LIVE WIRED 2004

I still remember my first listen of this and being infatuated with how beautiful and trippy this was for a live album. Recorded on October 8th 2004 at Sudhaus Tubingen in Germany we get the incredible Martin Schorn on synths, Dave Schmidt(Sula Bassana) on spacebass, Julius K on guitar and Walt Jahn on drums. The last three played on the debut of a band called SUDSTERN 44 who are on the site here and released their album the same year this was recorded live so we get some great chemistry on this live event 'cause these guys like to jam and improvise.

A long one at 78 minutes spread over six tracks but it sure doesn't feel that long.

The opener "Hopscotch" is a top three opening with sounds that echo along with atmosphere before it starts to move 3 minutes in with drums and bass. Everything is more upfront and louder after 4 1/2 minutes then a minute later the guitar is lighting it up and he will take the spotlight for the next 7 plus minutes. "Collaptus" opens with experimental sounds that come and go until we get a steady and fairly heavy sound then the tempo picks up and it turns more powerful before 2 minutes. The guitar is grinding away 3 minutes in, so good. They amp it up more at 5 1/2 minutes as the guitar rips it up. The synths are amazing here and check out the guitar at 8 minutes! What! Killer track and a top three.

Final top three is that almost 23 minute "Beach Comber" which reminds me of that Canadian show I detested back in the day but with getting only 2 channels you did what you had to do. A lot of jamming here and I love how it starts with the atmosphere and picked guitar that gets louder. The main melody with drums and a fuller sound kicks in after 3 minutes with guitar over top. This is mid-paced and fairly powerful. The guitar is lighting it up after 7 minutes then they just drift along but I'm so into this. It settles after 11 minutes with bass to the fore then it kicks in hard at 11 1/2 minutes. Oh my! This continues almost to the end.

The other three tracks are also excellent including that mellow 10 minute loser. A solid 4 stars for this wonderful sounding record.