MY insights on the new album, after a handful of listens Options

[edstipe]

I'm going to jump on what Gertjan said in Dan's thread and add to it a bit.

Thanks for the review Dan. Having heard the album myself (once) I agree it has a general sound of poppy songs with a love theme, but I like the way they bring it out. No cheesy ballads or acoustics but good guitars, nice hooks, many more low vocals from Ed and not too much falsetto's. And to me it sounded much more cohesive than BOP but that's hard to judge from one listen.

I've heard the album (in its entirety) a decent handful of times now. Yes, it is clearly a pop/adult contemporary album, as has already been made clear. It's far from Secret Samadhi, but I wouldn't liken it (at all) to Birds of Pray, simply because BoP came off -- to me -- as a bit stale, uncreative, forced, and lackluster. Even "Like I Do" seemed to try a little to hard to be a song written to appease long-time fans, not necessarily something written from a burst of creativity.

I would liken SFBM, then, more to The Distance to Here. There are no hard-rockers on SFBM in the style of Where Fishes Go or even Sparkle, but the honesty of the songs on SFBM reminds me a lot of the sense I got when listening to TDTH the first few times. As Gertjan stated, the cheesiness is mostly removed (say what you want about The River), and the presence of excellent pop melodies, hooks, and vocals really bring the record to life. It's not Throwing Copper Live, nor is it V or BoP Live -- it's catchy, sincere, unforced pop, and that's not a bad thing, unless old-school Live is the only Live that is going to appease you.

My favorites, from what I've heard, are "Show" (if you like the live recordings going around, I think you'll be pleased with the studio version), "Get Ready" (one of those songs that is easy to fall in love with on first listen!), "Love Shines" (might not be a favorite if I hadn't heard the live tracks first, but after I got used to them it was easy for me to appreciate the studio version), and "Night of Nights" (strong way to close the album).

Overall, my analysis of the general reception of this album is this: those whose like/love of the band is centered on TC and SS, and pretty much exclusive of their old stuff, are not going to like it. Like I said, the songs just aren't in the same style. There seems to be a lot of people on this board who detest the fact that Live ever went away from the 90's version of the band -- those are the people who are going to shoot SFBM down as garbage.

Those who are solely heavy metal / hard rock fans who just happened to stumble on Live early and got into the band because of their heavy stuff may as well stay away from the album. It's not for you.

Later era fans, say from TDTH forward, will likely appreciate SFBM and regard it as a steady progression from their previous two albums. These will be the fans who catch on quickly to certain songs from the record and, over time, will regard the album as a whole as one Live's best. People who liked V and/or Birds of Pray are going to have a hard time not liking this one, because the style is somewhat similar, but of a much higher quality.

Those who are not centered on any particular Live record/style and are open minded about Live being a pop/adult contemporary band will likely enjoy the album as well. Its catchiness and overall strength as a solid pop record should win them over, though it may take a few listens before that happens.

I also believe that the record -- if the singles are chosen correctly -- will create a lot of new Live fans. I do see the potential for some of the songs to become very strong singles if given enough radio/tv play. According to the person who allowed me to listen to the record, Sony thinks the same way, and is putting a lot into the promotion/release of the album as a result. They honestly believe that this record can become a "dark horse" heavy seller, which is hopefully an insight into its potential.

There you have it.

[mrmcpheezy]

Someone should get on aim and send them album so that I can write a review of it as well.


Seriously.

[sherocker]

I'm going to jump on what Gertjan said in Dan's thread and add to it a bit.
I've heard the album (in its entirety) a decent handful of times now. Yes, it is clearly a pop/adult contemporary album, as has already been made clear. It's far from Secret Samadhi, but I wouldn't liken it (at all) to Birds of Pray, simply because BoP came off -- to me -- as a bit stale, uncreative, forced, and lackluster. Even "Like I Do" seemed to try a little to hard to be a song written to appease long-time fans, not necessarily something written from a burst of creativity.

