On the inside cover of the Old 97’s first live release, “Alive and Wired”, guitarist Ken Bethea introduces the double-disc set by saying, “When I think of the Old 97’s, the thing that makes me the most proud is that we’ve always been a smoking live band.”Anyone who listens to this set will be inclined to agree.

The Dallas quartet’s eigth release is jam-full of so much excitement and energy, it’s just like being in the front row. Recorded over two nights in June at Gruene Hall right outside of New Braunfels, the album contains fan favorites like “Barrier Reef,” “Doreen,” and “Timebomb,” as well as a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried.”

“Alive and Wired” is composed of 30 tracks, whittled down from the 55 originally recorded. The result is two hours of such non-stop, high-energy rock, it’s hard to contain yourself from singing along at full volume.