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The Indie Vault

Live vs. Studio: Who will win?

Let me tell you one thing first. I’m a sucker for live recordings. I don’t like all the live albums I have, but I'm unable to stop myself from buying them when they are released (even when they are completely unnecessary like Radiohead’s I Might Be Wrong). For most people, live albums fall into the “worth a listen but not worth owning” category. Like a hunter decorating his living room with mounted deer heads on the wall, I am compelled to stock my shelves with these hit-or-miss records. There is something intriguing about a recorded show that documents the respective concert’s crowd energy, alternative versions of songs and the band’s technical expertise. Let’s face it, you never know how much of a studio album is saved by producers, engineers and other studio wizardry. There is something refreshing about hearing the musicians take the stage and play with their instruments and some effects pedals.
 

The Flaming Lips – The Golden Age Live – Everyone knows of the props, lights, confetti and the overall bizarre décor that is the spectacle known as a Flaming Lips show. This is a live cover of the Sea Change track “The Golden Age”. This was recorded when The Flaming Lips were opening for Beck and playing as his backing band. I have heard from numerous sources that the tour did not always work because The Flaming Lips goofiness clashed with Beck’s more somber songs (namely stuff off of Sea Change). Personally, I think both artists have equal parts quirkiness and seriousness.
 

The Smoking Popes – Not That Kind of Girlfriend Live – The Smoking Popes Live is a completely necessary record to own. In my opinion, this is as essential as any other Popes album (and I love Destination Failure). The Smoking Popes are a great band, but it is often overlooked that they are a great live band. Josh Caterer’s voice is as good today as it was then. This was their farewell show at the Metro from 1999. Word is that they are recording a new album due out some time this year. Unfortunately, the last album they released was from 2006 and it was another live Metro show. As much as I like this band I can honestly say anyone who’s name isn’t Neil Young shouldn’t be releasing more than one live album in less than a ten year span.
 
TV On The Radio – Wolf Like Me Live - This was my favorite song of 2006. Return to Cookie Mountain took a little while to grow on me, but this song immediately made me want to go dance around like Rick Astley. This song is taken from the Live at Amoeba Music EP. This is a prime example of song that retains all the positive aspects of the studio version while injecting other noises and sounds to separate it from the conventional recording. While a great song is generally a great song in any form, too many artists veer off in an awful direction just to be “different”. TV On The Radio completely nails it on this four chord rocker.

The Flaming Lips - The Golden Age (live)

The Smoking Popes - Not That Kind of Girlfriend (live)

TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me (live)

Posted by Greg Herald on Apr 17, 2008 @ 12:00 am