Bouncing Souls

Bouncing Souls: LiveLive (2005)
Chunksaah Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: Ben_ConoleyBen_Conoley
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on November 29th 2005Not since the Ramones has a punk band released as comprehensive a live album as the Bouncing Souls have done here with Live. (Insert "You moron, you forgot about _____!" here.) The Bouncing Souls and me, we have a special relationship. The first punk show I ever went to, Face to Face circa 199.

Not since the Ramones has a punk band released as comprehensive a live album as the Bouncing Souls have done here with Live.

(Insert "You moron, you forgot about _____!" here.)

The Bouncing Souls and me, we have a special relationship. The first punk show I ever went to, Face to Face circa 1995, was a landmark in my cultural upbringing. Along with them on that tour were the Bouncing Souls, who were touring in support of The Good, the Bad, and the Argyle. I was instantly hooked on the youthful exuberance in songs like "I Like Your Mom," and "Joe Lies (When He Cries)." They were fun, they were young, and they sang about more than girls. Paired with Face to Face's more mature, reflective nature made for an evening I'll never forget.

Fast forward to this afternoon. I've still got every Bouncing Souls release sitting on my CD shelf and they find their way into my stereo on quite a regular basis. As I've matured and expanded in my musical taste, many of the bands I listened to ten years ago have lost their relevance to me. The Bouncing Souls though, they've strengthened their importance in my life.

At their worst, the Bouncing Souls can be slightly immature. But at their best they are unparalleled in energy that screams about everything good about life: Close friends, close family, and keeping a positive outlook. They may not cover huge issues, but they constantly remind us that through tough times it's important to remember that good times lay ahead. Some might call it naïve optimism -- I call it reassuring.

Live captures the Bouncing Souls doing what they do best: Playing in front of a crowd eager to sing along. The 29-song set serves as a lengthy retrospective of the band's career. Only two songs appear off the band's debut full-length (those being "I Like Your Mom" and "Joe Lies"). However, half of 1995's Maniacal Laughter shows up, as do the bulk of the band's best known songs, including "True Believers," "Punx in Vegas," "Kate Is Great," and "Hopeless Romantic" amongst others.

Fans of the Bouncing Souls are sure to find some personal favorites missing. I would have liked to have seen "Neurotic" and "Bulling the Jukebox," but with the song selection presented it's never too long before another favorite starts up.

With 29 songs, the Souls play a longer than normal set, and they're one of the last punk bands I expected to release a double album anytime soon. Then again, last year's Do You Remember DVD showed us that they are able to dig deep and come up with a load of material. Live isn't as extensive as Do You Remember, but for a live show it's a long one.

It's not surprising that most of the songs on Live are played faster than their studio counterparts. But the Souls have always considered themselves a live band and the songs feel right at the pace things go. The production is solid, with a good mix of clarity and atmosphere.

The Bouncing Souls aren't done making music, but Live is a fantastic listen at what they've accomplished this far.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

punksxe (May 1, 2006)

This is what a live cd should sound like great recording great energy great track listing. This cd has 29 songs of pure punk energy the songs are split into two cd's . it is all there best songs recorded live from various locations. in some cases the songs sound better live than in the studio recording if you have scene the bouncing souls live than maybe this can bring back some memories and if you havent scene them live than after hearing this you will

jamespastepunk (April 20, 2006)

This CD is essential in every meaning of the word.

Anonymous (January 26, 2006)

What venues were included on this album?

Anonymous (December 11, 2005)

I miss these guys. Brian, Shal, Pete and Greg...you are the Kings. Thanks for letting us play shows with you back in the day.

Love, Sean

Anonymous (December 5, 2005)

how is it that every review/interview/anything this site posts about the souls...its always shit ??
answer me that
great review you piece of shit

Anonymous (December 3, 2005)

By "comprehensive" I think he means "complete" or "Containing all the important elements.".

Not every live album has to do that at all - look at the new Green day live album.

