Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 10/05/1999
After the tepid reaction to the subdued, over-produced
Secret Samadhi,
Live took some time off to rethink their direction. For their fourth full-length studio album
The Distance to Here, the band called on producer
Jerry Harrison to recapture the raw energy and emotion that fueled
Mental Jewelry and
Throwing Copper. A self-conscious response to
Secret Samadhi with plenty of guitar riffs, thunderous tempos and a mystical aura,
The Distance to Here emerges from their last album's swirling, numbing stupor and regains some of
Throwing Copper's aggressive intensity. But
Live doesn't just meld their last two albums for this release; it's a livelier, lighter collection. Though the group is slowly evolving their sound --
Ed Kowalczyk's vulnerable-turned-angry vocals have become freer, more confident and more expressive, while
Chad Taylor's background vocals add needed depth and harmony - they're retracing their steps before making any major changes.
Live made its name by combining brutally honest, searching lyrics with equally intense and emotive music, but the fine line between genuine soul-searching and heavy-handed preaching is in the eye of the beholder. With
The Distance, this line sways on individual songs:
"Feel the Quiet River Rage," "Sparkle," "Meltdown," "Sun," and the title track -- reflect
Live's evolution, but the lumbering
"Face and Ghost (The Children's Song)" and the gushy
"Dance With Me," aim too high for their own good. This doesn't make for a failed or bad album, just an uneven one. Overall,
Live continues to plunge into dramatic, emotional, and spiritual realms, but the band needs to be more adventurous musically to complement its ongoing spiritual journey.
~Gina Boldman, All Music Guide
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