Album Review: Live in San Francisco by Thee Oh Sees

Somewhat more than a stop-gap release before their new studio album arrives later this year, this document of Thee Oh Sees blistering live show is essential. Culled from three nights at the Chapel in their home city of San Francisco, the result is a classic double live album, presented in a gatefold sleeve (of course) with an accompanying DVD. Although we were led to believe that Thee Oh Sees were going on hold a couple of years ago with the departure of long-standing members including Brigid Dawson, mainstay John Dwyer has regrouped and rebuilt the band, arriving at this current four-piece line up.

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Thee Oh Sees are one of the more prolific bands around, cranking out album after album of damn good garage rock that's noisy, hooky, and whip smart. The band's leader, Jon Dwyer, is also a blazing hot guitarist -- his way with a chunky, blown-out riff is magical, and his solos are like barely controlled lightning. His skills come through dazzlingly enough on studio albums; on 2016's live album, Live in San Francisco, they smack you in the head with a nail-studded 2x4 until you see enough stars to light up the darkest night sky.

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Watching John Dwyer’s Oh Sees is like staring into a cyclone, like watching something atrociously addictive that you can’t drag your eyes from; aliens maybe, their noise pummeling and dizzyingly hypnotic, yet constantly shapeshifting. It’s both macho and feminine, and in that perfect moment, you can’t ever imagine feeling so invigorated again. So kudos to their own label for getting at least close to those feelings with their first double live album.

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