PLAYGROUNDS

The final release from the polyrhythmic metal-fusion-art rock combo Sieges Even before they broke up for the second time, apparently for good. This live album consists of selections from the last two albums, plus two of the more accessible numbers from 1991's A sense of change. That means this is the softer, art-rockier side of Sieges, with the penchant of frequently hopping from light to heavy.

The last two albums, especially the delicate and melancholic Art of navigating by the stars, had a remarkably clear and detailed production. Such studio trickery, of course, can't be reproduced live, so it's interesting to see what they come up with to compensate. It means that while the songs structurally remain the same, they still sound different, and this merits their inclusion in your collection. Mostly the instruments are still very clear but louder, especially the bass is fat and loud (and it was very prominent even in the studio albums). This really brings out the power in the opening lines of the Weight, for example, and energizes the ballad Unbreakable. Because, lets face it, Sieges, for all their virtuosity, do have a few tedious numbers.

As for rating, I'm confused. A live album probably doesn't merit 5 stars. However, if this was a studio album and we heard these songs for the first time, it would be a must-have, as is Sieges Even in any serious prog/metal collection.