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Arena - Breakfast In Biarritz

Artist:	Arena
Title:	Breakfast In Biarritz
Label:	Verglas VGCD021
Length(s):	+14 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2001
Month of review:	[07/2001]

Line up

Ron Sowden - vocals
John Mitchell - guitars
Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals
Ian Salmon - bass
Mick Pointer - drums

Tracks

1)	Moviedrome	21.57
2)	Crack In The Ice	4.25
3)	Double Vision	4.27
4)	Midas Vision	5.16
5)	Serenity	2.01
6)	The Butterfly Man	9.44
7)	The Hanging Tree	8.26
8)	A State Of Grace	3.10
9)	Enemy Without	4.53
10)	Crying For Help VII	5.11

Disc 2:

1) Chosen 6.33
2) Elea 2.37
3) Friday's Dream 4.36

Summary

The second live album with a bonus disc that includes three tracks and a cd rom part. The first Arena live album was at once a great compilation of the first two discs (only one really good track missing). Only one track is present on both live albums, which is Midas Vision. Too bad they did not choose to put Empire Of A thousand Days on there instead of it. Except for Crying For Help VII, all other tracks are from the succesful albums The Visitor and Immortal.

The music

The album opens with what might very well be the best Arena song: Moviedrome. Now Nolan is a real movie buff, so it is not surprise that he lets the songs play in that environment a lot. The first part is plodding, somewhat reminiscent of IQ. The melody is really great and in addition to the very somber parts (like soundtrack music), there are some perfect keyboard parts and of course the pomp conclusion to the epic. In this rendition, the drums and guitar could be a bit more dynamic and energetic (like the version I once saw live myself).

Crack In The Ice is less symphonic, more catchy. The guitar is sharp on this one. Lots of bombast on Double Vision, more or less what Arena is all about: melody and bombast, but I have to give it to them: they do it well and keep on getting better at it. After an a-capella opening we move into Midas Vision. Fast organ and a bit of frivolity on this one. After the short Serenity we come to the dramatic The Butterfly Man. Gregorian Chants, somberness are telling aspects of this prime track.

Spooky opening to The Hanging Tree. Again a very good vocal melody with some slow keyboards and Floydian guitar solo. Dramatic, but without overdoing it. A State Of Grace is short and AORish and follow-up Enemy Without is somewhat similar. The vocals have quite a bit of drama, but they do not yet fully convince, as they did when I saw them live.

Crying For Help VII features heavy guitars and also calls for some audience participation (not even initiated by the band). The bonus disc opens with Chosen, the opener of Immortal, with threatening vocals, plodding drums and catchy keys. Elea and Friday's Dream close down this short bonus disc. The former is subdued, the second has a good melody, is a bit melodramatic, but that's okay. This time.

Conclusion

The first live disc was like a best off. This time, I think it is still worth the trouble to also try to get Immortal and itys predecessor. Not only because they contain more worthwhile tracks, but also because the rendition is not as good as it could have been (I ahve seen better). Notwithstanding a good collection of songs with plenty of melody, drama and bombast.