801 LIVE

This supremely talented band rose to the occasion in late summer 1976. Culled from their handful of live appearances, the festivities begin in pristine fashion with the Manzanera showcase "Lagrima". Accordingly, the melody dreamingly drifts into an updated Beatles cover "Tomorrow Never Knows". The band masters the imagery evoked from the original, adding arena rock panache to fit their operatic vocal style. A marvelous start to a wholly enjoyable album that allows the instrumental talents of each individual to shine. The only misstep is an unceremonious cover of the perennial "You Really Got Me". The band fails to capture the raw rock energy the Kinks breathe into their classic, and 801 makes it sounds moribund and flat. It's eerily reminiscent of English lightweight Dave Mason turning "All Along the Watchtower" into googly eyed pop dreck.

"East of Asteroid" is great rockified fusion, "Sombre Reptiles" works as an effective Eno vehicle and "Third Uncle" is an enjoyably frenetic 5:15 essay in sonic paranoia.

This record should be of interest to those who enjoy the fringes of American classic rock radio and the fringes of the popular prog scene of the day. A four star album wounded by one poor song choice.