FM – Tough It Out Live
- Posted on 08-05-2021
The fabulous FM is undoubtedly one of Britain’s most underrated rock bands, and these gentlemen are so consistent and dependable in terms of delivering quality albums that it is borderline ridiculous. In case you were wondering, that also pertains to the group’s live records with this latest opus of theirs entitled "Tough It Out Live" being an utterly potent and great-sounding offering that boasts a glorious set list. What makes this one so special then? Well, the veteran musicians perform the "Tough It Out" LP (1989) in its entirety (as a way of celebrating its 30th anniversary back in 2019) and also throw in several other superb tracks from their impressive back catalogue, which is actually all the reason you need to invest your time and money in this thing. With its warm and enticing atmosphere as well as its organic production, the whole package oozes class and is full of vigor and enthusiasm, and it also possesses plenty of power and clarity. On top of that, Steve Overland’s voice is just to die here for and he still sounds incredible on stage.
The only downside to this live document is that the original "Tough It Out" studio record is a strong and enjoyable piece of work as opposed to a flawless one, which means that a couple of its tracks do appear slightly mundane in this live setting too. However, the only thing that you really need to concern yourself with is that this fist-pumping 2CD set is a prime example of why FM is one of the best and most musically rewarding (melodic) hard rock acts in existence. Given that most of us miss attending concerts terribly these days, this is a most welcome addition to the collection. You need it!