Live Album: “Throwing Copper”

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!

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.

Alternative Rock was pretty much the soundtrack of my youth, if you wanna act like I had one, which probably explains why it took so long for me to become really, seriously interested in music. Now, don't get me wrong, most of your mid-90's stuff wasn't really bad, but it tended to be pretty bland. There was some good stuff back then, however, and Live's 'Throwing Copper' is about as good as alt-rock comes.

Ed Kowalcyzk is perhaps the best singer of any of the various alternative bands that became really big, and this is largely what separates Live from the pack. His voice falls nicely into that range where he can manage strong melody and severe aggression, and his vocals are really extraordinarily passionate most of the time. The instruments are nowhere near as important as the vocals, for the most part, but they aren't as formless and primitive as were plenty of alt-rock bands, and they nicely mix both acoustic and hard rock stylings.

But, in the end, 'Throwing Copper' is just a great collection of very memorable, widely varied songs. 'The Dam at Otter Creek' is an unexpected opener, an exceedingly dark and angry song, with a great slow build. I dunno if this shoulda been the opening track, but it's a very good song no matter what. 'Selling the Drama' is a proto-typical alt-rock song, but it's about as good as they come, with just a great chorus. 'I Alone' was another big radio hit, and is the extreme extension of the traditional soft-loud dynamics of alt-rock. When that song gets going, it just explodes. 'Lightning Crashes' was wildly, ludicrously overplayed at the time, but I can recognize it as a truly great song again, now that I don't have to hear it every damn day. Another fine example of Live's perfect understanding of subtle dynamics. 'All Over You' is probably the catchiest, most energetic thing on the album. Brilliant chorus, great driving riff. 'T.B.D.' is not one of the very best tracks on the album, but it is interestingly different. A very, very slow and moody track with a great, hypnotic bassline. 'Pillar of Davidson' is an slight epic towards the end of the album, one of the more hopeful sounding songs. Though I haven't discussed all the tracks, there isn't a weak one here. It's not paced quite right, a little front heavy, and perhaps could stand to have maybe 2 tracks lopped off for momentum's sake, but there really isn't anything begging to be removed.

Anyway, this is a great album. Certainly one of the best alternative albums I've ever heard.

What a great album. I've always been a fan of this band, not a huge fan, but a fan nonetheless. This is probably the best Live has put out in my opinion. From beginning to end pretty much every track is good. There are a few not so good ones but mostly the entire album is great. My favorite songs from the album are "I Alone", "Lightning Crashes", "White Discussion", and "Waitress". Here are my track ratings...

1. Dam at Otter Creek - 9/10

2. Selling the Drama - 9.5/10

3. I Alone - 10/10

4. Iris - 9.5/10

5. Lightning Crashes - 10/10

6. Top - 9.5/10

7. All Over You - 9/10

8. Shit Towne - 9/10

9. T.B.D. - 9.5/10

10. Stage - 8/10

11. Waitress - 10/10

12. Pillar of Davidson - 8.5/10

13. White, Discussion - 10/10

14. (Hidden Track) - 7/10

Overall: 91% A-

It's a solid album by a really good band. I have other cd's by them but this one is probably the best they've done. If you enjoy the radio singles a lot and other stuff Live has done you will probably end up liking the entire "Throwing Copper" album. It's an album that delivers.

I tucked into this CD on the strength of the reviews here on Amazon. I'm trying to find new music after years of sticking in a narrow trough. This was a total coup, absolutely fulfilling. I play it sandwiched between REM, Something for Kate, and a couple of others - it shines like gold. Thanks you reviewers. Great stuff!