Live has pushed back the release date of their upcoming album Songs from Black Mountain from April 11 to May 9.
Black Mountain will be the band's seventh full-length release and first for new label Epic/Sony. It was recorded in a three-week session with producer Jim Wirt in a Santa Barbara studio.
“We haven’t recorded that quickly since Throwing Copper,” said Live frontman Ed Kowalcyzk. “We were like the Chicago Bulls when they won six championships. When we got in the studio, we all slipped into the zone. We were working hard, but we were completely at ease, open to each other and in the flow. Everyone was awestruck by not only how fast we were recording, but also by how good it sounded.”
The first single from the album, "The River", is currently available for purchase as a download from the iTunes Music Store and can also be streamed in the following formats:
Lyrical themes are again (or still) inspired and influenced by Kowalcyzk's views of spirituality. He says many of the songs refer to his muse, a character or entity he sees in female form.
“Historically, the muse has always been a woman – from the muses of Greek mythology to Saraswati in India. And my experience as a songwriter has only reinforced that idea. I’m surrounded by women – my wife and two daughters especially – who spark my creativity,” he explains. “With that in mind, I started exploring the idea of personifying my creative energy as female in the songs I was writing; basically writing songs to my muse. When people listen to these songs they’ll probably hear a love story between a man and a woman, but for me it’s deeper than that.”
One song, "Home" is an anti-war song — although Kowalcyzk says it goes beyond that.
“I had to be careful writing this song because I wasn’t interested in writing a political protest song that’s locked into a specific point in time. I wanted to transcend the topical and write a song about the human experience of war,” Kowalczyk says. “This song is not just about stopping this war, but all wars.”
Live formed in York, Pennsylvania in 1988 and is still Kowalcyzk, guitarist Chad Taylor, drummer Chad Gracey, and bassist Patrick Dahlheimer.
Article comments
1 - Mark Sahm
How to know when a rock star is getting old:
Says "I'm surrounded by women" just like the good old days. But follows it up with "my wife and two daughters especially"... which cost him major points with the younger crowd.
It is impressive though that they've stayed together. I haven't heard Live since Lakini's Juice and that was... 1997! Oh no, I'm old too! Aargh... Where's Mother's Little Helper at? ;)
2 - Tom Huberli
I don't know if I will buy this album. I've been very dissapointed with Live since their great first three albums, Mental Jewelery, Throwing Copper & Secret Samadhi. The Distance to Here was great musically but poor lyrically - way too literal.
How does an artist go from writing 'The Damn at Otter Creek' and 'White, Discussion' to 'A song about god for my daughters'?
It's just dissapointing and makes you wonder if the early stuff was just a pretence?
I shouldn't judge an album I haven't heard but I bet it's no better than their last three.
3 - DJRadiohead
Tom, you echo the sentiments of The Wife To Whom I Am Married. She hates V with a vengeance. Throwing Copper is still her first, second, and third favorite by them. I have an advance of the record and will be putting up a review of it. Let me be your guide! =)
4 - Darrell J. Rohl
According to Live's official web site, the album will not be released in the USA until June 13. It has already been released in Europe, and I've been able to snag a copy. I've posted a review on my website: www.sokabs.com.
5 - DJRadiohead
They've pushed it again? I have an advance of it and was planning on publishing my review to coincide with the release. This is amazing.
6 - Darrell J. Rohl
DJRadiohead: Will your review be on your blog? I've tried to access it, but keep getting some PHP errors:
[Long technobabble code deleted by comments editor]
7 - DJRadiohead
Darrell, my review will be here on Blogcritics as well as on my home blog (which is getting some repair work done these days, as you unfortunately discovered).
8 - Gunther Furlong
Hmmm ... this album is pretty good. Tuneful and it sticks in my head for some reason or another. I think it's a better effort that Birds of Pray. Again, you cannot compared this with Throwing Copper... because like them, we all age.. the music will age too. Style of writing and all...
9 - jkay
These guys were et to take over from u2 as one of teh best bands ever then came V and songs about daughters and horrific lyrics...can this be the same band?? I see they have a keyboard player and eds brother on guitar as well now.....fire those ass wipes and man up and write something worth our time you dicks!!!