Mental Jewelry

This album has a lot to say. Starting with a pretty song like Pain Lies On The Riverside, and then keeping you engaged with Operation Spirit, you'll want to keep listening Live. The songs I most like are Brothers Unaware and Mother Earth is A Vicious Crowd. Contrary to what happens with most of bands, Live put just great songs in their first album.

I have been a fan of this band since this first outing. The group have never received the recognition they deserve in the UK and it is about time that they did!! If you have bought the 2nd album, Throwing Copper (the only promoted album of theirs in this country) then please!!!!! buy the rest. Start with this album, which I consider to be one of their more mellow albums. Head straight to 'Mirror Song' which is by far one of thier best tracks ever.For those of you that have never heard of LIVE then try somewhere between REM and Pearl Jam and your getting pretty close. A truly amazing band!!

Like most people that are Live fans, I too picked up on them after "Selling The Drama" was released from their second album "Throwing Copper". To my surprize, I found this LP very rewarding and not a step backward as I thought it would have been. There are many good songs on here that you just can't be aloud (cranked to full volume) to miss. Beauty Of Gray, Operation Spirit, Pain Lies On The Riverside, You Are The World, Good Pain, 10,000 Years and Mother Earth. The rest of the tracks are good to a few album fillers, but the LP has all the carrats in Mental Jewelry; a real gem. A real must for anyone that enjoys the bands music after they have thrown there copper away into storage. In summery; Five stars for the tracks I mentioned above and four stars for the rest. The main thing is to go get a copy, and you'll find it totally worth the listen. Cheers guys, and bring it on.....!

Released back in 1991 by Radioactive Records, ‘Mental Jewelry’ was the first album to be released by the rock band Live. The band later went on to release the hit album’s ‘Throwing Copper’, ‘Secret Samadhi’, ‘The Distance To Here’, ‘V’ and ‘Birds Of Pray’.The album delivers the classic ‘Live’ spiritual rock sound that we have come to expect from them. The CD includes 12 tracks of intelligent, well-written, creative and proficient rock tracks that are very well produced and well put together. Each track contains inspired layers and a creative approach to the song structures with some very talented vocals from Edward Kowalczyk.The album is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys the group’s other albums. If you are new to the band, firstly where have you been over the last ten years?, and secondly the album ‘Throwing Copper’ is the best introduction album to the band.

Have been a big Live fan for years but only recently picked up their debut as I stupidly assumed it wouldn't be much good. How wrong was I - the first 7/8 tracks on this album are as good as anything the band subsequently released - haven't stopped listening to it since I got it - stand out tracks for me would be Pain Lies on the Riverside, Brother in Arms, Mirror Song, Waterboy and Tired of Me. Just a great album recommend

I bought this recently as I loved throwing copper for years but never picked up any of the bands other albums. This is not as heavy as TC nor is the song writing on the same standard, it has its moments, the highlight being the opening track, but sadly it doesn't quite hit the mark. that said they are still a solid band and it is worth checking out.

If anything Ed Kowalczyk and Live's Mental Jewelry taught me it's I'm not Jesus Christ. Operation Spirit (The Tyranny Of Tradition) was one of the last videos I saw on MTV and also one of the Buzz Clips that ushered me into the world of Alternative Music. The video went beyond four guys dancing around a campfire as the lyrics will show. The second verse had me thrilled that MTV actually let someone get away with what Ed said even though it made me question my own faith.I bought this cassette at the same time I purchased Pearl Jam's Ten and I noticed that although both bands had different approaches, they were both pulling from the same play book.I really did not need subsequent listens to follow what Ed was talking about because he made everything that easy for me to understand and his rhythm section (Chad Taylor, Pat Dahlheimer, and Chad Gracey) backed him up nicely as songs  Pain Lies On The Riverside , Brothers Unaware , Waterboy  and  Good Pain  will attest, but it is still an overall great album.I still love this album 22 years later and it is always playing on my IPod.Check it out Operation Spirit (The Tyranny Of Tradition)Pain Lies On The RiversideBrothers UnawareWaterboyGood Pain

en mi opinión el primer y mejor cd de esta banda, con mucha fuerza y si es la primera vez que lo oyes con algo diferente.

12 track debut of spiritual gems often overlooked by latter fans! Their rock 'n' roll contains some hints of Middle Eastern music & soulful vocals from Ed & company! These four were produced by my favorite Talking Head & mixed by Lorde Alge! This classic of '91 deserves a six or more rating! Thanx!

" You say, 'Hold on to the reins',"" I say, let them go tonight."... and buy this album.90's at its finest.

Repurchased this as a gift. Solid from start to finish