Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live In London!!!

Album Review

In 2001, Against Me!'s lineup eventually settled down, seemingly for good, at which point the band sprung into motion and haven't sat down since. A deal with Fat Wreck Chords brought forth three excellent studio albums, which the group somehow found time to churn out between never-ending tours. That interminable gigging has kept Against Me! sharp, so much so that their first two Fat Wreck full-lengths were so riddled with energy they almost sounded as if they were recorded live. They weren't. But Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!! was, capturing the band on-stage at the Mean Fiddler in England's capitol in early 2006. The title track is a new song, a storming hardcore number that deals with the discomfort of U.S. tourists hoping not to come across as typical Ugly Americans. The rest of Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!! draws liberally from all three of the band's albums, kicking off appropriately enough with "A Brief Yet Triumphant Introduction." Most fan faves are probably here, thus allowing the set to double as a best-of collection, and more easily than most, for other than the audience shouts and singalongs, there's little difference between the live and studio versions of songs. Still, the numbers here have a bit more kick, the energy even more exhilarating, and the exuberant crowd adds their own punch to the set. This was one hell of a show, just one of a 1,000 or so the band have played over the last few years, and if you've never seen them live, or just want to relive the occasion, check out the bonus video.