Royksopp - 'Royksopp's Night Out' (Wall of Sound) Released 03/07/06

They’re a damn strange concept live albums. Devoid of visuals, prone to distorted sounds and  with vocal imperfections transparent, much of the oomph of the actual gig can be lost and you’re left wondering why the **** you just didn’t listen to the original. Fortunately, with this sumptuous nine-track EP recorded in their homeland, Royksopp offers something vital that doesn’t come across on record. Live, at times the duo are a sprawling,  potent force far removed from the ‘chill-out’ vibe of their long-players and ‘Royskopp’s Night Out’ is fine testament to that.  

Starting off unassumingly with ‘What Else Is There?’ (sadly devoid of the piercing vocals of The Knife’s Karin Dreifer), it’s a more restrained, yet beautiful affair that gently eases you in. After a typically lovely ‘Only This Moment’, with the bass-fuelled, cow bell tonking ’Remind Me’ the Norwegian electronica maestros up anti. ‘Sparks’ is spliced and reenergised with breaks into a bleep driven bliss. ‘Poor Leno’ is flavoured with tech-tinged beats  plenty of electronic muscle and the brooding ‘Go Away’ flips between flute interludes, tough instrumentals and urgent vocals. Better still, the space age expansive ‘Alpha Male’ is urgent and restless, paving the way for the inspired dissection of The Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Go With The Flow’. 

Despite being far too short and succinct, ’Royksopp’s Night Out’ is a perfect insight into the duo’s impressive live art.