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| Catch 22Live [CD/DVD]2004 Victory ![Catch 22 - Live [CD/DVD] (Cover Artwork)](/images/covers/catch_22-live.jpg)
 Review by: Brian See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Catch 22 (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on January 18th 2005
Though Catch 22 may have already lent a handful of live tracks to their compilation album / EP re-release, Washed Up And Through The Ringer!, Live is definitely the full package. A 21-song set set to the live setting in both compact disc and DVD should be quite a treat for a good handful of fans. So how does the band hold up?
So, for the most part, basically, it seems like the band starts out speeding up the songs a bit, only to settle in at a speed that seems very equal with the studio versions. Even though whoever happens to be responsible for lead vocal duties at the time can't quite match Kalnoky's vocal ability, and even has to literally spit out gibberish for a second here or there, the band seems to match the tempos and combat common complaints about the issue. The DVD just about makes the package a worthy purchase. It's shot well - save for one quick problem we'll address in a second - and you can see the band members as well as the audience perfectly, with just-appropriate cuts to the crowd occasionally. Though the sound just seems tinny for some reason, as I had to really turn up my TV to even enjoy it a reasonable level, every instrument is audibly balanced nicely. I have no trouble hearing the raw feel of the drums or Pat Kays, unintentionally doing his best Rick Moranis impression, flinging away at his bass. The funniest part of it by far, though, is to watch close to a dozen show patrons literally position themselves as "It Takes Some Time" is announced before transitioning into skanking mode upon the song's start. The aforementioned video problem is when this flat-out annoying video effect (or slip up) makes it look like the screen is shaking or vibrating during "Good Times," which almost made me nauseaus just watching. It seems intentional as it does happen during Pat Calpin's guitar solo. It's honestly just a poor-looking effect if that's the case. You can also select the performances of the individual songs, which, while is basically a common sense feature, is sometimes disregarded in band DVDs. I suppose in order to cleanly introduce and end each of those however, there is a small black-screen fade that occurs between songs when playing the set the entire way through. It doesn't cut into the audio at all but from comparing the DVD against the CD, there's a little bit of stage banter that's cut out, though the transitions seem so aurally clear that it's hard to tell without having heard the compact disc version. Plus, there's roughly 30 plus minutes of bonus material, including music videos for "Hard To Impress," "Point The Blame," and "Wine Stained Lips." Though you have your token filler of "On The Road" bullshit antics and a photo slideshow, "Humble Beginnings" is a cool little creative collection of footage from the individual members' early beginnings, obviously, including middle school band footage, plays, and even a Christmas morning. Also, "At The Show" has minute-long clips from various shows in the Jeff Davidson era, which is definitely interesting, though it obviously would've been the ultimate to have at least several Kalnoky-era clips. I digress. So overall, the live audio version, which is really what the package revolves around, is a little boring and barely beyond background music at a get-together for your three friends that still listen to ska, but the DVD portion is well fleshed-out with fairly interesting features. CD:  DVD: 
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"Even though whoever happens to be responsible for lead vocal duties at the time can't quite match Kalnoky's vocal ability, and even has to literally spit out gibberish for a second here or there, the band seems to match the tempos and combat common complaints about the issue." "Oh, and Dinosaur Sounds was the most underrated album ever. " It's sad that Jamie Egan left Streetlight Manifesto. Catch 22 and all it's former members have a very hard time staying together. a step above mediocre at best, and a complete disgrace to the raw energy and emotion on kesbey nights, at worst. why Kalnoky left the band is beyond me but they have been going downhill since. the saving grace is that they do put on a fairly entertaining live show, but all in all its just not worth it. How can this "band" even go on without the driven vocals on Keasbey Nights and Alone in the Crowd. Puke City. I saw them a couple years back opening for Homegrown and they blew fat mmose cock. They were amazing two years before that opening for Reel Big Fish. what happened between this catch 22 and kalnoky? it seems to me that they really hate him. From what i've seen of this band live, the cover looks more exiting than the performance. I dont understand all the trash talking. These guys are awesome. We have been trying for 2 years to get these guys to play at one of our fraternity parties. That would rock hard. I, as a New Jerseyen (sic?) would like to say that we are not responsible for this crap. We were however responsible for keasbey nights. "If you're referring to my album breakdown, those aren't ratings out of 10...they're how many songs are played from each album." When will New Jersey pay for this poppy bullshit? Why this band are on Victory Records is beyond me, but still they are a great live band and I shall be checking this out. Haha. the vocals are so fucking fast on Keasby, you'd need a respirator to get the damn words in if you sped it up any more. How in the world is Dinosaur Sounds better than Alone In A Crowd? That's actually a fantastic review. i will see you skanking there man. How in the world is Dinosaur Sounds better than Alone In A Crowd? streetlight streetlight streetlight. There, someone had to say it. I like how it says "Victory Records Presents" right on the front cover. this band is alright now but is the state of New Jersey supposed to look like a fucking i on the cover? I hate when people substitute a shape for a letter when it looks nothing like that letter. Fuck this band is gay. You hear that MATT DUNN??!?!?!?! Good review, but anything after Alone In A Crowd sucks my nuts because they forgot how to write songs. Better than the Washed Up! live tracks by a long shot, quality wise. Of course,it says a lot about the band when they play just as many tracks from their debut as their new cd. Not that anyone will complain. score is for big d and the kids table. I was wondering when someone was going to review this. I wanted to know what was on it and if it is any good. Pretty good review. they used to make a mockery of the old keasbey nights songs, but ever since they went on tour with reel big fish last summer, theyve gotten much better. anyone who thinks they speed up on this cd should have heard them a year or two ago. Pretty good review. Catch 22 seems to always speed up their songs when they perform live. The score is for Alone In A Crowd good review but the layout needs changing. (if anybody is stuck just make the browser window small) shitty new-era catch 22 gets a DVD, but Link 80 doesn't? |
