Customer Reviews

Songs from Black Mountain

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Live are back with their new studio album, their seventh, entitled Songs From Black Mountain. Delivering another familiar slice of Live's version of modern rock, Black Mountain sticks directly to the formula that has worked for them on past albums like Throwing Copper, Secret Samadhi, and V. Patrick Dahlheimer's rollicking bass work and Chad Gracey's thumping drums combine tightly with Chad Taylor's strong guitar work to create a nice sonic palette that is both familiar and pleasing, but may be boring to some. Singer Ed Kowlczyk offers up more of his usual soaring choruses and spiritual lyrics, and the result is a familar sounding record.

The first half of the album is its strength. It kicks off strongly with a standard Live kick-off track entitled The River, a gentle opening that bursts into an anthemic chorus backed by strong rhythm guitar. Mystery is more of the same, but with some orchestral touches joining the guitar. Get Ready is acoustic based with lyrics like "the future is now, the past is gone forever" and a growled repetitive chorus of "get ready" that showcases Kowlczyk's vocals perfectly. Show is a typical arena rock song, starting off slow but delivering a fist pumping hard rock chorus. Wings is an upbeat rocker that weaves hard rhythm guitar work with spacey sonic interludes, with a strong harmony laden chorus "it could be the Waves.." The track Sofia is like a harder version of Santana, a slinky and funky ode to a woman, "Sofia I need you like a junkie needs a vein." A very cool track and my favorite on the record.

The second half seems to trail off in quality, like a marathoner getting exhausted close to the finish line. Love Shines(A Song For My Daughters About God) is an introspective track about religion and faith that is good but not remarkable. Where Do We Go From Here is a simple, cleanly produced, classic rhythmic rock song that is the strongest track on the album. Home is a good rock song that attempts to evoke the issue of war and the desire for peace, but falls prey to cliched lyrics. All I Need basically defies description; I can't decide to love it or hate it, but after more listens I'm leaning towards dislike. You Are Not Alone is just plain bizarre, and should have been relegated to a B-side. Closing track Night of Nights is full of random time changes, with no musical coherency allowed to build, ending the album on a down note.

Produced by Incubus and Hoobastank producer Jim Wirt, Songs From Black Mountain was recorded in only three weeks, which may have helped restrain most of Live's usual tendency to over experiment but supressed some of their energy. Every song clocks in around 4 minutes, for a shade over 42 minutes total. If you disliked Live before, nothing about this album will change that viewpoint. Fans seem to have a love or hate it reaction so far, with bland being a common adjective. To me its a consistant record rather than a bland one. Borrow a friend's copy first before buying, make sure its your cup of tea before dropping a Hamilton.

A.G. Corwin

St Louis, MO

The most apt way to summarize this album -- and it bemoans me to say this -- is that I have absolutely no inclination to play it.

I didn't expect a great deal after 'Birds of Pray', which I thought was hands down their weakest release. For what it's worth, I do find 'Black Mountain' to be one small notch above that album, but really that doesn't mean a thing if you got in my head and magnified the word associations I have with 'Birds'. I think I repressed all the Amazon-appropriate words for that review, so I'm pretty sure a clouded rage lingers around it.

Basically this is light, relatively asinine and completely disposable pop-rock. If it does one thing right, it's the regression to a more flowing pop-natured album than the rigid, static 'Birds'. In this sense I find the album's songs constructed quite a bit like the pop-ballads of 'V', which I never minded in the first place. Sorry to say, however, even the highlights on this album can't much compare to the highlights on that album. Very few of the songs on here are unlistenable -- and a few are really quite enjoyable -- but virtually all of them are pretty lifeless. It's the kinda stuff I except to hear when I'm at a grocery store, which isn't ALL that surprising because I heard 'Birds'' "Run Away" at the local corporate grocery store more times than I'm comfortable with. I mean, this is the band that I cherished with 'Mental Jewelry' and 'Throwing Copper'... raw, biting albums of energy and thought. For shame.

Again... there are some nice songs here. When I first saw the video for the album's single, 'The River', I'm sure my face mutated into a vile, disgusting alien of awkwardness for a split second. The song and video shot through my brain like a nasty tab of LSD. GOD DAMNIT -- why can't Live just write a mother f8)#@;ng rock album again? The video was a disgrace in itself, but the tone of the music was quite literally softer and more timid than I'd heard. And not like, in a sensitive, precious light; more like a weak, lame light. Whatever. This song ultimately is an accurate sign of what the rest of the album comes to be -- breezy, well-natured songs that sound like they could have come from a benign Christian Rock group. I.E. mostly utter sh*#.

