Album Analysis III, Mental Jewelry Options

[Hoodstock]

The Idea - Analyze the album (in this case Mental Jewelry) song by song, stating whatever you want or whatever comes to mind about each song. Go into as much or as little detail as you want and then summarize your overall thoughts on the album at the end. Just speak your mind openly.

You can copy and paste the following to make it easy if you want:


1) Pain Lies On The Riverside

2) Operation Spirit

3) The Beauty Of Gray

4) Brothers Unaware

5) Tired Of "Me"

6) Mirror Song

7) Waterboy

8) Take My Anthem

9) You Are The World

10) Good Pain

11) Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd

12) 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now)

[Distance to Me]

Mental Jewelry is my personal fifth favorite album...

1: Pain Lies on the Riverside: This opening song shows what this album is all about. Great drumming and bass playing, while the guitar takes a backseat. A rocking song to one of Lives most rocking albums. Great.

2: Operation Spirit: This song should have been the opener, because of it's "did you give it up" intro. It's still fine where it is, though. Wonderfully catchy and one of my favorites on the album.

3: The Beauty of Gray: Another great song, the start-stop playing is interesting, and some great lyrics (notice I said great, not necessarily deep) make this a very good song.

4: Brothers Unaware: Though I still like this song, it may be my least favorite on the album. It's too much like what their later stuff would be (the hard-soft formula starts here).

5: Tired of "Me": Another favorite of mine, some more strong rhythm here (hell, there's strong rhythm all over this album). The chorus is so catchy it should be a disease. Woulda been great fun in concert, I bet.

6: Mirror Song: Easily the most under appreciated single ever released by the band, this song is one of my absolute favorites, truly beautiful, and I almost fainted when I heard the opening drums and strums (ha) of this song in my first ever Live concert!

7: Water Boy: I like this song a lot as well, but it's another one of my least favorite on this album. It just seems too much like another typical song compared to the rest of the album.

8: Take My Anthem: This is where the album starts slowing down a bit. This song reminds me a bit of "The Dam at Otter Creek" because it never really stops gaining speed.

9: You Are the World: This song starts off like Morning Humor, and then develops into another one of the anthem style songs on this album.

10: Good Pain: A great song. Listen to it for yourself to figure out what's great about it.

11: Mother Earth is a Vicious Crowd: This is an amazing song! Was my favorite on the album for a while, before the Mirror song took it's place. "Talk to me now!"

12: 10,000 Years: I think I would've liked this song more if it was somewhere else on the album. It seems too typical ending the album on the soft, almost acoustic note.

Conclusion: This is a great album, that has aged with me surprisingly well. This isn't Live's best, but it's far from their worst.

This post has been edited by Distance to Me: Nov 24 2007, 10:51 am

[Deku]

I'd agree with the above poster in saying that Mental Jewelry is not their best, and not their worst either. It's a pretty decent album and stand-out tracks to me are Mirror Song, Pain Lies on the Riverside, Tired Of Me and Beauty of Grey. It can also be appreciated on the level that TC was almost a reaction to the type of sound present on this album. That being said, if I need a +Live+ fix it's not often I'd dip into something from Mental Jewelry.

[Hoodstock]

1) Pain Lies On The Riverside - Good song, but placed wrong on the album. Has great energy throughout but I never thought it was as great as people hyped it up to be. Regardless, solid start to the album.

2) Operation Spirit - This should have been the opening song to this album. The album recording is decent, but the version on MTV Unplugged made this a great song and the best song on this album.

3) The Beauty Of Gray- I go back and forth on this song all of the time. More times than not I dislike it, but every once in a while I catch the vibe of it and it sounds great. The constant musical pauses takes lots of coordination but that's what drives me nuts with this song. At times, especially the refrain, this song really gets going and has greatness written all over it.

4) Brothers Unaware- The lyrics are bad and the song doesn't really have a great beat. One of the bad songs on this album.

5) Tired Of "Me"- A second song in a row that this album could have done with out. The music never seems to flow and the lyrics are bad. "Tired of the ..., Tired of the ..., Tired of the ..., Tired of this song"

6) Mirror Song- Great song with a great sound and a great message. Nice pace and nice sound. If you haven't heard it in a while give it another listen.

7) Waterboy- This song should have been on "The Waterboy" soundtrack. It wasn't because it's not that good. I appreciate the sound Live was trying to harvest with the lyrics and sound but they just didn't pull it off.

