Wasn't that Alphaville who at one time way back when had this tune called "Big in Japan?"

And between that and this other thing they did, "Forever Young," that was basically it, right?

But I'll bet they could return to Japan anytime they damn well please, record an album's worth of nursery rhymes set to big band music and they'd be million sellers!

Well their tie in with Firehouse is really non-existent but the point is, Firehouse? Still?

Granted you still have your Slaughters and your Poisons and your Warrants, I guess, but then you've got, Firehouse, probably the best of the second tier pop/metal late 80's melody makers and here they are still alive and kickin and suffice it to say, big in Japan!

Where this live recording, a feat in itself, but they're still doing studio work to be sure, they're obviously catering to their-or anyone else's exaggerated following-and "Bring 'em Out Live" is their latest salute to some of the loyalist of fans anywhere!

God bless 'em though, they don't give a crap about what's hip or not, if they like something, they like it, they don't need any industry execs force feeding and brainwashing their musical tastes.

No one here will probably catch on all of a sudden, but considering Firehouse must still have a credible following here and I'd dare say steadily rebuilding in the wake of this latest rock resurgence, this is a decent release to bridge the gap between now and later.

The overall sound is a bit muted… but seems to improve the further we go and just how many people were they playing in front of anyway?

I remember Leverty and Snare from the band but don't know about these other two guys-it probably is the whole band performing here, but regardless it sounds like you'd expect Firehouse.

They do plug in and wail away every now and again though don't they?

Out of the fifteen total tracks, expected favorites include "All She Wrote," "Hold Your Fire," where the intro itself-it's almost like someone's preaching a sermon as quiet as it got-"Dream…" there's definitely some quality music on here which is great for me because I'll never listen to an entire Firehouse album more than once-but now getting the chance to hear these select cuts from each of their first three or four albums here is okay.

I'm not sure where "Hold the Dream" is but it looks like they bailed on it which I can't understand-was there ever a better closing song ever written for the stage?

"Dream" however, which I believe to be recent, makes an appearance and is similar to the aforementioned "Hold the…" but not as good, but in the ballad circles, one of their strong points and a nice break in the action.

So then they one better themselves with the classic "When I Look Into Your Eyes." "Love of a Lifetime" is of course one of the real showstoppers by the apparent roar of approval and comes out strong, true… very nostalgic.

Following up with the slightly ballsier "Reach for the Sky" was a good move with it's slow and matching opening and quick and heavy guitar power strokes and anthemic ability-and can't you just picture everyone raising their arms during the chorus in this one… kinda makes me glad I'm listening at a safe distance away!

Well for anyone waiting on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the closer, they go back to their very first recording and you already know what it is anyway.

Not bad for a first go round in the live forum-Firehouse doing what they've always done, heavy melodic rock, beefy choruses and sappy ballads-and they eat this stuff up I swear!

I caught onto a couple of the newer tracks I think, where I'd been unfamiliar with their newer material of late and discovered stuff like "Overnight Sensation" which they opened the gig with and then I think "Acid Rain" was all right.

So here it is, Firehouse, live and in your/their smiling face… chalk up another one for the good guys who never give up.

Released by Spitfire Records.
Website: http://www.SpifireRecords.com

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]