Sonic Taboo - Captured Live! Vol 1

Sonic Taboo’s Captured Live Vol 1 is a live album in the sense that it was done with no overdubs, and one would hope all in the first take and it’s not live in the way that Unleashed in the East is 'live'. These are a collection of jammed-out instrumentals, so, four new songs, as well as the older songs also being infused with this live energy and if you've never heard these guys before, then all these tracks are going to be new. They all carry a garage rock meets Stoner Rock feel, going from a shuffle to lumber. With songs like 'Valley of the Dolls, they bring more boogie to the table. Being an instrumental band, its odd that there aren't a ton of guitar solos as if there were, it would make them a jam band for metalheads. 

If you are someone who does not pay attention to vocals and just likes riffs, this album is for you since not a single note is sung. Where this plays into this band’s favour is it would make them sound like every other band with a low-budget Ozzy imitator. Also, singers tend to be narcissists, so that is at least one less set of problems to deal with. 'Unleash the Magic' takes a detour and jangles more than it chugs, which is some of the most original sounds heard yet on this release. The first notable guitar solo jam goes down here; we had to know it was coming. 

There's a more reckless Garage Punk vibe to the banging of 'Full Tank'. They identify as a stoner bike gang, which makes 'Too Fried to Ride' their theme song, if there were words to express this sentiment, but they instead convey this by banging away at some chords that are not unlike the chords they used on the previous song. 'Ghost Town' marks the most drastic change of pace, but its also only an interlude while 'Planet Terror' is one of the heavier songs and gets the job of inducing at least a little mild headbanging done. Finally 'Black Chopper' feels like a grittier take on a Motley Crue riff.

In conclusion, even if you don't like instrumental bands, you have to appreciate the energy of the songs on offer here. The key to their success lies in the fact that they cater to stoners who will forget that the vocals never came in. Or if you are really high, you might hear the vocals that are in your head. Wait, did I think that, or did I type it?

Review by Wil Cifer