We may never know why Live's upcoming album has been thrice delayed but we do know what they have been doing in the time between wrapping recording and the June 6 street date of Songs from Black Mountain.
If you want the music-buying public to know about your new album you go where they are: and where they are is watching American Idol.
Live performed on the AI season finale with former Idol contestant Chris Daughtry teaming up to perform current single "Mystery" from the upcoming Black Mountain disc. Want to see what it all looked like and hear how it sounded? You can still check out video of the performance by clicking on the player above if you missed it.
Fans of Live's early efforts must have been in for a real shock to see the famously serious band on stage with an Idol contestant. What to make of it? Did Live sell out?
The gritty, somber sounds of Mental Jewelry and Throwing Copper have become less and less a part of the Live sound beginning with The Distance to Hear and continuing up to and including Songs from Black Mountain. Kowalczyk's lyrics have increasingly turned to sunny spiritualism and the band's music has taken on that same tone. The intense vocals of "Dam at Otter Creek" and the propulsive basslines of "White, Discussion" seem to be a thing of the past.
So, did the band sell out or did they just grow up and "get happy?" It will be interesting to see what impact the Idol appearance has on the band's fortunes on sales and radio air play because to this point the musical and lyrical shift alone has not generated increased sales. In other words, if this has been an orchestrated move to increase sales it has not worked.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
super job Josh, thanks - way beyond the call of duty!
2 - DJRadiohead
Pleased to be of service to the cabal, EO. I told The Wife to Whom I'm Married about this- she is the Live fan in the house- and I am afraid she is about to jump off that bandwagon. She is one of those who preferred the angst-y Live as opposed to the Dalai Live. Hmm... that's pretty good. I wish I had thought of that when I wrote the article. Quick- go back and re-edit that in there for me! =)
Or not. We'll let it live in the comments.
3 - Phillip Winn
I'm a Live fan, and I haven't decided what I think about the new album yet. I was surprised to see them show up on AI, though, for sure. Sellouts!
4 - DJRadiohead
Phillip, The Wife to Whom I'm Married steadfastly refuses to watch the video and is not sure if she can bring herself to buy the new album (although she did like "The River" more than she thought she might).
5 - karen
i had never watched american idol until i turned on my tv when chris daughtry was singing. i continued to watch every week just to see him. i am now an avid fan of his, and intend to buy any cd he sings on. i am not your typical "in lust" fan-- i just love his voice and the way he sings. i had never even heard of the band "live" until he mentioned on ai that they were one of his favorite bands. i listened, i liked, and now im one of their fans, too. i think that it was a very saavy and smart move for them to appear on ai with daughtry. sellout-- i think not-- good business is more like it.
6 - brianne
I don't think they're sellouts. I think they just appreciate their fans; Chris being one of them. He didn't get to compete in the Finale like he should've, but he got to go to the Finale and perform with his favorite band. Not bad for a consolation prize:). But,really,i personally think it was really nice for them to do that for him and now i like them more than ever.
7 - Ada
I would just like to know where exactly would it be possible for me to download the performance from chris and live because it is no longer available on thie website? thanx a million
8 - Guppusmaximus
*Smirk*... Chris trying to sing with Live was one of the funniest things I have heard in a long time. I wouldn't mind so much if Live was just happy now but their songs just don't capture me anymore. Their songs are just kinda bland..They haven't released any thought provoking material since Secret Samadhi.
9 - NR Davis
I interviewed the guys from Live right when Mental Jewelry was released. Very nice guys back then, even with all that alleged angst. It appears they still are - and that they put their fans first.
The image of Ed and EdClone side by side was jarring and, in a way, neat, but the duet, to these ears, showed that, though quite talented, Chris is not quite at Kowalczyk's level. Yet. I expect big things from Chris Daughtry.
Frankly, I think it's cool in a way to see a major rock act appear on Idol. I mean, what would Dave Grohl say? And how often does Live appear on TV for an audience of 200 million people? My question: Chris singing Christopher Cross? Now, that was weird. And totally wrong.
10 - A disgruntled Fan
Hmmm... Chad side by side with Ed... an inefficent copy next to the real deal!
Ed defintely has the voice, and originality that Daughtery can only dream about.
That being said, I am disappointed that Live made an apperance on such a fluff piece as AI.
11 - Penny
Is that the same guppusmaximus who slammed Def Leppard? You don't like anyone, do you?
12 - GolFa!
it was excelent... great, cool, oh... i didn't know who was the best cuz this band and this guy... fuck!, i loved it!
13 - Memo
I am looking for the video of Chris and Live Performing "Mystery". Does anyone have a copy of this???
14 - Nubia Eckstine
I bought yesterday Lives' CD just because Chris Daughtry is in in. This man blows me way everytime I hear his voice. The song exhibits an amazing voices's mix. I loved it. I love Chris more than I love Live. I'll buy anything if Daughtry is in there. I'm addicted to his voice and talent.
Way to go Chris. Now I'm glad he was off of AI show.
He is doing just great. Way to go Daughtry!
15 - A Disgruntled Fan
To the above poster:
CHRIS IS NOT ON THE LIVE CD.
16 - Lazmut
They were GREAT together.....
Wish they would perform together....
Great Music together.........