Customer Reviews

At Metro

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This actually was the first Popes CD I ever bought and a great introduction at that. I bought it just after it came out, even though I was unaware of it, I noticed it at the local HMV store. The DVD alone is worth buying it for since you get to see what these guys were about playing live: the music. Really, some people would say they're boring, and that's sort of true because if you're looking for Angus Young wannabe's then the Popes are not the band you wanna watch. As musicians they're technically great, I never realized it actually till' I watched the DVD. It was quite cheap too coming from Victory Records at $14.99 for both the CD and DVD combo (only form available anyways) Even if this were $21.99 I'd still buy it (I wouldn't of then, but...you know what I'm sayin') There are hardly any breaks between songs, Josh spoke more on their 1999 Live album, and he didn't even speak much then, but like I said...they're more about the music.

In contrast with the older Live album..
-At Metro has better sound quality, and the Popes are technically BETTER At Metro than they were in 98'.
-At Metro is cheaper (though I recently saw the older Live album for $10 at a used cd shop)
-The older Live album has Josh's vocals buried somewhat in the drums and guitars.
-At Metro CD does NOT include a few songs that ARE on the dvd, great ones too like "no more smiles" and "mrs.you and me" (no more smiles IS however, on the old Live album)
-The cover art on the new one is dull though...haha

Overall, amazing introduction to the Popes and from what I've found (since I now have Born to Quit and 1991-1998) their songs are BEST when Live, At Metro will prove that!

87%

the smoking popes are one of the greatest pop/punk/indie rock bands of all time and this disc is proof of that.

the sound quality is absolutely fantastic and the video on the dvd is amazing. incredible quality all around. i don't think victory/the metro took the lighting design in to consideration when shooting the dvd as the mass amounts of reds tend to really wash everything out at times but that's a pretty minor complaint.

the song selection is great (though i was pretty bummed out when i found out that two of my favorite songs were DVD ONLY) and the performances are nearly flawless.

this blows the last live popes disc out of the water. a must for any punk/pop fan.

Unfortunately I didn't see this reunion show in Chicago. But happily, the one-off turned into a full tour and I got to see them in D.C.!

Smoking Popes started out in Chicago as a poppy punk band. With each album their songs became more sophisticated, but they never lost their edge. The lyrics are intriguing and sometimes shockingly candid while the music rips and soars in all the right places.

This was a momentous show for fans and it's only right it should be preserved in album for for posterity.

My favorite songs here are: Paul, Need You Around, Pretty Pathetic, I Know You Love Me and Brand New Hairstyle.

This album is a must have for anyone who truly loves the Chicago scene. Although the set list is nearly identical to the previous live album (2000), this reunion show after a 7 year hiatus is so full of energy. The quality of the DVD is fantastic (I can see myself many times!) So, if you were lucky enough to be there (like me) or if you missed out for whatever reason, this is a great add to your live collection.

The first time the Smoking Popes were around, I was too young to go see them, so I only had their records to compare this show to. I was at this show and the DVD does an awesome job of capturing the energy of it. Despite not playing these songs for years, the band still sounded just as good as I imagined they would be. That show was one of my top ten of 2005 and the live album is already on my top 10 of 2006.