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Rating: Recorded live over three nights of live performances at 'The Chapel' in San Francisco, the latest album by Thee Oh Sees comes out on Castle Face (John Dwyer's label), and it's yet another chapter in a successful series of 'Live In San Francisco' releases published by the label in recent years (Ty Segall Band, Fuzz, Destruction Unit, White Fence...).
The album, as mentioned, was recorded in San Francisco, specifically last July (from the 15th to the 17th) during the band's tour following the release of the album 'Mutilator Defeated at Last,' which was universally acclaimed as one of the best acid garage rock albums of the past year 2015. The 'Live' is released in a double LP format and is also accompanied by a DVD of the performances, filmed by Brian Lee Hughes, which completes the documentary work and therefore gives listeners (and viewers) the opportunity to fully enjoy what is the experience of attending a live concert by Thee Oh Sees. An experience that should certainly be fully lived and that I personally feel recommended to everyone.
I know. Not everyone is usually interested in live performance albums. Me too. I mean, for instance, I generally don't like DVDs of concerts or live performances, I frankly find them useless because they can't give you the same emotions as attending the event live, and I more or less make the same consideration when it comes to listening to albums like this. But of course, there are exceptions, and I believe this 'Live In San Francisco' should be directly included among these, to the point of considering this release as one of the most interesting from the San Francisco band.
Why? Easy to answer. In my opinion, there are few bands around at the moment capable of conveying the same energy live as the Thee Oh Sees. The garage band formed by John Dwyer in 1997 is today one of the major realities in the US underground scene concerning the most acid and noisy psychedelia. Known for being a particularly prolific band (note that their next album, 'A Weird Exits,' will be released practically in the coming days), Thee Oh Sees offer their best precisely in the live dimension. I don't want to make a comparison at this point that might even appear disrespectful, because after all, I'm bringing up what is a myth like 'Metallic K.O.,' the live recorded by Iggy and the Stooges at the Michigan Palace in Detroit on February 9, 1974, but the fact is that in some way the purpose of these two albums is exactly the same. Thee Oh Sees try with this work to forcefully drag the listener into what is the dimension of their live performances. From a stunning version of 'I Come From the Mountain' to the fifteen minutes of noise and absolutely noisy music of 'Contraption,' from the acidic blues of 'Sticky Hulks' and 'Tidal Wave' to the total violence of 'Tunnel Time,' 'Man in a Suitcase'... The entire album almost turns out to be a strong yank that John Dwyer and company forcibly transmit to the listener, fully succeeding in their intent.
It's as if we were there now. Practically. It is only recommended not to get too carried away and be careful not to demolish your own home because no one will pay for the damages.
Tracklist and Videos
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