As if to acknowledge that ' third album, 1996's , was a blunder that wouldn't do much to advance the Canadian group's U.S. image, quickly followed it up with the live set . This was a wise move, as years of nearly nonstop touring had helped the group transform from a jokey group into a talented group with both musical chops and stage presence to burn. Though the album doesn't include much of what makes such a unique live act, singer-guitarists and are masters of improvisational humor, and a good chunk of any show is given to often hilarious extemporaneous bits -- it certainly makes the point that the group is an underrated source of pure delights. This album's superior live take of 1992's became ' first U.S. radio hit, setting the stage for the across-the-board success of 1998's excellent . ~ Stewart Mason