Alive, Has anyone heard the CD?? Options

[Pokey]

Pokey, Badman - would you say that the best thing about 'Alive' is that it's making you appreciate SFBM a bit more dislike SFBM a bit less?

Sadly yes. It's put things more in perspective. C,C&P may have had no part in SFBM creatively and sonically they were neutered on it. But this new band shows that even at their worst the TGF boys were better. Also on SFBM Ed hadn't gone completely off the rails with the churchy stuff just yet. He has here. I think like has been mentioned before the over the top bible bashing love feat is an over compensation for guilt, something SFBM didn't have.

[livefan86]

I just listened to the album and I can't believe that these songs were written by the same guy who wrote so many great songs. I wouldn't call it his worst work because I think its better than SFBM.

Event though I am upset that Ed has lost his creative edge and screwed up my favorite band I dont think this album is all that bad. I think this album will be enjoyable for people who are listening to Ed for the first time and have no idea about his past or who are a casual fan of Live and not caught up in the whole break up thing.

[Infrequent Poster]

These reviews have been disappointing. I was holding out hope for a few of the tracks based on the samplers. I'll still snipe one or two off iTunes but these early returns don't sound very promising.

[Badman]

Sigh... just wish there was ONE song that wasn't religious... I listened to it in my car and had to keep turning it down in traffic

I just listened to the Itunes extra song A New World and I don't know if it is religious or not. Honestly, I can't tell what the song is about... but it may be the only song on the "album" that isn't religious. It's one of the better songs I suppose. He lets the band play a little bit at the end and they sound alright but the lyrics are still uninspiring.

[LiveFan92]

Generally first impressions are the most accurate.

Yes, that's why 99% of Live fans HATED SS and TDTH when those albums first came out and all of Live fans still hate those albums today... yep, everyone still hates those albums!

Oh wait, you say those are two albums that are constantly named as people's favs these days?? How odd! I thought that first impressions were the end all, be all and nothing ever grew on anyone!

[OutToDry]

I don't know where you get the stats that SS & TDTH were hated by 99%

I Call Bullshit as the BS meter has spiked with that comment.

This post has been edited by OutToDry: Jun 26 2010, 7:20 pm

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

Yes, that's why 99% of Live fans HATED SS and TDTH when those albums first came out and all of Live fans still hate those albums today... yep, everyone still hates those albums!

Oh wait, you say those are two albums that are constantly named as people's favs these days?? How odd! I thought that first impressions were the end all, be all and nothing ever grew on anyone!

It's also a known fact that 73% of all statistics quoted on the internet are completely made up.

[Liveman94]

Not at all, if I kept on listening to it and my opinion changed then I'd say so. What have I got to lose? I'm not trying to impress anyone. But my opinion is not changing, if anything my review would be more scathing if I wrote it now I think. I just wanted to capture my initial reaction to hearing the album for the first time.

I know what you mean about giving it time to sink in first before writing a review. But that was part of my whole point, some music just demands you listen to it more and more, whether your opinion moves towards the positive or the negative from whatever your first one is, the music still demands more listens. I just did not get that out of Ed's album, when it finished if I never had to listen to it ever again I'd be more than happy. Nothing in it made me think "hmm maybe I should hold back before confirming this as my review". I've written a lot of proper music reviews for a melbourne music mag and a website before and a lot of the times I have written the review whilst listening to the album for the first time but then not posted it and will tweak it upon further listens, you can just tell when an album needs that to happen for an honest review to take place. And yeah once again, this just wasn't one of them.

As far as comparing them to the whole Idol/daughtry sound goes .. it's honestly hard to judge it against others in the same category. I find this type of music so barren and void of interest that comparing it to others is difficult. It's like comparing nothing to nothing. In some ways it's better
because his voice is good, in other ways I think I'd prefer more Idol/daughtry stuff because it isn't as preachy and God and Church filled ... those are lyrics and themes I can't get behind. It's certainly not REALLY any better or worse than Idol stuff because it just IS that.

What frustrates me is that there is nothing interesting musically going on ... where is the slide guitar of Face and Ghost? The hush whispered vocals of TBD? The brilliant drumming of Pain Lies? The amazing bass of Heropsychodreamer? ... the music is just such a dramatic step down from what he's worked with before and I just can't fathom how he can stand this!

Well that's a fair enough call on your part - I'm a little dissapointed (in alive) because you are usually pretty close to the mark and I'm sure that this is the case here too.

When I hear face and ghost it takes me back to a different place and time immediately, the drama that fills Lives earlier music is second to none - TBD is another good example, so too Ghost. These songs seem to engage another part of your brain that makes you want to hear them again...I believe 'Money' is intentionally steering away from this. 'Tredecim' is a TGF song that evokes a similar cerebral response

As to why 'Money' no longer wants to I have no idea. I both play and write music; it's always the goal in my band to create something special, something that gives the same feel as LIVEs early stuff - dramatic, powerful & engaging. We'd be honored to do that.

Anyway, I'll still buy 'alive' and hope to get something from it...

Thanks for clarifying!

[Liveman94]

Sorry for the double post.

