SFBM Fan Reviews Options

[HiItsNino]

Well, I haven't posted in a loooong time. For the first time in the last 3 Live CD's I did not download or listen to any of the new stuff, other than what I heard at shows.

Hre's what I think: MJ is a lyrical masterpiece but its delivery is amiture. TC has lyrics and performance on its side. SS was harder, darker, deeper - more of a concept album that fused the positive elements of the first 2. TDTH is Lives masterpiece, imho. You cannot top this one. V largely disappointed me, though I still enjoy it. It was a new sound, the start of a new direction that was not aimed at the important, bigger picture that the first four all seemed to capture. BOP grew from there and Live improved in that sound, kept the signature Live sound, but employed it in a different style. SFBM has perfected that new direction, with a style and complexity that Live can deliver very well. Ed lyrics are great again - not world changing great - but self-reflectively great.

I remember a long time ago someone posting on Live web that they would love a Live album that you could put on at parties. This is that album. Lets face it, the older stuff is way to philosophical to listen to at parties. SFBM is fun, catchy, diverse, deep, shallow, and great to listen and sing to. Live have proven themselves capable of delivering this new direction in a way worthy of the old days.

[seriakiLLa]

I always thought V was the Live 'party album.' Depends on the party I guess.

[fonzyg]

I will admit that at first i wasn't all that crazy about this album. It was just so different from what they have done before. However, after repeated spins, this album has grown on me big time. It is definitely their best since TDTH. Favorites right now are All I Need and Night of Nights. Although the songs are "Pop" songs, they have a certain depth to them that is lacking in pop music that you hear on the radio these days. I can't describe it, but there is some intangible quality to them that lift it above ordinary radio crap. Good job Live and I have a weird feeling that album 8 will bring even greater things.

[+Ed+]

Kill me. Here is my review.

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
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

[LiveRoCkS77]

^ It's called an opinion, everybody has one. There are actually people out there who really enjoy the V album. Amazing, I know. I don't think that anyone's musical opinion has anything to do with their IQ, because it is just an opinion. Somebody isn't an idiot just because they disagree with you.

You're right....and I think your opinions seriously reeks. Don't agree with me, face fact. V is shit compared to Mj, absolute sewer pipe, septic tank shit.

[LiveRoCkS77]

I officially like you.

I happen to enjoy V myself, and think Mental Jewelry blows hard.

Coming from a guy who knows all about blowing hard.

[bajaguy]

I'm new to this board but have read alot on here. I've been a fan of Live since Mental Jewlery, and started going to their concerts since 1995. Obviously everyone has an opinion on this album and here's mine.

I almost gave up on Live after Birds of Pray. I thought that album had 3 decent songs on it. It was the same thing on V, just 1 or 2 decent songs. So I contemplated buying this CD on Tuesday. I thought well I heard Mystery and like it so i'll give it a shot. So I bought it and put it right into my cd player. I liked the first 2 songs, very pop (which Chad T said). Then I got to Get Ready, and the other 9 tracks and just wondered why. Since it said Ed wrote the songs I wondered why would he just put blah tracks on this? One of the other songs (I don't remember which one) has the same chord progression as The River, a few songs talk about being "Free", and in the end I really felt like I was listening to an album that should've been made in 1983. To me Ed's vocals sound more like that guy from Rush. I give it 2 out of 5 stars. The Distance To Here was definately their last great album, everything went downhill from there. Ed might want to think about writing with the other guys in the band, and trying a new producer or going back to Jerry Harrison.

This is just my opinion.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

"You're right....and I think your opinions seriously reeks. Don't agree with me, face fact. V is shit compared to Mj, absolute sewer pipe, septic tank shit."

The fact that you think you can have an opinion about someone elses opinion is absolutely mind-boggling.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else thinks this album suffers by it's song order? The more I listen the more convinced of this I become. I need to hunt down the "orgininal" tracklist the leaked to the internet early. I believe it had "Love Shines" first, which is a super opener, especially for this album.

Well, party on!

[LiveRoCkS77]

"You're right....and I think your opinions seriously reeks. Don't agree with me, face fact. V is shit compared to Mj, absolute sewer pipe, septic tank shit."

