In a sense, the Commodores are the ultimate bar band funk group. And, like any good bar band, the Commodores have thrived on a patchwork of influences and sources. But unlike Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament-Funkadelic or Bootsy's Rubber Band, the Commodores haven't been able to offer an alternative to the same old thing; they just do it more imaginatively than anybody else. Although the group's funk conception is varied enough to hold up well on three- and four-minute LP cuts, this two-record live set magnifies the band's limitations.

The most inspired moment on Commodores Live is on side four. After a brief and fiery "I Feel Sanctified," the group oozes into the tongue-in-cheek "Brick House." These two songs represent the Commodores at their best: "Sanctified" is unrelenting and raw, while "Brick House" is more melodic and shows good use of a Latin bridge. The songs work well in concert, too, though "Brick House" flags under the weight of corny audience repartee and a length of eleven minutes. Lack of conciseness isn't the only problem (the ballads run seven, eight and ten minutes). "Brick House" and "Sanctified" aside, the lack of melodic concern is wearying, and the record suffers from indistinguishable riffs as well as a lack of any drama or tension. Commodores Live is meant to be a dance album, but for all the good-time veneer, it isn't very much fun. (RS 256)

JOE MCEWEN