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Critic's Review
Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
When the word "document" is used to describe a reissue or some recently excavated live material, it's usually code for "completists only." That's the case with Attempted, which documents a January 1980 performance at Max's Kansas City. Suicide's studio albums have never been known for high fidelity or intricacy, so it's not as if one can expect to hear a live recording with some warm bottom end and crisp, pliable instrumentation. This sounds like it was recorded by an audience member who was too apprehensive to get front and center. Who could blame this person? Alan Vega gives one of the performances that his reputation was built on, jumping from relaxed to rabid in half a moment's notice. Martin Rev's machines sound too distant most of the time, but that won't be an issue for the duo's devout followers. This might as well be considered the antithesis of The Delicate Sound of Thunder.
