Back in the 90s, when the grunge explosion was raging hard, I was an avid fan of Nirvana, and I thought Hole were great too (we’re talking about the first two albums). The rawness, the visceral energy was like a shot of adrenaline. It was exciting. But beyond that, I much preferred the likes of Tad or Mudoney over Pearl Jam or Soundgarden. To me, the former bands were real, grimy, sweaty, rough and ready, whereas, by contrast, the latter bands lacked that essential vitality. To my ears, they were just 70s American rock bands with bigger guitars. They just seemed to lack any real edge or danger, but equally, didn't have anything to really distinguish them from so many other bands. So while Dinosaur Jr. continued to push the volume levels and had an emotive quality I could connect with on the albums of the time - notably 'Where You Been', from the real major leaguers who broke on through, I simply didn't feel anything.
Of course, I daresay that, working for a second-hand record trader who would do a different record fare every Sunday, where I would hear endless ropey bootlegs of said bands being played on tinny portable CD players did little to help. If I hear a live recording of 'Alive' again, I'm likely to follow Kurt.
So, the point is, I never really got into Soundgarden. 'Black Hole Sun' just seemed tame. But then, this was in the days before Bush and Nickelback, and I'm wondering if, listening to an album of Soundgarden cranking out the hits and highlights live in their heyday might impel me to reconsider. Recorded on their 1996 tour, 'Live on I5' (a reference to Interstate 5 which runs along the West Coast) gathers seventeen tracks culled from half a dozen US stadium shows. Originally intended to be released immediately after the tour the band's dissolution put paid to that, but following last year’s reunion, they've decided the time is finally right.
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The hits and signature tracks are all here: beginning with 'Spoonman' and concluding with what is supposedly the 'definitive' live version of 'Jesus Christ Pose', 'Outshined,' 'Fell on Black days', 'Rusty Cage' and a Chris Cornell solo rendition of 'Black Hole Sun' are present and correct, and the original tracks are accompanied by a couple of covers in the shape of 'Helter Skelter' and 'Search and Destroy'. I feel I should be pleased, or at least a bit excited, transported back to my angst-filled youth by this fine example of exhilarating guitar-driven rock 'n' roll. Alas, I am not.
The performances are fine, the recording quality is good, but being chopped up, a hybrid of different shows, the audience noise and any between-song chatter largely cropped, it's hard to get a sense of 'being there'. It's only so important though, as for the most part, it all still sounds like a collection of overwrought, laboured 70s rock workouts. As a document of the band's live prowess, 'Live on I5' is hard to fault, but it's definitely one for the fans.
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