Soft Porn Lyrics, No climax from this writing Options

[Gilgamesh]

The lyrics are insulting and soft as the pornography of the olympic ice skating competition's tv camera coverage. On scene of something really graceful, yet really just pimp'in out crotch shots and cleavage for ratings and a contrived fanbase. That sums up this attempt of writing on "Songs From A Black Mountain."

If the topic/theme is gonna be the run of the mill sex & love & war then let's get hard core about it instead of turning out adolescent pg pop corn and candy bs!

One thing I notice about live's lyrics is that the topic/theme etc. has become so watered down, thoughtless and weak in comparison with their strongest messages and in comparison to bands that have picked up where live left off years ago (somewhere in the mix of V and B.O.P.). Bands like Coldplay for one. As I read the lyrics for this new album, I cannot help but think of the critics ripping it for being a great soundtrack for "Brokeback Mountain" - it's that light in the loafers lyrically. Loafing ... the words are juvenile, as are the morals to the stories. Dig into the archives and listen to "Born Branded" and then try, just try to digest "The River" and you know something has been lost. A lot rather. Their fanbase. It's as if the band is trying to target a new generation, and to our misfortune, Live has chosen to write songs that will stimulate the passions of 12 year old girls, and other fans of American Idol, but even Simon would call out this commercial crap. And don't get me wrong, I love this band, but I am no longer a blind fan. Their material has really gone soft. The closest attempt to sincerity on the album appears to be "You're Not Alone" which to me, just reminds me of a bad remake of an old R.E.M. song (Everyone Hurts). I have not heard the music to the songs other than the River, so maybe the musicianship can overcome the trite writing again... I hope.

This post has been edited by Gilgamesh: Mar 18 2006, 3:01 pm

[MetsOwnYou]

All Live sings and cares about is love and water. It's PLAYED Mr. Ed.

[WaiterAtCliftons]

Can some people just realize that Live is still out there putting music together (wether we really like it or not), 15 years after Mental Jewlery came out....Most bands can't last 5 years. And Live still goes out and plays shows for their fans with some old songs in the set list....yes we get it, a lot of the setlist have been the same. Live have given me enough throughout the years where I can just sit back and enjoy whatever they do now. Would I love to see the band go back to the days of TC or SS hell yes, but its not going to happen, this is who they are now. If it really bothers you that much, then just don't buy it. Don't go to the shows. Live owes me hardly anything for being a fan still. As long as I get to see them a couple times a year even if it is the same setlist thats fine by me. This is and always will be my favorite band. No one says you have to listen to the new stuff.....I'm pretty sure you can put on TC or SS anytime you please and enjoy them just like you did in the mid 90's.

I just get so sick of hearing fans complain about something that is out of their hands. The guys have changed...get over it already.

[lakinis_juice]

Both you guys bring up valid pionts I do however strongly agree with Gilgamesh with some points.

Just because a band is in a place they weren't 10 years ago does NOT give them an excuse to write poor music. So they are at a happy, glorious stage in their lives where they have family's and what not, Yeh they may not be spendin as much time on their music but shit i goto work 9 hours a day, 6 days a week. This band that they are in has got them the life they have today. I would rather wait 3-4-5 years for an album if time is what is required to write a album to satisfy all parties.

When you think about it, it could seem that the music they write today is some what insulting to the people who have supported them all the way. (thats me and you). They are no more then catchy (let's aim for the mtv children) pop songs. Im not sure what you guys pay over there for a ticket, but we pay about $50 US a concert. 'HEY ED GIMME SOME NEW TUNES TO ROCK OUT TO!"

Yeh awesome, Ed wants to write about water and love, Does that mean it has to be mediocre? There's plenty of enthusiastuc, happy rock albums that have been great. Fuck look at TDTH.

They need to stop pussy footing around and make a decision, (well hey maybe thats what they are doing for SFBM, and going to a new record company) have they still got it or not. Which fans from the MJ, TC, SS era listens to Birds of Pray more then any other album?

This post has been edited by lakinis_juice: Mar 17 2006, 2:21 am

[Pokey]

Yeah Gilgamesh is on the money here ... I know everyone goes BUT THIS IS THE MUSIC LIVE WANTS TO MAKE!!! ED IS COMFORTABLE WITH HIS NEW STYLE OF LYRIC WRITING!

Yeah, that may be but that doesn't make it better than the writing of his early days .. Ed might be more comfortable writing sappy, crappy love songs that as Gilgamesh put it almost sound juvenile .. it's just very very basic and unengaging ... it's like he's settling for second best because it's easier.
Sometimes I wonder if Ed has been through a "regarding Henry" situation where he is having to learn everything right from the start again .. I've said it before, his new writing is like the type of writing to expect from 18yr olds, his writing from age 18 sounds like it should be written by a 34yr old.

From MJ to TDTH you could see his song writing develope .. yeah MJ had that angsty side to it, but it was articulated and powerful, it wasn't the crap 18yr old emo kids that are angsty right now write. He moved on to TC which seemed to be less about the world and more about songs to do with him or specific people .. it's like he grew to make the music a bit more personal. What set TC apart was that whilst there were other bands out there making that sound, their lyrics wern't half as awesome to go along with it.
SS whilst sometimes seems to have some silly lyrics, it's like he was further advancing and becoming more abstract and experimenting. TDTH was like taking everything Ed has learnt and putting his spin on modern day love songs .. it was powerful and again articulated.


