I can't say that I have ever been a huge fan of live albums. It's not the same experience as seeing a band in person, and few live outputs ever seem to get the right balance between that "live" sound and being too raw. Just because it's the band exposed and in the rough doesn't mean I want to hear the singer flub his lines, the guitarist go on some weird out-of-place tangent in the midst of a classic part, or even worse: the extended drum solo. Oh help us please!
Strangely enough though,
Seventh Key's "Live in Atlanta" is a compelling release. Axe slinger Mike
Slamer is known for his obsession to achieve perfection, and that driving force alone seems to have rubbed off on the entire production.
Seventh Key is absolutely amazingly on point. There isn't a sour note, every song is pulled off with divine precision, but injected with that energy that is unleashed in the live setting. They seem inspired, even if the audience isn't what you would call - there in force.
Singer Billy Greer is a little rough around the edges at times, but that's to be expected. It's difficult bounding through a twelve song set like this without blowing at least one of your lungs out. Still, that's a small price to pay for what is surely one of the "ultimate" live albums, especially if you are looking for performance over on-stage antics.
From the first guitar strains of
"The Sun Will Rise" you might not even be clued off they are doing this *live*. No kidding, it's done that tightly. A great rhythm with a driving force and just a sweet overall sound. Greer introducing
"An Ocean Away" coupled along with a hint of audience feedback is really the first time it sets in that this is being done live and alive.
Slamer's guitars are slamming and Greer reminds me alot of Gary Barden here.
"It Should Have Been You" is absolutely stunning. It oozes a moody magic that just cuts right to the heart. The guitars seem to be a little more edgy than on the studio release, ripping with emotion. This is
AOR perfection, hearts should stop for this Foreigner-ish track. Every keyboard note, every guitar chord, each vocal nuance; all are here and accounted for.
"Sin City" rips it up. It's hard to find any faults here, even the backing vocals are smoother and blend better than on many band's studio discs. Smoking guitar is simply everywhere,
Slamer can't be contained.
"Winds of War" must be mentioned too, as a highlight of epic proportions. This song just kicks arse and takes names, with the pompous overblown feel of early
Ten and fantastic guitar everywhere. Greer really pulls this one off vocally too, he sounds wonderful.
The closer,
"Cold Hearted Woman" doesn't even let up. You would think by now that some of the fire would have dimmed or some misstep would occur, but alas it doesn't. Another picture perfect piece.
Of note is the fact that
Slamer hasn't played live in 22 years. 22 years! That makes this a treat indeed. And good grief, can he ever play!
The thin applause after the songs is a bit depressing though. So much effort is put forth, yet the crowd is so non-existant that even with their enthusiasm, the venue is so far from packed you could still hear a pin drop over them.
Three bonus tracks are included too, the Japanese extras from their past albums, one that is like a
Rainbow JLT-era B-side,
"The Storm Rages On" and the bluesy, hard rockin' with guts track,
"Love Train".
"Remember You Well" is the only one dug out from the unreleased vaults and it's overall production is below the live cuts even. Kind of disappointing, but it's a decent song if you take your music with a strong side of cheese.
Seventh Key's music is tasty
AOR that is like
Slamer's other band at times, Steelhouse Lane. "Live in Atlanta" selects the best of the best cuts from all two of their albums and shoves them together one right after the other, making for a fine collection. Once started, this is a difficult one to turn off, you just have to pull yourself away forcefully. The performances are just that exceptionally unbelievable.
The overly slick production might turn off some enthusiasts of this type of release. Fans of the band and killer guitarwork need this though. Highly recommended, even if you haven't touched a
Seventh Key CD before, this is a good place to begin.
Written by
Alanna Thursday, December 1, 2005
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