Yeah so "Sofia" is a pretty rockin' piece. Ditto with "Where Do We Go From Here". I actually like "Get Ready", which I've already read some people lambast with satanic-fueled anger. The harmony between guitar, drums, and strings near the end of "Mystery" is one of the highlights of the disc... good stuff. But you know what? They're mearly good. The best song on here isn't as good as the worst song on any of Live's releases pre-'V'. Every song on the arena-rock oriented 'The Distance to Here' rapes 'Black Mountain' in a way that I'd turn my head if I had to bear witness to it. I mean, defiles. And sure, "it's a pop album", but you know what? I am a freakin' pop freak. LOVE good pop. ADORE great pop. This isn't good pop. 'V' in my opinion wasn't good pop either, but it was admirable enough for a band trying something new. This isn't pop music worth touching.

Whew. Basically, don't get it. Still love Live for their first four albums, and yet again, don't mind the maligned fifth, 'V'. So despite two bombs, 'Birds of Pray' and now 'Black Mountain', I still really do consider myself a Live fan. I just hope that, if they even do make another album, it gets........ better.

Even the most ardent fans of Live must admit that this is possibly the most lame effort the band has made in their entire career. Every artist/band has missteps in their career, and here it is in all its shining non-glory. The problem, though, is that releasing your most boring album at a time when your popularity is already pretty much in the cellar is career suicide. This is a time when a band should sound refreshed, re-energized and ready to play. Unfortunately, "Songs From Black Mountain" may be an indication that the boys just don't have it anymore. All the songs drone on with mediocrity, a lack of melodic hook and missing the raw energy that we've grown accustomed to hearing on every Live album. It sounds as though they've taken the unreleased studio throwaways from previous albums and lumped them together on this disc. This is truly a shame, as I have loved these guys since the beginning.

If you want a lesson on how to do it right, you need to turn to Pearl Jam. After a couple of mediocre, career-threatening albums, they came roaring back with a a re-invigorated and truly inspired effort. The public loves a comeback, and these guys did it right. They ended up debuting at #1 on iTunes and #2 on the Billboard charts. Their first single shot to #1 on modern rock radio. I was so excited to hear that both Pearl Jam and Live had new releases this year, only to be blown away by one and disappointed by the other.

Someone argued that Ed Kowalczyk's having a daughter may have dragged them down somewhat. Guess what? Lots of rock bands have families and still know how to write great songs. It's not Ed's daughter that is the problem here...it's Ed!

If you own Birds of Pray, you probably don't NEED to own Songs From Black Mountain.

Whilst Ed writes some unquestionably sweet uplifting tunes, the album is a bit of a let down in the sense that Live have failed to redefine or progress themselves musically or lyrically. So many of the tunes sound like rehashes of previous Live songs, whilst none feature the obscure, yet deep lyrical messages from the Throwing Copper/Secret Samadhi era. Whilst it is nice to know that Ed is content in life and for this very reason the album does indeed leave a warm feeling inside, you can't help but yearn for something more challenging. Or at least something that resmembles the clever angsy-ridden lyrical imagery of years gone by.

Musically, the album does hint at progression in songs such as Sofia, All I Need and Night of Nights, but such an approach never seems to come to the fore.

Where Do We Go From Here, Show and first single The River are inoffensive yet bland.

Mystery meanwhile, is backed by some gorgeous orchestration, whilst Sofia harks back to the comparatively left-field V album. Night of Nights is a sweet album closer featuring a mesmerisingly seductive change of beat. Get Ready will go off live and is perfect sing-a-long material for a packed arena.

Check Out: Home, Sofia, Night of Nights, Get Ready

Avoid: Show, Where Do We Go From Here

I picked up this album three weeks ago and haven't stopped playing it. It is extremely uplifting and the lyrics are amazing to listen too. The negative reviews must have to do with the album not being as "heavy" as previous work by LIVE. Just because all the songs aren't "heavy" doesn't make the songs not good. I can listen all the way through from song 1-12 and enjoy the journey every step of the way. If your a Live fan or if you aren't, this album is definitely worth a purchase!

Favorite songs thus far: Mystery, Night of Nights, Sophia, Wings

No imagination and no creativity makes Live a dull band these days. Boring lyrics and boring guitar work make this record unlistenable. This is actually worse than V, which is incredibly bad. I will always be grateful for the great songs("Lakini's Juice", "White, Discussion", "Waitress", "Gas Hed Goes West", "Beauty of Grey") and great albums(Throwing Copper, Secret Samadhi, MJ, Distance)but I'm convinced Live's creative juices have run out. Giving this record more than 1 star just wouldn't be accurate. It happened to the Stones after Tattoo You and to U2 after Achtung Baby, so I guess it's normal to "lose it". Nevertheless, these guys put on a great show and hopefully I'll get to see them again soon.

