It's been quite a while since Live released a new studio album (3 years already). Surprisingly their new record has already been released in Europe, but the USA release isn't until June 13th. The reason for this may be the group's overwhelming popularity in some European countries.

Musically this album isn't one of Live's strongest works... some of the songs just aren't that great. For the most part, Live has stressed pop influences more than rock voicings on this album. However, there are also some rather good songs every so often, and naturally all the songs have wonderful vocal melodies. Actually Kowalczyk. the vocalist, is the main reason why I've always liked this group - he has a really good voice, and his vocal melodies are quite inspiring. If I was to name a highlight of this album, I'd end up naming "Show" as my listening recommendation (this song just has certain intoxicating appeal to it).

Songs from Black Mountain has been produced really well, which isn't that surprising if one checks the credits... the album was mastered at Sterling Sound, New York by Ted Jensen. Overall, it's a fairly good record, though it doesn't quite represent Live at its best. Regardless, I'm sure most Live fans will find it worth listening - I, for one, did as I gave it numerous spins throughout the last week.

Release date: June 13th, 2006 (USA)

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- MAGE (May 2nd, 2006)

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LINE-UP:
Kowalczyk, Edward J.: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Backing Vocals Taylor, chad: Lead Guitars Dahlheimer, Patrick: Bass Gracey, Chad: Drums with Camardella, Dom: Hammond on Tracks 3, 7 & 9 Campbell, David: String Arrangement and Conducting on Mystery - Violins - Bisharat, Charlie Greenfield, Laurence Hilera, Gerardo Park, Alyssa Hallmark, Julian Shtrum, Haim Vaiman, Philip - Violas - Dembow, Brian Duckles, Andrew - Cellos - Corbett, Larry Katayama, Suzie Landauer, Timothy
Producer:	Wirt, Jim
Mixing by:	Thoener, David
Mastering by:	Jensen, Ted

	TRACKLIST:
	01. The River 02. Mystery 03. Get Ready 04. Show 05. Wings 06. Sofia 07. Love Shines (A Song for My Daughters About God) 08. Where Do We Go from Here? 09. Home 10. All I Need 11. You Are Not Alone 12. Night of Nights Length: 42:29