Lives' "Secret" Jewel
Written: Jan 04 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Raw, original, heavy rock, inspiring
Cons: First-draft lyrics, different
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| throwingcopper's Full Review: Secret Samadhi by Live |
In 1994, Live broke into the post-grudge alternative rock scene with a crash as strong as lightening... or at least a song so entitled. "Lightening Crashes" was the band's mega-hit off of the bands second album, Throwing Copper, that lead to their rise to fame. However, it was a mixed blessing, leaving the band chained to that type of musical style. Because of songs like "I Alone," "Selling the Drama" and "Lightening Crashes," the public refuses to accept Live as anything but a power ballad band. That is what the general public wants hear, and Live, realizing they are more than that, and wanting to experiment with different styles of music, refuses to give in to them.
Thus we have Secret Samadhi, the anti-Throwing Copper.
Sadly, the biggest hit off this record was "Turn My Head," one of the few radio friendly ballads on the record. The rest of the CD is wonderfully filled with hard core rock songs containing first-draft like lyrics, heavy guitar riffs and hardhitting drum beats. It is raw, edgy, angry and dark.
Cue less than stellar record sales.
Because of the charts and low radio play, very few people are aware of how great this CD is. We all know about Throwing Copper, The Distance To Here, and most of us are aware that Mental Jewelry exists, but Secret Samadhi often finds itself ignored. This is nothing less than a travesty. Live has done some of their best work on this album, especially musically.
"Rattlesnake," "Lakini's Juice," and "Heropsychodreamer" incorporate violins, power guitar cords and the rugged vocals of Ed Kowalczyk that make for incredible rock songs. They are fun, dynamic and interesting.
Secret Samadhi contains many references to Ed K's studies of eastern religions such as Buddhism. Songs such as "Graze," "Century," and "Insomnia" are inspired by this new found religious awakening, and create some pretty strange lyrics. "Angel, don't you have some bagels in my oven/ Lady, don't you know a man when you see one?/ Crazy lady with the shiny shoes where are you/ kick your feet and clam the space that makes you hollow." Anyone that can incorporate "bagels" into a rock song and have it make sense, is a lyrical genius.
Honestly, the lyrics aren't that great in this record. Sometimes I wonder if Ed was sober when writing them. On one hand I enjoy them because they are ambiguously intelligent and raw, but on the other hand, they can be a bit too raw. "Century" by far, contains the worst lyrics on the album. With lines such as "Everybody's here/ this puke stinks like beer," and "the collapse of the justice/ I can smell your armpits," the song might make you feel a bit uninspired. However, Live makes up for that mistake with great songs such as "Ghost," and my all-time favorite "Gas Head Goes West." I have no idea what that song means, and I don't even care. It's so emotional and beautiful that you will overlook that fact that the song probably only makes sense to Ed himself.
Overall, Secret Samadhi is a quality record that's worth your purchase. However, it is much different from anything else Live has produced and you must be aware of that while giving it a first, second, and third listen. Do not expect a repeat of Throwing Copper, because you will be grossly disappointed. For a growing Live fan, Secret Samadhi is an essential album to have because it shows the bands evolution into what they are today. It shows a side to Live that they don't often show, and one that I wish they would show more often.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
throwingcopper
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Member: Faith Hayden
Location: Maryland
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 11 members
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