Mental Jewelry
1991
Radioactive Records
Live is a fantastic, fairly well-known Pennsylvanian band that has produced some of the most intriguing and thought-provoking rock from the last two decades. Their journey started with this little album, Mental Jewelry, in 1991.
Well, technically this is the second album the band released, having released an album titled The Death of a Dictionary under the name Public Affection, in June of 1989. The band's first release under their reformed name, Live, was that of the Four Songs EP in 1991. Two songs were used from the EP, those being 'Operation Spirit' (retitled on Mental Jewelry to 'Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition), and 'Good Pain', while the other two were made into b-sides.
Compared to Live's later work, even their second album, Mental Jewelry is the more soft-spoken of the bunch. Owe this to beginner's shyness or what you will, the fact is this so more in terms of classic funk rock. The rolling guitar of Chad Taylor creates nothing less than a finger snapping experience. But let that not dissuade you, for this album is quite eclectic. The instruments constantly shift around in order of significance; the bass can be a background instrument and then all of the sudden Dahlheimer's slapping with the best of them. Taylor harnesses soft acoustic for the quieter sections, and when he switches to electric he cranks it up to ten in ten flat with some rocking grooves. Chad Gracey also deserves a mention due to how dynamic his drumming is, especially during the more climactic sections.
But this would not be a Live review without mention of Ed Kowalczyk's stunning vocal work. If the instruments ever get too straightforward, then he'll invigorate it back up extremely quickly by belting out a bittersweet line. His self-harmonizations are some of the best, particularly on 'Operation Spirit' and 'You Are The World', almost like he's trying to top himself with how strong his voice can be.
Mental Jewelry is a bit strange with a first listen, so I'd suggest starting out with something a bit safer, like Throwing Copper or The Distance To Here. Once you've gone through them, this album will impress you much more.
Well, technically this is the second album the band released, having released an album titled The Death of a Dictionary under the name Public Affection, in June of 1989. The band's first release under their reformed name, Live, was that of the Four Songs EP in 1991. Two songs were used from the EP, those being 'Operation Spirit' (retitled on Mental Jewelry to 'Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition), and 'Good Pain', while the other two were made into b-sides.
Compared to Live's later work, even their second album, Mental Jewelry is the more soft-spoken of the bunch. Owe this to beginner's shyness or what you will, the fact is this so more in terms of classic funk rock. The rolling guitar of Chad Taylor creates nothing less than a finger snapping experience. But let that not dissuade you, for this album is quite eclectic. The instruments constantly shift around in order of significance; the bass can be a background instrument and then all of the sudden Dahlheimer's slapping with the best of them. Taylor harnesses soft acoustic for the quieter sections, and when he switches to electric he cranks it up to ten in ten flat with some rocking grooves. Chad Gracey also deserves a mention due to how dynamic his drumming is, especially during the more climactic sections.
But this would not be a Live review without mention of Ed Kowalczyk's stunning vocal work. If the instruments ever get too straightforward, then he'll invigorate it back up extremely quickly by belting out a bittersweet line. His self-harmonizations are some of the best, particularly on 'Operation Spirit' and 'You Are The World', almost like he's trying to top himself with how strong his voice can be.
Mental Jewelry is a bit strange with a first listen, so I'd suggest starting out with something a bit safer, like Throwing Copper or The Distance To Here. Once you've gone through them, this album will impress you much more.
2016 - The Frying Pan & Thatcher
Originally written for Metal Music Archives on 8/5/2016.
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