“This is the one, the only,
Fat…Freddy’s…Drop!”. 

The introduction, by an anonymous MC, echoes excessively
throughout the Roundhouse. 

The London venue played host to the Kiwi
dub-reggae seven-piece a year or so back to high acclaim. So, in response, Fat
Freddy’s Drop have released an album of the set, including all the banter
between tracks and the lengthy instrumental interludes, as are common
throughout all of their records. 

Although the track-listing only consists of
six songs, the album is a 1.3 hour long experience. Live at Roundhouse
compiles songs from both their studio albums, ‘Based on a true story’ and its
follow up ‘Dr Boondigga and the Big BW’. However I was disappointed that, aside
from a couple of piano chords from ‘Ernie’ heard during the epic rendition of
‘The Raft’, that some of their strongest tracks from the past years were
missing. ‘Roady’ and ‘Wandering Eye’ would have certainly enhanced the album. 

In the four years or so I’ve listened to the Kiwi lads, I’m yet
to catch them live (although, that’s soon to change - thank you Splendour in the
Grass!), so this album has given me a taste of what to expect. The groovy, soulful sounds of Fat
Freddy’s Drop are definitely upheld in this live, ‘personal’ album.

But, my
qualms about ‘live’ albums have not ceased upon hearing this one. It remains
that live albums give listeners a snippet of the experience that a live show
would bring, but do not give justice to the full performance. Particularly for
a band such as Freddy’s, boasting such a vast number of members who, I’m
sure, create a unique, exhilarating, yet mellow atmosphere for the audience. The
quality of the music is undeniably high and true to the sounds of Fat Freddy’s Drop, but
highlights are sparse. 

Unfortunately the sheer length of each track makes it
difficult to listen to this album in full, or in small doses. Without being too
contradictory, I will say that my favourite track by far is 'The Nod'.
Its multi-layered horns, percussion and keys, alongside rhythm ‘n’
blues meets hip hop lyrics warrant my excitement to see them live. And,
ironically, as I write this review I continue listening and it’s growing on me.
That’s something to keep in mind. 

Great
music, great idea in theory. In practice, I feel it doesn’t quite meet the bar
set by Fat Freddy’s Drop’s studio albums or (probably) their live performance.

Review Score: 7.5/10