Drones, The - Live at The Hi-Fi (Album)

Live albums usually mean at least one of a few things; a) It’s the tail end period of a record contract, units to be shifted and all that jazz, so just put together an album to fulfill the terms agreed upon that stipulates were need to release another album, b) The band in question once played an awe-inspiring set at that place that one time and unless the entire fan base directly correlates to the capacity of that place that one time, not everyone was there so let’s spread the love, c) It’s been a while in-between releases and reminding people that the band is still around can be a good thing, d) I forget what D was supposed to be.

This hour-long set was recorded at The Hi-Fi in Brisbane back in May this year, marking the third time The Drones have added a live album to their discography, giving the assumption that reason B is the cause for another live release. Packaged as a limited edition double CD with recent album Havilah (2008), Live at The Hi-Fi is also available on iTunes, with a track listing as follows:

1. Nail It Down
2. The Minotaur
3. Six ways to Sunday
4. Shark Fin Blues
5. She had an abortion that she made me pay for
6. I don't ever want to change
7. Sixteen Straws
8. The Miller's Daughter
9. River of Tears

Those whom are familiar with The Drones blues tinged rock will slide right into an attentive position for digesting the nine tracks. Live At The Hi-Fi could also serve as an entry point for Drones neophytes, akin to a Best Of, a well rounded introduction to the band’s sound which is cathartic, confrontational, and decidedly Australian rock and roll without resorting escapism of the prosaic variety, with lyrics and themes topical yet poetic with enough abandon to be viewed as existential vignettes of rural ethos.

With all songs but one over six minutes in length, minimal stage banter (a few “this song’s called…”), and the microphones clearly attentive of what’s happening on stage and not what is going on in the crowd, the clear and main focal point is The Drones accomplished live sound. Too many live albums are overflowing with either an obsessive amount of overdubs, or an ever applauding crowd not unlike the canned laughter from some American sitcom.

Live At The Hi-Fi is a gig leaning fully on the conviction of function rather than form; this is a performance lacking in postured faux dance moves choreographed to fireworks while telling the crowd how much the loves them/playing at that specific venue. Instead the band dives straight into song after song at either such a blisteringly loud volume or a restraint masked as candor, with a forthright and upfront demeanor spat right from the throat of front man Gareth Liddiard and channeled through the rest of the band.

Sound quality is never compromised and the live versions at times sound eerily similar to the studio versions, albeit with the added inherent reverb of the venue and emotive honesty that comes from a live performance that flows across and increases over the duration of the songs. This is hardly a release for the sake of a release. Recommended for fans of The Drones and those yet to tune in.

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