The latest release from O.A.R., Rain Or Shine, debuted this past Tuesday.  Here’s the description of the album that I put together for oarsa.org:

Recorded over two nights of the summer 2009 tour at Chicago’s Charter One Pavilion, Rain or Shine almost didn’t come to pass. After an amazing first show on June 18th the band was facing ominous skies and a challenging weather forecast. The crowds had been kept outside of the venue for their own safety and it seemed likely that the show would need to be postponed or canceled. Yet when the time came to make the final call, two hours after the original door time, there was no doubt from the band that they were determined to make it happen – Rain or Shine. The four disc set that makes up Rain or Shine contains 37 tracks and over four hours of music with both electric and acoustic versions of “Shattered” and “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker.” Also included are two previously unreleased tracks, “Tonight,” the first song the band ever wrote, as well as “Rhythm of your Shoes.” As a special bonus, the recording includes a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” with Robert Randolph.

Now that I have finally taken a couple of listens to the live four disc package, I can honestly say that it is one of their finer pieces of work to date.  “Tonight” has always been a favorite track of mine, and I’m glad to finally have a flawless copy of it to listen to.  The five song acoustic set to start of the second disc is a nice touch and shows the varying styles of the band.  The mix of the album is wonderful, sometimes too good.  At the beginning of “Delicate Few” you can hear the crowd really try to ruin it when half of the crowd doesn’t know how the intro is sung.  Overall, this is definitely one of their best live releases that they have put out.  It is definitely worth the special $15 price from Target or a quick download from iTunes.  Plus the cover-art is incredible: