Alive, Has anyone heard the CD?? Options

[mattyeagles]

If possible, can we keep this thread to discuss music and not argue with each other?

[PurdueSteve]

I'm surprised that people in here are actually disappointed with the album. What did you expect? The people ripping on the album are probably the same people who freaked out back in 2001 when Call me a Fool first leaked, and then were horrified when the rest of V leaked. It's been almost 10 years.. Ed's not the same guy he was back in 1999. He changed a long time ago! He had 2 kids, and his whole world presumably changed, his creativity changed, and his audience changed. That was like 10 years ago! I'm sure with this album he wasn't targeting the all too serious portion of the fan base that's pissed on everything he's done since V first leaked. He's targeting a difference audience now.

This album was clearly written for his kids, and those people out there who have kids, and he just wanted to write an album that shares the overwhelming presence of God in his life. I've given it a couple listens, and there's no way I can say the lyrics are insincere. I can't really relate to the lyrics, but I'm sure a lot of people can, and will enjoy this album. I'm liking most of the songs on it - Grace, Stand, Zion, Just in Time, and Soul Whispers are enjoyable - and I give Ed props for making the rest of the band sound damn good.. for a pop album. A nice pop-rock album, incredible vocals, with lyrics that showcase his appreciation for Christ in his life... not bad for his first solo attempt.

I'm not naive. I wasn't arbitrarily expecting Ed to return to his pre-1999 quality of music. I was, however, based on Grace and Zion, for Alive to be another Songs From Black Mountain type of album. Instead, what we got is this album, by comparison, makes Songs From Black Mountain seem like a long-lost Pantera album.

I wasn't expecting his album to be "written for his kids" or about the "overwhelming presence of God in his life".

Nothing about Ed's musical history, or his recent promotions, would suggest that to be the target for his new "solo" CD. Those may indeed be his target audience, but long time fans like me had no reason to anticipate that as such, therefore any critique we had are entirely relevant.