Live - Awake: The Best ofLive

Thu 16th Dec, 2004 in Music Reviews

The first time I really listened to Live, I was travelling in the back of a van in the middle of the Sinai desert in Egypt, listening to a friend’s CD player. While I watched the stunning scenery pass by through the dusty window, the sounds of Throwing Copper permeated through my Australian ear drums, and became a fitting accompaniment to the red sands and drifting Bedouins that I encountered. Ever since then, whenever I hear I Alone, Selling the Drama or All Over You, I am instantly transported back to that week in the Sinai – I am once again travelling through the desert and all my memories come flooding back (luckily they are all good ones).

I know this phenomenon is not just restrained to me. I have a close friend who tells me that whenever he hears any songs by Skulker, he instantly remembers his trip to Croatia because that’s what he listened to when he was there. I’d be interested to see if anyone else has some special songs/bands that remind themselves of specific moments in their lives.

Following that, I had the pleasure of seeing Live live (yes I know, very funny) soon after I got back from that trip and what an awesome show it was. While they have been back many times since then, I haven’t seen them again. In that first gig, they payed all the songs I wanted them to play and I don’t think another gig could live up to that first one. Which is why it is such a pleasure to receive Awake: The Best of Live.

See the thing is, I don’t actually own a Live album, nor have I ever. In fact, I haven’t heard the majority of their songs. Yes I am one of those guys who only know their ‘more popular’ songs. That is quite unusual for me. I don’t listen to mainstream radio, my favourite bands are more alternative, like the Deftones, Sunk Loto and System of a Down, and I hate Australian Idol.

Now I have all those songs that I love all on one CD, and how sweet it is. This album has been put together very nicely. I’m not going to explain what the songs sound like because you already know that. Remember this is a ‘best of’ album, and if you don’t know what Live sounds like, then you have clearly been living under a rock for quite some years.

All the classics are in there – Selling the Drama, I Alone, Lightning Crashes (Throwing Copper). My personal favourites, Lakini’s Juice and Rattlesnake (Secret Samadhi), dominate the atmosphere. Newer songs like The Dolphin’s Cry and Run To The Water (Distance to Here) are present, as are classics from their latest album, Heaven and Run Away (Birds of Pray). Hardcore fans will appreciate Operation Spirit and The Beauty of Gray (from their first album, Mental Jewelry). All together there are 19 inspiring beauties, including a previously unreleased ballad, We Deal In Dreams.

As if that’s not enough, the CD comes packaged with a DVD that contains 22 (yes 22!) video clips that include a few live clips plus some alternative videos to some classics. If someone could explain to me what the hell is going on in the Lakini’s Juice clip it would be much appreciated! On top of all this, there is additional information and interviews on the DVD. So anyone who considers themselves a true fan of Live would be silly not to own a copy. The CD jacket also contains some interesting quotes from band members and has some provocative pics.

This is one serious album. It is literally chock full of goodies that will please just about anyone who has an interest in such an incredible band. In a period where so many shit compilations albums are produced purely to bring in the big bucks, it is with absolute satisfaction to see a release that has clearly been thought through and well developed. Congratulations to Live for still being so popular today, kudos on a job well done and thanks for making my trip that little bit more special. Ah good, Selling the Drama is playing and I’m back in the desert…