Album Review: City And Colour - 'Live (CD/DVD)'

Anyone who’s heard Alexisonfire

knows how amazing Dallas Green is. The guy can shred and his soaring

vocals have been able to elevate AOF above the rest of the quote/unquote

screamo pack.  

In 2005, Dallas thought he would

quietly release a solo record (titled Sometimes) under the name City

And Colour. The reception to the album was anything but quiet and “Sometimes”

went on to achieve platinum status in Canada – as well as earning

praise from critics and fans across the world. 

City And Colour’s most recent

release is a live CD/DVD package. Taken from sold out shows across Canada,

this package is further proof that Dallas Green is one of the most gifted

singer/songwriters of our time. 

To hear the material from “Sometimes”

replicated so well live is just astonishing. You’d be struggling to

find a wrong note in any of the 13 tracks on offer. As well as the City

And Colour songs contained on this release, there is an excellent rendition

of the Alexisonfire track “Happiness By The Kilowatt”, something

which every AOF fan needs to hear. The accompanying piano that is provided

by Dallas cousin on select tracks also adds to the overall feel of the

performance.  

The DVD that comes with this package

is taken from the same live sets that the CD contains. Although he may

seem a little awkward as a soloist, Dallas’ on stage demeanor only

furthers my opinion of the guy as he seems genuinely humbled by the

response to his songs.

Some people might scoff at the

comparisons to the late Jeff Buckley, but the emotive nature of Dallas’

voice and his lyrical composition are deserving of this kind of praise. 

year – of any genre!