Live and Commercial Success - Does it Matter? Options

[Wambangalang]

i think Live are more than capable of having a chart topping album, anyone is really. We all pretty much agree that if Like I Do was released as a single it would have killed on the radio and that was from their most recent album so its obvious they do have it in them. Ed released heaven because he wanted people to see he was not afraid to talk about his love for his daughters, good and i respect him for that, but what he should have done is released a song (like i do) that everybody will love because if they love the first single AND the second single (Lighthouse?) then chances are they are gonna buy the album and listen to heaven anyway.

With SFBM i am liking the stuff I've heard so far, but so far there still isnt a 'Like I Do' or a 'Lighthouse' yet.

[sellingthdrama]

Normally, when I first hear a concert version of a Live song, I'm mixed about it. However, when I heard Mystery and Love Shines, I liked them immediately. This makes me think the studio versions will be even better, which makes me optimistic about the whole album and it's commercial success. Also, I think the new mix of The River is better.

Like most of you have been saying, all in all, commercial success does not matter. The music is the music - if I can feel it, I'll like it.

[Fredrik]

For me it doesn't really matter how many copies LIVE will sell from their next album as long as I like it. Couldn't really care less about what other people think about the music I listen to. But ofcourse there's an upside to success, as someone stated earlier. With success comes more opportunities to see the band - in magazines, on the TV and in live-performances. That's always a nice bonus.

So if it's not a hit, I'll live. If it IS a hit, then hey ... great!
No matter the success (or lack thereof) LIVE will always make music THEY want to make, and you really have to give them credit for that - no matter if you like the sound or not.

And off-topic:
I really LOVE this smiley
"oh, oh RAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

[Grandpa Grizz]

I haven't heard much of the new album, but sadly so far I haven't had the trademark LiVE goosebumps. Maybe it's the mix issue I've seen some talk of here. It just seems like Live Lite somehow.

I may have a completely different impression when I have the chance to listen to the CD on my big stereo, instead of mp3s on the 'puter. I hope so. I have had a fantastic experience with every one of our band's releases. I have no reason to expect that to change. Like my other band each new album is a surprise and never what I expected, so I have learned to have no expectations except to be gratified and thankful for more new material.

Perhaps what I perceive as a softer sound is an effort by the band and/or it's managers and/or the label to achieve broader appeal. But it could be an expression of the band's evolution. Mid to late 80s was Rush's "pop" phase, and their sales lagged and fans drifted away. Roll The Bones/Counterparts was a return to hard rock, and sales went up and fans returned. I would like to see LiVE rock HARD again, myself.

[DesertWater]

Personally, I would like Live to recieve some commercial success. They are extremely far better than most bands that have commercial success these days. I was watching the grammies the other day while I was flipping through the channels and this rap dude was exceptionally horrible -even compared to most rap songs out.

However, if they somehow accomplish commercial success, it's a shame that is because of The River.

[edstipe]

Just to throw my two cents in on the "how will SFBM be received" discussion, I have heard the album (or at least an unmastered version of it) in its entirety, and I have to admit to being optimistic. It feels like a cross between TDTH and BoP in terms of themes/mood, but is catchier by far than either of those two, even upon first listen. Catchiness is critical in terms of commercial popularity, so, if the record label plays its cards right, I think there are certain songs on SFBM that could blow up and make the album huge. We'll see.

Sorry to be quoting myself, but just to clarify, I have HEARD SFBM in its entirety, but I don't POSSESS it. So please don't ask me to rip, email, upload, or post anything.

[burd]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

It's different in the states. The only SINGLE ... as in ONE song ... that was released from that entire wonderful album was The Dolphin's Cry. Run To The Water I think was out for about a week ... if that ... maybe. Radio in the states, and specifically in NY is absolutely horrible.

[SJN1279]

Once Epic goes for the big push on "The River" it will explode on the radio. From what I hear its a matter of when and not if....

[sellingthdrama]

I'm psyched!!! BOP deserved to be promoted so much better. Better promotion and a different choice of singles released could've made the commercial story of BOP much different than what it was. I would be thrilled to see Live all over the place again.

