Live - The Distance to Here

It takes a certain kind of band in this day and age to release a single called "The Dolphin's Cry." Unsurprisingly, that band is the always earnest Live. The Distance to Here doesn't have the aura of dullness that marred 1996's Secret Samadhi, but the everybody-in-the-pool accessibility of Throwing Copper is nowhere in sight. Still walking hand in hand with producer Jerry Harrison (producer since their debut, 1991's Mental Jewelry), the Pennsylvania-based quartet go for the bombastic and naturally end up over the top. It's one thing to rhyme "shooting star" with "you'll go far," but it's another thing to think that this is a good idea. The literalness of the lyrics aside, The Distance to Here has a few moments where listeners may get caught up in a maelstrom of melody. Will they stick around for the "message?" Not likely. --Jason Josephes Amazon.com

LIVE Returns

This release has LIVE returning to the better side of their music after their last one. LIVE is constantly keeping you on your feet with their evolution. Mental Jewelry is still the favorite release. This is in my top 3 favorite CD's though. March 25, 2008

Good solid live release

I know in this day and age, or probably on any day and age one would hardly buy a whole album if only one song was worth the while.
Distance to here is a solid Live album, just as every Live album, solid as in good as we have come to expect and solid as in "yes it sounds like their previous or even their newest albums" that is not a bad thing is you are a Live fan.
Sometimes a band can re-invent themselves without alienating some of their fans, most of the time they can't, so it is reasonable to see how some bands just decide to stick to their guns and give their followers what the have come to expect.
There are two really outstanding songs in this album, in my opinion.
Dolphins cry and Meltdown, the second being probably one of the best Live songs ever, this song, by itself, makes buying the album a good purchase.
Cheers November 13, 2007

A Cohesively Wrought, Beautiful, Brilliant Work of Art

This album is to my mind the tightest concept album I've ever heard, portraying the experience of a person discovering spirituality through love. Each song is "a good song" on its own, but each one turns into a recapitulation of the overall message, whether by showing the person's transformation from a particular perspective or at a particular stage in time. Oh, and during this journey the songs explore some core ideas of Christianity and Buddhism. The lyrics of the songs are highly inter-referential and the album focuses intently on its central theme -- while simultaneously exploring widely in its interpretations (it's a long way getting to where you already are...). The music is potent, intricate, original, emotional, and utterly vibrant at all levels, if somewhat difficult to categorize. I am particularly fond of the drumming, but it's all top-notch, and many people will probably find the guitar work very remarkable. I have listened to this album more than any other I own, and consider it my favorite work of art by far. September 20, 2007

Brilliant!

This album is one of their best. I have not listened to this album in a while and while driving put it back in my cd player. I am always blown away by the writing and the music these boy's make. This cd is brilliant! June 15, 2007

ok but...

..just a little too religious & preachy for me. Was looking for better compositions. May 13, 2007

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