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:

[Distance to Me]

Ok, I'm gonna start off by saying that I personally believed that Throwing Copper is the most overrated album among Live fans. Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing album (all of Live's albums are...) but it's probably my 4th favorite album by them, behind The Distance to Here, V, and Secret Samadhi (in that order). Sorry for this long paragraph I got goin' . Anyways...

1. The Dam at Otter Creek: My favorite opener for an album except for Simple Creed, a great little intro with the whispering, murmurs, and guitar riff. The last minute and a half are to the max, and exercise a formula that is apparent in quite a few of the songs on this album (the formula where the last part of the song just rock out).

2. Selling the Drama: What can I say that hasn't already been said? Of the 4 songs off of this album that can still be regularly heard on the radio, this is the best one, in my humble opinion. Good lyrics, upbeat and catchy.

3. I Alone: This song used to be one of my favorites, until I heard The Dolphin's Cry. I still enjoy this song, the interlude is amazing, but the verses are much better than the chorus. Overshadowed by it's brother song (The Dolphin's Cry) in my opinion.

4. Iris: A real grower on me. The opening strum is really cool, and the DAOC formula pops up again for the first time. The chorus in this song is very good, especially in the last one, the energy takes me to another place.

5. Lightning Crashes: The song that propelled them to rock stars got them there for a reason. As has been said, not the song it once was, but the lyrics and DAOC ending are amazing, and when the drums kick into the song it really gets going.

6. Top: Wonderfully catchy with amazing lyrics, this might be the most underrated song on the album.

7. All Over You: Speaking of catchy, this song has that factor too. The chorus is great "I've often tried to hold the sea, the sun, the fields, the tide..."

8. Shit Towne: A great song, especially in concert. Great solo, and the interlude where Ed sings "do me wrong, don't hold me back," sends shivers down my spine. Great.

9. T.B.D.: Another extremely underrated song, great lyrics. DAOC formula pops up again, and kicks in at the perfect moment. Anyone know what he says in that part?

10. Stage: A quick drum roll kicks you into a rocking song with great lyrics about a "rock and roll messiah". The solo in this song is simple yet effective, and another great interlude.

11. Waitress: A different song, but still very good. Catchy with funny yet surprisingly meaningful lyrics. One of live's few Wah-Wah solos, and a great concert song.

12. Pillar of Davidson: A beautiful song with one of the greatest chorus's ever, and amazing background vocals. Epic.

13. White, Discussion: The perfect closer, and extremely rocky. The ending drags on a bit, but other than that, a great song. Live's best concert song except for maybe Lakini's Juice (a lot better on CD than Lakini's Juice, though).

(Bonus) Horse: Laid-back and extremely different compared to their other songs, probably why it was originally unreleased. Catchy and nice.

In conclusion, an amazing album, but not as amazing as a few others...