Album Analysis IV, The Distance To Here Options

[Hoodstock]

The Idea - Analyze the album (in this case The Distance To Here) 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) The Dolphin's Cry

2) The Distance

3) Sparkle

4) Run To The Water

5) Sun

6) Voodoo Lady

7) Where Fishes Go

8) Face And Ghost

9) Feel The Quiet River Rage

10) Meltdown

11) They Stood Up For Love

12) We Walk In The Dream

13) Dance With You

[Distance to Me]

Well, I'm gonna start off by saying this is my favorite album. It's their most varied album except for maybe V, except this has the old-school Live feeling.

1) The Dolphin's Cry: Maybe not the greatest opening track, but never the less a very good song. This song has I Alone written all over it, except I think this is much, much better. I especially like the 2nd chorus. Very uplifting =)

2) The Distance: This is the first song on the album that incorporates dance elements, and everybody has got to love this song. This is one of my dads favorite songs, and it's lyrics about heaven and death and all that stuff are very good. I'm still likin' it.

3) Sparkle: This song starts off with some rocky guitar playing, but then quiets down until it explodes into a rocking chorus. While this is a very good song, it's probably my least favorite song on the album.

4) Run to the Water: Speaking of "gotta love this song", this song is simply amazing. Epic is the only word I can think of that does this song justice. Listen to it. Ed also puts his great vocals to great use in this song, displaying his range.

5) Sun: Another rocker. This is the shortest song on the album, but that most certainly is not a bad thing! The chorus is very, very catchy, and this song gets my head bobbing quickly.

6) Voodoo Lady: For a long time, this was my favorite song on the album. It starts off with the aforementioned dance feeling, and then kicks into another explosive chorus. Very cool song.

7) Where Fishes Go: Another great song, but sandwiched between better ones I think. Another "epic" song, and a seriously awesome chorus.

8) Face and Ghost: I seriously don't know why I like this song so much. The vocal work maybe? I don't know. Just listen to it. It's a beautiful song. Gotta like the "Sha-la-la"s.

9) Feel the Quiet River Rage: A fan favorite, and for very good reason. This song could've been the opener I get, but the problem with that, is that the rest of the album wouldn't seem as strong. Oh well, this song reminds me of The Dam at Otter Creek, cuz' this song just keeps building momentum.

10) Meltdown: I guess this is this albums version of Stage, Heropsychodreamer, Flow, etc. Anyway, I really like this song, but again, it is sandwiched between 2 of the greatest songs ever created =), so it loses some of it's power I guess. The interlude is really cool though.

11) They Stood Up For Love: This song is amazing. This song cures cancer. Listen to it. Even if you've heard it over and over just go listen to it. It is so catchy it's crazy.

12) We Walk in the Dream: Another incredibly catchy song that carries you away. My favorite part is the build up to the guitar solo. "NO FEAR!"

13) Dance With You: This song is beautiful. Maybe not quite as beautiful as Turn My Head, but still beautiful. Maybe this shouldn't have been the ending song, but it sits you back, chills you out, and takes you away with lines like "nothing left, but a cracking voice in a song, oh lord..."

[Merica]

1) The Dolphin's Cry

I think this is a very cool song, which has a very cool video. One of the better adverts for Live outside of Throwing Copper, if you're trying to show how "cool" they are.

2) The Distance

This isn't bad, but not one of my favourites.

3) Sparkle

Same.

4) Run To The Water

I love this, I think it's an absoloutely classic, really brilliant.

5) Sun

Good song, decent chorus.

6) Voodoo Lady

My interest in this goes up and down, sometimes im really into it, other times I skip.

7) Where Fishes Go

I like this, the intensity of WHEN FISHES GET THE etc is really good.

8) Face And Ghost

This is great as well, if a little too sloppy and poppy.

9) Feel The Quiet River Rage

Of late this has really gone up in my rankings, it's brilliant.

10) Meltdown

I can honestly never remember what this song sounds like unlike I turn it on. Forgettable, but when I listen to it I like it. I dunno.

11) They Stood Up For Love

Brilliant. Nuff Said.

12) We Walk In The Dream

I really like this one, it's not a star track of the album, but it's a solid song. Good.

13) Dance With You

I like this, really nice song, although I don't like it performed Live, because that's Ed at his girly worst (sometimes anyway).

Sorry for quick review and bad English (I haven't checked but I'm assuming), I'm quite tired but wanted to write something.

Come on folks, review TDTH!

[Badman]

1) The Dolphin's Cry
Great Opener, powerful instrumentals, what is not to love?

