LIVE FROM OZ

A disappointing album. The setlist mostly consist of songs from Universe with the exception of Atlantis suite and a solo spot from each member. Keyboard sounds are quite shitty and messy (not very expectable from such a great keyboardist like Sherinian). MacAlpines guitar work is very loose and he seems to improvise even some of the basic structures making the songs almost unrecognizable (just listen to the crappy version of Inside Black). Donatis messy bass drum work won't make it any better. Nothing works here, really. I find even the guesting bassist, Dave LaRue, a bad choice for the band. For example, the great fretless bass lines from Atlantis pt.2 and pt.3 are ruined by LaRue with his mechanical playing style (though Atlantis is ruined by the whole band completely anyway). I can't mention any song from this live album that would have been improved from the original version (or at least played similarily). Well anyway, I hope their next live CD/DVD will be better. At leat Tony MacAlpine won't be there messing around.