The Flood and The Mercy - reviews Options

[dancing queen]

I have been trying to listen to this cd objectively. Which is not easy considering some of Ed's douchebaggery of late (the "I'll turn my cheek after I break yours" comment on facebook was really awful, in particular). Anyway, besides the fact that Parasite is a really pathetically badly written song that I have to skip after one listen (unlike the rest of the cd which I have been listening to straight through), I haven't been lyric listening. I've been listening in the car (which has a sweet system) and on longish rides so I can hear the whole thing. Just listening without lyric listening, and my overall impression is:

Ed has mastered non-verbal vocals. (whistles, la la la's, la de da's, woooo's, ooooooohs, etc...)

I will listen through sometime next week and consider lyrics (besides Parasite, which, having heard once I never need to hear again because I wrote a similar angry letter to an x-friend in middle school and it brings back bad memories of awful poetry). Because I am a Christian, and I look forward to possibly some decent lyrics (I have been noticing some things, of course, and haven't been terribly turned off, but haven't been focusing on lyrics).

Anyway, overall, this is Ed's best work thus far. That said, the overuse of non-verbal vocals confirms in me the stated opinion of many around here that Ed takes his presence too seriously in the music. He oooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhss over the music. In other words (actually, word): EGO.

and too much of it.

that's what I've got so far. Ed as an arrogant solo musician.
man, I wish I wasn't just being cynical.

But I did say this sounds like his best solo work so far... (and I think it is, genuinely)

[Bremang]

I have been trying to listen to this cd objectively. Which is not easy considering some of Ed's douchebaggery of late (the "I'll turn my cheek after I break yours" comment on facebook was really awful, in particular). Anyway, besides the fact that Parasite is a really pathetically badly written song that I have to skip after one listen (unlike the rest of the cd which I have been listening to straight through), I haven't been lyric listening. I've been listening in the car (which has a sweet system) and on longish rides so I can hear the whole thing. Just listening without lyric listening, and my overall impression is:

Ed has mastered non-verbal vocals. (whistles, la la la's, la de da's, woooo's, ooooooohs, etc...)

I will listen through sometime next week and consider lyrics (besides Parasite, which, having heard once I never need to hear again because I wrote a similar angry letter to an x-friend in middle school and it brings back bad memories of awful poetry). Because I am a Christian, and I look forward to possibly some decent lyrics (I have been noticing some things, of course, and haven't been terribly turned off, but haven't been focusing on lyrics).

Anyway, overall, this is Ed's best work thus far. That said, the overuse of non-verbal vocals confirms in me the stated opinion of many around here that Ed takes his presence too seriously in the music. He oooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhss over the music. In other words (actually, word): EGO.

and too much of it.

that's what I've got so far. Ed as an arrogant solo musician.
man, I wish I wasn't just being cynical.

But I did say this sounds like his best solo work so far... (and I think it is, genuinely)

First Live song on the first album, MJ, track - Pain Lies on the Riverside, enter Ed.....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

his ooo's and ahh's are nothing new, that ego argument is biased and silly. So any singer who makes non verbal vocals has an ego? That's just about every singer in history i guess.

What was Ed's comment about; "I'll turn my cheek after I break yours"?

This post has been edited by Bremang: Oct 1 2013, 10:01 pm

[mfitz804]

\ So any singer who makes non verbal vocals has an ego? That's just about every singer in history i guess.

Most lead singers probably do have a huge ego. How could they not?

[PurdueSteve]

First Live song on the first album, MJ, track - Pain Lies on the Riverside, enter Ed.....Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

his ooo's and ahh's are nothing new, that ego argument is biased and silly. So any singer who makes non verbal vocals has an ego? That's just about every singer in history i guess.

What was Ed's comment about; "I'll turn my cheek after I break yours"?

The opening to PLOTR's non-verbals served a purpose, it was meant as a sort of tribal chant. Forgot what Ed called it, but he addressed it in an interview long long ago. Can't remember where. La da da da da, does not serve the same purpose nor does the amount of non-verbals contained within MJ come close to the non-verbals in TFATM

As for his comment, don't know where he said it or in what context, but it doesn't sound very Christian. Sounds to be exactly the opposite of one of the biggest Christian talking points of forgiveness.

[mattyeagles]

The opening to PLOTR's non-verbals served a purpose, it was meant as a sort of tribal chant. Forgot what Ed called it, but he addressed it in an interview long long ago. Can't remember where. La da da da da, does not serve the same purpose nor does the amount of non-verbals contained within MJ come close to the non-verbals in TFATM

As for his comment, don't know where he said it or in what context, but it doesn't sound very Christian. Sounds to be exactly the opposite of one of the biggest Christian talking points of forgiveness.

I find the verbal noises on Holy Water Tears to be very different, not as cheesy and more useful, than the la da da's on The River, for example

[themaestro]

He sings everything these days (including old Live) as if he was caressing a delicate little baby dove. What happened to the mysterious, weird, magnetic, powerhouse of a singer? He's completely different from the singer that captivated me. Not something i have any interest in at all.

[Liveman94]

The one

"Down in the river we were dyin'..."

These words mark the 8th out of 9album releases that an opening song by LiVe/Ed carries a water reference.

Yes you may count them...8/9 albums opening songs mention water or a river.

However; in some respects similarities between LiVe's older work & Ed's new stop there.

'The one' is a solid opening track that shows off a more aggressive writing style and vocality for Ed K it proves an upbeat and interesting introduction to the album that follows.

Some highlights lyrically: "a place where darkness bleeds into the sun" "the man who sowed devilish seeds into the soil of his achin soul"

Cool right?

