album of the week - 5.3

Polysics

We Ate The Show!!

KRE(SME)(M) (2008)

why you'll like it - first Polysics live album in 9 years

why you'll hate it - CD doesn't have the whole show

With nothing much coming out this month, aside from a lackluster Green Day album that you can get just about anywhere else, let's dip back into 2008 for another overlooked gem...

The CD/DVD Polysics live extravaganza, We Ate The Show!! has been something I've been trying to get my hands on (for less than $60) since its release last October.  This is a very rare album at the moment, and something every Poly fan should be excited to hear/watch... well except for maybe the stubborn old school fan.  

Aside from usual set list mainstays "New Wave Jacket" and "Buggie Technica", there are no pre-2003 songs on the CD.  There are also no b-sides.  Usually this wouldn't bother me.  I love We Ate The Machine, and fully expect - nay - anticipate a band to be performing their latest songs on their latest tour.  But, if you observe the DVD set list, which has the full unedited concert, it's got "Urge On!!", "Uno Dos", "P!", and a karaoke performance of "イロトカゲ".  I'd much rather have a double CD of the whole show, than see material be cut.  

The DVD is entertaining, and Polysics is surely a band to be seen as well as heard; but I'll probably watch these performances two or three times at most.  I'm listening to my iPod all the time.  I'd love to have a nice hi-quality "Urge On!" live mp3 without resorting to ripping it from the DVD.

That's the only real gripe, inconvenience.  We Ate The Show!! rocks.  Polysics is a great live band that brings unique surprises to just about every show they put on.  Make sure to catch em next time they play within 50 miles of you.