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
blink-182 Launching North American Stadium And Arena Tour
Watch David Gilmour's 'The Piper's Call' Video
Check Out Powerman 5000 'Dancing Like We're Dead'
The String Cheese Incident Take Fans On Epic 'Roll Around The Sun'
Watch Motley Crue's 'Dogs Of War' Video
Richie Sambora Returns With 'I Pray', The First Of Four New Songs
The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Guitarist
Linkin Park Top Hard Rock And Vinyl Albums Charts With Papercuts