So What (A Tribute To The Anti-Nowhere League)

Not an important release. Those uninitiated to these hilarious English punkish rock louts are better introduced via their studio recordings found on Cleopatra's other CD, The Best Of, or the now-defunct Dojo label's reissue of the 1982 first LP, We Are...The League. Even as live LPs go, this OK recent, post-comeback set is greatly bettered by two previous documents of the League's first go-round, 1983's Live in Yugoslavia (interesting title now, eh?), and especially the wonderfully filthy document of their 1989 farewell gig in their hometown Turnbridge Wells, Live and Loud (though both of those U.K. imports may still be vinyl only). And someone please tell the label and the liner notes author that one piece of information considered essential for a live concert release is the date and place of recording! (And lineup too.) It's only from the set list and recollections of their convincing mid-'90s New York gig at Wetlands that we can reasonably place this show as recent vintage. The recording is decent, and the huge crowd -- probably English -- cheers heartily, but somehow some of the basic excitement seems totally missing, like it's canned, despite the inclusion of their best song, the atypically lovable "For You." Even the two least politically correct songs in history, the uproariously funny, too-true "So What" and "Animal," seem slightly restrained, if not totally. But the originals...now that's another story! (13428 Maxella Ave. #251, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292) ~ Jack Rabid|