The fact that you think you can have an opinion about someone elses opinion is absolutely mind-boggling.

huh?????? smoke how much crack?

Everybody has opinions. It's what the world revolves around. At one time, somebody was of the opinion that murder is a crime so they introduced a law against it.

Some people thought that murder should be punished by death. Is nobody supposed to have an opinion that goes against anybody elses? Some people think that opinion is ridiculous and are against capital punishment. They think that anybody who believes in execution is an idiot, some believe they are just wrong.

Are we not supposed to have opinions about the opinion of others? Are you joking? I think the comment you made is more mind boggling then anything I've ever heard outside of some things I've heard retards say.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Let me rephrase then. The fact that you think that I give a damn about what you think of my opinion is mind-boggling.

You can certainly disagree with someone's opinion, but it doesn't make your opinion any better than their opinion. It is fairly obvious that you think yours is the "correct" or "better" opinion, and that is what is slightly annoying. I have not yet responded with what I think of your opinion, because I don't feel that my opinion is any better.

Maybe the actual topic at hand should be discussed because this is just getting stupid.

[LiveRoCkS77]

Let me rephrase then. The fact that you think that I give a damn about what you think of my opinion is mind-boggling.

You can certainly disagree with someone's opinion, but it doesn't make your opinion any better than their opinion. It is fairly obvious that you think yours is the "correct" or "better" opinion, and that is what is slightly annoying. I have not yet responded with what I think of your opinion, because I don't feel that my opinion is any better.

Maybe the actual topic at hand should be discussed because this is just getting stupid.

Of course my opinion is better, as far as this is concerned at least. V licks monkey ass and the the lyrics are simple enough for the monkey with a tongue up his ass to understand. You a monkey?

[PearlJamminJason]

You're right....and I think your opinions seriously reeks. Don't agree with me, face fact. V is shit compared to Mj, absolute sewer pipe, septic tank shit.

I totally agree!

[K. Schrader]

note the key word in that:
"V is shit compared to Mj, absolute sewer pipe, septic tank shit."

i cannot remember who said it originally, but "I'd rather listen to Live's worst album than listen to another band's best album."

Too true, and i enjoy every one of Live's albums equally, and each of them will temporarily move into the spotlight from time to time; all the way from Mental Jewelry (even Death Of A Dictionary) to Songs From Black Mountain, there is always something new and unique to love, even on V!

TDTH is currently at the top for me, though just about a week ago it was a tie between SS and TC, ever notice how these albums are so great, they continue to grow on us even after so long? the world keeps spinning.

[craig]

Yeah, I am afraid that I am entirely with you on this one. I first saw Live perform at Temple University in 1992, and I've been hooked since. During these 14 years or so, I've witnessed their evolution, and to my disappointment, it is obvious that the edginess and what intrigued me most about the music of Live has disappeared. That is not to say they are not still a respectable band. They are. But from V on, I have received little but disappointment every time I throw a new Live CD into my player and listen. This one continues that trend, and I suspect that it won't grow on me the more I listen to it, like TDTH did (which, by the way, is an incredible album)

Oh well. As one critc put it, SFBM may be the best soft rock album of the year. That says a lot. Live is now a soft rock band. I know we all age, and with age comes new perspective and life experiences to draw from. But to me they seem to have gotten lazy and seem to lack direction musically. They are like watching your favorite athlete who you idolized as a teenager, and realizing that he cannot perform anywhere near the level that he used to. It's also the uncomfortable feeling of wondering if he realizes how bad he's become, and why he continues to go on like this.

I know there will be folks who blast me and say that I just don't get it. Perhaps they are right. But this album does not even resemble--in any manner whatsoever--the great works of this band from just a couple of years ago. It hurts me to write this, but I feel as though I have to. SFBM is a real disappointment to this dedicated LIVE fan.

By the way, I would take MJ over V any day. MJ is actually a great album with lots of energy and youthful angst and questioning. V is a great attempt to sell lots of CDs. And because of that, it failed miserably.

Hang in there fellas.

[seriakiLLa]

By the way, I would take MJ over V any day. MJ is actually a great album with lots of energy and youthful angst and questioning. V is a great attempt to sell lots of CDs. And because of that, it failed miserably.

And MJ was an attempt to conquer the world.