Reviews of "Alive" from media, Post reviews here Options

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I am REALLY looking forward to the reaction to the TGF reviews on this board. I know it will get good ones. And I'm also certain that it will get some not-so-good ones. Will be interesting to see how you guys interpret them.

Good Ed review = reviewer doesnt know what he/she is talking about
Bad Ed review = spot-on musical genius who knows exactly what they are talking about

Good TGF review = spot-on musical genius who knows exactly wha they are talking about.
Bad TGF review = coming soon to a FansofLive thread near you!

A Bad TGF review where it sounds as though the reviewer has actually listened to the album is fine. Heck, we've had varying views on the songs so far by members of the vast TGF-wing conspiracy. As far as I know, no one has yet been taken out to the woodshed for stepping out of line.

Edited for overuse of the word actually.

This post has been edited by ItchyTriggerFinger: Aug 10 2010, 3:06 pm

[Pokey]

We squirm for different reasons .. I like Ed getting bad reviews because I think his album deserves them. Nick for example I imagine would like TGF getting bad reviews because he's hung up over some crazy idea that they're out to damage Ed and doesn't like them personally ... the fact he just doesn't dig their music seems to be a side issue. As for anyone else that would enjoy TGF getting a bad review, I dunno..

I'm not talking about their success though. I personally don't think they'll light the world on fire. I wish they would, and I think the material is good enough to. But I don't think the world will want to listen. Live and Candlebox are just not names big enough to create a real "wow factor" about TGF getting together. That said, who gives a shit, I just want the music. If a reviewer bases their review on them negatively because he thinks they're has been rockers rather than the music itself then that's sad. If he thinks the music is terrible and outlines reasons why then whatever. I think most people who put effort into their reviews will see Ed as being much more washed up than TGF. TGF are making a fresh stab at it ... they're creating something new. Ed is trying his best to mimick the band he left to "make a fresh start" and still plays most of their songs at gigs rather than following up on that fresh start he talks about.
To me, he's in a much more washed up, coat tail riding position than TGF.

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

The bad Ed reviews have the majority of this board squirming with delight for the same reason you mention above.

I disagree with this assessment. There are a few who are going to hate Ed for his part in the breakup. They're not even going to squirm with delight. They're full on dancing with glee. Then there are others, myself included, who had hoped for something from Ed we could truly enjoy and were greatly disappointed by what we ended up getting from him. That the bad reviews have largely parroted what this second group has been saying for some time now will indeed make some glad that they weren't the only ones who thought so.

Be prepared for the un-biased reviewer to see TGF for what they are - has-been rockers taking another stab at it.

I truly hope they are a success, but if I was a betting man, I wouldnt put any money on it.

You're right. As far as the industry is concerned, they are has-been rockers until they prove otherwise. What is up for debate is what constitutes the proof. Is it the quality of the music or the commercial success? Or is it both? Because there are a lot of has-been rockers still making plenty of money selling drivel. Bon Jovi, anyone?

[Pokey]

A Bad TGF review where it sounds as though the reviewer has actually listened to the album is fine. Heck, we've had varying views on the songs so far by members of the vast TGF-wing conspiracy.

This is true, I've made it no secret that from what I've heard Guilty Fever doesn't do anything for me. Likewise Crying Time didnt blow me away, it's ok, but nothing special. Honest Man, Tredecim, The Few, Closer ... so far those songs are just absolute gems. So my opinion at least isn't that TGF can do no wrong.

[sh4rpz]

I'm glad someone likes 'Alive'. As for me, I got hold of the album cos I was interested to see what Ed could come up with - and I'm not interested anymore.

Sorry, just being honest.

[jclive]

A Bad TGF review where it sounds as though the reviewer has actually listened to the album is fine. Heck, we've had varying views on the songs so far by members of the vast TGF-wing conspiracy. As far as I know, no one has yet been taken out to the woodshed for stepping out of line.

Edited for overuse of the word actually.

That made me laugh! Hopefully congress doesnt get involved, right?

[Pokey]

The other reason I like the bad Alive reviews and wish there were more was because I had hoped it would be a reality check to Ed to get his ass into gear and make good music again.

I honestly think there are less bad Ed reviews than their should be as unless you're already warm to him then to the average joe blow he's not worth writing a review over if you think nothing of it. He's not a big enough name to garner attention from people who would take the time over him to write a negative review. This could also ring true for TGF too. If Live got back together for example and made another shit album like SFBM then there would be more negative reviews for that then both Alive and TGF's negative reviews combined. So i think unless you're really someone major, the positive reviews will always outweigh the negative.

[jclive]

This is true, I've made it no secret that from what I've heard Guilty Fever doesn't do anything for me. Likewise Crying Time didnt blow me away, it's ok, but nothing special. Honest Man, Tredecim, The Few, Closer ... so far those songs are just absolute gems. So my opinion at least isn't that TGF can do no wrong.

I'm really looking forward to hearing the rest of the tunes, and how the flow together. Only heard 2 so far.

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

That made me laugh! Hopefully congress doesnt get involved, right?

Glad you laughed. I did mean for that line to be amusing.

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I'm really looking forward to hearing the rest of the tunes, and how the flow together. Only heard 2 so far.

Crying Time can be streamed from their Myspace page if you haven't heard that one yet. There may also be links available to several performances of Appetite done at various radio stations. Whether those links still work, I'm not sure.

[jclive]

Crying Time can be streamed from their Myspace page if you haven't heard that one yet. There may also be links available to several performances of Appetite done at various radio stations. Whether those links still work, I'm not sure.

I think I'm going to hold out and just wait until I can buy the CD and crank it up on the ol' home stereo. Old school style! I have fond memories of my first listen to most Live CD's this way.

[ItchyTriggerFinger]

I think I'm going to hold out and just wait until I can buy the CD and crank it up on the ol' home stereo. Old school style! I have fond memories of my first listen to most Live CD's this way.

I can understand that sentiment. Though, I admit that when they said they were going in a different direction from both Live and Candlebox, I needed to hear that direction. I was a bit concerned that they might go over into the realm of metal. And where metal is concerned, my tastes run very hot and cold.

Big 70's, bluesy rock, on the other hand, always sits well with me.

[Hoodstock]

I only commented on the TGF review thread when Hoodie asked me what I thought regarding it.

That you did

[livefan1999]

Since there isn't a thread with reviews of Grace alone. If I missed it, sorry.

This is a brief review on Grace at an English website. As with all of their reviews, the Grace video is linked from that review.

Ed Kowalczyk - 'Grace'
'Grace' is the first taster from former Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk's solo album and despite its unnerving Bon Jovi similarity, it has enough punch to be an enjoyable rock effort. It doesn't overstay its welcome and manages to pack hard riffs and a crunching chorus into its three-minute running time leaving you with heightened expectations for the album. (IS)

http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/singl...ugust-2010.html

[Badman]

The other reason I like the bad Alive reviews and wish there were more was because I had hoped it would be a reality check to Ed to get his ass into gear and make good music again.

I echo this sentiment. I really believe Ed still has it in him to write good music somewhere. He needs to feel failure's harsh touch in the fullest way possible before he breaks down and opens his eastern philosophy books again.

I also don't think he can continue down the blatantly christian road with the current trends away from religion in america.