Word is that these guys are upping the rock factor for their next album, which they hope to have out later this year. In the meantime, this live set, recorded in February 2003 in front of an adoring crowd in Thame, will draw a line nicely under one era of the band. ‘Live…ism’ faithfully captures the experience that is As If… live, with a sturdy production job by the boys themselves, although the sound is necessarily more raw with some particularly fine guitar work by Mr Goss on “Take Me To Your Leader”, although “Love Is…” is surprisingly faithful and still has that ethereal sound.
If you like the band already, chances are you’ll already have this album, but it’s well worth investigating as the next time you come across As If., they may be a very different animal altogether.
Reviewed by Steve Best
Originally posted at CrossRhythms