Big Drill Car
Toured (A Live Album)
Headhunter Records

A lot of bands put out good records but lack that necessary something it takes to pull off their sound live. Other bands manage to produce decent records and put on an interesting, entertaining, live show. And then there's the bands who are so good to see live that their albums, no matter how good, don't come close, can't come close, to matching their live intensity. That's Big Drill Car.

Toured, a live album recorded by Big Drill Car during their1991 World Tour, works well because it reflects the bands' energy and vivacity on stage. Bouncing through song after (mostly) happy song, BDC makes their audience bounce with their infectious brand of pop-punk. You can tell as you listen to favorite songs from all three previous Big Drill Car releases bashed out in their best form—live. In fact, choosing which tracks to use from their long list of catchy tunes just may have been the most difficult part of making this record: it was recorded at CBGB's in New York for a very simple 215 dollars, and the liner notes caution the lack of overdubs or extra guitar tracks.

Ten of Big Drill Car's powertunes, including "16 Lines," "Annie's Needle," and "Restless Habs" are recorded here better than ever, and the live staple of Billy Joel's "Big Shot" is nothing but a bonus on an already great album.