Search - Balaam and the Angel :: Live Free or Die

Truly A Lost Gem

Matthew J. Bross | Northeast Ohio | 04/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is so hard to comprehend that a really good rock album that could equally appeal to the metal crowd, the alternative types and those who were simple pop music followers could get lost in the shuffle, only peaking on the Billboard 200 at #174 in 1988.



A power trio Formed in 1984, by the Morris brothers Mark (bass, vocals), Jim (guitars) and Des (drums), Balaam and the Angel wrote great, accessable songs that rocked hard and had good alternative and pop sensibilities. They were also videogenic and also had a good stage presence.



I found about this CD, released in 1988, not by seeing a video, being told about it from a friend or hearing a song on the radio during normal waking hours. I found out about it in an unconventional way, a rock radio station I listen to used to have a featured album every night at midnight. They happened to take a chance on "Live Free or Die" and I listened to it all the way through. I could not believe what I heard, a hard, metallic, anthemic, almost-Goth laden album with really good pop (in a good sense) hooks. The combination of these elements actually work well together, Live free or Die excelles greatly in all these areas.



The album kicks off with "I'll Show You Something Special", which also was included in the Steve Martin & John Candy movie "Planes Trains & Automobiles". At a later point, it was the only Balaam and the Angel video I ever saw on MTV.



The next track was the minor rock radio hit "I Love The Things You Do To Me". It has a real pop/modern-rock edge to it and managed to score some airplay. "On the Run" is another fist pumping track with stadium-sized riffs.



The title track is the ultimate killer cut, with a kick ass wah-wah guitar solo to start it off, is the most crushing song on the album and should have been one oh the biggest rock anthems on the 1980's, the fact that this did not happen is everybody's loss.



"Long Time Loving You" is another hard rocker that keeps things going strong. Another big miss by radio and so-called rock music fans.



Sad to say, this CD is no longer in print. You have to pay over $20.00 for a new copy. A note to Virgin Records, get off your collective duffs and reissue this CD, with these going over $20.00 a crack over the internet, the demand is still there.

"

Metal Cult type sound

GKG | Huntsville | 11/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album always reminded me of the Cult's Love album if it were more metal. Kind of an 80's goth band mixed with some Cult mixed with some metal. Absolutely underappreciated."