A few comments about Anaheim 3/9/08 show Options

[edstipe]

Hey everyone, I meant to post a longer review of the show, but I simply don't have the time/motivation to sit down and do all that. So, I thought I'd post a few observations/opinions about the show at The Grove of Anaheim that I attended on March 9.

I realize that some people are going to disagree with me on these things, and I welcome discussion, but please remember that these are simply my opinions.

a) The opening band -- Carney -- was fucking awesome. Seriously! I know it's kind of blasphemous to say, but the lead singer reminded me quite a bit of Jeff Buckley. Not just in appearance, but also in style and voice. That's a HUGE compliment, and one I don't take lightly, but I couldn't help having that thought when watching his performance. I've actually done some research on the band and especially the lead singer (Reeve Carney) since the show and learned that: 1) the guy is somewhat of a protege, having learned how to play piano before he could walk; 2) he recorded an album with Peter, Paul and Mary when he was 8 years old; 3) Michael Jackson asked him to sing a part in a track on his HIStory album; and 4) he played the part of a young Ethan Hawke in Snow Falling on Cedars. Oh, and they have a live album already out and a studio album coming out in August, I think. Anybody who didn't catch them should definitely check them out!

On to the LIVE show:

b) Chad Taylor is getting fat. I know that's a random observation, but he seriously looked like he is letting himself go. Then again, I hadn't seen the band for a few years, so maybe the suddenness of his weight gain isn't as dramatic as I thought...

c) The band just seems to be going through the motions now. As has been brought up often recently, the setlist was stale and the songs sounded exactly the same as they have the last 5 or 6 times I have seen them. Not getting Operation Spirit, Turn My Head, or ANYTHING that would be a "surprise" addition to the setlist was incredibly disappointing.

d) There were a FEW decent moments in the set. Ed bringing out his daughter(s)? during "Heaven" was cute, and "Waitress" was done pretty well. "Wings" was also a pretty good performance. But that's really it.

e) For the first time ever at a LIVE show, I didn't have the urge to sing along or even rock out. I just kind of stood along the back of the front section dumbfounded at how little emotion I felt during the show. It was a pretty sad experience, actually -- for the first time in my 13 LIVE shows, I thought that it might be my last. I don't know if that's going to be the case or not, but I know for sure that if they played another show next week or next month, I wouldn't be buying a ticket for it.


Anyhow, that's it. Just thought I'd share my experience with the rest of the board. If anyone has any specific questions or comments about the show, feel free to shoot them my way.

[flyersfan62379]

There's nothing wrong being honest and I appreciate that. This band is a former shell of itself. I agree with everything said. I'm flat-out bored with Live anymore, especially in concert. I won't travel to see them. Only if they come to Philadelphia. They're a stale product. Don't believe so? Ask MTV, mainstream radio and their record label company...oh, wait, scratch that...and the majority of their hard-core fanbase.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion(s), but the ones who constantly defend them, do you really believe what you're preaching? Honestly? No foolin'?

[SJN1279]

There's nothing wrong being honest and I appreciate that. This band is a former shell of itself. I agree with everything said. I'm flat-out bored with Live anymore, especially in concert. I won't travel to see them. Only if they come to Philadelphia. They're a stale product. Don't believe so? Ask MTV, mainstream radio and their record label company...oh, wait, scratch that...and the majority of their hard-core fanbase.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion(s), but the ones who constantly defend them, do you really believe what you're preaching? Honestly? No foolin'?

A few comments/questions:

1. I do believe what I'm preaching.

2. Looking at your list of shows, when have you ever traveled to see Live?

3. Does MTV even exist anymore?

4. They had same number of hit singles on Birds of Pray that they had on TDTH and SS(with proper support, they find their way on mainstream radio).

5. Um, they don't even have a label right now.

6. Has FansofLive turned into a whinefest lately or is it me? Its pretty pathetic.

[Existentialist]

A few comments/questions: 1. I do believe what I'm preaching.

I know you do, and that's great, but I really don't understand how.

2. Looking at your list of shows, when have you ever traveled to see Live?

What difference does it make whether he has or not? He's seen them in concert and knows they're not as exciting as they used to be. He is thus not compelled to travel to see them.

4. They had same number of hit singles on Birds of Pray that they had on TDTH and SS(with proper support, they find their way on mainstream radio)

Now I see why you believe in what you preach; you're ignorant. Here's a review of the singles from the albums you mentioned and their top chart position.
SS: Lakini's Juice #1, Turn My Head #3, Freaks #5

TDTH: The Dolphin's Cry #2, Run to the Water #17, TSUFL #24

BOP: Heaven #33

See a difference now?

5. Um, they don't even have a label right now.

I know this is more their choice than just something they're stuck with, but I doubt any labels are really after them either. They haven't produced a top 25 single in 9 years. That's about as washed up as you can get in terms of popularity.

6. Has FansofLive turned into a whinefest lately or is it me? Its pretty pathetic.

I don't really consider it whining when it's pretty much true. I really have to wonder how delusional you are if you think that Live has written any good music in the last decade and that they'd be popular if it were just for "better promotion." Just face it, Live hasn't written good music in a while, their shows are staged acts that are so played it's ridiculous, and no amount of promotion is going to change that. I know you're a fan of the new music, and that's fine, but you'd have to be deaf, retarded and why not blind too to think that it's good and/or worth promoting. I have more to say in relation to the original post but will save it for after I get some sleep!