ANESTHETIZE

This is a review for the audio cds only. When this DVD was released in 2010 the first 5,000 copies came with the double disc audio cds but when they were gone they were gone. This was also the way they did the 2006 DVD "Arriving Somewhere..." but in both cases they have just recently re-released the DVD with the double audio discs once again. I'm just way more of an audio person as I rarely have watched the many DVDs that have come with cds I've ordered over the years.

The packaging is top notch of course but I have to admit I prefer the "Atlanta" recording which was the North American leg of the "Fear Of A Blank Planet" tour. "Anesthetize" is from the European leg with a different track listing. I saw the Toronto show and man what made it special was hearing "A Smart Kid", "Sound Of Muzak", "Open Car", "Blackest Eyes" and "Even Less" and none of these are on "Anesthetize". Still this is an excellent live recording that I really enjoyed spinning all last week.

The three tracks that stood out for me for various reasons were the 17 1/2 minute title track. What a ride this is, very proggy. I was surprised how much I dug "Prodigal" from "In Absentia" but it's such a feel good tune and this track is the only one not on the DVD. Both "Dark matter" and "Sever" tie for third place for similar reasons. Old school PT done extremely well in this live setting. I noticed there are some twisted guitar solos on this album and Barbieri is a master at creating atmosphere. Highly recommended whether your into the audio or the visual.