[Yodeling_Chick]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

It's different in the states. The only SINGLE ... as in ONE song ... that was released from that entire wonderful album was The Dolphin's Cry. Run To The Water I think was out for about a week ... if that ... maybe. Radio in the states, and specifically in NY is absolutely horrible.

I agree!! 100%. Rock radio is terrible now in NYC even more that we've lost KROCK to a talk radio format. They were the only station in NYC where I heard Live's older, harder stuff played regularly. PLJ plays live rarely and when they do they play Heaven. Now that's all I'm stuck with at work. Bye Bye rock music.

This post has been edited by Yodeling_Chick: Feb 12 2006, 12:58 am

[beau99]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

It's different in the states. The only SINGLE ... as in ONE song ... that was released from that entire wonderful album was The Dolphin's Cry. Run To The Water I think was out for about a week ... if that ... maybe. Radio in the states, and specifically in NY is absolutely horrible.

I agree!! 100%. Rock radio is terrible now in NYC even more that we've lost KROCK to a talk radio format. They were the only station in NYC where I heard Live's older, harder stuff played regularly. PLJ plays live rarely and when they do they play Heaven. Now that's all I'm stuck with at work. Bye Bye rock music.

Same here in Phoenix.

We just lost our alternative station to the exact same talk format. They played Throwing Copper stuff as well as the BOP songs.

The hard rock station here only plays "White, Discussion", and that's only very rarely.

[alcoholiday]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

Damn, how could i forget my fav album?? You are right, dolphins cry was played a few weeks...don't know why not popular around here, although alot of cover bands i saw were playing it and the crowd seemed to dig it.
Commercial success isn't that important really, as long as they make music we all love and enjoy...do you really care about teenie bopper wanna be's at their concerts liek DMB concerts? hopefully not. I don't like LIVE so i can be cool...i like them for their music and how it used to make me feel, and my hopes the new album will create that same feeling.
I've read way too many reviews of LIVE where they refer to them as preachy. So if anyone unfamiliar to them reads it, they will think they are a christian rock band. call me crazy, but while i'm not religious, i thought their best work was when Ed was studying buddism and such...

[alcoholiday]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

It's different in the states. The only SINGLE ... as in ONE song ... that was released from that entire wonderful album was The Dolphin's Cry. Run To The Water I think was out for about a week ... if that ... maybe. Radio in the states, and specifically in NY is absolutely horrible.

I agree!! 100%. Rock radio is terrible now in NYC even more that we've lost KROCK to a talk radio format. They were the only station in NYC where I heard Live's older, harder stuff played regularly. PLJ plays live rarely and when they do they play Heaven. Now that's all I'm stuck with at work. Bye Bye rock music.

Krock turned into KCrap.....but at least you have Setan Hall Pirate Radio
bat your eyes a few times at the DJ and maybe he will play some LIVE, ha. They only play harder rock, but that will get you through your workdays...

[Soxwsc]

Huh? What about The Distance to here singles?

Damn, how could i forget my fav album?? You are right, dolphins cry was played a few weeks...don't know why not popular around here, although alot of cover bands i saw were playing it and the crowd seemed to dig it.
Commercial success isn't that important really, as long as they make music we all love and enjoy...do you really care about teenie bopper wanna be's at their concerts liek DMB concerts? hopefully not. I don't like LIVE so i can be cool...i like them for their music and how it used to make me feel, and my hopes the new album will create that same feeling.
I've read way too many reviews of LIVE where they refer to them as preachy. So if anyone unfamiliar to them reads it, they will think they are a christian rock band. call me crazy, but while i'm not religious, i thought their best work was when Ed was studying buddism and such...

I agree. The general public still thinks of Live as a deep, serious, spiritual band, so actually the fact that The River is completely opposite and is more about love and sex (or babies), it could be a new refreshing sound from Live that casual fans might take interest and embrace. Just as long as the next single is somewhat deeper and more complex than The River.

[sellingthdrama]

I agree. The general public still thinks of Live as a deep, serious, spiritual band, so actually the fact that The River is completely opposite and is more about love and sex (or babies), it could be a new refreshing sound from Live that casual fans might take interest and embrace. Just as long as the next single is somewhat deeper and more complex than The River.

This may be off topic, but I think the River is very much about spirituality. I believe love and spirituality go hand in hand. Does anyone else think "the river" is a metaphor for Chi?