Songs From Black Mountain, Appreciation 101 Options

[Wambangalang]

The dust has settled. The cows have come home. The live universe has come to a heat end. Insert cliché here.

It’s been half a decade since ‘The River’ la-da’d itself into our collective consciousness and signaled the apocalyptic end of the great band Live. We laughed. We cried. Then we cried some more. In fact, we haven’t stopped crying. I evoke memories of the video: The desert. Eds dancing. Gracey in a hooded jumper…IN THE DESERT!!!

And here we are. Does time truly heal all wounds? Shall we allow this great evil bestowed upon us to have dominion over our musical souls? Certain proponents of modern therapy would have us believe that to overcome such a traumatic experience we attach positive attributes to the evil doers and perhaps in doing so recognize or understand where they were coming from, what their intentions and motivations were, why they did what they unfortunately did. Walk a mile.

While I realize that this will always be a sensitive topic for many a live fan and quite conceivably an impossible endeavor for some, I thought it would be interesting and cathartic to discuss the 7th and final studio effort of the band +live+ in a coherent and ultimately positive fashion for a change. We’ve heard all of the arguments for the other side. We’ve all voiced our disapproval and (in most cases) genuine disgust at the direction the boys took their sound and, most notably, of the lead singers approach to and maybe mutilation and caricature of his former artistic glory. I am certainly one of the haters. To some this was more commonly expressed as boredom to the material which is fair enough.

I was thinking since we have in the past gone into some depth with lives material, song meanings interpretations etc. , yet I cant recall much discussion surrounding the songs on this album, maybe it would be interesting to hear some opinions. Im not a muso, have no understanding of technical musical language, so maybe some comments or discussion from the more technically inclined (funkyredcaboose I think is good at that) with some reviews and so on. I know fish is good at song interpretations, (im positive he was the one who gave a smashing awesome breakdown of gas hed goes west a few years ago. search that shit up its worth it). Before I get too drunk just yeah, I think maybe we can hold off on the hating for this album for one thread and try get someityng different out of it. I know someone will come on right away and say “ed is a fag who took too much extacy”/. Or “but the album really is a turd” and as funny or true its been done for the last 6 years. The band is over, we have new things on thd horizon. Maybe I feel we suold give a respectful, deserved sayonara to the band with a comprehensive and constructive discourse of their final album.,

but ill start it off by asking opinions on Where do we go from here”? I particularly like this song and I don’t kno why. It isn’t uplifting in anyway. Nor is it overly memorable in the way lightning crashes obviously was designed to be but I find myself enjoying it a lot when I listen to it. What was the motivation for this song, what did he want to convey or emote. I find it a rather depressing song, again I cant articulate why, im not good at that. I get the strong sense there is dissatisfaction with something, maybe spiritual, maybe concerning a relationship, something not fulfilled, the source is never explicitly stated. What do we think? It has taken me 16 beers to get here and I guess I cant realistically expect people not to jump in and start bashing the hell out of the song/album, but for the sake of the topic ill say lets hear what u like about it?

[+Ed+]

I hardly can imagine a man who loves Live more than Wam really. Well, mostly everyone aboard is a true (or whatever you call it) fan of what once was the band that.... Or let us simply call it THE BAND.

Damn, I do remember those times. Funny enough, I was terrifically psyched for a new Live record, not expecting anything smashing though. I remember crazy smsing from Holland where one of my pals and WFT members was at a pre-listen of SFBM when Ed paid the Dutchies a secret visit around a month before the release and gave around 10-15 SOL members an exclusive first listen.

I remember the final sms, saying: poppy songs, some with potential, NON is SMASHING...

Above that I really got into remembering and will try and dig out my review from back in the days.

Quoting myself from 2006 at WFT

My first SFBM listen has come to an end.During these 42 minutes:

1 sig smoked
3 times wet eyes(like a small girl)
10000000000 head nodding
0 work done.


Will post my review later today or even tomorrow.

Okaaaaaaaaaaaaay here we go with my attempt...For sure and I repeat it once again, LIVE have grown up, progressed and MATURED. The instruments are played easily, with grand satisfaction andthe words, that some people who call tehmselves fans name STUPID or shitty match the music perfectly. Brilliant work by a band who can allow themselves to make the music they like and enjoy, and keep it up for nearly 20 years already. Worth respect, huh?
Still, after a bit more then 2 weeks after the release I am still listening to ONLY SFBM. And will try to tell you all my ideas on it now.
1) The River
I realy liked the way V was opened - with a ashort intro for a warm up. Once again, we do NOT have it here. But we have a brilliant song which is also the first single. What can I say? After listening to it in different versions for 100s of times, I still can not get enough. Brilliant pop song which can really be popular. And the Dutch chart is the confirmation. I definitely choose it as one of the best songs on the album.

Best line: She came without warnin', Like an angel come from heaven in the night
Rate: 10 out of 10
2) Mystery
Absolutely better then the demo we used to have and adore. Perfect love song. Unfortunately, did not hear it live, so I can only judge by albu, version. Great drumming and it produces the feeling of light even more then the river. Great strings make it shine even more. love it very much.

