Alive, Only for those who have actually listened to it please! Options

[TheBeacon]

I completely agree about the lack of subtlety.

Case in my point m severe dislike for the opening lyrics of In Your Light.

Sometimes I find myself beholding all the gifts,
Some magnificent power gave me in the form of my two kids.
Can't dream of being good enough to deserve even half of this,
So let me thank you one more time, and seal it with a kiss.

I don't understand why more people aren't shouting about how horrible this is. I mean the message is sweet, but the method and lack of subtlety used in communicating it are just horrifically awful. It's so bad. No way this is the same guy that wrote Ghost, Gas Hed... no, just no. NO.

I agree, worst song ever! I can't even get past the opening lines. Maybe one day Ed will find his nutsack again and write good songs. He should leave this shit to his wife privately and never release it to the public. Horrible. Just In Time and In Your Light are truely Ed's two worst songs ever when it comes to the lyrics!

[Hoodstock]

Sooooooo, still no thoughts on the cover, guys?

I never noticed this - but it's probably because U2 sucks, Bono is annoying (both personally and vocally) and I never listen to them.

I never got the Live sounds like they are ripping off U2 comparison because I thought (early) Live blew them out of the water, but maybe that's what Ed has been going for.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Aug 13 2010, 8:23 am

[Hoodstock]

Nick,

As a person who enjoys Alive, like you, I can tell you why people say the album sucks. Listen to White, Discussion from MTV Unplugged (perhaps the best Live recording of a song ever) and then choose any Alive song to play right after.

The drop off you will hear between the two is completely amazing.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

I never noticed this - but it's probably because U2 sucks, Bono is annoying (both personally and vocally) and I never listen to them.

I never got the Live sounds like they are ripping off U2 comparison because I thought (early) Live blew them out of the water, but maybe that's what Ed has been going for.

I think the similarity in the two was more in the MJ days. CT used a lot of effects that were inspired by the Edge (Waterboy for example), and of course CG sets up his drumkit just like Larry Mullins Jr. (they are two of the only drummers who set them up like that).

Other than that the comparison holds little water aside from lyrics that address religious issues.

Live was clearly inspired by U2 (and the Talking Heads), and I imagine Ed would claim "inspiration" for this album cover too.

[OutToDry]

Early Live was the best. Ed's ripoff tendencies have always been off the charts. His Karmabus is now going over the cliff..................

[Badman]

Nick,

As a person who enjoys Alive, like you, I can tell you why people say the album sucks. Listen to White, Discussion from MTV Unplugged (perhaps the best Live recording of a song ever) and then choose any Alive song to play right after.

The drop off you will hear between the two is completely amazing.

Okay

White Discussion

The Great Beyond - "Ed's new sound"

Hoodie's right, I hadn't seen either of these and I confirmed it with a friend who didn't know the 2 were even different bands. He asked if he had to listen anymore and I didn't make him. I know that one has a better production value but you can see it in the band... where is the passion?

[alexou]

In your light is awful, and moreover, it is almost a total copy of mystery. Listen to the bridge of In your light and the one of Mystery. Same chords, same speed and sometimes even the same voice pitch. I think that it is the main reason why I hate that song since day one.

Always hated drink because its similarities with heaven and Love shines.

Alive really misses originality. My baby dances listening to it and I like some of it, but only because it is catchy I guess.

[SJN1279]

Curiously, does anyone think The Gracious Few's music matches early Live?

[thefunkyredcaboose]

Curiously, does anyone think The Gracious Few's music matches early Live?

I think it is different for a number of reasons, but the energy level is similar to early Live. In some ways the sound is even ballsier than early Live.

Personally I think Honest Man and The Few are as good as anything off of an early Live album.

[thefunkyredcaboose]

In your light is awful, and moreover, it is almost a total copy of mystery. Listen to the bridge of In your light and the one of Mystery. Same chords, same speed and sometimes even the same voice pitch. I think that it is the main reason why I hate that song since day one.

Always hated drink because its similarities with heaven and Love shines.

Alive really misses originality. My baby dances listening to it and I like some of it, but only because it is catchy I guess.

Live were never super creative with their chord progressions, but since Ed started writing they have gotten even more simple and uncreative.

[Badman]

Curiously, does anyone think The Gracious Few's music matches early Live?

That's a good question, Start a new thread about it!

(I can't believe I have to tell a former mod this)

[OutToDry]

The Gracious Few is not supposed to match early Live. It was never intended to sound like it.

I will say that it matches in production value, quality, rockingness, powerand emotion.

[alexou]

No it doesn't match early Live. It has more layers of guitars and it is simply not exactly the same style. I cannot compare Honnest man or Tredecim to any Live song. It rocks more, period. Not saying it is better than all Live's early work, but different

[alexou]

In terms of chord progressions like you said SFBM was terrible. All I need, Here to stay (or whatever the title of the song) were almost identical. I've always thought this lack of creativity in the chord progressions was coming from the lack of musician skills by Chad T. and particularly Ed. SFBM and Alive show it well I think about Ed's abilities.

[Merica]

But now we know Chad didn't write any guitar parts for SFBM and wasn't trying, so we can absolve him of lots of blame.

This post has been edited by Merica: Aug 13 2010, 10:06 am