 |
Following up the didactic pretensions of THE DISTANCE TO HERE, Live steps back a bit on V and instead infuses a bit more experimentation into their normally straightforward post-grunge sturm-and-drang thanks to production help from Eleven's Alain Johannes. These changes jump out right from the one-two punch of "Intro" and "Simple Creed" with its backwards-masked guitar and sinister-sounding vocals from guest Tricky. The rap-rock of "Deep Enough" captures a Limp Bizkit-like rhythmic flow without resorting to lyrical inanities. Ed Kowalczyk's interest in non-Western culture continues to provide musical cues whether it's the sitar and tabla woven into the churning groove of "The Ride" or the Middle Eastern rhythms looped into the hard-hitting "Deep Enough". Interestingly enough, Kowalczyk addresses his band's socially conscious image with "People Like You", a thudding rocker with Qawwali-flavoured harmonies that mentions a dream featuring his band alongside Bono, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Stipe. Best of all is the gorgeous, piano-driven "Overcome", an anthem of optimism needed in the wake of the World Trade Centre tragedy that occurred the week before V's release.
|