By comparing two bands' live releases, one does not compare the historical merit of the bands.

You're a fuking idiot.

Anonymous (December 3, 2005)

"This cd is by far amazing. The Souls truly proved that they are one of the most influental punk bands of all time. This is a collection of all their greatest songs and every time I listen to it its better than the first time."

ANOTHER GREAT ONE! HAW!

You poor kids...

One day, when the history of punk is written, The Boncing Souls will be remembered as being as important and influential as The Ramones, The Clash, The Stooges, Sex Pistols, Velvet Underground, Crass...

OH, THAT'S RICH!! Keep the funnies coming, prick!

Anonymous (December 3, 2005)

"Not since the Ramones has a punk band released as comprehensive a live album as the Bouncing Souls have done here with Live."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

As if the Bouncing Souls were ANYWHERE in the league of The Ramones?

What's next, Pennywise is the best band since The Dead Boys? Green Day is more important than The Beatles?

Grow up, you fuckin' twerp. Just go back to comparing AFI to Avenged Sevenfold. You're certainly not qualified to use historical context in your, ahem, "reviews," so just DON'T.

And what do you mean by "comprehensive?" I think ANY and EVERY band that releases a live album tries to hit all the bases of their career in a "comprehensive" fashion. Therefore, a Bob Seger live album is as "comprehensive" as The Ramones or the Bouncing Souls. So what?

Anonymous (December 3, 2005)

This cd is by far amazing. The Souls truly proved that they are one of the most influental punk bands of all time. This is a collection of all their greatest songs and every time I listen to it its better than the first time.

Anonymous (December 2, 2005)

"JERSEY!"

fuck me a channel islander - how's bergerac?

i hope to god the dint play the terrible dirge that is OLE!. easily their most embarrassing song ever. That is why yanks will never understand football

mustard (December 1, 2005)

Ive seen the souls live nowadays and ive seen footage of them live 5-10 years ago and i must say i totally missed out. But even with that in mind, i do think that live cds are pointless especially since they came out with a live dvd just a couple months ago. I might go pick that up but i dont really care about this album at all.

notfeelingcreative (December 1, 2005)

My hate for live records beat out the fact that the bouncing souls are one of my favorite bands, so I did not buy this.

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

yay! bouncing souls rock! especially live. and nothing's wrong with being immature. sometimes the really important questions pertain to toilets, and they're all over it.

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

danyeurism is an awesome song. thank goodness someone is covering it.,

jazzminee (December 1, 2005)

okay the bouncing souls are great!

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

the bouncing souls "can yu say orgasm"

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

The Bounc'n Souls n me, we have a special relatizzles . It's your homie snoop dogg from the dpg. The first pizzunk shiznow I ever wizzy to, Face ta Fizzle circa 1995, was a landmark in mah cultural blunt-rollin' . Aint no stoppin' this shit nigga. Along wit tizzle on tizzy tour were tha Bounc'n Souls, who wizzle tour'n in support of The Good, tha Bizzle n tha Argyle. I was instantly hooked on tha youthful exuberance in songs like "I Like Yo Miznom," n "Joe Lies (Whizzay He Cries)." They wizzy fun, they were young, n they sang `bout more than bitchez. Paired wit Face ta Face’s more mature, reflective nature made fo` an even'n I’ll neva forget . It's your homie snoop dogg from the dpg.

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

True dat! why isnt the danyeurism cover on here??? That rocks!!!

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

"Your mom does research

ban this fuck"

your mom does research, completely immature and I love it. Cheers to you sir.

wyzo

thecaptain (December 1, 2005)

"Wow, you are wrong on soooo many levels."

The current drummer is the better musician, but I totally agree that they've lost the "magic" since he joined the band. Their first four albums absolutely destroy their last two, in terms of originality/entertainment value.

joeg (December 1, 2005)

"Your mom does research"

ban this fuck.

