OFFICIAL LIVE BOOTLEG: JERSEY TOMATO

This live album is available for download for free from Echolyn's website, and as it contains a broad spectrum of the band's works, it's a really great place to start. I delight in this live album so much for several reasons. For one, it definitely sounds like the band is playing in a small venue (honestly, it sounds like someone's living room), and yet the sound quality during the music doesn't suffer much at all for it. Secondly, the band and audience bantering between songs is just plain fun- one can tell these gentlemen are just having a swell time, both playing the music and interacting with the gathering. And they are so considerate- asking if anyone in the crowd needs to use the restroom before playing their final song- the fifty minute epic masterpiece of progressive rock music that is "Mei." "Sweet Thing" seems to be a long medley (kicked off by a twelve-tone technique, as explained), containing several sections of "A Suite for Everyman." Admittedly there are several songs I would have rather heard live than some here (mainly replacements from Cowboy Poems Free), but the set list is just fine the way it is. This is a perfect place to start for those new to Echolyn. Not only is it a energetic performance of songs spanning multiple albums, but it's 100% free- a definite plus in these economic times. This is highly recommended for the fans and the curious.