It's "Live in the X-Lounge" Time of Year

I mentioned this earlier. Every year my local radio station hits up bands/singers who come to town to record a live track for them. At the end of the year, after all the legal stuff is worked out, the station releases a CD with the live performances and all of the proceeds go to charity. (You can visit the site here: Live In The X-Lounge

It also tends to sell out VERY fast. Looks like half the locations that carry it are already sold out and it was released Friday. That being the case, I don't feel particularly bad about sharing the tracks with people who couldn't buy the CD even if they wanted to. I figured I'd include some of my own comments about the tracks.

Track 1 -- Mission Responsible by Michael Tolcher
I've never been blown away by this song. However, our local DJ Luka LOVES it and plays it all the time (which might explain why I'm not as enthusiastic as I might be. It's been played to death here.) I do have to give the guy a lot of credit for an excellent live performance. Lyric: "as people we are just names playing games, drinking Cokes, and eating candy bars...

Track 2 -- One Thing by Finger 11
Unmistakably a live acoustic track. Very spare, just one guy and an acoustic guitar so I have to give Finger 11 props for real talent. Very nice. Lyric: "Even though I know, I don't want to know. Yeah, I guess I know. I just hate how it sounds..."

Track 3 -- Meant to Live by Switchfoot
This is the group I referred to in an ealier post when talking about groups whose released singles are pretty good but who apparently are HEAVILY produced. They recorded more than one live track for the radio station. Their live rendetion of "Dare You To Move" is just excruciatingly bad. I couldn't imagine the station placing it on the CD. Turns out that they didn't. They used "Meant To Live." It's nowhere near as bad as the live "Dare You To Move" cut, but it's still a fairly weak vocal performance. Unless they are particularly charismatic on stage, Switchfoot should remain a studio band. Lyric: "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?"

Track 4 -- Rock Steady by Marc Broussard
I am unfamiliar with this guy. The song is a kind of repetitive (but it's not a cover of the old song). It is a pretty strong vocal performance with a good band. Lyric: "First the song begins, then you start moving in. And I get caught up in the rythem of your hips..."

Track 5 -- Cradle by The Rising
Taking into account that everyone has different tastes, I absolutely love this track. It's a damn shame that a band as weak as Switchfoot has a hit CD(though after hearing two live cuts from them, I give lots of credit to whoever produced their CD) while The Rising doesn't even have distribution. At the moment Live in the X-Lounge VII is the only place where this track is available. Lyric: "Comfort me, cradle me [...] the center of your world pulls me down [...] my body is giving in, and I'm falling into you."

Track 6 -- Killing Me by Graham Colton Band
Again, taking into account personal taste, I really like this song. Lyric: I know I've been stupid, and I don't have a reason. And I'm trying not to ruin the one thing I believe in. It's you. . ."

Track 7 -- 2000 Miles by Coldplay
Coldplay is the real deal. Gorgeous cover of a Pretenders Christmas song. Lryic: "Outside under the purple sky, diamonds in the snow sparkle. Hearts were singing. It felt like Christmas time. . ."

Track 8 -- Twilight by Dexter Freebish
Not as polished as the cut from their CD, and not a particularly strong vocal performance. . . but I still like it. Nice off the cuff, rough around the edges, live band quality to it. Rather like the rambling talking to the audience at the end of it. Lyric: "when we come to the crossroads, you know we'll find a way [...] this time we'll get it right. We'll be together when the sun goes down at twilight..."

Track 9 -- Fine Again by Seether
Sound balance seems a bit "off" in the recording but, Seether seems pretty dependable about turning in reasonably good live cuts. Then again, looking at my Mp3 list, most every cut I have of Seether seems to be a live performance someone loaded up on SoulSeek. Lyric: "I feel the dream in me expire and there's no one left to blame it on. I hear you've labelled me a liar because I can't seem to get this through. You say it over and I can sigh again --yeah. Why try to stay sober when I'm dying here? I am aware now of how 'everything is going to be fine.'

Track 10 -- This Love by Maroon 5
A little talking by the lead singer at the beginning of the cut that's cute. Slightly different from the cut from the CD, but a fun live cut. Lyric: "I was so high I did not recognize the fire in her eyes. The chaos that controlled my mind whispered goodbye as she got on a plane never to return again, but always in my heart.... This love has taken its toll on me. She's said goodbye too many times before. Her heart is breaking in front of me, but I have no choice 'cause I won't say goodbye any more. . ."

Track 11 -- by Incubus
Incubus seems to contribute a cut to the Live in the X Lounge CD every year. (I think my favorite of their contributions is still "Pardon Me"). I'm not particularly objective about Incubus. They're one of my favorite groups. Considering the sound of the crowd in this one, I'm having to wonder if this wasn't recorded at the concert at Oak Mountain Amphitheater. Lyric: "You're so much more endearing with the sound turned off..."

