Search - Firehouse :: Bring Em Out Live

Great band, production not to my tastes

Just Bill | Grand Rapids, MI United States | 12/04/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a Firehouse fan of the highest order. I've seen them live, have all their CDs and consider them one of the best bands in the world. C.J.'s voice ranks right up there with Steve Perry, Dennis DeYoung, Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury and other legendary singers. They write extremely catchy tunes. And they're nothing short of electrifying in concert.Unfortunately, this live CD doesn't live up to Firehouse's usual standards for pristine production (witness Good Acoustics, Category 5 or 02, for example). I know guitarist Bill Leverty was going for a more ambient, audience-fueled recording, but I prefer live albums that showcase the band's performance rather than the audience's response to it. For example: any of the latest Pearl Jam "official bootleg" CDs...The Who Live at Leeds...Lou Reed Rock N Roll Animal, etc. The audience-heavy style worked for KISS Alive, but here it doesn't seem to. And I don't know why.To me, Bring 'Em Out Live sounds like it were recorded under a pile of towels. The result is a distance and detachment that distract the hell out of me. When I listen to this CD, I never quite feel like I'm THERE; rather, I feel like I'm hearing the band from OUTSIDE of the auditorium.Again, this isn't a reflection on the performance of the band (which is stellar as usual); rather, it's an opinion regarding my own personal taste in live album production. Others may have a completely different view.As to the band's performance, it's outstanding. All the classic Firehouse tunes are here from the killer opener "Overnight Sensation" to "All She Wrote" to "When I Look Into Your Eyes" to "Bringing Me Down" to "Love of a Lifetime" right through to the last track, "Don't Treat Me Bad." The song line-up is incredible, a greatest hits collection other bands would kill to call their own.I wish the recording had been "drier," though. Hopefully, their next live album (and I hope they have many more!) will have the sound I prefer. NOTE: Don't let my review stop you from buying this CD. It's good. And the songs are excellent. See them live, though, if you really want to know what Firehouse is all about. This CD doesn't do them justice."

Bring em out again!

elbag | Suffern, NY United States | 08/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD leaves you wanting more new firehouse music. Every song sounds as smooth as the studio version yet they managed to add a few more guitar notes. I have never heard the Catagory 5 CD but Dream blew me away. What a beautiful sounding Ballad. Acid Rain show Firehouse has only improved themselves as artists. I dont understand why they arent one of the biggest rock bands in the US. They offer a wide variety of ballads and power rock songs with very clever lyrics. The CD offers THREE encores with I live my Life for you, Here For You, and Dont Treat Me Bad. The Japanese crowd seemed to really appreciate this well put together concert. Anybody looking for a CD that represents rock in all ways buy this CD you wont be dissapointed. Keep em comin Firehouse!"

GOOD LIVE ALBUM

elbag | 03/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think what I like about this album most is the live rawness it has to it. When I buy a live album I like it that way. That is, an album where you can hear the crowd, mistakes that might be made, and just the cool feel it has like you are right there in the crowd. What some people want I think is the band to go into the studio and re-record their albums(or songs). Some bands do that, like Great White, L.A.Guns,Warrant,etc. And that is fine also but if you want a live album that you can crank up and hear songs that in my opinion sound better than studio versions("When I Look Into Your Eyes", "Overnight Sensation",etc.) then this is the album for you!"