2) The Distance
Never really liked this... the image of Ed in a cowboy hat in the CD jacket is not right... The version from Radiant Sea always makes me smile though.

3) Sparkle
Wow, Underated B side anyone? This could rock if performed... esp the last part!

4) Run To The Water
"Burnt to the core but not broken" means alot to me... not the best on the album... I probably like it less than most.

5) Sun
I always skip this... The Sun looped version is better in all aspects.

6) Voodoo Lady
Tied with TSUFL for best song on the album! I can tell alot of work went into the chorus of this song... the murmurs in the background sound so great in the song. Perfect song for a music video!

7) Where Fishes Go
I don't see why people don't like this song. I have debated the meaning for a long time... B/c I am Atheist it means the most to me to hold it as an anti religion song even though I know that is not what it was made to be.

8) Face And Ghost

Middle song! Nothing wrong with it... just lacks passion you know?

9) Feel The Quiet River Rage
One of the most forgettable live songs on the album. Cool name though.

10) Meltdown
I have no idea what this song is talking about. I don't really care for it.

11) They Stood Up For Love
Wow, Why wasn't this the single?? It is perfect, another Mirror Song! Perfect Rhymes... good show song... Even an awesome title! Blows me away everytime.

12) We Walk In The Dream
Nice way to take the album down from a TSUFL high. This song has a calming effect on me.

13) Dance With You
The Horse of the album. A little better though... I wouldn't let my friends hear me listening to it. I also have an Ex girlfriend that somehow connected this song to me so I think about her when I hear it.

Overall:
I don't understand why this didn't fair so well commercially. It is pretty solid and should have received radio play. Even had a cool CD and album Jacket. It had everything going for it, at least we all appreciate it.

[Merica]

9) Feel The Quiet River Rage
One of the most forgettable live songs on the album. Cool name though.

I used to think exactly this, until I took notice of some of the songs lyrics in a users signature. I forget who it is, but they have (or had) don't believe the world's too empty, it's just too noisy to hear the sound written down, and I just noticed, thought about it, then seeked the song out and have since then had a greater appreciation for it.

[Hoodstock]

1) The Dolphin's Cry

Ed said in concert it's a song about sex. A lot of people think this song is soft but I think it rocks and was a perfect start to the album. Not a top single for Live but a very solid song with a great sound.

2) The Distance

This is a great song and obviously the title track of the album. It is not a single but it is a solid song that really captures the sound of Live. Any fan of this band can appreciate The Distance. Love the line "Let him find his lucky penny, let him put it in his pocket and shake it all around."

3) Sparkle

Love will ovecome is a good line in this song. Enjoy listening to it after The Distance.

4) Run To The Water

This is a really good song. I've always equated it to the Lightning Crashes of this album. Has a great sound and is one of Live's best songs.

5) Sun

This song totally rocks, and had the potential to be the best song on the album, until the corny refrain of "Sun, Sun, Merciful" One kicks in. For me it ruined the song. I usually listen to the start and skip the song when it gets to that part.

6) Voodoo Lady

I enjoyed this song when I first heard the album but I've developed a hate for it because they always play it in concert and I don't think it should be in the setlist. It's not really that great of a song.

7) Where Fishes Go

Solid song that goes well on this album. I wish it was overall a little more upbeat.

8) Face And Ghost

Solid song from start to finish. Not a single, but a good song which helps make this a great album.

9) Feel The Quiet River Rage

Again, solid song from start to finish. Not a single, but a good song which helps make this a great album.

10) Meltdown

And again, solid song from start to finish. Not a single, but a good song which helps make this a great album.

11) They Stood Up For Love

This is the BEST song on this album. Great song, great sound, great message, great in concert. A song like this is what makes Live a special band.

12) We Walk In The Dream

Again, solid song from start to finish. Not a single, but a good song which helps make this a great album.

13) Dance With You

I'm a fan of ending an album with a bang, but this is a nice finish. It's nice to hear in concert too but I wish they wouldn't end shows on it - again finish with a bang

Summary

I could argue that this is Live's best album, but I think Throwing Copper edges it out. It has some of Live's best songs a host of solid songs that are not singles, but are the staple of the Live sound. Great album - Thank You Live for this effort, I will always cherish it!

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Jan 12 2008, 11:11 am

[Grandpa Grizz]

I'm off to bed right now, but I'll definitely add my thoughts on my favorite LiVE album. IMO it is their best and most consistent. As Ed said at the time, more songs about Love and Water. There is nothing wrong with that! Rocks hard too.