Live changed their label to Epic Records since their last album. This new beginning and a new album must have had a significant effect. Unlike their last 2 major studio releases, this album from track one to twelve, carries that signiture sound of the band that we all came to love.

Almost all tracks can be used as title tracks for radio promotion. There's nothing experimental about "Songs from the Black Mountain."

"Get Ready" is a beautiful song that amplifies the effect of Ed's vocal like "Lightning Crashes" and "Lakini's Juice" of their 1990s radio hits.

"The River" is the title track for radio release and it's an instant hit.

But to really enjoy this new record, one must listen to the lyrics of Ed and his band. Their style of music on this particular album is similar to Train. On most tracks, they finally rid themselves of their traditional Christian rock sound and lyrics.

I am so glad I spent extra money to get this album when it will be officially released in US about two months later than its international release.

It took me a couple days for this album to grow on me, but I have to admit, so did Throwing Copper. I stuck with it, gave it more listens, and now I'm addicted to it. Every time I get in the car, I have to play it. I think it flows better than any of their previous albums, and it's a great album to listen to from start to finish without skipping any tracks. That's how this album should be listened to.

The thing I love about Live is their ability to completely change their sound from album to album. Every new album is like a 180 from their previous, so you don't know what to expect. This one is more of a pop record, with more emphasis on songwriting, melodies, and flows. That was not a disappointment to me because I enjoy pop, and I know that Live will eventually release a heavy dark album in the future.

"Songs From Black Mountain" captures the acoustic sound, turning down Chad and Pat's guitars to bring out Ed's vocals and especially Chad's incredible drumming. The drums are all over the place in this album.. and you also notice new sounds with every listen. I've listened to this album every day since I bought it, and I'm still hearing new things I had never noticed before. Highlights of this album are the great music and melody in "Where Do We Go From Here?", the dramatic acoustic sounds of "Get Ready", and the haunting vibes of "Night of Nights".

All the songs are great, and just get better with each listen. Out of all 7 Live albums, this is currently my favorite.

I've been listening to Live as long as I can remember. I can remember sitting in my friends room, listening to All Over You off of Throwing Copper, and being around 14 or 15, I was just blown away. So I went out that day, bought Throwing Copper and Mental Jewelry, and that was it for me, I was a fan. The fast songs were unrelenting, no "arena rock" kinds of songs, just rock and roll. The ballads were touching, Lightning Crashes is one of the prettier songs ever written. There is just so much emotion to that time period. Through a friend I was able to procure their Death of a Dictionary tape, and you could hear the talent. Secret Samadhi was a step forward again, the lyrics were progressing, and the beauty of Turn My Head was offset by the pounding of Lakini's Juice. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end.

The Distance to Here came out, and it was a major dissapointment for me. I don't know what was going on in the guys lives (I try to avoid the personal stuff), but there was a major shift in attitude in The Distance to Here. That was followed by the HORRIBLE V, I literally listened to that CD twice, and on one song when Ed started rapping, that was enough. Birds of Pray was nice, a step back closer to the right direction, it was The White Album compared to V (I didn't care for V in case you missed that). I just stopped paying attention to them as I aged, and my music tastes changed, but I still liked to pop in Secret Samadhi from time to time, so when I heard this new CD came out, I figured I'd give it a shot.

I'm not really sure how to describe this CD. Obviously the guys are getting older, they're getting married, having kids, etc. which gives you a different perspective on things. They've gone through different experiences, and this is reflected in their more mellow sound. Unfortunately, being selfish, I wish they'd go back to their old sound, and I hate to bring this up, but this CD has a distinct "Creed" feel to it. The songs just don't have the feeling anymore, they seem forced. There's still the religious imagery in the songs, but it's more overt than before. There's no sense of urgency or passion behind the faster songs, and I hate to say this, but this will probably be the last Live CD I purchase.

It's hard reaching your mid-20s and seeing bands from your teenage years change so much. In a way it takes a piece of you with them. This has been growing more and more as I see the bands I used to love change before my eyes. I respect Ed and the boys, and I look back on their early work with fond memories, but somewhere they lost their way, and with that, they lost me.

Live's latest album, Songs from Black Mountain, continues to amaze me the more that I listen. Ed Kowalczyk's songwriting is in top form on this album. I suggest listening to the whole thing from start to finish because it's clearly meant to be enjoyed that way. Each song flows into the next and there's not a weak link among these tracks. However, I do have a few favorites: Mystery, Sofia, Love Shines, and Night of Nights.

I will be seeing Live next month and I'm looking forward to singing along to this great collection of Songs from Black Mountain. Ed's voice is amazing and clear on this album. The whole thing has a "Throwing Copper" feel to it that should make Live fans extremely pleased.

Eddie Vedder once commented that Ed Kowalczyk was one of the best songwriters around and he was right. Kowalczyk proves it here.