With the release of Audio, Virgin Records has attempted to replicate the theatrics and curious sounds of the Blue Man Group in a recorded medium. While I've never personally experienced the show, (now regularly playing in Boston, New York City and Chicago), the performance is an exploration of sight and sound that's provocatively inspiring. Imagine taking this grandiose concept of explorative sound and marketing the aural part of it -- can the Blue Man Group find success on a strictly musical front? That's the first of two questions that that beg you to contemplate the validity of this release.

Overall, the CD succeeds, as the bizarre sounds of such unique instruments as the Tubulum and the impressive looking PVC Instrument emit futuristic and innovative noises to a pair of ears that's been submerged in rock 'n' roll waters. "TV Song" and "Rods and Cones" exemplify the character of the show with their flowing movement and terse structure. Those attuned to the experimetal music genre may be a bit more skeptical of the band's sound, as it still retains a regular 4/4 rhythm section throughout the majority of the presentation. Each of the fourteen tracks on Audio is certainly unique, but after a wholehearted listen to each track in succession there's a glaring lack of variety. Perhaps some drifting, ambient-styled compositions, relying less on the steady rhythmic beating of a drum kit and more on the unique sounds of the group's manmade instruments, could spotlight a different side of the band. And thus, our second question arises: Is this assemblage a groundbreaking, viable and necessary addition to your record collection or just a $15.99 souvenir of the show? Do your homework and decide for yourself...