8) Take My Anthem- Nice song about conflict. (Live should have quit here with the war songs because the rest of their efforts on the topic are no where as good).

9) You Are The World- Everything comes together with this song. Simply a great sound.

10) Good Pain - This is from Death Of A Dictionary. It has a good beat but they lyrics tend to bring it down. It could have been just left on DOAD as the second best song on that album. I would have loved to see Savior For A Day rerecorded and placed instead.

11) Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd- On Mental Jewelry this is the best song. (See Operation Spirit). Great rhythm and sound to it. Love the lyrics.

12) 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now) - Nice ending to a good first album.

Conclusion:
This album was good in it's day and it's obviously Live's early work. The recording quality of the album is pretty low. Some of the songs and lyrics are really bad while others completely shine. The inconsistency of the album really shows Live's youth.

"Operation Spirit" and "Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd" are two gems of the Live arsenal. One of the best parts about this album was hearing the songs performed in other places such as MTV Unplugged. Songs that are alright on the album sound awesome off of it. I would love to hear some of these songs rerecorded now that Live has more exprience.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Nov 25 2007, 9:43 pm

[Badman]

1) Pain Lies On The Riverside - I don't get all the hype. This song is on the same level as Face and ghost" for me. I felt the lyrics could have been better

2) Operation Spirit - Great lyrics with bland instrumentals!

3) The Beauty Of Gray- I like this song for the most part. I feel it was too bass heavy though. This is the kinda song that somehow means something in so many places especially the part about the mother.

4) Brothers Unaware- Powerful lyrics, vocals, and drums collide to get this album moving! One of the best songs on the album and a serious underdog if you ask me. "I'm already... DEEEEEAAAAAAADDDDDD!!!

5) Tired Of "Me"- Excellent song, Second best on the Album. It is almost progressive because of the shift midsong after the silence (and I LOVE progressive!) The lyrics sound like they came from a younger Ed who was trying to find who he was and I can relate to that. The "hope is a letter" part has always been one of my favourite lyrics of all time.

6) Mirror Song- The perfect song. It just may be their best. I have heard no person ever say that didn't like this song. It is just perfect. It is so deep and the way he matched the message of simplicity with a simple song was just done so well...

7) Waterboy- The band has so much energy in this song! The messages are really easy to understand too. Great album placement.

8) Take My Anthem- I love the bass, I always thought the "chills in your spine are oh so sweet" part was ABOUT the bass. Would be a great show song.

9) You Are The World- Too slow... no... not loud enough... what happened? Easily the worst song on the album.

10) Good Pain - Great song. I one time saw a cool video with bombs and warfare to this song and it fit so well. There is a reason it was on 3 different albums.

11) Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd- Poetry in rock music? This song is up there with "Tired of me" as one of the best. The chorus is golden and this song reminds me that no other band deviates from the norm quite like Live.

12) 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now) - The lyrics confuse me... I think it needs to be rougher sounding too... the way he says, "peace is now" reminds me wayyy to much of SFBM.

Conclusion:
So many messages in one album, and from a songwriter as young as Ed was. I love this album and the songs constantly shift to find meaning in my life. I also like how it deviates from the normal subjects of rock albums because of how little it talks about sex, drugs, or love. Some may call it preachy, but I say Preach on!

This post has been edited by Badman: Nov 26 2007, 9:52 pm

[Merica]

1) Pain Lies On The Riverside - I don't get all the hype. This song is on the same level as Face and ghost" for me. I felt the lyrics could have been better

2) Operation Spirit - Great lyrics with bland instrumentals!

3) The Beauty Of Gray- I like this song for the most part. I feel it was too bass heavy though. This is the kinda song that somehow means something in so many places especially the part about the mother part.

4) Brothers Unaware- Powerful lyrics, vocals, and drums collide to get this album moving! One of the best songs on the album and serious underdog if you ask me. "I'm already... DEEEEEAAAAAAADDDDDD!!!

5) Tired Of "Me"- Excellent song, Second best on the Album. It is almost progressive because of the shift midsong after the silence (and I LOVE progressive!) The lyrics sound like they came from a younger Ed who was trying to find who he was and I can relate to that. The "hope is a letter" part has always been one of my favourite lyrics of all time.

