If you've always wondered what these great songs would sound like terrible, then you are in luck my friend. Long time fan seeking s*** quality and borderline-lousy execution? Well here you go. Just like many of their peers in the punk-metalcore scene, From Autumn to Ashes decided it would be a good idea to issue a live album. In this case, it was a benefit for the Looney Tunes club, not a cash-in, and besides the band had just broken up so a retrospective set seemed logical. But just like Billy Talent's 666, this album didn't really need to be made. As a fan of From Autumn to Ashes I can tell you the only thing live about this album the fact that it's flawed. The purpose of a live album is to either expand on the studio material or to change something up at least a little bit, otherwise you might as well just be listening to the original songs. Really all this disc does is make you want to turn to the last few FATA releases; individually, it's just totally not worth your money. These are the songs exactly how they originally appear, but with worse vocals or sloppier guitar. I'm sure it would be cool to see these guys live, but on CD it's hard to get into. There's almost no audience enthusiasm and even the singer sounds bored when he announces "Pioneers" at the opening of the disc, muttering "I
think it's a fine song." There's no banter or anything unique to the concertgoing experience.
Even though Live at Looney Tunes was recorded 9 months after Holding a Wolf by the Ears, there are no songs whatsoever from the group's third album, Abandon Your Friends, and I can't figure out why. The lineup change doesn't explain it because they've still got the first couple albums covered. That's a huge disappointment since some of their best songs are right at the front of that album.
It's good and bad to hear the rawness of the vocals on the album, especially in "No Trivia" good because it's part of the live experience and it means that nobody touched up the recording, but bad because it means somebody just might have touched up the studio version. I'm not pointing fingers; but those lyrics at the one minute mark are just hilarious. The track sounds like it was played by a less experienced cover band rather than the group itself.
"Recounts and Recollections" is the best song on the album of course, just like it's the best song on Wolf. But, again, it sounds better on the album, and so the only thing you get out of hearing it is the urge to turn on the original. There's really no point in wasting your money on this, even if you're bummed that the band just broke up. As a final release, Live at Looney Tunes just doesn't do them justice.
Don't Believe Me?
www.myspace.com/fromautumntoashes
Recommended If You Like:
The first, second, and fourth FATA albums. But not the third.
