REALITY DREAM

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After enjoying Riverside on their 2009 ADHD tour, I had to have this live album from the 2008 tour. It focuses on the material from the first three albums, the so-called Reality Dream trilogy of which I had always appreciated the music very much. The polished sound and safe approach had charmed me less, so I hoped the live album would add some punch to the material. I haven't been disappointed in that respect.

Each of the songs sticks close to the studio albums, they're simply perfect in that respect. Of course, it you were perfectly happy with those versions then there's not much reason to get this live album. But Riverside's live focus is precise and passionate, the great vocals and more forceful drum sound brings that little extra punch. Still, it's no ADHD. The material remains a bit underwhelming in general. Naturally, songs like Reality Dream III, Second Life Syndrome and I Turned You Down are amazing.

Reality Dream is an excellent live document. But in order to deserve 4 stars from me, a live one must have more surprises in the way of rare tracks, improvisations or rearrangements then this album has. Reality Dream brings a faithful and competent renditions of the album tracks, nothing more and nothing less.

Many years ago my good friend Artur Chachlowski was over in the UK and he handed me the debut album by a new Polish band and he told me that they were going to be huge. Now, I have been lucky enough to hear a lot of Polish prog over the years (SBB and Collage being particular favourites) so I knew that this was high praise and paid some serious attention to the music and agreed totally with the sentiment. This double live CD from 2008 brings together songs from the first three albums, and the four guys really know how to kick up a storm on stage. Mariusz Duda (vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar), Piotr Grudziński (guitars) and Piotr Kozieradzki (drums) had been there since the beginning and Michał Łapaj (keys) had been there since the second album so there is no surprise that they could bounce off each other.

There has been quite a lot of debate regarding the songs chosen for this recording, but if this is how they were touring at the time what's the issue? Comment must be made on the production which is stunning for a live recording, with a crispness and clarity often missing. Mariusz's vocals are spot on with plenty of emotion and edge when required, and his basswork is very Squire-like at times with a real punch. An early Seventies feel is provided by Michał when he uses the Hammond, but for large parts of the concert he is happy to provide a support role while Piotr K nails it from the back. It is Piotr G who really makes this for me, with some superb guitarwork which can be straight ahead rock when required, or at times a mixture of Gary Chandler and David Gilmour. I had to smile when I heard the strains of "Shine On" during "Back To The River" as I had already been thinking just how Floyd-like they were at times, and it fitted in perfectly.

They are just so good at what they do, that one often forgets that this is a live album which is both a strength and a weakness. They may not vary too much from the album versions, but as an introduction to the first three albums one can't really ask for more. www.insideout.de