After Dark follows the same basic formula as the Make-Up's debut, capturing the group in their element: in concert. But where
Destination Love: Live at Cold Rice was mostly successful with a few slow moments,
After Dark's muddier sound and longer, drawn-out songs make it an occasionally engaging but less cohesive album. The slow, expanded version of "We Can't Be Contained" drags down the momentum, and while songs like "(Here Comes) the Judge" and "Don't Mind the Mind" are still enjoyable, they were better performed on the debut album. However, "Blue Is Beautiful," "We're Having a Baby," and "Make Up Is: Lies" add the dynamic edge that most of
After Dark lacks. Though the album finds the Make-Up exploring the slower, quieter aspects of their style,
After Dark's live format doesn't do justice to the group's experiments. ~ Heather Phares