I never knew much about "Talas" before. I think maybe this was only due to the fact that they were a little before my time - in the sense that I only picked up on heavy rock shortly after they had called it a day in the early 80's. However, their favorable reputation in rock circles, and elevated cult status throughout the years, did make me curious, so I was quickly determined to throw in this live recording and hear what I had missed.

The band from Buffalo, N.Y. that was the launching pad to the great career bassist Billy Sheehan would go on to have, features the originals - guitarist/vocalist Dave Constantino and drummer Paul Varga as well as Sheehan. At the prodding of their hometown rock station, Powerhouse 97, the "miracle," as it was suggested, happened and "Talas" was recorded live on this album to a packed house. Proof that non-listeners such as myself really missed the boat the first time around.

All of the classic material from their self-titled and "Sink Your Teeth Into That" albums are included, plus two killer renditions of previously unreleased covers, "21st Century Schizoid Man" and "Battle Scar," the last of which put a timely stamp on that evening's performance. "Schizoid" takes on a life of its own, going into an impressive instrumental break, and exploiting the long since realized bass-thumping talent Sheehan's been revered for.

The songs stand well on their own, even sounding a bit dated as you would think, but the band successfully performed them as though they were still locked in a time warp back in 1982. With titles ranging from the anthemic "Sink Your Teeth Into That," to the traumatic "High Speed On Ice" and "Shy Boy," to the mellowness of "Tell Me True," it was all scattered through about fifteen total songs and an hour-plus of music.

The fact that "Talas" even reunited to do a show for one night was strongly unexpected, so it may be too much to expect anything further. But this group does still possess the talents and skillful musicianship to at least ponder the possibilities of recording together again. They've already made it over the first hump, and safely past an eager audience and skeptical critics.