Live and Electric - Just a fan's opinion.
Disclaimer: All of the below are opinions. My opinions. Limit the flaming. Please and taynx. ^.^
Optimistic
First of all, I've never heard the original, nor, obviously, have I heard it before this.
I like it. But compared to the rest of the album it sounds... forced. Like they're nervous and stiff about singing it. Too worried about getting it 'perfect' and less about just jammin' - wouldn't look bad, but with the rest of the album being so 'just groovin' it stands out like a sore thumb. Especially the whooo-yeah-yeah parts.
Every Word I Say
I like the studio version better. Dunno why, I just do. More passion put into it, I think... maybe. I don't know! Plus, I find, the round in the last verse wasn't done very well on the live version - Tay's too loud and Ike's too quiet. I really like the ad. libbing at the end though. ^.^
Where's the Love
First off, the background oooh's are done really good. I likees! I also like Tay's screechy voice. Example: "We're tripping all over ourselves and pullin' each other down." Taylor seems easier to understand as well. Maybe we can hope he's finally learnt how to enunciate? *knocks on wood*
Look at You
I LOVE IT! Love love love it. This song reaches it's full rocky potential in this version. I also like the transition between Where's the Love and Look at You. But yeah, they took the song from Middle of Nowhere, and fleshed it out. I just, I love it! I don't know how to describe it better than that they gave it a rock-vibe. But DAYUM!! I love the little guitar riffs. The only thing missing is Zac's ad. lib. ^.~
Strong Enough to Break
Hum. Sounds alot like the album version.
Highlights: 'hypocrisy,' 'broken records,' the bridge.
I Will Come to You
Hum. The major improvement I noticed, is that Tay's voice isn't changing in this version. Now, I know that's not fair, but it's true! I also like how there's no drums for most of it. Makes it seem slower. Definatly like this version better that the MoN version. I like the solo too. It's pretty and a nice addition. And the vocals on the part after the solo (the fading part) just make me melt. Very well harmonized (for the most part), like the emphasis on 'reach out for me' and the actual fade.
Underneath
Now, when I first heard the clip on Hnet I was ecstatic thinking there'd be no falsetto. I was nicely rewareded... sorta. For the most part, I just don't like Tay's falsetto. I love Ike's and Zac's is ok, but I don't like Tay's. I'm sure it's a fine falsetto, but it just grates on my nerves. Personal preference, yes? Fortunatly, not much of Tay's part are done in falsetto. Teartaye is happy. Cept for the echo/feedback almost at the very begining (first 10-15 seconds) it's a very nice version of Underneath. Highlights: If only you could feel what I dream, maybe you could hear what I mean. *shivers*
Hand in Hand
I'm not gonna sit around, just waiting for you to come back to me.
That is all. *shivers*
In a Little While
Another cover I'd never heard before now. What? I live under a rock!! Anyway. It also sounds kinda stiff. Not as bad as Optimistic, but still. Highlights: That girl, that girl she's mine.
Penny and Me
Whatever happened to the mic/speakers/sound system at the begining of this song... I SWEAR I DIDN'T DO IT! Omg... the echo. It burns. Highlights: If I could soar. (You all know what I mean!)
MMMBop
They. Fucked. It. Up. They left out a verse of their "famous" and/or "stereotypical" song. OMG! *falls down and laughs for a bit* Other than that I love how much more... rockier, again, it sounds! Still happy-go-lucky MMMBop but instead of being so dreadfully annoying, it's actually got a groove I can enjoy to it!
This Time Around
I prefer the live version of This Time Around. Personally. This live version, that other live version, whatever. The rock to the chorus, as one of my good friends put it back in 2000 when I made her listen to it... "They either messed up a really pretty song with the chorus, or killed the flow of a harder song with the verses." I haven't been able to get that analogy out of my head since, and the accapella/slower chorusses just go over better with me.
Rock N Roll Razorblade
The live version of this song sounds alot more like "Hanson" than the studio. Not sure why, but it does. Lurve it and love the piano solo.
I also love the random shout-outs to their backup musicians. And how half of the UK (I think?) versions were printed with the symbol screwed up. Jeez, messing up MMMBop and your symbol on one CD? *blinks* Teartaye is muchly confused.
