[.ca] Throwing Copper

From Amazon.com:
Ed Kowalczyk knows a thing or two about transmitting personal anguish through song. Even though the Live frontman is often derided as a budget-bin Michael Stipe, there is no denying his cathartic influence on this Pennsylvania foursome's musical direction. Throwing Copper is not only Live's most successful release (six-million-plus copies sold) but also the best showcase for Kowalczyk's fierce vocal prowess. From the violent "Selling the Drama" to the moving "Lightning Crashes," this is an album of unparalleled intensity by a singer and group of rare passion. --Aidin Vaziri

just a great cd:
There are very few cds that I would even dream of giving a five star ranking to, because there is so much mediocrity out there right now, but this is without a doubt one of the finest cds to come out in the last fifteen years or so. I see so many average cds getting five star reviews on this website, and I can't understand how someone's musical taste could be so different from mine, but that's another story. From start to finish, the music on this cd just grabs you and refuses to let you go. From the hypnotic first song to the country-influenced final song (pre-bonus tracks, which I'm not sure this cd really needed, to be honest), not only does the listener get a crash course in the various genres of music, but he/she gets to experience the power of a fantastic band at arguably its finest moment. This cd came out when true alternative music was splashing the airways which sent the music world into a frenzy to make a bunch of soundalike bands, which regretfully they eventually succeeded, but this cd was truly original for its time. Live was able to get past the uninspired and slightly boring sound of their first cd and hit a homerun with only their sophomore cd, a feat rarely accomplished. Personally, I have a ton of cds, but this one, because of its completeness and because of its utter perfection by the band's attention to detail, is one that I listen to at least once every two or three months. It's a powerful cd both musically and lyrically. If you can, get a copy. It's well worth the money.

One of the Classic Rock Albums of All Time:
Live is one of my favourite bands - on every album there are powerful, intelligent lyrics riding on the waves of melodic guitar sounds. "Throwing Copper" is their second album (excluding "Death of a Dictionary") and is their best, in my opinion. Their hits "Selling the Drama" and "I Alone" are on this album, not to mention little-known tracks like "Iris" and "Top" which are truly amazing. "Lightning Crashes" is a melodic ballad about birth and death, and is perhaps one of the band's most beautiful songs ever written. This album is nothing like their more recent albums ("V" and "Birds of Pray"). "Throwing Copper" has more unique melodies and styles and, although recorded in 1994, has catchy up-tempo songs to which you can still rock out to today and not feel stupid! Kowalczyk's lyrics are moving and sometimes cryptic, but always poetic, and this combined with Live's unique and original melodies makes for a must-have album for any rock fan. This will surely become one of the classic rock albums of all time.

Feel This:
This cd....how do I say this,considering few cds have done this to me...kicks my a$$ every time. I listen to Throwing Copper and I want to scream, cry, throw my balled fist up in triumph, and kill myself all at the same time. Don't take that wrong...sometimes good music is so intense that I almost can't take it. The 90's were the last time I think really great music may have reigned. I mourn the loss of something real, true, authentic. Not something that's just for sale. Britney Spears is an example of the destruction of real music. B*tches like her have ushered in the plastic. Back to Live. I love this band despite how they have evolved or experimented, I own all their albums, 6 exist I think. Their music does it for me when I am brooding, dark, suicidal, poetic, and just lonely and myself. They make me hope; something I rarely do as much as I once did. I feel at peace, a little less warring. Buy this as if the soul of true music depended on it. Because in a way I believe it does. My life has been sung to the songs of Live. I have cried, won, died, been reborn, lost, and gained to these songs. This band was in my life before I knew who they were. Before I knew what good music was. I was alone in the desert, 3 months, when I started buying their cds, and they got me through. I hope you gain from what I have said, and may you have peace in your life, though we are not here for peace.

Aaaaaaahhhhhh.....:
This CD is like a warm cup of cocoa after sledding, or a comfy bed after a long day. It's just wonderful. I own every single of Live's albums, but this one remains on top. Every song on this album is gradually worked into a complex, beautiful whirlwind that sucks you in. I don't know how else to describe it. "Pillar of Davidson" is my favorite on the disc, though who has heard "Lightning Crashes" and not loved that track? The copy I have is actually my brother's (I borrowed it YEARS ago), but he'll never be able to pry it back out of my grubby little hands. If you want a Live album, get this one. I've never gotten sick of it.

A Landmark in Rock music:
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.

• Dam at Otter Creek
• Selling the Drama
• I Alone
• Iris
• Lightning Crashes
• Top
• All over You
• Shit Towne
• T.B.D.
• Stage
• Waitress
• Pillar of Davidson
• White, Discussion