It's "Live in the X-Lounge" Time of Year

I mentioned this earlier. Every year my local radio station hits up bands/singers who come to town to record a live track for them. At the end of the year, after all the legal stuff is worked out, the station releases a CD with the live performances and all of the proceeds go to charity. (You can visit the site here: Live In The X-Lounge

It also tends to sell out VERY fast. Looks like half the locations that carry it are already sold out and it was released Friday. That being the case, I don't feel particularly bad about sharing the tracks with people who couldn't buy the CD even if they wanted to. I figured I'd include some of my own comments about the tracks.

Track 1 -- Mission Responsible by Michael Tolcher
I've never been blown away by this song. However, our local DJ Luka LOVES it and plays it all the time (which might explain why I'm not as enthusiastic as I might be. It's been played to death here.) I do have to give the guy a lot of credit for an excellent live performance. Lyric: "as people we are just names playing games, drinking Cokes, and eating candy bars...

Track 2 -- One Thing by Finger 11
Unmistakably a live acoustic track. Very spare, just one guy and an acoustic guitar so I have to give Finger 11 props for real talent. Very nice. Lyric: "Even though I know, I don't want to know. Yeah, I guess I know. I just hate how it sounds..."

Track 3 -- Meant to Live by Switchfoot
This is the group I referred to in an ealier post when talking about groups whose released singles are pretty good but who apparently are HEAVILY produced. They recorded more than one live track for the radio station. Their live rendetion of "Dare You To Move" is just excruciatingly bad. I couldn't imagine the station placing it on the CD. Turns out that they didn't. They used "Meant To Live." It's nowhere near as bad as the live "Dare You To Move" cut, but it's still a fairly weak vocal performance. Unless they are particularly charismatic on stage, Switchfoot should remain a studio band. Lyric: "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?"

Track 4 -- Rock Steady by Marc Broussard
I am unfamiliar with this guy. The song is a kind of repetitive (but it's not a cover of the old song). It is a pretty strong vocal performance with a good band. Lyric: "First the song begins, then you start moving in. And I get caught up in the rythem of your hips..."

Track 5 -- Cradle by The Rising
Taking into account that everyone has different tastes, I absolutely love this track. It's a damn shame that a band as weak as Switchfoot has a hit CD(though after hearing two live cuts from them, I give lots of credit to whoever produced their CD) while The Rising doesn't even have distribution. At the moment Live in the X-Lounge VII is the only place where this track is available. Lyric: "Comfort me, cradle me [...] the center of your world pulls me down [...] my body is giving in, and I'm falling into you."

Track 6 -- Killing Me by Graham Colton Band
Again, taking into account personal taste, I really like this song. Lyric: I know I've been stupid, and I don't have a reason. And I'm trying not to ruin the one thing I believe in. It's you. . ."

Track 7 -- 2000 Miles by Coldplay
Coldplay is the real deal. Gorgeous cover of a Pretenders Christmas song. Lryic: "Outside under the purple sky, diamonds in the snow sparkle. Hearts were singing. It felt like Christmas time. . ."

Track 8 -- Twilight by Dexter Freebish
Not as polished as the cut from their CD, and not a particularly strong vocal performance. . . but I still like it. Nice off the cuff, rough around the edges, live band quality to it. Rather like the rambling talking to the audience at the end of it. Lyric: "when we come to the crossroads, you know we'll find a way [...] this time we'll get it right. We'll be together when the sun goes down at twilight..."

Track 9 -- Fine Again by Seether
Sound balance seems a bit "off" in the recording but, Seether seems pretty dependable about turning in reasonably good live cuts. Then again, looking at my Mp3 list, most every cut I have of Seether seems to be a live performance someone loaded up on SoulSeek. Lyric: "I feel the dream in me expire and there's no one left to blame it on. I hear you've labelled me a liar because I can't seem to get this through. You say it over and I can sigh again --yeah. Why try to stay sober when I'm dying here? I am aware now of how 'everything is going to be fine.'

Track 10 -- This Love by Maroon 5
A little talking by the lead singer at the beginning of the cut that's cute. Slightly different from the cut from the CD, but a fun live cut. Lyric: "I was so high I did not recognize the fire in her eyes. The chaos that controlled my mind whispered goodbye as she got on a plane never to return again, but always in my heart.... This love has taken its toll on me. She's said goodbye too many times before. Her heart is breaking in front of me, but I have no choice 'cause I won't say goodbye any more. . ."

Track 11 -- by Incubus
Incubus seems to contribute a cut to the Live in the X Lounge CD every year. (I think my favorite of their contributions is still "Pardon Me"). I'm not particularly objective about Incubus. They're one of my favorite groups. Considering the sound of the crowd in this one, I'm having to wonder if this wasn't recorded at the concert at Oak Mountain Amphitheater. Lyric: "You're so much more endearing with the sound turned off..."

