Live Free Or Die (Rpkg) [Import, Original recording remastered]

Balaam & the Angel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Anagram Gothic
• ASIN: B0012LA9OS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I'll Show You Something Special

2. I Love the Things You Do to Me

3. Big City Fun Time Girl

4. On the Run

5. It Goes On

6. Live Free or Die

7. Long Time Loving You

8. Would I Die for You

9. I Won't Be Afraid

10. Running out of Time

11. You Took My Soul

12. I Feel Love

13. Let It Happen

14. You're in the Way of My Dreams

15. As Tears Go By

16. Live Free or Die (Texas Red Beard Mix) [*]

17. Eagle [*]

Editorial Reviews

2008 digitally remastered and expanded reissue of the Goth rockers' 1988 sophomore album featuring bonus tracks. Staffordshire’s Balaam & The Angel were at the forefront of the '80s Goth movement, playing alongside some of the biggest bands of the day, and releasing a succession of acclaimed records through both their own Chapter 22 independent label and Virgin Records. This, their second album, has been beautifully remastered and repackaged with the direct assistance of the band. Live Free Or Die includes the singles ‘I Love The Things You Do To Me' and ‘I’ll Show You Something Special’. In addition to the Goth movement, Balaam & The Angel were also hugely popular with Rock critics. Sleevenotes have been written in collaboration with Des Morris of the band, who provides insights on the album and the times. Cherry Red.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly A Lost Gem, April 16, 2005

By 

Matthew J. Bross (Northeast Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Live Free or Die (Audio CD)

It is so hard to comprehend that a really good rock album that could equally appeal to the metal crowd, the alternative types and those who were simple pop music followers could get lost in the shuffle, only peaking on the Billboard 200 at #174 in 1988.

A power trio Formed in 1984, by the Morris brothers Mark (bass, vocals), Jim (guitars) and Des (drums), Balaam and the Angel wrote great, accessable songs that rocked hard and had good alternative and pop sensibilities. They were also videogenic and also had a good stage presence.

I found about this CD, released in 1988, not by seeing a video, being told about it from a friend or hearing a song on the radio during normal waking hours. I found out about it in an unconventional way, a rock radio station I listen to used to have a featured album every night at midnight. They happened to take a chance on "Live Free or Die" and I listened to it all the way through. I could not believe what I heard, a hard, metallic, anthemic, almost-Goth laden album with really good pop (in a good sense) hooks. The combination of these elements actually work well together, Live free or Die excelles greatly in all these areas.

The album kicks off with "I'll Show You Something Special", which also was included in the Steve Martin & John Candy movie "Planes Trains & Automobiles". At a later point, it was the only Balaam and the Angel video I ever saw on MTV.

The next track was the minor rock radio hit "I Love The Things You Do To Me". It has a real pop/modern-rock edge to it and managed to score some airplay. "On the Run" is another fist pumping track with stadium-sized riffs.

The title track is the ultimate killer cut, with a kick ass wah-wah guitar solo to start it off, is the most crushing song on the album and should have been one oh the biggest rock anthems on the 1980's, the fact that this did not happen is everybody's loss.

"Long Time Loving You" is another hard rocker that keeps things going strong. Another big miss by radio and so-called rock music fans.

Sad to say, this CD is no longer in print. You have to pay over $20.00 for a new copy. A note to Virgin Records, get off your collective duffs and reissue this CD, with these going over $20.00 a crack over the internet, the demand is still there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Metal Cult type sound, November 3, 2005

By 

GKG (Huntsville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Live Free or Die (Audio CD)

This album always reminded me of the Cult's Love album if it were more metal. Kind of an 80's goth band mixed with some Cult mixed with some metal. Absolutely underappreciated.