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Part of the magic of experiencing a live Sublime show, according to those that who�ve had the privilege, has been the inclusiveness of Sublime�s music. At any one particular show you might run into dreadlocked rastafarians, pierced punker sluts, or those just looking to relive the days of that other Southern California feel-good band, the Beach Boys. For those of us not so lucky as to have participated in a Sublime concert, there�s the massive 2-disc set, Memories. While the sound quality lacks the refinement of the MCA released Stand By Your Van, Memories proves to be more deep, harmonious, and all around deserving of the accolade of "Sublime�s best show" with each spin. The set, which was recorded in 1994 at the Tressel Tavern in Everett, Washington, roams about, goes where it pleases, and encompasses everything that�s good about live music. There is not one version of any one song played here that sounds the same as it does from the studio, and many times, lyrics are changed, removed, added, and completely cut apart as to give the songs an entirely different sound. Take, for instance, the band�s performance of Jailhouse, which wasn�t to be released from the studio until 2 years later on their 1996 self-titled LP. The lyrics, the guitar strokes, and even part of the bassline are so different that any other version of this song. In addition to this was Sublime�s open-setlist attitude, and because of it, there were several improvisational jams, covers, and cuts of songs in the works, as in the brilliantly performed "M.T.M." After repeated listenings, Memories is not so much a live album as it is an experience. Brad�s guitar takes on a hypnotic tone and after a while, Sublime aren�t so much about ska, punk, and reggae, as they are about sound. During the entire performance the band doesn�t sound so much as a trio as they do a singularity, and Brad�s voice becomes just as much of an instrument as his guitar, weaving it�s way into and out of the melody, yet all the while retaining the same message and meaning that it always has. Memories will feel good under your skin, once you let it�s tiny nuances and inconsistencies get there, and soon you�ll discover that it is not only Sublime�s most popular live bootleg, but their best as well. |
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