UPON BOTH YOUR HOUSES

This is a live set from Nearfest in June 2000, where Thinking Plague played an intimate set for an appreciative audience. Due to the complexity of their material these live renditions naturally end up sounding a bit different from their studio versions - different enough to be worth a listen in their own way, perhaps, but to my ears I think I prefer the studio versions, not necessarily because of any shortcomings by the musicians themselves but the OK-but-not-stellar production values of the live recording (as is often the case with live shows recorded at small festivals) doesn't quite showcase things to the best effect.

Naturally, the band's then-latest studio release In Extremis is heavily represented, and there's also three songs from In This Life and two songs (well, one song and some extracts) from Moonsongs, so a reasonable spread of the group's career is represented; plus you have some on-the-spot improvisations in the form of Hamster Dance and a piano solo.

The setlist is carefully chosen and delivered in such a way to provide a varied experience which flows quite well, with even songs from very different stages of the group's development fitting together naturally. This is a worthwhile pick for serious Plague fans, though less avid RIO explorers will probably prefer to stick to their studio albums.

It was a ton of fun listening to this album a lot last week. Not sure what people thought who were parked beside me at traffic lights(haha). Yes Deborah Perry has a unique delivery doesn't she. She is in perfect form here on this live recording from Nearfest in the year 2000. This wasn't released until 2004 though. So the most current album from this band before this concert was "In Extremis" and five of the ten tracks on here from albums are from that one. Three from "In This Life" and two from "Moonsongs" although one of those is called "Exerpt From Moonsongs".

Highlight for me by far is the epic "Kingdom Come" from "In Extremis" clocking in at 13 1/2 minutes where they get dark and heavy at times. I mean this is all over the place with Deborah's outstanding vocals, Willey's deep, in your face bass lines, kerman's incredibe drum work and Johnson's sublime guitar expressions. This track has it all, and I had this one cranked! Lots of highlights though but I've reviewed all these songs before pretty much. We have two non album songs in "Piano Solo" and "Hamster Dance'' the latter I could have done without.

A must for Plague-heads out there but then you probably already have this. It was just great to have them in my play list everyday for over a week. Amazing band!