My review of the new album Options

[beau99]

As for the "falsetto" that everyone seems to despise, this is actually very hard to do.

Which Ed seems to prove by not doing it very well.

He does it better than most women.


And if "Home" sounds like "What Are We Fighting For?", it's sure to rock.

[mrmcpheezy]

As for the "falsetto" that everyone seems to despise, this is actually very hard to do.

lol.

[Jackaz]

Focus more on the composition of the songs.

Uh. Compositionally there's hardly anything to focus on.

Try taking the dicks out of your ears while listening to it next time.

[mrmcpheezy]

Focus more on the composition of the songs.

Uh. Compositionally there's hardly anything to focus on.

Try taking the dicks out of your ears while listening to it next time.

Hm. I think that was meant to be an insult. I'm not sure though.


Anyway, what compositional aspects of live's newer work do you think deserve attention?

[Schlomo]

Jim Wirt, 0 for 2?

[swamiscott]

Jim Wirt, 0 for 2?

Nah, 1-1, if Dan's review turns out to be pretty much the gist. I enjoy Birds of Pray -- it's definitely got the fire (in some tracks) that's a hallmark of Live. That being said, BOP was amazingly uncreative. As I've said in another post: They are no longer taking chances. Live has found its "comfort zone" and is sticking with it.

Anyway, I'll probably end up feeling the same way about Songs from Black Mountain as I do about BOP: glimmers of hope, but to no avail.

All of that being said, I think Live has proven with each record that at least in concept (if not in reality) they try to tear down the wall and start fresh. That kind of thinking, if it's actually a guiding philosophy at all anymore, gives me hope for the next record.

I am 100 percent sure that a jam album with Secret Samadhi-like lyrics and five to 10-minute tracks would be insanely great. Time for a new producer. My vote goes for David Bottrill.

[sellingthdrama]

Based on the bootlegs I've heard, I've been optimistic about the new album. I've enjoyed the overall feel of the songs. I'm not a huge fan of that falsetto though, regardless of how hard or easy it is. It's just not pleasant to listen to; it sounds unnatural.

[SJN1279]

I am 100 percent sure that a jam album with Secret Samadhi-like lyrics and five to 10-minute tracks would be insanely great.

Yikes......I'm glad your not the producer! I keep messing up the quotes, where do I read again to do it correctly?

This post has been edited by NectarDan: Mar 1 2006, 10:05 pm

[DesertWater]

As for the "falsetto" that everyone seems to despise, this is actually very hard to do.

Which Ed seems to prove by not doing it very well.

He does it better than most women.


And if "Home" sounds like "What Are We Fighting For?", it's sure to rock.

If "Home" sounds like "What are we fighting for?", it's sure to suck.

[lakinis_juice]

I am 100 percent sure that a jam album with Secret Samadhi-like lyrics and five to 10-minute tracks would be insanely great.

Yikes......I'm glad your not the producer! I keep messing up the quotes, where do I read again to do it correctly?

Ok i have to actually agree with the first post in that some raw kick ass 5-10 minute songs would be awesome. You guys would of heard the ten minute version of 'Dance with you' right? that was fucking great, but yes i know it wouldnt be able to be studio recorded but its a good start.

[MetsOwnYou]

As for the "falsetto" that everyone seems to despise, this is actually very hard to do.

Which Ed seems to prove by not doing it very well.

He does it better than most women.


And if "Home" sounds like "What Are We Fighting For?", it's sure to rock.

If "Home" sounds like "What are we fighting for?", it's sure to suck.

Remember... Beau99 said WAWFF is one of Live's greatest songs... don't take anything he says too seriously.

[swamiscott]

I am 100 percent sure that a jam album with Secret Samadhi-like lyrics and five to 10-minute tracks would be insanely great.

Yikes......I'm glad your not the producer! I keep messing up the quotes, where do I read again to do it correctly?

Ok i have to actually agree with the first post in that some raw kick ass 5-10 minute songs would be awesome. You guys would of heard the ten minute version of 'Dance with you' right? that was fucking great, but yes i know it wouldnt be able to be studio recorded but its a good start.

First: Glad YOU'RE not the producer. Conjunction-junction, waz your function?

Second: There's a reason I think Live should try extended jamming, and it's not the same thing as dragging out a four-minute song to 10 minutes in concert with crowd chants. Jamming, in my opinion, generally forces creative composition and structure. That's why jazz is better than anything Live will ever put out.

I'm not saying Live should become a word-salad jam band like Phish, but they need to break out of this 2:50-radio funk by challenging themselves.

Of course, in the end they don't NEED to do a god damn thing, because they're big boys and they can play whatever they want to. But as artists (stop laughing) they could use a real change of pace. In sum, that's why a jam album would be great, if not good.

[NectarDan]

maybe that´s one of the non/album tracks (Here to stay and Tibetan Thunderstorm)

"Here To Stay" was a working title for "All I Need". I think someone made up "Tibetan Thunderstorm".

[NectarDan]

I heard there was a dark song or is that just a false rumor?

I would not consider any of the songs "dark" at all.

From a pop perspective though, what do you think a good second single for the fall would be?

It seems like Ed really wants "Mystery" to be the second single, so it might just end up being one. I haven't heard the version with strings on it, so it might make the song better, I'm not sure. As for the next single, I would pick "Get Ready" or maybe even "Where Do We Go From Here?". I would have picked "Sofia", but some of the lyrics are out there.

[swamiscott]

maybe that´s one of the non/album tracks (Here to stay and Tibetan Thunderstorm)

"Here To Stay" was a working title for "All I Need". I think someone made up "Tibetan Thunderstorm".

Didn't Ed in a recent interview describe Night of Nights as something different, perhaps experimental, in comparison to the rest of the record? If so, is he blowing smoke or what?