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THE BEST OF LIFE OF AGONY and RIVER RUNS AGAIN
(Roadrunner, SPV)
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"This band should’ve had a string of radio hits," insists Anthrax’s Scott Ian in the liner notes to the new Roadrunner compilation of Life of Agony’s best studio work. In 1997, the Brooklyn hard-rockers almost did with "Weeds," which Ian praises for its "beautiful, emotional, heart-wrenching melody." That’s hyperbole, but not by much: collaborating with mainstream producer Phil Nicolo (Dishwalla), the band find a happy medium between their oft-opposed hardcore and pop sensibilities. Frontman Keith Caputo sings circles around most of his contemporaries, and bassist Alan Robert’s lyrics ("Now these weeds have grown where the sun once shone/And my life has passed me by") prove the group weren’t joking when they picked their name. If it should’ve been a hit then, it almost sounds as if it could still be one now. "Weeds" is the centerpiece of both these discs, which have been released in the wake of a 2003 comeback that has already resulted in a string of live performances and has even sparked rumors of a new LOA studio album. The Roadrunner release is comprehensive, ranging from the slam-friendly rush of the old-school Headbangers Ball fave "Through and Through" to "Honeycomb," a power-pop rarity from Caputo’s recent European-only solo album. In between, the band undergo a familiar progression from mosh-pit maniacs to grizzled rockers with decent ears for an anthem. Most of it works, because even on rambunctious early tunes like "Lost at 22," their arrangements have a focus that eludes many of their peers. Engineered by Brian Dobbs (Metallica), River Runs Again is a double-disc document of LOA’s first two NYC reunion shows. Since the track list is similar to the best-of, casual fans might prefer to hear the studio versions first. But this band spill their guts in their music, and the intimacy of the live album brings out that aspect of their appeal. Each of Caputo’s dead parents gets a harrowing dedication: "How Would It Be" is about growing up without a mom and "Heroin Dreams" goes out to his father, a recent drug casualty. After falling apart back when "Weeds" stalled on the charts, LOA once again sound ready to exorcise their demons through rock. (Life of Agony perform next Thursday, May 20, at Matrix, 275 Tremont Street in the Theater District; call 617-542-4077. Next Friday, May 21, they’re at Lupo’s at the Strand, 79 Washington Street in Providence; call 401-831-4071.)
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