BE LIVE

BE is one of those few albums that is actually set up to be a drama. The whole storyline is bigger than the music itself, with Gildenlow's unabashed and unshameful politics set loose and in full force. As is with most Pain of Salvation releases, the lead man has no hiding of where he stands on global issues and usually has that at the forefront of his music.

The performance itself is of impeccable quality, with the band spot on. I am a bit disenchanted with the setup. All the members scattered over the "set" only seems to distance me from the music rather than be pulled in by it. In addition, the orchestra off at the side once again proves my point as to the utter uselessness of rock bands adding them in the background. If they are that essential to the music, have them be a part of it, not merely players or "crew members". Although the choice for an orchestra is more fitting here than it would be in say, a Metallica concert, I still am perplexed by a band's choice to incorporate orchestras into live performances. It's more of a marketing novelty than a necessity.

This is not my favorite live performance, but it ranks as perhaps the most theatrical like of all in my collection. If you enjoy BE, the album, and are a fan of drama or theatre, I have no doubt that you will certainly like this record. I believe it is very good, but with the aforementioned probelms I see in it, it's not on my continued playlist.

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