Best line: And the proof is in the bloodshot eyes of the one who failed to see
Rate 10 of 10
3) Get Ready
Absolutely smashing with feelings and purely beautiful song. Much better then the acoustic version we all also have. When I heard it for the first time I could hardly hold tears. Not the best in scent of text, BUT it of course provides the necessary hive along with the music itself. The usual tambourine sounds like a magic bliss at the start. Awesomely sung and played, this song also has the best guitar solo on the album IMHO.

Best line:This is the spring of our love
Rate: 10 of 10
4) Show
Needless to repeat, my fave off the SFBM. Anyhow, all of them are my fave, but THIS one does it to me. really does. This version differs just slightly, but still I really can not get enough of it. The creepy silent whisper in parrallel of the song gives you shivers every time you listen. I bet Ed meant this song, and not the closer as the DARK song which could go on SS. My fave. The break of the guitars for the chorus makes me jump wherever I am, in the metro or walking down the street. Can not say more. Fave. Definitely best.

Best line: ALL THE TEXT, but ABOVE it: You make me laugh at myself
You take me straight to heaven by goin' straight through hell
Rate 100 0f 10
5) Wings
Once again as the album flows we get back to positivity and eternal shining light, glittering thru the depression of the previous songs. Just a positive vibe you need to get when you breathe the fresh air after it has rained heavily. THE BEST to listen on your way home after the trip.
Best line:The weight that lays on your shoulders
Could be the wings that carry you home
Rate 10 of 10
6) Sofia
This song has a veru special and strang meaning to me. On the one hand it MUST be dedicated to the daughter of Ed. On the other hand, it is a song of love to the woman. Anyhow, the grooviest song on the album. Really like dates back to the roots of funk for me. Patrick now takes the ground to show that yea, he is a lasy bassist lately, but he still can do enormous movements while playing his guitar. The best bassline I have heard lately and I may say one of the best in my entire life. One of the best moments in the album - the solo and bass underneath. Drumms also perfect. The best song MUSICALLY DONE if you get me.
Best line:One of her lungs breathes in another world
While the other sticks around to blow you off
Rate: 10 of 10
7) Love Shines
Dunno why it is the song for daughters...Anyway...I feel, that besides song 2 from SFBM could do well as the next single. Another lightful song that makes me fullfilled and even flooded with space when I hear it. Blissful one for sure.
Best line: Open our hearts and see love shine
rate 9 of 10
Where Do We Go From Here?
After SHOW for me it is the best song on the album. I bet it will be very popular in the US. Shows us again how the band has matured and grown up after what we heard the past 10-15 years. An angry song filled with feeling of love to the one to whom it fades away slowly. And anger comes in the form of unexpected junction on the road of mutual belief and understanding. Named perfectly, leaves the listener with a question-really, where do we go?
Best line:I wanted to dream,You made me asleep
Rate: 10 of 10
9) Home
Funny thing is, when I burned a cd for me, my programme mixed the songs and placed HOME as the closer. I must tell you, I like it WAY more.Hehe. No matter. Another anti-war song, claimed to be WAWFF?-II. I doubt that. Of course, maybe if US heads for another war, next album will have song called OFF TO FIGHT AGAIN or smth. Anyway, Ed always gives his thoughts out plain when it comes to politics and pretty simple. He prays for every soldier.And I do adore him for that as well. The chorus burst out with a line, full of soul and sorrow and positive hope that it all will be fine. Grand. Musically well done as well. The drumming also fits perfectly.
Best line:Waitin' to die, prayin' to live
Rate: 10 of 10
10) All I Need
And another return to positivity. The album is perfectly built on contradictions. That is why maybe I adore it that much. Yet another positivity that leaves the listener satisfied and hopefull that the life can be not only disgrace or depression. Shows the way to the ones, who do not se it. And to those who do not understand what they are livingfor.
Best line: Count to three and I'll be on my knees
Rate: 10 of 10
11) You Are Not Alone
And another confiramation that Ed wants everyone to know that getting lost in the woods of everyday life is something you can do without. Really, makes you feel easier and look at teh life and world from a brighter ide. It does inspire you to live. Me it does inspire. I hope, you all too.
Best line: Not alone Not alone Not alone Not alone Not alone Not alone (and do not laugh!It shows the scence of the song itself!I realy chose this one intentionally)
Rate: 10 of 10
12) Night Of Nights
Any comments needed?I doubt that. Deepest form of shock struck me when I heard it for the first time. Leaves questions again. during the whole album listener thinks which side suits him best - positive, negative?Dark or shining? And only those who like and listen to the WHOLE album will get, that lif is a combination of both and definitely SFBM is a perfect soundtrack to it all.
Best line: Oh, so I give you my love, It's all that I have to give
Rate 10 of 10

Pheeeeeeeeew....30 minutes of typing...WIll go have a smoke now.

Hooly fuck, I was 22, smiling all the time and sober. Not like now. So I will probably post my nowadays thoughts next week.