Yes until Ed sings "its all so pretty on the outside but its all for show inside the cankers (yes CANKERS) bleed and justice takes its heavy toll".

I don't know why he chose specifically a mouth ulcer reference there but to me whenever i hear that it 'brings my power down' a little bit.

Even considering what i feel is a major lyrical mouth ulcer and the fact that this song in its catchy chorus sounds like its one guitar short of being a real rock number - listen its kind of like "we want this to rock but not too hard or heavy.." - its a good opening to a solid CD and i not only appreciate Ed's aggression and lyrical posturing i like it. There i said it.

Its a nice change for those of us who perhaps prefer a cd from their favorite rockband/artist to open with a howling wind and plaintiff lyric rather then a rhythmic strum and a 'la da da da'.

The One 7/10

Definitely would've been higher without the lyric i pulled out and with another guitar or heavier distortion. E.G watch men's lament style.

[Liveman94]

I got my TfaTM CD last Friday so I've listened a few times and decided to annoy u all with some track by track action when i can.

Sorry for the double post!

[Bremang]

Most lead singers probably do have a huge ego. How could they not?

There's several ways to show Ed's ego but reasons described around here are pretty ridiculous, and it's never been brought up until near the breakup, so it was never really an issue to the fans.

[Bremang]

The opening to PLOTR's non-verbals served a purpose, it was meant as a sort of tribal chant.

oh please

[Crossed]

I got my TfaTM CD last Friday so I've listened a few times and decided to annoy u all with some track by track action when i can.

Sorry for the double post!

Hey I agree with you about 'The One". Its begging to be heavier! I wish he had delivered an "I Alone" type of agression on the chorus. He does it this way for the live preformances, was disspointed how soft the album version turned out. Still diggin the track though.

[PurdueSteve]

oh please

It's ed that said, it's the tone of the whole song. Tribal might not be the correct word and I'm going off of memory of an old interview but the sound, chant and one of the musical inspirations for the song was (again for lack of a better word) tribal.

[Bremang]

It's ed that said, it's the tone of the whole song. Tribal might not be the correct word and I'm going off of memory of an old interview but the sound, chant and one of the musical inspirations for the song was (again for lack of a better word) tribal.

the whole argument is ridiculous. You're supporting a pejorative stance saying Ed making non-verbal vocals and singing "over" music means he has an overblown ego, as if he hasn't been doing this on records and in concert in his entire career, as if there is a discernible correlation specifically between non verbal singing and ego, as if ego has any concrete meaning, and as if entertainers weren't supposed to attract attention.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Oct 2 2013, 10:10 pm

[Liveman94]

"Seven"

Allow me to preface the following by stating that i love this song. Lyrically, musically, melodically.

I think its hands down the best Ed has done since B O P with LiVe.

Having said that; i love the core of this song, its essence, its meaning. The macabre intro"seven hangmen..sing the dirge & beat the drum..." the mournful inflection in Ed's voice "how could you leave me this way? It s cold outside..."

The powerful bridge including a major rhythm change rarely seen in LiVes work excepting maybe night of nights. Ed stated its "possibly the best bridge i've ever written"

I wouldn't go that far but its certainly up there in my opinion.

Run to the water, mystery, top, turn my head, lightning crashes, and others all have good bridge parts. But they have something different to seven...they have a band playing along with those songs making them transition from great to exceptional, excellent, transcendental of traditional pop music.

When i first heard the album version of this song i was disappointed. The digital additions the oriental style riff used as a refrain the lack of weight delivered to the bridge. Yet i still loved the song.

I can only imagine how exceptional it may have been with the chad's and Patty D playing along instead of Jamie Candiloro simply dialing in a bass line, some samples and a beat.

I was disappointed Ed's band did not perform at all on this CD but i only ever noticed it so much on this track "seven".

If it was my song (and i have written many) I'd forget all about the studio version and play the 1st verse n chorus acoustic, add a bass, bluesy lead guitar & drums for the 2nd verse and crank it all out for the bridge and the run home.

Listening to a CD i should never have to think "i could do this better" and thats the problem with "seven" its OVER-produced. Get out of the way and let the magic moments in the song shine.

I dig this song and its better then the one. But with this production it only garners its namesake...

"seven" 7/10

If u had never heard an acoustic version of the song u probably would be loving the album by now. Sadly i do not have that luxury. So my positivity from the one has drained a little as i rue the missed opportunity that is "Seven".

[PurdueSteve]

the whole argument is ridiculous. You're supporting a pejorative stance saying Ed making non-verbal vocals and singing "over" music means he has an overblown ego, as if he hasn't been doing this on records and in concert in his entire career, as if there is a discernible correlation specifically between non verbal singing and ego, as if ego has any concrete meaning, and as if entertainers weren't supposed to attract attention.

I'll put it more simply then:

If you think that the intro to PLOTR (one song) is equivalent to all of the la da da da and other non-verbals in his newer music, or that the presence of such no verbals one one song on one album justifies them to be used in virtually every song on recent material then you're being sheepish for no reason at all.

2nd, I never made the "ego" argument. I find you equating the intro to PLOTR to the intro on the river to be quite laughable, especially since the man himself has given a purposeful explanation of the former.

That being said it's not exactly a reach to see some elements of ego, to think you can ohhh, agh, and la da da da on everything. It suggests that lyrics are somewhat irrelevant so long as the singer is making sounds. There is such thing as doing it too much and my opinion is that modern Ed does it too much and not only that, but when does do it, it's not as meaningful as the intro to PLOTR or the whistling in Waitress. Hell, by your logic, Ed whistled in one song 20 years ago, if he whistled every bridge in TFATM it'd be totally legit.