Guster on Ice: Live from Portland, Maine

Disc 1
1	Careful (Acoustic Intro)
2	Fa Fa
3	I Spy
4	(Nothing) But Flowers
5	Ramona
6	Red Oyster Cult
7	So Long
8	Airport Song
9	Backyard
10	Happier
11	Barrel of a Gun
12	Come Downstairs and Say Hello
13	Homecoming King
14	Mona Lisa
15	What You Wish For
16	Amsterdam
17	Demons
18	Careful
19	Jesus on the Radio
Disc 2
1	Careful 3:43
2	Happier 4:40
3	Red Oyster Cult 3:54
4	Ramona 3:02
5	Barrel of a Gun 4:22
6	(Nothing But) Flowers 4:56
7	Come Downstairs and Say Hello 6:46
8	Demons 4:15
9	Amsterdam 3:46
10	I Spy 4:27
11	Airport Song 3:23
12	Homecoming King 3:39
13	Fa Fa 5:33

Barnes & Noble

This New England–bred trio have often been filed in the "you've gotta see 'em live to really get it" category -- a theorem that gets put to the test on this, their first official live package. The 13-song audio CD component captures both the band's engaging goofiness -- in full effect on the jokey "Red Oyster Cult" -- and their offhandedly clever instrumental interplay, which comes into sharp focus on an extended "Come Downstairs and Say Hello." They spent enough time playing parties to know how to uncork an unexpected cover, such as an ebullient take on Talking Heads' "Nothing but Flowers," and enough time honing their arrangements to bring new life to older tunes like "Airport Song." The crispness of the recording lets Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller's harmonies soar sweetly, emphasizing the overall sunniness of the Guster universe. The package is rounded out by a DVD that contains performances of all the CD's material, plus live renditions of such concert staples as "What You Wish For" and "Jesus on the Radio." More to the point for fans, it also tenders full immersion into the wacky world of Guster with a documentary about life on the road and in-joke-ridden skits such as "Adam Gets a Kugel" and "Come Downstairs Mulligan." David Sprague

All Music Guide

The reason why Guster have been able to sell records all these years is because they continue to sell out shows. Since their 1992 inception, Guster have maintained a loyal following, and by the time their fourth record, Keep It Together, was released in summer 2003, the band's live setting was still gaining momentum. Guster on Ice: Live From Portland Maine captures their undeniable playfulness and everlasting spirit. This CD/DVD set is Guster's first ever live album and it's a crispy clear arrangement. There once were three -- Ryan Miller, Adam Gardner, and Brian Rosenworcel -- and now there are four. Fans should be used to multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia's place among the Guster gang by now. His work on banjo, bass, and keyboards fleshes out Guster's usual sound of earnest harmonies, acoustic guitars, and their signature bum rush of percussion, especially in a live setting. Fan favorites such as "Barrel of a Gun," "Happier," and "Fa Fa" are included here as well as the band's cover of Talking Heads' "(Nothing But) Flowers." That set list alone is soaked in Guster goodness, for their energy never stops. "Amsterdam," the band's radio hit from Keep It Together, is proof that honest songwriting and the love of performing for an audience has to be real. Guster never let up on their intoxicating groove of rock & roll. Even the more moody tracks such as the classic acoustic guitar storm, and in this case electric thunder, "Airport Song" and the near seven-minute somber build up of "Come Downstairs and Say Hello" are equally full of feeling. As much as they are funny and endearing, Guster's rare sensitivity allows their work to come full circle. Guster on Ice: Live From Portland gives fans the chance to celebrate that. The DVD alone is worthy of applause. Extra live cuts such as "What You Wish" and the Pisapia-penned track "Jesus on the Radio" are nicely woven in during the concert portion. Videos for "Careful" and "Amsterdam" and special behind-the-scenes snippets exhibit how accessible Guster are. You'll want to bring them home to Mom. MacKenzie Wilson