Search - Sleepytime Gorilla Museum :: Live

Great Band, Mediocre Recording

Ryan | Tucson, AZ USA | 02/21/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Sleepytime Gorilla Museum is the Gothic Prog Extravaganza made up of members of Faun Fables, Idiot Flesh, Tin Hat Trio, Charming Hostess, and etc etc. Frontman Nils was also the demonic Genius behind Idiot Flesh, and just like that band, SGM puts on an amazing live show. I saw them last night for the 2nd or 3rd time, and decided to pick up the live cd. Listening to it today, it was a bit disappointing, as the music is mostly good, and but the recording quality is mediocre, and a lot of the subtleties get lost in the static. Why couldn't they have used soundboard tapes for this? Instead it sounds like some guy in the audience had a low-quality tape recorder.
Also, it doesn't really capture the live experience. Some of the quieter moments sound like dull filler without the accompanying visuals. SGM aren't just a band, their a musical theatrical performance ensemble, a little travelling mutant vaudeville troupe. The dull moments on cd are accompanied live by contortions and dances and all sorts of odd and entertaining behavior. This isn't a bad cd, but I'd recommend getting the studio album and seeing them live instead. How about you guys release a live DVD????"

SGM at their worst

QWE | MI | 11/11/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is a low-quality bootleg sounding cutup of live shows. There are only a few good tracks on here, the rest is just inbetween noises (which can be ok). I have many bootlegs and there are much better versions of the songs that are on here. Although I do love Moe!'s song on here and "the neighborhood". But there are so many live classics missing from here; including a cover of This Heat's SPQR, The Donkey-Headed Advisory of Humanity Opens the Discussion, Flinch, The Creature, Cockroach... But hopefully those will appear on their next album.
Stick to the First album (which is GREAT!) and bootlegs you can get your hands on, then try this for any extras you may have missed."

Acquired Taste & Tasty

Peter F. Stubbs | Portland, OR United States | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ABSOLUTELY NOT for the casual fan. This has many between-song interludes and the sound quality is sketchy. However, I have to admit I love it. It's not a bad representation of the band, and includes songs that didn't pan out and will never get studio treatment.The real highlights for me were "Babydoctor" and "The Neighborhood." Both tunes are stellar pieces. The extended intro and slight reworking of "Sleep Is Wrong" was also a real bright spot in my day.Think bootleg and this is a great catch. If you want Rush's "Exit...Stage Left" this is NOT for you."