2022-09-04 Commerce City, CO

 9 4 22 Dick's

Setlist wise this looks 100 percent up my alley. Lets go!

Set 1

The setlist 2022 shakeups continue with First Tube in a rare opening spot. Good stuff and definitely sets the mood! Not the hottest version ever but definitely a good opener.

A 13 minute Gin is next. Unfortunately Trey sounds for at a loss of what to play for most of the jam. There is a bit of this and a bit of that but it never coalesces and ends up a messy disappointment. Bummer.

Thankfully Undermind is WAY better. It sounds super tired but they use this to its advantage and deliver a really excellent, FLUID version loaded with stellar Trey. Borderline must hear!!

Unfortunately, this falling asleep set encounters the worst possible thing imaginable with a draaaggggiiiinnnnggg Drift in slot 4. Wtf Trey??!! What is wrong with you?! The song itself is actually a really good version with strong soloing, its just that the damn song is played at half speed ...UGH!!

Just as bad is Halleys. God, this is the most TIRED and dragging ass version Ive ever heard in my life. The definition of low energy.

Man!! This set is downright lousy so far! There is NO energy! They are playing like they got no sleep or something. Ugh!

They axe Halley and move into a sleepy Everythings Right. Thankfully, as with Undermind, the excssively sleepy mood actually really helps. This has a very unique vibe. Its SOOOOOOO laid back. The guys are able to really sink into the groove and let it envelop everything instead of racing towards a peak explosion. But then they DO hit that peak section and the energy lifts and its just terriic!!! This is awesome!!! MUST HEAR!!!
Seriously, this is fantastic!!!

The Sleep Set finishes with More into Fluffhead. More actually sounds nice at the more mellow pace, surprisingly. Good version.

Fluffhead is really good!! Technically its tight with nary a flub. Nothing must hear but it is worth its time!

All in all, this was not a great set. NO energy at all, holy hell. ER is the only true must hear but Undermind could probably qualify as well. Aside from those 2, you can safely delete the rest of the set. And what the hell was with Drift so early in the set?! 

Set 2

16 minute SYSF open, its a very good version with about 3 distinct sections. Good energy, melodic rocking gives way to more rhythmic focused playing before a lengthy robo section. The problem is that none of it is particularly engaging or exciting. Its good stuff, but very much a "fast food type 2" jam.

The following 14 minute Fuego is miles better!! Explosively hot and TIGHT!! The jam explores some cool laid back, almost tropical areas. X Factor all over and definitely a unique reading. Must hear for sure!!! This thing grooves HARD before quietly fading itself out like moving a volume slider slowly down....

And then a spectacularly horrific set call once again with ALBTD coming next. Cmon man - I love the song but in no universe is this anything but a TERRIBLE set placement!!
The song itself is pretty good without being amazing but that god awful set call was one of the worst things I've ever sat through.

Thankfully Crosseyed and Bowie are both fantastic!! Crosseyed is downright must hear, completely loaded with X Factor. The song slays and the jamming is highly inspired with a ton of great robo action. Absolutely must hear. Maybe the best of 2022??

Bowie feels different than most recent ones. It doesnt go type 2, but its very energetic with terrific jamming. Borderline must hear.

The set closes with a spectacular Loving Cup. Nothing special but Trey goes molten banana sandwich on this bad boy. Definitely worth your time.

Crazy encore of Divided Sky, Icculue and C Zero.

All in all, set 1 was 85% a total waste, but aside from that stupid ALBTD, set 2 was excellent. It felt a step below the TRULY great shows of the year, but set 2 was really, really strong for the most part.

Crosseyed and Fuego are what you need but special mention to the encore and Loving Cup!
Id rate set 1 about a 2.5 and set 2 about an even 4 or 4.1 Overall ill give this show a 3.9-4.1ish rating.