Albums
V Live (Live)
2007
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 2007
By Mark Pytlik
Reviewed October 31, 2007
Despite one album to his name, the easy availability of free mp3 bootlegs of DJ sets, and the relatively greater rewards of mixes, Pascal Arbez has decided to issue a live CD.
One hardly needs to see Pascal Arbez DJ in order to have a good sense of what he sounds like live. As thrilling as most of Vitalic's recorded material is, it's not exactly nuanced. Given that Vitalic's best songs-- tracks like "La Rock 01", "Poney", and "My Friend Dario"-- are quick-hit adrenaline rushes that build and crest with the dancefloor in mind, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the best way to present them live is to turn the volume up and cordially step out of the way. Since Arbez doesn't have the technical aptitude or the layering sensibilities of your average techno DJ, nor the desire to mash up his tracks with anyone else's, that's pretty much exactly what he does. All things told, it's the right way to play it. Arbez might be crude, but if the reactions of the crowds I've seen him play to are anything to go by, he's definitely effective.