It's Time to Testify Again...Live at Gearfest 2000

AMG Review of It's Time to Testify Again...Live at Gearfest 2000

Tim Sendra
All Music Guide

It's Time to Testify Again...Live at Gearfest 2000 captures the Flaming Sideburns early in their career, tearing the roof off the club as they rip through a handful of high-octane garage rock ravers. Mostly drawn from their first two albums, the songs are a fiery collision of dueling lead guitars, pounding drums, and the sneering vocals of Speedo Martinez. The sound quality of the set is nearly perfect, loud and exciting as the set surely was in person. Along with the live songs, two songs from rare singles are included: a moody, restrained cover of the Talismen's "She Was Good" that shows another side of the band and a howling take on Little Richard's "Bama Lama Loo." Their studio albums are probably the best place to discover the high-energy charms of the Flaming Sideburns, but if you've already found yourself under their spell, this disc is darn near essential listening.