My SFBM review Options

[andthelettuce]

My first impression is that this record does not have a theme that is as cohesive as I thought it would be. Love is certainly the overpowering theme of the album, but the music isn't much alike in that I think half of the songs sound like overproduced, slightly contrived attempts at pop, and the other half is bordering on Live's best work. The former include The River, Love Shines, Sophia and Home. The latter includes All I Need and Night of Nights, which are very different songs but easily Live's best experiments since TDTH. All I Need sounds like a DOAD song with heavier guitars and a very unique bridge; Night of Nights has that really cool change of pace at the intro to the choruses, a very mysterious guitar and an amazing sound for an ending track. Personally, I think this is better than V or BOP, but still not up there with the Big 4. However, I will say that listening to a few of these tracks were the first times I've been interested and surprised in hearing a new Live song since I heard TDTH. One final note is that the clip of Where Do We Go From Here? that's been circulating does the full song no justice at all, as they come alive with concert-like energy soon after the clip ends. Good work Live, and let's keep this train going....I think they're going in a great direction, Hot AC or not.

[LiveRoCkS77]

My first impression is that this record does not have a theme that is as cohesive as I thought it would be. Love is certainly the overpowering theme of the album, but the music isn't much alike in that I think half of the songs sound like overproduced, slightly contrived attempts at pop, and the other half is bordering on Live's best work. The former include The River, Love Shines, Sophia and Home. The latter includes All I Need and Night of Nights, which are very different songs but easily Live's best experiments since TDTH. All I Need sounds like a DOAD song with heavier guitars and a very unique bridge; Night of Nights has that really cool change of pace at the intro to the choruses, a very mysterious guitar and an amazing sound for an ending track. Personally, I think this is better than V or BOP, but still not up there with the Big 4. However, I will say that listening to a few of these tracks were the first times I've been interested and surprised in hearing a new Live song since I heard TDTH. One final note is that the clip of Where Do We Go From Here? that's been circulating does the full song no justice at all, as they come alive with concert-like energy soon after the clip ends. Good work Live, and let's keep this train going....I think they're going in a great direction, Hot AC or not.

So aside from The River, Sophia and Mystery, do you find the rest of the cd to be poppish? Just curious. Because I don't really. Just wondering what others think. Good review though.

[andthelettuce]

So aside from The River, Sophia and Mystery, do you find the rest of the cd to be poppish? Just curious. Because I don't really. Just wondering what others think. Good review though.

I think Home, Show, and Love Shines also sound poppy. However, of these six songs that sound poppy, Home is the only one that I truly dislike. I was disappointed with the way Love Shines turned out, though. Also, I think Get Ready is an interesting song, but has the potential to become a nationwide high school graduation theme song.
I guess the album is actually more pop that I thought, but I would say All I Need and Night of Nights, despite being friendly songs, are not pop at all. And, in all fairness, I have not heard Wings or You Are Not Alone yet, so those could influence my opinion. It's an interesting album though, and there are a few tracks on here where I hear some attempts at new styles, even if they are also basic. I like it