Listening and reviewing this live recording of the Murder City Devils’ final show from a conventional musical aesthetic view is wrong. It may be hard for those not lucky enough to have seen the Devils live to understand, but the October 31, 2001 performance captured here in its entirety is what the band was all about and for that reason I think it is a great album.

What in most contexts would be viewed as the problems begin immediately with the entrance of an incredibly out of tune guitar 45 seconds into the opening song, "Bear Away." But the absence of Dann Gallucci’s guitar (I’m guessing it is Dann’s since it’s in the right channel) is almost worth the wait to hear it return with a triumphant burst of feedback 45 seconds later. The rest of the performance has its share of problems; both technical — broken microphones — and physical — tackled band members, but never do the energy presented by the Devils whenever they play live.

That energy is what made me such a fan of the band in the first place and while some may choose to review this album solely on the musical performance or sound quality, I firmly believe that the context of the album must be taken into account. This is a copy of the last show the band ever played; it is a document. When I listen to the album, a slideshow of memories play in my mind — Derek playing with a broken foot, Coady lighting his drums on fire, Spencer eating the microphone, Dann rolling around on the floor and spitting beer, the list goes on and on — reminding me of the great times I’ve had watching this band. I think that alone makes the existence of this album worth it to anyone that has seen the band live, and if you weren’t lucky to see them, this album will help you pretend.