Music Box  |  Official Band Site

The Distance to Here

Artist: Live
Genre: Alternative
Year: 1999
Rating: 8 / 10

It is hard to believe that the members of Live been together for nearly fifteen years. After all, these four musicians, still shy of their thirtieth birthdays, have only been on the national scene for about five years. For a few of those years, mainly during and immediately following the release of the band's third album, Secret Samadhi, the band could arguably be said to have disappeared entirely. The Distance to Here, the band's fourth album, is less than three years removed from the band's most recent work, but it seems like a lifetime since Live last made an impact on the alt-rock landscape. To old fans and new ones alike, allow me to say that Live is back, bringing with them a sound the evokes their earliest works, albeit with a much more optimistic outlook.

Despite the phenomenal success of the band's Throwing Copper album (seven million units sold), I still feel that the band's greatest achievement was the production of Mental Jewelry, the 1991 debut album. While Copper had all the mainstream hit - "I Alone," "Lightning Crashes," and "White Discussion," to name but a few - the album is not as complete as Jewelry. In both style and substance, Distance evokes fond memories of this initial offering. The main difference? Lead singer Ed Kowlaczyk and the boys carry with them hope and a positive outlook that was missing on most of their previous efforts. The power and the intensity remain, yet now, Live songs, for the first time in eight years, can actually said to be - gasp! - uplifting.

"The Dolphin's Cry" may be the band's top single, but it is by no means the best effort put forth on the album. I understand its power and its presence, however, though it is certainly not indicative of the album as a whole. This song is a fitting reminder of a bygone era, a title that would more fittingly belong on Throwing Copper. "The Distance," the second track on Distance, is more representative of the entire project, and it may well be the crown jewel of the album. The well-timed implementation of a harpsichord in the middle of this number truly sets it apart from a typical alternative tune, making it truly magical. In addition to its personal excellence, "The Distance" serves as a fitting introduction to Live's new direction, one which is further explained throughout the album.

Songs like "Sun" prove that Live can still crank up the volume when necessary, but the album's more melodic numbers really drive the album. "Sparkle," "Run to the Water," "Where Fishes Go," and, especially, "They Stood Up for Love" make the listener want to stand up and cheer, thanks to some catchy choruses and invigorating lyrics. Whenever the first chord of "Stood Up" is struck, I cannot help but replay in my mind the song's mesmerizing final words: "We spend all of our lives goin' out of our minds." Over and over, echoing through my brain, reminding me of the love I once had for this band. With this album, with these special songs, I feel that way once again. Live is back, new and improved, and this fan is sure glad they are.

Submitted 10/29/99.