6) Mirror Song- The perfect song. It just may be their best. I have heard no person ever say that didn't like this song. It is just perfect. It is so deep and the way he matched the message of simplicity with a simple song was just done so well...

7) Waterboy- The band has so much energy in this song! The messages are really easy to understand too. Great album placement.

8) Take My Anthem- I love the bass, I always thought the "chills in your spine are oh so sweet" part was ABOUT the bass. Would be a great show song.

9) You Are The World- Too slow... no... not loud enough... what happened? Easily the worst song on the album.

10) Good Pain - Great song. I one time saw a cool video with bombs and warfare to this song and it fit so well. There is a reason it was on 3 different albums.

11) Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd- Poetry in rock music? This song is up there with "Tired of me" as one of the best. The chorus is golden and this song reminds me that no other band deviates from the norm quite like Live.

12) 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now) - The lyrics confuse me... I think it needs to be rougher sounding too... the way he says, "peace is now" reminds me wayyy to much of SFBM.

Conclusion:
So many messages in one album, and from a songwriter as young as Ed was. I love this album and the songs constantly shift to find meaning in my life. I also like how it deviates from the normal subjects of rock albums because of how little it talks about sex, drugs, or love. Some may call it preachy, but I say Preach on!

This saves me time, as I can honestly say I agree with just about everything - ESPECIALLY the love for Brothers Unaware. ROCK ON!

[Badman]

This saves me time, as I can honestly say I agree with just about everything - ESPECIALLY the love for Brothers Unaware. ROCK ON!

Someone agrees with me?? I'm humbled Mr. Merica...

[Merica]

Don't be so shocked, Badman, you have some good views.

[Hoodstock]

I can't believe that nobody else here wants to reflect on this bands original work as Live. I know everybody has heard it.

[WaiterAtCliftons]

1) Pain Lies On The Riverside
Some of Chad Gracey's best work, absolutely love it. Of course Pat did great work as well, I would say one of Live's most rhythmic songs. Lyrics aren't great but they are good.

2) Operation Spirit
Strong lyrics, I just love the passion in them. The music is alright, could've been better. I'd have to agree could've been the opener.

3) The Beauty Of Gray
My oh my, I never know what to think of this song. The lyric is obviously beautiful, I just think its probably the Live song I've heard the most, and sometimes I kinda get sick of it, but then other times, I just have to hear it, its weird for me.

4) Brothers Unaware
To me, the most powerful lyrics on the whole album. The music is wonderful, overall my favorite song on the album, and one of my favorite Live songs. It gets over looked and under appreciated a lot.

5) Tired Of "Me"
It fits, thats about all I can say. Its not great, but its not bad either, I enjoy listening to it.

6) Mirror Song
I was so happy to see this song back in the setlist as of a couple years ago. Very strong lyric, and music. "But what about my bank account?" love it.

7) Waterboy
Worst song on the album, and nothing else is even close, they could've taken another song off of DOAD before they put this on there. Give me "Raising a Man" or "Savior for a day" over this. Although the song does have outstanding lyrics.

8) Take My Anthem
Again another song that is just enjoyable to listen too. Its not great but it does the trick.

9) You Are The World
2nd worst song on the album, could've been great, but I think they just missed it on this song. That being said, I still like to listen to it.

10) Good Pain
Good choice of DOAD. For Ed to write such a powerful song as a teenager, just blows me away.

11) Mother Earth Is A Vicious Crowd
Good portrait of the world then and now, love the music in this one as well.

12) 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now)
To me this song is an extension to the lyrics in Mother Earth, great song to end the album with. One of my favorite Live songs to listen too.


I would have to put MJ as 4th on my list of Live albums, after TC, TDTH, and SS but all 4 of them are so close. For how young the boys were when they wrote this album, it amazes me how it turned out. You could really see the genius in them especially a young Ed. Great album, great passion, and great rhythm.

This post has been edited by WaiterAtCliftons: Dec 4 2007, 9:38 pm

[Hoodstock]

I would have to put MJ as 4th on my list of Live albums, after TC, TDTH, and SS but all 4 of them are so close. For how young the boys were when they wrote this album, it amazes me how it turned out. You could really see the genius in them especially a young Ed. Great album, great passion, and great rhythm.

I agree

[+Ed+]

PLOTR is my all-time fave. Nuff said.

[Badman]

This is the only album I ever got a burned copy of... and then went and bought the album at full price after hearing it. No other artist can do that.