I think that every second Live disc has put it's predecessor into perspective...

MJ was followed by TC I know folks who only like MJ - they never gave TC a chance cuz it wass different.

TC was followed by SS lot of folks didn't like SS cuz of it's dark tones and seemingly detached lyrics so they clung to TC.

SS was followed by TDTH I remember reading a review where the guy said 'buy TDTH only if you really live LIVE' he hated it and ran a fan website!!! SS was all of a sudden golden because it was eschewed so fiercely by TDTH sonically and thematically.

TDTH was followed by V we heard it we hated It many still do - by comparison TDTH has heart and soul and purpose and a deeper voice along with meaning - V had rap and cheesy keyboards and 'ok?' - I love TDTH

V was followed by BOP hailed as a return to form BOP failed to capture the same interest as 'V' because most of the songs sound the same and the highlights were few and far between - later we find out the guitar solo in 'runaway' is cut and 'She' will never be played in concert inspite of thenfact ot kicks ass in it's entireity. Poor single choices also hurt.

BOP was followed by SFBM what can I say, immediately the joy of the record appealed to me but upon further listens 'Love Shines' becomes annoying the river formulaic and show and sofia overproduced - a travesty C,C, & P are quiet and forgettable. All of a sudden 'Heaven' 'Like I Do' Lighthouse' Out to dry and sweet release are legendary songs that remind me of what once was.

SFBM was followed by Alive - now I haven't heard it but from what pokey says - SFBM is now stand alone It is placed into perspective by the fact that no matter what Ed does he cannot replicat the sound those four boys from York pa make when they get together. We appreciate the CT runs on all I need bridge and the dahlheimer bass in sofia and CGs drums on everything - he is special. SFBM becomes the last of LIVE'S albums and can we appreciate it for that??? Buy 'Alive' and find out.

[Sakhmet2]

Yes, that's why 99% of Live fans HATED SS and TDTH when those albums first came out and all of Live fans still hate those albums today... yep, everyone still hates those albums!

Oh wait, you say those are two albums that are constantly named as people's favs these days?? How odd! I thought that first impressions were the end all, be all and nothing ever grew on anyone!

It may not be 99% but not everybody liked them.

MJ was followed by TC I know folks who only like MJ - they never gave TC a chance cuz it wass different.
TC was followed by SS lot of folks didn't like SS cuz of it's dark tones and seemingly detached lyrics so they clung to TC.
SS was followed by TDTH I remember reading a review where the guy said 'buy TDTH only if you really live LIVE' he hated it and ran a fan website!!! SS was all of a sudden golden because it was eschewed so fiercely by TDTH sonically and thematically.
TDTH was followed by V we heard it we hated It many still do - by comparison TDTH has heart and soul and purpose and a deeper voice along with meaning - V had rap and cheesy keyboards and 'ok?' - I love TDTH
V was followed by BOP hailed as a return to form BOP failed to capture the same interest as 'V' because most of the songs sound the same and the highlights were few and far between - later we find out the guitar solo in 'runaway' is cut and 'She' will never be played in concert inspite of thenfact ot kicks ass in it's entireity. Poor single choices also hurt.
BOP was followed by SFBM what can I say, immediately the joy of the record appealed to me but upon further listens 'Love Shines' becomes annoying the river formulaic and show and sofia overproduced - a travesty C,C, & P are quiet and forgettable. All of a sudden 'Heaven' 'Like I Do' Lighthouse' Out to dry and sweet release are legendary songs that remind me of what once was.

It is good to be reminded of these truths from time to time.

This post has been edited by Sakhmet2: Jun 26 2010, 8:30 pm

[OutToDry]

Ed should add PF's 'Money' to his setlist............simply saying.

[Bremang]

"yes the song of my soul is sweet like a blackbird 'gainst a night sky... human eyes can't see. but to feel it is salvation so wild and free, no destiny... no destiny." ~ Soul Whispers

How the hell is a blackbird sweet??

Sweet meaning sentimental or unrealistic

Even expecting the album to not be that great, having it come out makes me wish it could have been from Ed from the 90s.

This post has been edited by Bremang: Jun 26 2010, 10:39 pm

[TheBeacon]

Still holding out to July 6th for the entire album but I did hear a snippet of Rome......
Have you heard Love Shines from SBFM? Well this is the remix or the sequel, whatever you want to call it. Unfortunate. Ed seemes he really has lost that creative spark.

.....atleast the cd back doesnt say Rome ( another song about god for my daughters) lol

This post has been edited by TheBeacon: Jun 26 2010, 11:35 pm

[Live inside]

"yes the song of my soul is sweet like a blackbird 'gainst a night sky... human eyes can't see. but to feel it is salvation so wild and free, no destiny... no destiny." ~ Soul Whispers

How the hell is a blackbird sweet?? [/quote]



Com on say it is the freedom of the poet

Ïn Holland we are saying , what you are doiing now is "Mierenneuken" ( fucking ants)

This post has been edited by Live inside: Jun 27 2010, 12:04 am

[LivesMeltdown]

Soul Whispers (live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSZINn0V0qk