Optimistic
First of all, I've never heard the original, nor, obviously, have I heard it before this.
I like it. But compared to the rest of the album it sounds... forced. Like they're nervous and stiff about singing it. Too worried about getting it 'perfect' and less about just jammin' - wouldn't look bad, but with the rest of the album being so 'just groovin' it stands out like a sore thumb. Especially the whooo-yeah-yeah parts.
Every Word I Say
I like the studio version better. Dunno why, I just do. More passion put into it, I think... maybe. I don't know! Plus, I find, the round in the last verse wasn't done very well on the live version - Tay's too loud and Ike's too quiet. I really like the ad. libbing at the end though. ^.^
Where's the Love
First off, the background oooh's are done really good. I likees! I also like Tay's screechy voice. Example: "We're tripping all over ourselves and pullin' each other down." Taylor seems easier to understand as well. Maybe we can hope he's finally learnt how to enunciate? *knocks on wood*
Look at You
I LOVE IT! Love love love it. This song reaches it's full rocky potential in this version. I also like the transition between Where's the Love and Look at You. But yeah, they took the song from Middle of Nowhere, and fleshed it out. I just, I love it! I don't know how to describe it better than that they gave it a rock-vibe. But DAYUM!! I love the little guitar riffs. The only thing missing is Zac's ad. lib. ^.~
Strong Enough to Break
Hum. Sounds alot like the album version.
Highlights: 'hypocrisy,' 'broken records,' the bridge.
I Will Come to You
Hum. The major improvement I noticed, is that Tay's voice isn't changing in this version. Now, I know that's not fair, but it's true! I also like how there's no drums for most of it. Makes it seem slower. Definatly like this version better that the MoN version. I like the solo too. It's pretty and a nice addition. And the vocals on the part after the solo (the fading part) just make me melt. Very well harmonized (for the most part), like the emphasis on 'reach out for me' and the actual fade.
Underneath
Now, when I first heard the clip on Hnet I was ecstatic thinking there'd be no falsetto. I was nicely rewareded... sorta. For the most part, I just don't like Tay's falsetto. I love Ike's and Zac's is ok, but I don't like Tay's. I'm sure it's a fine falsetto, but it just grates on my nerves. Personal preference, yes? Fortunatly, not much of Tay's part are done in falsetto. Teartaye is happy. Cept for the echo/feedback almost at the very begining (first 10-15 seconds) it's a very nice version of Underneath. Highlights: If only you could feel what I dream, maybe you could hear what I mean. *shivers*
Hand in Hand
I'm not gonna sit around, just waiting for you to come back to me.
That is all. *shivers*
In a Little While
Another cover I'd never heard before now. What? I live under a rock!! Anyway. It also sounds kinda stiff. Not as bad as Optimistic, but still. Highlights: That girl, that girl she's mine.
Penny and Me
Whatever happened to the mic/speakers/sound system at the begining of this song... I SWEAR I DIDN'T DO IT! Omg... the echo. It burns. Highlights: If I could soar. (You all know what I mean!)
MMMBop
They. Fucked. It. Up. They left out a verse of their "famous" and/or "stereotypical" song. OMG! *falls down and laughs for a bit* Other than that I love how much more... rockier, again, it sounds! Still happy-go-lucky MMMBop but instead of being so dreadfully annoying, it's actually got a groove I can enjoy to it!
This Time Around
I prefer the live version of This Time Around. Personally. This live version, that other live version, whatever. The rock to the chorus, as one of my good friends put it back in 2000 when I made her listen to it... "They either messed up a really pretty song with the chorus, or killed the flow of a harder song with the verses." I haven't been able to get that analogy out of my head since, and the accapella/slower chorusses just go over better with me.
Rock N Roll Razorblade
The live version of this song sounds alot more like "Hanson" than the studio. Not sure why, but it does. Lurve it and love the piano solo.
I also love the random shout-outs to their backup musicians. And how half of the UK (I think?) versions were printed with the symbol screwed up. Jeez, messing up MMMBop and your symbol on one CD? *blinks* Teartaye is muchly confused.