Ain't It Dead Yet

Audio Mixer: Dave Ogilvie.
Recording information: Toronto Concert Hall.
Continuing a tradition of albums with excellent names, beginning with 1986's evocative MIND: THE PERPETUAL INTERCOURSE and 1987's statement of intent CLEANSE FOLD AND MANIPULATE, this 1991 live album is a remarkable achievement for this Canadian trio. After all, how many purely electronic trios can put over their music live in at least as powerful a fashion as they could in the studio? Drawing from nearly all segments of the band's career, even reaching back into their early Cabaret Voltaire-worshipping days, the 12 tracks start with only the bassline and lyrics of the original studio versions. This technique frees up multi-instrumentalist cEVIN Key and sampling wizard Dwayne Goettel to muck about with the tunes' structures, melodies, and moods. The result is almost, dare we say, jazzy in its improvisatory power and scope.