Long time listener, first time caller, SFBM, Live & evolution Options

[pizan0]

Hey all,

I don't post here much, but I've been reading all of the posts lately regarding the new album and Live's sound. I thought I'd share my 2 cents.

To be objective is almost impossible, especially for a follower of a band that I've literally grown up with (their music is the soundtrack of my life). For this reason, its hard for us to objectively judge their music. But in a very strange way, we are the best critiques of Live's music because we know them so well. How can someone who never gives Live a read chance, be a good judge of their music? For that, I say, fuck all of the big name reviews you see.

I was watching a video from back in early 1994 when Live played in Sao Paolo, Brazil. They were terribly young, but there was such a raw energy coming from their hearts, it was impossible not to notice this band. They fuckin' kicked ass; as simple as their music was, it was so powerful. There was a "raw" nature about Ed's voice. It was deeper, had more grit, and cut through you like the sharpest knife. God, I miss that sound of Live...I can't deny that I do.

As Live evolved, and as their music evolved, its evident that things have changed from those early days. They're more refined, more talented musically, and perhaps they no longer have to prove anything to anyone. Up until TDTH, Live, to me, was nothing short of ground-breaking and inspirational. Those 1st 4 albums...jesus, man, they constantly play in my head...non-stop. They are a part of who I am. It was at V that I got worried. Truthfully, save about 3 songs off that album...the rest was pure garbage in my opinion. Live's sound (mainly the lyrics, to be honest) became overly produced, almost forced, and plain corny.

That didn't stop me from listening to Live all the time. I took the album for what it was, dissected it, took from it what I enjoyed and what was the essence of Live, and I moved on, waiting for more. Then, BOP: At this point, I was one of the only people I knew still listening to Live. Is this Live's best album? No. But it had sparks of genius that reaffirmed for me that this band was right for me. For those of you that don't agree, take one good listen to "Lighthouse" and you'll know what I mean. After V, I was weary, but that song alone made me realize that this band makes me feel emotions inside that I can't describe...that no other music does. No other band can make a rock song like that...period.

Its obvious that Live's gradual move towards a more laid-back, poppier sound is going to be even more pronounced in SFBM. But god damn, even if it sounds a bit poppier than what I usually listen to, no one else in music does it like Live. They just have a "sound" that can't be understood fully...you just feel it. Again, if you don't believe me, take a listen to the pre-chorus in "mystery," when ed sings, "oh, how it deepens"....that is Live. That pre-chorus is Live; that sound is the sound of the band that still inspires me to this day - they aren't afraid to talk about seemingly "corny" topics like love, they are positive, spiritual, and deep. (even if the lyrics don't seem that way sometimes) If that doesn't make sense to you, then perhaps Live is not the band that plays in your soul.

Do I think SFBM will be Live's best album? No, throwing copper is #1 for me. But do I think that I'd rather listen to anything Live puts out over 98% of the music out there? Yes, almost always. Because I have evolved and grown to love their change of sound, and I appreciate it for what it is. We'll never get another Throwing Copper - that was a stepping stone for 4 young guys; that's what came out of them in 1994....SFBM is from the same guys 12 years later. And somehow, they still find a way to blow my mind album after album...even if its just a few songs....

Sorry for the long post, kids. I needed to get that out. Enjoy the music.

[Soxwsc]

The initial post by pizan0 was one of the best posts I've read on here in a long time! It was heartfelt, brilliant, and one that every long-time Live fan can relate to. It made so much sense to me, it was almost like someone could read my mind. "Again, if you don't believe me, take a listen to the pre-chorus in "mystery," when ed sings, "oh, how it deepens"....that is Live.".. This is just one example of understanding exactly what he's saying. If you've followed Live for years and have called them your favorite band since you were a kid, then you could relate to everything pizan0 said.

And then comes mrmcpheezy with consecutive posts tearing up pizan0 and disecting sentencing here and there like he always does. I was shocked to read his comments in this thread. The continual insults are so fuckin un-cool and they're just rubbing people the wrong way. Maybe he should start his own site: The Disgruntled Live Fanclub.

If he had any common sense, he would have realized that the point of the initial post was about Live. It wasn't about other music; just because he said he'd personally prefer listening to Live over 98% of other music shouldn't be cause for some unstable reader to become frustrated.

How often do you get frustrated, by the way, mcpheezy?!? Did it occur to you that maybe we don't want to search for other superior music at the moment and would rather listen to something that makes us happier than you'd ever understand.

I don't think you can relate to pizan0 and the rest of us hardcore Live fans because the music never moved you like it moved us.. and for so long. I can somewhat fathom how you perceive Live's fanbase to be a little nutty and wish they'd broaden their playlist, but what you don't understand is the depth of our devotion to Live. You don't understand how it feels for us to listen to their albums for the first time or blasting their cds every time we go out in the car. The happiest times of my life have been listening to Live's albums. We get Live; I don't think you do. Anyways, this thread was supposed to be about Live. And I fully appreciate the original post. Very well-said!

[mrmcpheezy]

And then comes mrmcpheezy with consecutive posts tearing up pizan0 and disecting sentencing here and there like he always does. I was shocked to read his comments in this thread. The continual insults are so fuckin un-cool and they're just rubbing people the wrong way.

Continual insults? Please, find one insult in all of my posts in this thread.

[pizan0]

Continual insults? Please, find one insult in all of my posts in this thread.

MrMcPheezy, everyone's entitled to their opinion; but, you definitely have some anger problems and you come off as extremely arrogant and rude. Perhaps you don't mean it...but that's what it seems. And by the way, this is insulting (can't deny it):

"Sometimes I wonder if you're just not paying attention, or if you're just an idiot."

And yes...go back and check...you said that. God, its so easy to be mean and tough on a message board, right mrmcpheezy?

Thanks everyone for the feedback - I'm glad my post even got this many reads!