I would liken SFBM, then, more to The Distance to Here. There are no hard-rockers on SFBM in the style of Where Fishes Go or even Sparkle, but the honesty of the songs on SFBM reminds me a lot of the sense I got when listening to TDTH the first few times. As Gertjan stated, the cheesiness is mostly removed (say what you want about The River), and the presence of excellent pop melodies, hooks, and vocals really bring the record to life. It's not Throwing Copper Live, nor is it V or BoP Live -- it's catchy, sincere, unforced pop, and that's not a bad thing, unless old-school Live is the only Live that is going to appease you.

My favorites, from what I've heard, are "Show" (if you like the live recordings going around, I think you'll be pleased with the studio version), "Get Ready" (one of those songs that is easy to fall in love with on first listen!), "Love Shines" (might not be a favorite if I hadn't heard the live tracks first, but after I got used to them it was easy for me to appreciate the studio version), and "Night of Nights" (strong way to close the album).

Overall, my analysis of the general reception of this album is this: those whose like/love of the band is centered on TC and SS, and pretty much exclusive of their old stuff, are not going to like it. Like I said, the songs just aren't in the same style. There seems to be a lot of people on this board who detest the fact that Live ever went away from the 90's version of the band -- those are the people who are going to shoot SFBM down as garbage.

Those who are solely heavy metal / hard rock fans who just happened to stumble on Live early and got into the band because of their heavy stuff may as well stay away from the album. It's not for you.

Later era fans, say from TDTH forward, will likely appreciate SFBM and regard it as a steady progression from their previous two albums. These will be the fans who catch on quickly to certain songs from the record and, over time, will regard the album as a whole as one Live's best. People who liked V and/or Birds of Pray are going to have a hard time not liking this one, because the style is somewhat similar, but of a much higher quality.

Those who are not centered on any particular Live record/style and are open minded about Live being a pop/adult contemporary band will likely enjoy the album as well. Its catchiness and overall strength as a solid pop record should win them over, though it may take a few listens before that happens.

I also believe that the record -- if the singles are chosen correctly -- will create a lot of new Live fans. I do see the potential for some of the songs to become very strong singles if given enough radio/tv play. According to the person who allowed me to listen to the record, Sony thinks the same way, and is putting a lot into the promotion/release of the album as a result. They honestly believe that this record can become a "dark horse" heavy seller, which is hopefully an insight into its potential.

There you have it.

Loved reading your review, it's really positive, and honest in my opinion!

[mrmcpheezy]

No, seriously. Someone send me the album.

[edstipe]

No, seriously. Someone send me the album.

Sorry dude, I don't have a copy myself.

[mrmcpheezy]

Balls.

[Soxwsc]

Thanks for the review, edstipe. This review gives me a little more hope, but I'll have to listen for myself and see how i like it. I tend not to compare Live albums to their previous albums, so it seems like I might appreciate SFBM for what it is.. whether I continue listening to it like I did with the others, I have no clue. I'm getting excited about the leak though.

Where did you guys get the tracks??

[Grandpa Grizz]

People who liked V and/or Birds of Pray are going to have a hard time not liking this one, because the style is somewhat similar, but of a much higher quality.

That's encouraging. Thanks.

[edstipe]

Where did you guys get the tracks??

I don't actually have the tracks. I know somebody who works for Sony who has a copy of the album. He won't let me physically take the disc home with me -- obviously out of fear of being the source of a leak -- but has let me listen to it with him. Otherwise I would have more than four listens of the album!

[Gertjan]

Good one EdStipe! I couldn't have said it better.

[SJN1279]

According to the person who allowed me to listen to the record, Sony thinks the same way, and is putting a lot into the promotion/release of the album as a result. They honestly believe that this record can become a "dark horse" heavy seller, which is hopefully an insight into its potential.

I like the sound of that!!!!

