Live Albums
I was checking out the new releases and noticed that Phoenix, those Frenchmen most often confused with Air, have a live recording out. First, Phoenix only have two studio albums recordings their belt. Second, Phoenix is a studio band—two men with a bunch of computers. They're not Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, you know? Keyboard solo? Color me unimpressed.
In fact, I don't understand the whole appeal of live recordings. If you weren't there, I don't see what's so magical about a recording of a live performance. Generally the accoustics aren't as good, the singer's vocal chords are ravaged from the fifty previous shows, and there's a lot of drunken fools shouting in the background. Europe '72 nonwithstanding, I own no live albums. Can someone explain to me why I should?
posted by Jen @ 2:20 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Yeah, live albums generally suck. Especially if they're poorly recorded. There are a few exceptions, though. I can think of two really good live albums.
The Orb: Live/Evil '93 - it sounds great and sounds different enough than the same material on their albums. It's electronic, too, but that doesn't mean it's not exciting to listen to. In fact, I would say live electronic albums, if they're done well and don't sound like a regurgitation of the album material, benefit from not having any expectations of a traditional performance.
Arab Strap: Mad For Sadness - my friend swears this live album is his favorite of all their recorded material and he's a pretty big fan. And he doesn't usually like live albums. It can be really cool to hear a good band stripped-down and "raw." And the hope is that their performance was so good that night, that it actually bears repeating.
The MTV Unplugged albums are, I think, also live. They have had some very good ones. Nirvana's and Alanis Morrisette's come to mind offhand. But maybe I just like acoustic music more than electronic.
The Nirvana Live Unplugged is (partly) why I splurged on ridiculous speakers. It rules, and it's mostly covers of awesome songs. Arab Strap also rules.
Most live albums do suck, it's true, but the bulk of them are recorded through the board, so there's no crowd noise. Avoid live albums with crowd noise, they are for losers. Mostly.
Hope that helps!
I don't think I ever owned the Nirvana Unplugged album, although I did own the 10,000 Maniacs one. I guess I don't consider those typical "live" shows because they were contrived at the MTV studios and were actually "acoustic" versions of songs, not necessarily typical "live" versions. My criteria are stadium concerts or from the 9:30 club or something. Am I moving the goalposts here? Hey, it's my blog.
I'll have to check out the Arab Strap CD. I can sometimes take them or leave them, mostly, although I did like the work they did with the Reindeer Section.
Post a Comment
<< Home