Anonymous (December 1, 2005)

Can someone change my diaper?

-Will

moneenerd (December 1, 2005)

Your mom does research.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

"With 29 songs, the Souls play a longer than normal set"
If you read the jacket you will see the live album was recorded from 4 shows. Do some research before you write a review.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

i have seen them play Danyeursim a couple times myself. it sounds good, but thats not surprising at all!!!

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

to the person that asked if Pennywise broke up:
They just did a tour.

sickboi (November 30, 2005)

The last time I saw the Souls was the 3rd Lifetime show....

In my life, I've seen the Souls at least 15 times, all over the country, and have never heard them play it.

Though sometimes, when Brian does he little bass "solo" at the end of "Cracked", it sorta sounds like the start of "Daneursym".

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

where have you been... they play danyeurism all the time.

moneenerd (November 30, 2005)

crucial

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

The Souls have covered "Danyeurism"?

I like the Simple Minds cover they do, the "Just Like Heaven" cover, and probably most of all, the "Trust Chords" cover.

-sickboi

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

I like when the Bouncing Souls cover "Danyeurism". I am pretty miffed that it didnt make the live cd. Oh well... at least I got to see them play it the other night.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

The Bouncing Souls are extremely pretentious so it doesnt shock me that they have hopped on the bandwagon of putting out live cd's.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

Love the everything the souls do/release
BUT

CAN ANYONE CONFIRM WETHER PENNYWISE BROKE UP? I KNOW MOST PEOPLE ON THIS SITE HATE THEM BUT I DONT

sickboi (November 30, 2005)

I don't know if I've seen anyone do fills better than Mike. The man is a fucking machine.

And he's the new Dave W. I've seen him play with Murphy's Law, Mephiskaphales, Souls, Grey Area and Paint it Black.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

if you're speaking of technique about shal vs. mike, you're absolutely wrong. mike destroys shal, granted, shal is a good drummer, but mike is just a better drummer -- he's quicker and more dynamic.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

saw them last week, they played a new song, it was pretty good, kind of newwavey with keyboards but not in a stupid annoying way, more in a we're all kind of old and need to mellow out way

and they jammed on hey joe, which was odd but fun

sickboi (November 30, 2005)

"The old drummer, Shal, was way better than Mike McDermott. The band is still great but I've always felt like a bit of the magic was gone after Shal left."

Wow, you are wrong on soooo many levels.

Anonymous (November 30, 2005)

This album disappointed me. I remember hearing a couple mp3s on Punknews awhile ago and thinking it was going to be amazing. Turns out, those were a few of the only worthwhile tracks. The fact that they left off Quick Check Girl really pissed me off also.

Mediocre album, which doesn't do their live show justice.

6/10

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

Good review. I havent listened to The Bouncing Souls in years. The band fucking changed my life, and I should really listen to em once in a while. In Gainesville the other day Pete and Brian walked by me on the street and it was weird, I smiled though.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

You're so rad!

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

'But it's INSANE to say this is anymore than a 6/10 because the recording is so bad. Seriously bad, given that you can do decent live records for cheap nowadays.'

I was thinking the same thing... why the fuck is the sound so shitty? I thought it was just because the sound system in my car sucks. I'm disappointed in the recording quality for sure

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

Punx is the cool way to spell punk. Fucking faggots.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

The old drummer, Shal, was way better than Mike McDermott. The band is still great but I've always felt like a bit of the magic was gone after Shal left.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

I'd give it a 9.

Reason: No Quick Chek Girl.

branden (November 29, 2005)

i dunno about you guys,

but brackets live in a dive is probably the best live album ever

this is still pretty great

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

I've seen Bouncing Souls live about 6 times and even though I love them on albums they have never impressed me live. Thay are lacking in stage presence and play very sloppy.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

best live album......ever

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

so wait, how do we know this guy is superdude again?

