After being declared ‘Best New’ at the MTV European Music Awards and ‘New Artist of the Year’ at the American Music Awards in November (just to mention a couple), the boys also scooped up ‘Song of the Year’ at Australia’s own ARIA awards. There’s nothing better than coming home to a nice home-cooked dinner and an ARIA, eh boys?
To say the
very least, 2014 has not been a quiet one for 5SOS. June saw the release of
their debut, self-titled album and they've been non-stop touring since the year
began. We all assumed that a rest was on the cards for the winter, and they did
just that. After a short break back home in Sydney, the boys were eager to
announce the release of their second album. What made this announcement even
more exciting is that fact that it is a live album. Yes, you heard me; a live
album.
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| The lads took to twitter to announce the release of their live album: LIVESOS. |
On November 22nd, giving us just under a months notice, the band announced that in mid December they were set to release their first ever live album. All four members were extremely excited to let the secret out understandably, as they have mentioned on several occasions that performing live is the most important thing to them.
Here are some details about the album:
- LIVESOS is 5 Seconds of Summer's second album release of 2014.
- The album has been released before the band embarks on the largest legs of their headline arena tour around the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.
- All the songs that appear on the album (apart from one extra special track) was performed live and recorded at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.
- The album features 9 tracks from their first album, 5 tracks from EP's and the remaining 2 tracks are covers.
- The Target Special Edition (available in North America) contains a bonus track and an extra hidden track.
So, what do I think?
Being a live music enthusiast, I couldn't wait to give this album a listen. There's something so unique and beautiful about live music and it makes an album all that more special. There's something about a live performance thata studio recording just can'r replicate.
From the outset, you can tell that all four boys are natural born performers and that they absolutely love what they do. The seamless layout of the record makes for a realistic live experience giving everyone the complete 5 Seconds of Summer package. Another thing that makes this album so special is that nothing is left out. The performance sounds virtually untouched, including audience interaction and the lads usual 'on-stage banter'. What you see (or hear in this case) is quite literally what you get with 5SOS and that's hard to come by.
Two of my favourite live performances are included in the album; What I Like About You and End Up Here. Both of the tracks are so energetic and fast-paced to get the crowd moving. Apart from these two, the best track on the album has to be Amnesia. There's no doubt that the studio version of this track is amazing, but there are very few words that do the live version justice. After listening to Amnesia,I have no doubts that these lads are truly talented.
The only thing that would make this album any better (and trust me, this took a lot of thinking) would be if there were more tracks. Maybe a second, third disc? I know it's unrealistic, but the 5SOS boys set the bar so damn high, it wouldn't surprise me if they had considered doing so.
Overall, I really really loved this album and I do not regret buying it at all. I'm keeping it in my car for the time being so I can rock out with every journey I make.
My rating? A solid 4/5
LIVESOS is available everywhere now! (Deluxe Edition available exclusively from Target)
You can find the album and special LIVESOS bundles here, you can also find it on Amazon, and iTunes and you can even listen to it for free on Spotify.
ps. There are still some tickets left for a few of 5SOS's Rock Out With Your Socks Out tour in the UK, Europe and North America. Click here to check availability near you.