[swamiscott]

As loath as I am to "commercial success," it might actually be a great thing if the record sells like crack and they again become popular with the mainstream. That might encourage them to draw back from the limelight (as they did after Throwing Copper) and do a personal, experimental, challenging record. In Jamaica. Lots of wine. More skin.

[Pokey]

As loath as I am to "commercial success," it might actually be a great thing if the record sells like crack and they again become popular with the mainstream. That might encourage them to draw back from the limelight (as they did after Throwing Copper) and do a personal, experimental, challenging record. In Jamaica. Lots of wine. More skin.

I doubt it .. they'd be more likely to go "well hey this works, lets do more SFBM type stuff!"

[Leigh]

I'm going to jump on what Gertjan said in Dan's thread and add to it a bit.
I've heard the album (in its entirety) a decent handful of times now. Yes, it is clearly a pop/adult contemporary album, as has already been made clear. It's far from Secret Samadhi, but I wouldn't liken it (at all) to Birds of Pray, simply because BoP came off -- to me -- as a bit stale, uncreative, forced, and lackluster. Even "Like I Do" seemed to try a little to hard to be a song written to appease long-time fans, not necessarily something written from a burst of creativity.

I would liken SFBM, then, more to The Distance to Here. There are no hard-rockers on SFBM in the style of Where Fishes Go or even Sparkle, but the honesty of the songs on SFBM reminds me a lot of the sense I got when listening to TDTH the first few times. As Gertjan stated, the cheesiness is mostly removed (say what you want about The River), and the presence of excellent pop melodies, hooks, and vocals really bring the record to life. It's not Throwing Copper Live, nor is it V or BoP Live -- it's catchy, sincere, unforced pop, and that's not a bad thing, unless old-school Live is the only Live that is going to appease you.

My favorites, from what I've heard, are "Show" (if you like the live recordings going around, I think you'll be pleased with the studio version), "Get Ready" (one of those songs that is easy to fall in love with on first listen!), "Love Shines" (might not be a favorite if I hadn't heard the live tracks first, but after I got used to them it was easy for me to appreciate the studio version), and "Night of Nights" (strong way to close the album).

Overall, my analysis of the general reception of this album is this: those whose like/love of the band is centered on TC and SS, and pretty much exclusive of their old stuff, are not going to like it. Like I said, the songs just aren't in the same style. There seems to be a lot of people on this board who detest the fact that Live ever went away from the 90's version of the band -- those are the people who are going to shoot SFBM down as garbage.

Those who are solely heavy metal / hard rock fans who just happened to stumble on Live early and got into the band because of their heavy stuff may as well stay away from the album. It's not for you.

Later era fans, say from TDTH forward, will likely appreciate SFBM and regard it as a steady progression from their previous two albums. These will be the fans who catch on quickly to certain songs from the record and, over time, will regard the album as a whole as one Live's best. People who liked V and/or Birds of Pray are going to have a hard time not liking this one, because the style is somewhat similar, but of a much higher quality.

Those who are not centered on any particular Live record/style and are open minded about Live being a pop/adult contemporary band will likely enjoy the album as well. Its catchiness and overall strength as a solid pop record should win them over, though it may take a few listens before that happens.

I also believe that the record -- if the singles are chosen correctly -- will create a lot of new Live fans. I do see the potential for some of the songs to become very strong singles if given enough radio/tv play. According to the person who allowed me to listen to the record, Sony thinks the same way, and is putting a lot into the promotion/release of the album as a result. They honestly believe that this record can become a "dark horse" heavy seller, which is hopefully an insight into its potential.

There you have it.

Great review, I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one. There hasn't been alot of positive posts on this board lately but with what you said has covered it completely, I've loved eveyone of Lives albums partly because I listen to them with an open mind, they are all different and Live like to keep things moving forward. Change is a good thing. A fan should remember that.

[NectarDan]

Someone should get on aim and send them album so that I can write a review of it as well.

I can't wait to ready your review. Seriously.