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.

[mfitz804]

But do I think that I'd rather listen to anything Live puts out over 98% of the music out there? Yes, almost always.

Nicely stated. I'll take a mediocre Live album over the best album of 98% of the "popular" artists out there, without a doubt. I could live with a little less of Ed's falsetto, but I look forward to the new album and what it brings to the table. It will not be Throwing Copper II and the boys will not sound like they did twelve years ago (that's right, it was 12 damn years ago).

12 years ago I was 17 and WAY different than I am at 29...in my musical tastes, viewpoints, intelligence, and expression. I don't understand why some folks are pissed that Live has done the same. Its just the natural way things go in life.

I guess the answer is, if you don't like it, nobody is forcing you to listen. Go buy the new Beyonce CD or something.

[Pokey]

12 years ago I was 17 and WAY different than I am at 29...in my musical tastes, viewpoints, intelligence, and expression. I don't understand why some folks are pissed that Live has done the same. Its just the natural way things go in life.

I guess mostly because the songs they're writing now is the stuff you'd expect from 18yr olds, and Mental Jewlry was more the word of guys in their mid 30s .. so that's part of it.

[LiveRoCkS77]

I guess mostly because the songs they're writing now is the stuff you'd expect from 18yr olds, and Mental Jewlry was more the word of guys in their mid 30s .. so that's part of it.

I completely disagree with you here. I think it's the exact opposite as well. Mental Jewelry is mature in a sense, but fits in perfectly with a group of intelligent young men searching for the answers to some of the things that confuse them.

It seems to me that you judge some of the new lyrics as if you have an exact interpretation for them. I gotta laugh at that.....sorry. what you interpret them as aren't necessarily what they mean. I agree that I'm not too fond of some of the lyrics from V or BOP as Mcpheezy pointed out to me in another thread. Some are simple and boring to come straight to the point.

But it seems thats the way things go as you get on with age. Things become simplified. You're not searching for those answers anymore. Many things that confused you before are much clearer 15 years later. Life becomes more about accepting what you've found to be an unchangeable reality.

Although many of you may view it as soft, Ed seems to be stuck in a place that involve the love he feels for his wife and children. They are what matters to him and many different aspects of love seem to be stemming from it. So he writes about what matters to him. It sounds simple because it is simple to him I guess. He's not about to write songs to appease you or me.

So I think it really comes down to one thing although it sounds kind of harsh.

Don't identify with it? Too bad, fuck off. Think it's gay? Find music that isn't....and fuck off. Can't respect his choice as an artist to write about what matters most to him......fuck off, twice.

Quit fucking whining already even. Yes, freedom of speech....blah blah blah blah blah. But have your say all you want and then....FUCK OFF. What's the sense in hanging around and discussing crap that doesn't appeal to you anymore? Get a life and let it go already. It's called growing up, take part.

If you don't like a particular car, do you stand around at the dealership for weeks on end, bitching at them to make a model resembling one they did 10 years ago? NO, you'd look like an idiot. And that's exactly what you whiners here look like now. People like me are laughing at how utterly stupid you are. Just can't move on and let it go. It's really very sad and pathetic. I'm not trying to insult you with that statement, it's fact. If you opened your eyes and were honest with yourselves, you'd see it plain as day.

[NectarDan]

Too bad, fuck off.

...and fuck off.

..fuck off, twice.

...FUCK OFF.

Um, no bashing other members, please.

[LiveRoCkS77]

Um, no bashing other members, please.

Excuse me Dan? WTF is your problem? I'm not allowed to tell people to fuck off?

Where are your posts telling McPheezy to stop calling people idiots? Telling people to stfu? Calling people morons?

I think you need to back the fuck up and stay out of my face. Thanks

[loopyhels]

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=5][color=#3366FF]bloody hell!! you lot need to great a grip!!

Excuse me Dan? WTF is your problem? I'm not allowed to tell people to fuck off?

Where are your posts telling McPheezy to stop calling people idiots? Telling people to stfu? Calling people morons?

I think you need to back the fuck up and stay out of my face. Thanks

[LiveRoCkS77]

[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=5][color=#3366FF]bloody hell!! you lot need to great a grip!!

And I think you need to get a bloody education matie!