Front 242 - Re-Boot: Live '98

Front 242 find themselves in a unique position regarding live performances. Since they are one of the founders of a past-its-prime genre, they must make a choice: provide their audience with a history lesson by performing their songs in their original studio format or revamp their otherwise dated material? With :Re:Boot: Live '98, the band decided on the latter, and the results are phenomenal. :Re:Boot is an "alive" live album. The vocal production is outstanding. Many of the sampled vocal tracks are performed live, creating an intensely engaging human energy. They change the lyrics for several of the songs, lending an ad-libbed feel--a pretty tough feat in electronic music. The song choices span across most of Front 242's career up to the release of this album. The club hits "Headhunter," "First in, First Out," and "Welcome to Paradise" are here. The only flaw is that "Tragedy for You" and "Rhythm of Time," both from 1991's Tyranny for You, are absent. It would have been interesting to hear these songs with a fresh buff and polish. Otherwise, this album deserves a heavy-gauge bravo. --Beth Bessmer Amazon.com

nothing beats a 242 live show

Simply put, the title of this review says it all. If you're a fan of this band and have NOT seen them live, catch them this fall in the U.S., as they are currently on tour. Front 242 live is an experience you will never forget. Much has been said about 242's ever-evolving musical style, and this cd is a testament to this fact. While their 1980's studio-recorded material sounds cold and harsh, albeit groundbreaking, their live presentation of these songs is both bold and refreshing. Cold, lifeless drum machines have been replaced by a LIVE drummer; sequenced 16th note basslines have been replaced by lush, sweeping synth effects. Standouts on this cd include "Moldavia", "No Shuffle", "Body to Body", "Religion", and, of course "Headhunter".
What this cd does not present is the intense energy that 242 drives on-stage. Everyone likes to see their favorite band perform live, but a 242 performance is like a bomb exploding. I have NEVER seen a band enjoy the live aspect as much as these guys do.
This live cd is a great example of 242's concert sound, but until you WITNESS them live, you'll never understand why Front 242 is in a class of their own. November 4, 2005

Live album captures the energy of the band

I'm not a big fan of live albums, but I am aware of Front 242's ability to do powerful live shows so I gave this CD a chance.

As live CD's go, the sound quality is excellent. It features all their most known songs, 'Headhunter' is excellent as usual! Many songs are given dramatic makeovers.

What is most evident is the more dance-orientated feel of their live shows than of their stuido albums. They know how to work a crowd and throughout this show Jean Luc De Meyer and, in particular Richard JK, are constantly encouraging the crowd and talking to them. It's nice to see such a strong band-crowd interaction.

Even if you don't usually like live albums, I'd give this one a go. But don't be expecting a sing-along type show. With their emphasis on dance in their live shows, this one is for the danceloor rather than for the mind! January 18, 2004

not awful, not awesome: renovation is not always for better

When I bought this live cd I was really scared: I had read that my favourite band had now turned into Trance-Techno-Acid music.
When I listened to it, I still recognised the wonderful 242 sound among the renewed techno sounds. The songs are wonderful, so they should have to make it real bad not to deserve a listening. Some versions are very good, such as 'Moldavia' or 'Headhunter', even though there're others, such as 'No Shuffle' and 'Body to Body' which are really sacrilegeous.
I hope their new album, expected for 2002, will be better than this. I know -and I like- that bands are always in constant evolution, but that doesn't necessarily imply that this evolution is good. i don't like techno, so I'd prefer some other evolution. But Front 242 will always rule (together with Skinny Puppy) September 28, 2001

Sorry, but this isn't the F242 I used to know

Unfortunately, this album lacks most attributes of the true body-synth atmosphere that used to be synonymous with Front 242. Here, they have turned into some kind of techno, which they do not really master. They have tried to create a new image which is inconsistent with the basic culture of EBM and the band itself. The result is a collection of confusing remixes without any real spirit. The aggressive and manipulative feeling is gone. The bass rhythm is far to low and the vocals are not convincingly synchronized with the music. I only find "No Shuffle" somewhat interesting.

OK. It is not a bad album. It works quite well as mediocre techno-something. But it is not the real spirit of F242. Get the old masterpieces "Front by Front" and "Tyranny for You" instead. That's the true EBM. June 2, 2000

Brilliant, 242 will live on with this album

242 are at there best live and this album proves that. There is a big difference between Live Code and RE:boot, Front has taken there earlier material and transformed it(with the help of some excellent drumming) into having a much harder more dance oriented edge. Songs like No Shuffle, Body to Body, Masterhit and Religion - my fav - and of course Headhunter, are excellent. This is a 100% 242, this is industrial music December 4, 1998

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