Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind-", November 11, 2005
Even after the countless times I've listened to this album over the past 10 years in which I've possessed it, I can still feel the same boundless charge of fervor that endeared me to it in the first place. Indeed, this music has never worn out for me, and I'm assured it never will.
In the nineties there were quite a lot of very talented bands swarming the popular music scene. Songs by Hootie & the Blowfish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Faith No More & others filled the radio and gave definition to a great decade for rock. However, nothing comes close- at least not for me- in summing up those poignant years, as Live's "Throwing Copper". Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk's potent vocals give fiery life to lyrics already intense with emotion: songs often beginning as quiet, moving testimonies- though always ominous of some coming storm- then which build to crescendos of heart-throbbing passion.
The lyrics herein are of a poetic nature, really - and they're very personal, as each individual interpretation can be as ardent, as raging as the most intensely felt emotion - as deep and dark and vast as a storm filled sea.
I've been listening to it often, of late- and it's truly a force all its own: Songs: with words like- "Our love is like water - Pinned down and abused for being strange," or "I alone love you; I alone tempt you; I alone love you; Fear is not the end of this!" or "I was reaching forward, I was already there- reading too much and losing my head," or "Warm bodies, I sense, are not machines that can only make money- Past, perfect, tense: Words for a feeling and all I've discovered..." -They can, each one of them, enliven even the weariest of souls with an abundant pounding passion.
Ranting and raging against all civilized decorum, these songs would deign not ever fade quietly with the passing of the years. Oh no- they'll continue to haunt one with their impassioned avowals.
Would that all excellent music could age so finely!
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Sounds Fresh Six Years Later, June 18, 2000
THROWING COPPER deserves the recognition it continues to receive without question. Live has not made another record with this much power, energy, or meaning, and it's likely they never will again. Even the lesser known tracks are memorable like the fast-paced "Top" and the two social commentaries "Waitress" and "Shit Towne," which contains humorously addictive lyrics. "Stage" is one of the fastest and most hard rocking songs Live has never done with its opening that simply explodes in your ears. Of course the hits like "Selling The Drama," "I Alone," and "All Over You" are great, but the best of these has to be their breakthrough, "Lightning Crashes." Many alternative-era bands since Live have gained success with ballads, but none of them sound like this song. Unlike other hit ballads, every part of it is important, not just the rousing and immortal chorus. Perhaps only "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ranks above "Lightning Crashes" as the most important rock song of the 90's, and no one should expect that Live could ever duplicate the greatness of this track, or this album. With its emotion, blazing guitars, and freshness that still remains today, THROWING COPPER has given Live deserved success regardless of what happens during the rest of their career.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Landmark in Rock music, March 16, 2004
There really isn't any other reason for me to be writing this review only to tell the poor souls who do not yet own this album that their is seriously something wrong with you. Live exploded onto the scene in the mid 90's once hits like "Selling the Drama", "I, Alone", and "Lightening Crashes" hit the airwaves. This was mainstream music, yes, but back then mainstream music wasn't anything to look down upon as it has sadly become now at the turn of the century. This mainstream music has depth, meaning, musical ability and most important of all, integrity.
This album is one of those rarities you really don't find much of anymore, an album you want to listen to all the way straight through and only repeat once it's over. Other albums of this nature include (for me anyway) "Blackwater Park" by Opeth, and "Master of Puppets" by Metallica.
The album kicks off great with Dam at Otter Creek, it's a slow and creepy song that works great as a lead-in to the rock and roll mayhem about to be ensued in the next few tracks. "Iris," and "Top" are my favorites off the album, as they are both deeply melodic and hypnotizing. Then again, every song on this one is very hypnotizing in it's flawless mixture of semi-progressive rock music and folk influence (I don't think you'll really find any traces of metal in here though). The hits just keep on hitting all the way through till the end. If there was any complaint I'd have about this album it's only that some of the songs are just too short. For example, "Waitress" I think is a great song, unfortunately, it only goes for about 2 and a half minutes. I think Live would do great with 6 and 7 plus minute songs.
That's about it though, otherwise there are no complaints at all, just applauds. This is the only album by Live I've heard though, as most of my money goes towards Metal CD's, but I'll have to pick up more from these guys soon. The bottom line is, BUY THIS.
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