Issue date: 4/18/03 Section: The Verge

Live albums are great. Even if the sound quality isn't spectacular, live albums accomplish two goals - they serve as a comprehensive package, almost like a greatest hits, since most bands perform a wide variety of their catalog at shows and, second, they give fans all over the world a taste of what the outfit sounded like live.

Hailing from the great Northwest, and more specifically Washington state, The Murder City Devils were one of the few bands coming along in the post Soundgarden, Nirvana and Pearl Jam explosion that slipped under the radar of large audiences and mainstream radio. This was partly due to the fact that frontman Spencer Moody's vocals are so gruff it's almost painful for the listener and their explosive combination of post-hardcore and punk is crunchy and just flat out scares some people.

Even though Nirvana and company were called grunge, they were first and foremost punk bands and The Murder City Devils are in essence cut from the same mold.

On Halloween in 2001, The Murder City Devils played its last ever show at Seattle's Showbox Theatre. Luckily for us Midwesterners who never got a chance to see the band live (see: me), Phil Ek was on hand to record the show. Sub Pop Records just released the live recording under the name "R.I.P."

Covering a large spectrum of their catalog, The Murder City Devils roar through 19-live tracks coming from their debut all the way to new tracks the band never released in the U.S.

"Bear Away" leads things off and you're immersed in the Devils dual guitars, organ and Moody's howling. "I Drink the Wine" and "One Vision of May" do little to slow things down or give the ears a rest.

A couple tracks later, "Rum to Whiskey" and "Dancin' Shoes" continue the intense nature of the band's final performance. "Waltz" is the first new song the band performs that is exclusive to "R.I.P."

Prior to "That's What you Get," Moody introduces Nick DeWitt, who is filling in for the Devils customary organist and moog player, Leslie Hardy. DeWitt and guitarists Dann Gallucci and Nate Manny kick off "That's What you Get," which turns out to be the most complete track on the album despite Moody stumbling through a couple verses.

The show begins to go downhill a little after Zollo's cameo as being their last show I have no doubt the band, and Moody in particular, were probably heavily boozin' before and during the show.

The Devils close their final show interestingly enough with a new song. While "Grace that Saves" starts out especially strong, Moody's solo screams and heavy guitar feedback that dominate the song's closure, end an otherwise good album on a down note.

Despite its somewhat lackluster B-side, "R.I.P" is one fine live album and I had a difficult time removing it from my boombox. For those of you who may not be familiar with The Murder City Devils, this is perfect starting block as it offers tracks from the band's four releases as well as the Devils signature sound.

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