It's "Live in the X-Lounge" Time of Year

I mentioned this earlier. Every year my local radio station hits up bands/singers who come to town to record a live track for them. At the end of the year, after all the legal stuff is worked out, the station releases a CD with the live performances and all of the proceeds go to charity. (You can visit the site here: Live In The X-Lounge

It also tends to sell out VERY fast. Looks like half the locations that carry it are already sold out and it was released Friday. That being the case, I don't feel particularly bad about sharing the tracks with people who couldn't buy the CD even if they wanted to. I figured I'd include some of my own comments about the tracks.

Track 1 -- Mission Responsible by Michael Tolcher
I've never been blown away by this song. However, our local DJ Luka LOVES it and plays it all the time (which might explain why I'm not as enthusiastic as I might be. It's been played to death here.) I do have to give the guy a lot of credit for an excellent live performance. Lyric: "as people we are just names playing games, drinking Cokes, and eating candy bars...

Track 2 -- One Thing by Finger 11
Unmistakably a live acoustic track. Very spare, just one guy and an acoustic guitar so I have to give Finger 11 props for real talent. Very nice. Lyric: "Even though I know, I don't want to know. Yeah, I guess I know. I just hate how it sounds..."

Track 3 -- Meant to Live by Switchfoot
This is the group I referred to in an ealier post when talking about groups whose released singles are pretty good but who apparently are HEAVILY produced. They recorded more than one live track for the radio station. Their live rendetion of "Dare You To Move" is just excruciatingly bad. I couldn't imagine the station placing it on the CD. Turns out that they didn't. They used "Meant To Live." It's nowhere near as bad as the live "Dare You To Move" cut, but it's still a fairly weak vocal performance. Unless they are particularly charismatic on stage, Switchfoot should remain a studio band. Lyric: "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?"

Track 4 -- Rock Steady by Marc Broussard
I am unfamiliar with this guy. The song is a kind of repetitive (but it's not a cover of the old song). It is a pretty strong vocal performance with a good band. Lyric: "First the song begins, then you start moving in. And I get caught up in the rythem of your hips..."

Track 5 -- Cradle by The Rising
Taking into account that everyone has different tastes, I absolutely love this track. It's a damn shame that a band as weak as Switchfoot has a hit CD(though after hearing two live cuts from them, I give lots of credit to whoever produced their CD) while The Rising doesn't even have distribution. At the moment Live in the X-Lounge VII is the only place where this track is available. Lyric: "Comfort me, cradle me [...] the center of your world pulls me down [...] my body is giving in, and I'm falling into you."

Track 6 -- Killing Me by Graham Colton Band
Again, taking into account personal taste, I really like this song. Lyric: I know I've been stupid, and I don't have a reason. And I'm trying not to ruin the one thing I believe in. It's you. . ."

Track 7 -- 2000 Miles by Coldplay
Coldplay is the real deal. Gorgeous cover of a Pretenders Christmas song. Lryic: "Outside under the purple sky, diamonds in the snow sparkle. Hearts were singing. It felt like Christmas time. . ."

Track 8 -- Twilight by Dexter Freebish
Not as polished as the cut from their CD, and not a particularly strong vocal performance. . . but I still like it. Nice off the cuff, rough around the edges, live band quality to it. Rather like the rambling talking to the audience at the end of it. Lyric: "when we come to the crossroads, you know we'll find a way [...] this time we'll get it right. We'll be together when the sun goes down at twilight..."

Track 9 -- Fine Again by Seether
Sound balance seems a bit "off" in the recording but, Seether seems pretty dependable about turning in reasonably good live cuts. Then again, looking at my Mp3 list, most every cut I have of Seether seems to be a live performance someone loaded up on SoulSeek. Lyric: "I feel the dream in me expire and there's no one left to blame it on. I hear you've labelled me a liar because I can't seem to get this through. You say it over and I can sigh again --yeah. Why try to stay sober when I'm dying here? I am aware now of how 'everything is going to be fine.'

Track 10 -- This Love by Maroon 5
A little talking by the lead singer at the beginning of the cut that's cute. Slightly different from the cut from the CD, but a fun live cut. Lyric: "I was so high I did not recognize the fire in her eyes. The chaos that controlled my mind whispered goodbye as she got on a plane never to return again, but always in my heart.... This love has taken its toll on me. She's said goodbye too many times before. Her heart is breaking in front of me, but I have no choice 'cause I won't say goodbye any more. . ."

Track 11 -- by Incubus
Incubus seems to contribute a cut to the Live in the X Lounge CD every year. (I think my favorite of their contributions is still "Pardon Me"). I'm not particularly objective about Incubus. They're one of my favorite groups. Considering the sound of the crowd in this one, I'm having to wonder if this wasn't recorded at the concert at Oak Mountain Amphitheater. Lyric: "You're so much more endearing with the sound turned off..."