V, BOP and SFMB is like a massive step back .. it's like after everything he had become he wiped the slate clean and started from the start again with V .. and it stayed the same for BOP .. and it stayed the same for SFBM. It's like there is no imagination put into it at all ... "I know, I'll write a love song! about loving a girl! I haven't written one of those since just after breakfast! .. AND IT'S NEARLY LUNCH!"
That to me is the most disappointing part ... a guy you know has talent and potential wasting it by neglecting it.

I guess I still hold out hope that maybe Ed will snap out of it and get back to writing something really profound and moving, something that will stand the test of time (which is why I still listen to their first 4 albums today, but probably haven't listend to BOP in about a year). It doesn't mean they gotta make TC or SS #2 .. just, rediscover the talent that made those albums.

[brandedwendy]

I've said it before, his new writing is like the type of writing to expect from 18yr olds, his writing from age 18 sounds like it should be written by a 34yr old.

God please no...!!!!! That would mean album #10+ will contain "row your boat" and "twinkle little star"

*vomids...


Nonetheless you got a point, but whenever I feel like some mature tracks of em I indeed play SS, MJ and TDTH

[lakinis_juice]

I do get excited when i hear Live's new music and for about 6 months to a year I wont stop listening to the album, now that i think about it however if they were to realise they need to start writing better music or stop all together, I'd be satisfied saying 'yeh these guys are my favourite band, and this is what they've prduced'

What Im afraid of the most is one day realising from the music they are now writing they are not my favourite band any more.....

Which is ironic because the one band who has been side by side with them is Smashing Pumpkins for me. They broke up 6 years ago and theres not one album of theres i can complain about honestly.....

I feel down....but hey... their live concerts match no other.

[brandedwendy]

Oh, but dont get me wrong, I get excited about every new livesong out there... I love their music.. just not all the songs anymore, where I used to play full length cd's for hours and hours on end I need to skip tracks now... which I personally think is a pitty. I've been a livefan for so long, such a shame to have to skip a song of my alltime fav band.

Just my 2 cents...

[lakinis_juice]

Oh, but dont get me wrong, I get excited about every new livesong out there... I love their music.. just not all the songs anymore, where I used to play full length cd's for hours and hours on end I need to skip tracks now... which I personally think is a pitty. I've been a livefan for so long, such a shame to have to skip a song of my alltime fav band.

Just my 2 cents...

thats why we're all here

[brandedwendy]

And that's why we should be!

[SJN1279]

Can some people just realize that Live is still out there putting music together (wether we really like it or not), 15 years after Mental Jewlery came out....Most bands can't last 5 years. And Live still goes out and plays shows for their fans with some old songs in the set list....yes we get it, a lot of the setlist have been the same. Live have given me enough throughout the years where I can just sit back and enjoy whatever they do now. Would I love to see the band go back to the days of TC or SS hell yes, but its not going to happen, this is who they are now. If it really bothers you that much, then just don't buy it. Don't go to the shows. Live owes me hardly anything for being a fan still. As long as I get to see them a couple times a year even if it is the same setlist thats fine by me. This is and always will be my favorite band. No one says you have to listen to the new stuff.....I'm pretty sure you can put on TC or SS anytime you please and enjoy them just like you did in the mid 90's.

I just get so sick of hearing fans complain about something that is out of their hands. The guys have changed...get over it already.

Well Said!!!

[mrmcpheezy]

Oh my god I love almost everyone in this thread.

[mrmcpheezy]

Can some people just realize that Live is still out there putting music together (wether we really like it or not), 15 years after Mental Jewlery came out....Most bands can't last 5 years. And Live still goes out and plays shows for their fans with some old songs in the set list....yes we get it, a lot of the setlist have been the same. Live have given me enough throughout the years where I can just sit back and enjoy whatever they do now. Would I love to see the band go back to the days of TC or SS hell yes, but its not going to happen, this is who they are now. If it really bothers you that much, then just don't buy it. Don't go to the shows. Live owes me hardly anything for being a fan still. As long as I get to see them a couple times a year even if it is the same setlist thats fine by me. This is and always will be my favorite band. No one says you have to listen to the new stuff.....I'm pretty sure you can put on TC or SS anytime you please and enjoy them just like you did in the mid 90's.

I just get so sick of hearing fans complain about something that is out of their hands. The guys have changed...get over it already.

Do you not see the irony?

[sherocker]

Oh, but dont get me wrong, I get excited about every new livesong out there... I love their music.. just not all the songs anymore, where I used to play full length cd's for hours and hours on end I need to skip tracks now... which I personally think is a pitty. I've been a livefan for so long, such a shame to have to skip a song of my alltime fav band.

Just my 2 cents...

it's the same with me....

[FishOutaWater]

You are so right on with this thread. I need the lyrical equivalent of a hard-core, gay, child porn, snuff film in order to be able to say that a song or album is any good. This stuff is R-rated at best, maybe even PG-13!

For example, in the song The River, when Ed sings about the spiritual and artistic inspiration of his muse, the feminine Hindu goddess Saraswarti, and brilliantly ties in references to both the legendary mythical Saraswarti River and the context of the transendental consciousness of water, in a catchy tune that is bound to be popular with the masses, it is like so totally 1st grade! Any moron that can sing Row Row Your Boat can look deeply at the lyrics of The River and see below the surface meaning of the words to completely understand Ed's purpose and artistic expression, right?