1.20.2010

CD REVIEW: the NEW DEAL "live: TORONTO 7.16.2009"

When the NEW DEAL went on hiatus a bunch of years back the whole jam band and electronic scene was dealt a low blow. But we all knew that they'd be back, we just didn't know when. This, their first release since the end of that hiatus, reminds us exactly why we love them. They are the live version of Daft Punk. Well, they play their own instruments and they don't use overdubs or samples, so they are quite different than Daft Punk, they just make us move in the same way. Two of their best compositions are featured on this live release (Deep Sun and Gone, Gone, Gone) and are performed beautifully. You can really get a sense of the high energy vibe at the show from the crowd cheers and the band interaction as the boys intermingle free form jams with their original musical. This is the next best thing to actually being there, and it sure does get you pretty close.