Intended to be released before
the Make-Up's final studio album, Save Yourself, but inexplicably misplaced for years, Untouchable Sound -- Live! actually makes more sense as the band's swan song. After all, nothing beat seeing the band live -- preferably in the tiniest, seediest hole-in-the-wall club possible, much like Washington, D.C.'s the Black Cat, where this concert took place. Capturing the band in its final lineup with guitarist Alex Minoff, the set includes classic
Make-Up tracks like "They Live by Night," Save Yourself tracks like "I Am the Pentagon" and "White Belts," singles like "Born on the Floor" and "Every Baby Cries the Same" -- and, of course, lots of breathless testifying in between songs from Ian Svenonius. Although Save Yourself was the band's most subdued album, all of the songs from it sizzle here, while "Hey! Orpheus" and a slow-burning rendition of "Wade in the Water" bring the furious live energy that the band made its reputation on. Untouchable Sound -- Live! is a great audio snapshot of one of the '90s' most exciting underground rock bands in its element. ~ Heather Phares