After seeing The Dictators headline CBGB last weekend, I thought it time to take another look at the band's latest CD. Viva Dictators is a live cd released last year by Escapi Music that was recorded at shows at the Bowery Ballroom and Maxwell's in 2003.

To really appreciate The Dictators, you have to see them live. With the band performing very few shows these days, this CD may be the closest that one can get to hearing The Dictators live show. The tracks on this CD are also pretty darn close to the set list the band played at CBGB. The material on this disc covers the best loved songs from three of the four Dictators CDs (nothing from Manifest Destiny) along with Haircut and Attitude from Manitoba's Wild Kingdom. This is classic Dictators at their finest.

There is a lot to recommend this CD -- the mix is great and it highlights the talents of all of the band members. Ross lays down some amazing guitar work on this disc that should serve as a model for aspiring guitarists. My only complaint is that a number of Manitoba's in-between song rants have been cut and some of tracks simply fade out at the end of the song.

All-in-all, this is a great addition to any CD collection and should serve as a blueprint for aspiring bands (and guitarists) on how to deliver a top-notch live performance.