I've only heard recently of the demise of the band Yellow Swans. I remember a few years ago, when they started to garnish media attention at a fast pace, it made me really curious to see what it was all about. Lots of good things were said on this band and they deserve every good word there was (matter of fact, their latest album on Type is amazing). But I never got into their music before now. It's an acquired taste, and I'm just beginning to drench my taste buds in this. There's some elements that makes me salivate, familiar flavors of the new psychedelia, but at the end of each songs, I'm just glad it's over. I can't endure a whole album of noise. I have to listen to one track at the time, especially if these tracks are unedited live sets, like it's the case here. And there's more, to appreciate noise music, you have to listen to it loud enough to feel it your guts...sorry neighbors...

This is a collection of live performances recorded during their last year of existence between 2007 and 2008. Their PDX Pop Now set in July 2007, a live soundtrack to a film by Avalon Kalin in February 2008, a live set from Iowa in October 2007, and the last song is from a Chicago show in June 2008. Basically, Yellow Swans structure their sets using a pattern; it starts slowly and nicely, with smooth droney guitars and effects. But after the five minutes mark, it starts to build up for a final climax of noise that explodes in total chaos, usually after ten minutes. It's as if there's a point break to their shows. The 5 minutes mark ; a point where there's no coming back; just like when Utah jumped out of the plane after Bodhi without a parachute. Imagine the excitement.

But amidst the chaos, the melodic aspects underpinning these sets are still present, sometimes supported by rhythmic elements; electronic percussions or cyclical motifs. These smoothening elements in their live sets foresaw the musical future Yellow Swans were embarking in. Too bad I'll never get to see them live... 8/10 -- Frédérick Galbrun (10 March, 2010)