Album Analysis, Throwing Copper Options

[Hoodstock]

Since Live is wrapping up and the board members are attacking each other, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a place to discuss Live's work. And a good place to start with their work is Throwing Copper.

The Idea - Analyze the album (in this case Throwing Copper) song by song, stating whatever you want or whatever comes to mind about each song. Go into as much or as little detail as you want and then summarize your overall thoughts on the album at the end. Just speak your mind openly. If there is a lot of feedback, we can do it again with another album at a later time.

You can copy and paste the following to make it easy if you want:

1. The Dam At Otter Creek

2. Selling The Drama

3. I Alone

4. Iris

5. Lightning Crashes

6. Top

7. All Over You

8. Shit Towne

9. T.B.D.

10. Stage

11. Waitress

12. Pillar of Davidson

13. White, Discussion

14. Hidden Track (Horse)

Overall Summary:

[DesertWater]

I'm not going to analyze each song because every song on this cd has been my #1 favorite at one point since its release. That's how awesome it is. Well, not Horse, which is same old. Right now, I love listening to White Discussion, TBD, and Top.

[CRH]

1. The Dam At Otter Creek- I love the way this song builds. When Gracey first comes in with the huge drums, it gives me that "holy crap..." feeling that just builds up what this album is going to be.


2. Selling The Drama- I enjoy this song on the album more than now live. Great lyrics, classic Live. I'd actually put this closer to the bottom of the great songs on this album though...but it is a list of all songs that are great.


3. I Alone- The best breakdown maybe ever in a Live song. And sorry, I can't agree that this song should be removed from the current set list. It is clear that it gets the band going, and the energy is huge. There are other songs I'd say that have lost a little bit in the current way they are played live, but not I Alone.


4. Iris- hard rocker that gets better as the song goes. From the breakdown "until I take their flags" and back into the chorus is huge to me.


5. Lightning Crashes- maybe overplayed, but if a song is truly great this is not a problem. This song is truly great.


6. Top- For as long as I've had this album, for some reason I've never truly listened to this song enough. "we need love, not leaders" is an incredible line at the end of this simple, but great song.


7. All Over You- love the intro...and the whole song. If I'm a little tired of any song on this album, this may be it. In concert, this song needs to be kept from being the opener. So much more intense when the band is already warmed up and Taylor has the monitors sounding better in his ears.


8. Shit Towne- I love the chorus. The G-A-Bm-(D) chord progression in the chorus is great...and I love how it rotates with the D chord. When the Bm gets dragged out...good stuff. Also, I'm in no way offended/embarassed with the constant "shit" in the song.


9. T.B.D.- seems like a song that can be passed over if you aren't careful. I love the bassline and the subtlety of CT's guitar work (I'm assuming its him, not Ed...). And when it gets huge at the end, it is the perfect timing to do it.


10. Stage- I'd say the only fault with this song is that it happens to be on Throwing Copper. I know that its got the F# chord draaaaaaaaaaawn out in the intro, but that isn't enough for me to even consider grouping it with Bring the People Together. Good hard/fast rock song.


11. Waitress- I love that they go into the wah pedal freakout twice. Simple song musically, and it just works.


12. Pillar of Davidson- this is an unbelievable song. It is not too long, it is not too slow. To me, it is one of those songs that always has something to look forward to, but you don't want your current place in the song to end either. Lyrically great, and I love the simple guitars in the verse.


13. White, Discussion- this may just be my favorite song of all time. I'm not saying it is the greatest song ever written by any band ever (which would be ridiculous when the Beatles used to exist...) but there is no song that I have ever heard that gets me going like this. It is energy coming from places I didn't know existed.


14. Hidden Track (Horse)- nice ending to an album. Allows you to think about what you just listened to.


Overall Summary: I think it is shocking that an album of this caliber exists. I honestly think that there is nothing that should have been considered to change. From start to finish, it is consistent...but not like middle of the road consistent. It is 13 (or 14...) songs that could all be the best song a band has ever written. I wish I could've witnessed the writing and recording of the album. There is no doubt when you listen to this album that its great.