Genre: psych
Rating: ****
(4 stars)
Title: Lies
To Live By
Company: Daffodil
Catalog: DAF
10047
Year: 1974
Country/State: Canada
Grade
(cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor
edge and corner wear; gatefold sleeve; original inner sleeve with lyrics
(note the photo is of the '90s reissue - we're selling an original copy,
but were too lazy to take a digital image
Available: 1
GEMM
catalog ID: 4
Price: $100.00 Cost:
$66.00
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Their career in
neutral, the band found themselves beset by a host of business, creative and
personnel problems. Concerned their progressive leanings wouldn't sell,
Daffodil Records pushed the group to move towards a more marketable hard
rock formula. The resulting disagreements over musical direction led to a
rift in the band; Bulger particularly unhappy with the band's progressive
leanings. The immediate result was an identity change, the band opting for
the name The Spirit of Christmas.
Given 1972's "Lies To Live For"
was recorded amidst ongoing upheaval including Bulger's decision to quit
during the recording sessions (vocalist Preston Wynn was quickly brought in
as a replacement), it's surprisingly good. Musically the album found the
band trying to find at least a partial compromise between their progressive
leanings and Daffodil's desire for more commercial guitar rock. Lyrically
the set's clearly a concept piece, though we'll readily admit the plotline's
largely lost on us. Enough to say Bryden's lyrics are full of dark and
disturbing imagery - probably explaining why critics were enthralled.
Extended tracks such as "Voices In the Wilderness" and "The
Factory" were definitely progressive in nature (hello mellotron), but
they also displayed some attractive kickass guitar. Among the more
interesting numbers were the mini-opera "War Story" and the
"Beyond the Fields We Know" segment. Unfortunately, Daffodil
executives weren't thrilled with the results, refusing to release the set.
As a result the album sat of a shelf for the next two years, eventually
seeing a limited release in 1974. In spite of strong reviews, the album
failed to generate much in the way of sales; certainly not helped by the
fact Daffodil was almost broke and unable to actively promote the
collection. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Lies To Live For" track listing:
1.) (All the) Wrong Roads (Robert Bryden) - 3:19
2.) Stay Dead Lazarus (Robert Bryden) - 4:06
3.) Voice In the Wilderness - 4:19
a.) Graveyard Face (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Preston Wynn) -
b.) All Is Light (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
4.) War Story
a.) Ballad of Jack Boot (Robert Bryden) -
b.) Requiem War's Peace (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Tyler Reizenne -
Helge Richter - Preston Wynn) -
5.) The Factory - 8:33
a.) Where the People Are Made (Preston Wynn) -
b.) Everything's Under Control (Robert Bryden - Robert Bulger - Preston
Wynn) -
6.) Beyond the Fields We Know - 11:26
a.) Prelude (I Don't Know Where I Am) (Robert Bryden) -
b.) Thermopylae (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
c.) Heaven's Lost (Robert Bryden - Preston Wynn) -
d.) In Closing - (Preston Wynn -
By 1975 they band had formally called it quits. In case anyone cares, Bulger
reappeared in Buzzsaw and Threshold (the latter with Reizanne). Bryden
worked with Age of Mirrors, Benzene Jug and as a solo act, before turning to
production work. The mid-'80s also saw a couple of brief reunion concerts.
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