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Re: live vs. studio




>> I think the earlier OtR material was much better *written* (more
passionate
>&
>> mentally picturesque at least), and lacked more in the *production*, but
the
>> newer material is less passionate/picturesque yet better produced. Is it
>just
>> me here that sees the inverse proportion here?
>
>I completely agree with this sentiment: TWHF and Patience sounded like
nothing
>I'd heard before (probably my ignorance showing!) wheras GDBG, glorious
though
>it is, doesn't have the same passion.  First albums are often the best.

A band's first effort (whether it's OTR or anyone else) is usually the best
of the batch
since they've had years upon years to craft and perfect each song.  Unless
they
have enough initial material to draw from, anything written between the 1st
and 2nd
(or 2nd and 3rd, etc.) doesn't have the time to develop and mature like the
first
record had.  Subsequent follow-ups tend to sound rushed or unfocused, at
least
in comparison to the first record.  Some of this can be countered by the
increased
knowedge and skill the band gains each time they move through the
production
cycle.  Hopefully, a band can make up for the typical drop in creative
songs with
a better sounding and better produced record.

As for TWHF/Patience as compared to GDBD, OTR's first 2 or 3 records were
professional and serious attempts to release a viable product to the world,
so I'm
sure the effort put into those records was quite intense and serious.
While GDBD
is a well done, 'professional' recording, the songs were mostly left in a
demo-sounding
form. almost as if they wanted you to know what they might sound like if
they came
and played in your living room (a dream for us all!).  I guess what I mean
is that the
focus of the projects were different, so the sound and feel of each are
bound to
be different as well.



>On the live vs. studio point, can anybody name bands who *do* sound better
on
>record?
Alan Parsons, Matthew Sweet, Shawn Colvin, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Rolling
Stones,
Freedy Johnson, Jen Trynin, Concrete Blonde, Dave Matthews (the Live at Red
Rocks
recording is an exception), Graveblankets,......