Godfather (November 29, 2005)

just got it!

so glad manthem is on here

and to whomever said that the recording quality sucks, you're an idiot....the quality is great

jamespastepunk (November 29, 2005)

My only major complaint with this CD is that a live version of "Quik Check Girl" isn't on it.

And this wasn't one show, but a few songs from about 5 or 6 shows.

Any way you slice it, this is essential for fans.

rkl (November 29, 2005)

dear superdude,
the day you start doing your schtick in your own reviews is the day to hang it up.
love,
rkl

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

great live album... even though it was recorded on a bunch of different nights, it all flows together nicely. i wouldn't even had noticed if it didn't mention it in the liner notes...

definitely could have used neurotic.

first time i saw the souls was at the oi/skampilation #1 record release show at the wetlands, nyc... i've probably seen them about 20 times since.

JERSEY!

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

i remember when they played with ranicd in 1995. word.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

i'll definitely get this. i think i've seen the souls more than any other band ever.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

Great live band, but their old drummer sucked some balls.

superdude (November 29, 2005)

This review was pretty good, but here's how I would make it better:

1. It looks like there are people trapped inside the CD case. Is this true? Can we help them? Can Sum 41 help them?

2. If your bouncing souls records keep finding thier way into your stereo you should watch Toy Story and see what you can do about that problem

3. I'll be impressed when they show me they can dig deep and come up with treasure.

sickboi (November 29, 2005)

Is "Monday Morning Ant Brigade" on here?

Score is for kazoo-core.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

sheer brilliance-oldpunker-

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

the band bores you because you do not have the stupid asshole freind to talk about stupid asshole shows you went to. Loud ass motherfuckers who i fucking hate

sprainedsoul (November 29, 2005)

I searched all over Miami for this CD the day it came out (should have preordered!). I was at one of the shows that was recorded for this CD, and have eagerly awaited its release. My only complaint about the 2 CD set is that the sound is muddled during certain songs (the perils of recording over varous nights, I would assume). This is especially noticeable while going from "Here We Go" to "Sing Along Forever".

It's a Minor Gripe. This is a stellar live set. The Souls' maturation throughout their career is evident, and it's fun to listen to the band clearly enjoy playing their older (and less mature) songs. The Bouncing Souls always manage to make me smile, and to make me feel just a Little Bit Better when everything is swirling.

Great Review. Here's To The Memories.

AlmostPunkEnough (November 29, 2005)

fantastic. thi is as about as close to being there as you can get through only audio. so much energy, great tracklist with only a few missing songs.

rkl (November 29, 2005)

you bore me.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

Saw em live when I was 16, they bored the fuck out of me. Damn, they still bore me.

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

I saw them on that Face to Face tour also. Good stuff.

...evildeadalive

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

I'm a huge BS fan and I think they got all the good songs on here. But it's INSANE to say this is anymore than a 6/10 because the recording is so bad. Seriously bad, given that you can do decent live records for cheap nowadays.

iheartadam (November 29, 2005)

Score is for the Souls prior to 1998. Out of respect to them I won't even judge anything they've done since.

Realizing I bought Tie One On about 9 years ago makes me miss Saved By the Bell re-runs.

cdogg (November 29, 2005)

I just saw them at The Troc in Philly this past Friday. Awesome show. I'm hoping this cd can capture the feel of seeing them live. Will it usurp Swingin' Utters "Live in a Dive" as the best live punk cd to come out in recent years? Only time will tell....

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

just curious, how come a few review sessions ago, there were only 9 instead of 10?

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

Hell yeah.

Great live CD!

Godfather (November 29, 2005)

holy shite

ben conoley is superdude

psychoos231 (November 29, 2005)

awww nice review sir.

Godfather (November 29, 2005)

i dont have this yet, but i cant fucking wait

Anonymous (November 29, 2005)

this review was pretty good, but here is how i'ld make it better

1) fucking up the classic superdude joke

2) stating that ben conoley(sp?) is superdude