Live Noise

Album Review

Skillfully edited from a recent east coast tour, Live Noise comes as close to delivering the up close and personal Moxy Früvous performance experience as anything can. Combining old and new musical material with the quartet's crackpot social commentary on topics ranging from revolutionary militia to naked Muppets, the album confirms the band's command of an ambitious assortment of instruments and musical forms, from Arabic modes (complete with Farsi lyrics) to American swing and hoe-down. Though Live Noise is mostly original material (and very original at that!), covers of the Bee Gees' "I've Gotta Get a Message to You" and Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" are successful tributes to some of Moxy's musical heroes. Frü-heads will especially enjoy two distinctly different renditions of "King of Spain," while a new audience will appreciate their blend of wild antics and the well-orchestrated harmonies of such selections as the band's traditional closer, "The Drinking Song." About the only thing missing is a recording of the uproarious rap rendition of "Green Eggs and Ham." You still have to actually go to a Moxy show for that!