Originally published by L.S. Media. July 31st 2010.
Live albums can be a bit or miss, in one respect there is a call from the bands faithful to have that experience, a memory of a gig that they have attended and enjoyed. There are also those fans who cannot make a certain concert, whether it is because of lack of money, they may have been working that particular night or they may feel uncomfortable in such large crowds.
On the negative side the album may not reproduce the feeling that the fan may have got from the studio one, it can be under produced, it can be a mish mash of sound and a waste of time listening to it after the first attempt.
Where Touchstone have fallen into the first category is the genuine love that the musicians feel in the music, part sensuous, part moving and completely honest. The band have been touted by many (along with The Reasoning) as being the future of progressive Rock. Whether this is due to the multi talented John Mitchell of It Bites fame being a fan and interested in the band’s long term future to produce the first album and take part in the live recording of Live in the U.S.A or the fact that the band are simply one of the best young bands around is something that critics will argue over till they are blue in the face. All that matters is that they are really that good.
Celebrity fan and actor Jeremy Irons is heard at the very start of the album, delivering an intro in the only way he can before vocalist Kim Seviour, Rob Cottingham on keyboards, guitarist Adam Hodgson, drummer Al Melville and bass player Paul “Moo” Moorghen give one of their most tantalising performances to a strange, unfamiliar crowd who sound as excited and pleased to be part of history as is possible. In fact when listening to this album it makes you wonder whether a British crowd could have been as passionate.
Taking a mix from the two studio albums, the set list is a fans dream with “Wintercoast”, “Shadow”, “Voices” and an inspiring version of “Discordant Dreams/ The Beggers Song” amongst the gems showcased.
The album finishes in surprising style with a rather upbeat version of Tears For Fears “Mad World”, after the Gary Jules reworking for the film Donnie Darko, this is a welcome return to form for this eighties voyeuristic tune.
The band should feel justifiably proud of this album and for everyone concerned with its production and conception a clap on the back for having the gumption to go through with releasing it to fans everywhere.
Ian D. Hall