 |  | Live is just a great band.... |  |
From the first time I heard them I thought they were a great band and I still think so today. Good basic rock and roll never gets to old.
Jeff
May 16, 2008There are some great songs on this album. Only complaint is that the lead singer continually verges on pretentious whining. The lyrics aren't particularly impressive, some of which are nonsensical. But I've consistently enjoyed this album since first purchasing it over 10 years ago, definitely worth buying.
May 15, 2008 | | (3.5 stars) Pretty good, although I could name about at least a hundred better bands | |
I know they're usually considered about the worst thing ever to happen to '90s rock, but I don't care, I kinda like Live. I mean, none of their stuff is as good as Nirvana or any other top-flight alt-rock band, and I don't at all like anything from Secret Samadhi, but they're good, in the sense that Stone Temple Pilots or Counting Crows or some other band that only a '90s rock obsessive like me would enjoy even in the least. I don't care about how they were an influence on Creed (who suck, by the way, although "My Sacrifice" is a pretty good song), nor do I care about the extreme religious content in their lyrics. They write good songs, even though everything they do is taken from the books of the far superior Nirvana (music) and U2 (lyrics). There were four big radio staples on this album, and I like them all: "I Alone" goes from delicate abstractions to head-banging riffage; "Selling the Drama" has an interesting delivery to make up for its completely pretentious lyrics, which include Ed Whatever comparing himself to Jesus; "Lightning Crashes" is a fascinating song-long build-up with a giant release; and "All Over You" has storming riffs and a crashing chorus, though again the lyrics are stupid ("Our love is like water, pinned down and abused for being strange" is a little sample for you); the semi-epics "Pillar of Davidson" and "White, Discussion" are really cool. And yes, there is plenty of other good stuff, too! The intense "Iris" and even more intense "Dam at Otter Creek" rule; "Top" has some sweet guitar parts. But there is plenty of bad stuff. "S*** Towne" is aptly titled; "Stage" and "Waitress" are two horrid hardcore punk tunes right in a row, and hardcore punk isn't what these guys do best; the hidden track is dull country. And there's no originality, and dumb lyrics throughout. Not because they're religious, mind you, but because they try too hard to look like big-deal poetry. Still, good album! Not a landmark or anything, though. They're not half as good as Smashing Pumpkins or anyone like that, either.
April 20, 2008This album is full of high points. You can tell U2 and R.E.M are major influences on this album. They strive for a big and serious sound, which is immediately apparent on the song "The Dam At Otter Creek" with it's strong repeating guitar riffs and impressive vocals. It is their best album by far with smash hit singles that brought the band to commercial success with the haunting ballad "Lightning Crashes", "Iris", "All Over You" and "I Alone".
What these songs have in common and makes them great hits is spiritual lyrics, catchy choruses and intense driving guitar melodies. The album finishes with a bonus track that contains pretty country-ish guitars and a chorus of "she rode a horse into my head". This would be a great addition to any CD collection.
April 16, 2008I tucked into this CD on the strength of the reviews here on Amazon. I'm trying to find new music after years of sticking in a narrow trough. This was a total coup, absolutely fulfilling. I play it sandwiched between REM, Something for Kate, and a couple of others - it shines like gold. Thanks you reviewers. Great stuff!
March 30, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(193 reviews)