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Throwing Copper

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Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records.[3] It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio.[4] Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[5]

Throwing Copper
Studio album by
Live
ReleasedApril 26, 1994 (1994-04-26)
RecordedJuly–September 1993
StudioPachyderm (Cannon Falls, Minnesota)
Genre
Length59:32
LabelRadioactive
Producer
Live chronology
Mental Jewelry
(1991) 		Throwing Copper
(1994) 		Secret Samadhi
(1997)
Singles from Throwing Copper
  1. "Selling the Drama"
    Released: February 1994
  2. "I Alone"
    Released: May 1994
  3. "Lightning Crashes"
    Released: September 24, 1994
  4. "All Over You"
    Released: December 5, 1994
  5. "White, Discussion"
    Released: April 1, 1995

Cover art

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The cover art is a painting by Scottish artist Peter Howson titled Sisters of Mercy. On September 23, 2005, it was sold for $186,000 by Christie's in New York. The painting is oil on canvas and measures 243 by 182 centimetres (7.97 ft × 5.97 ft).[6]

25th anniversary reissue

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In May 2019, the band announced a 25th-anniversary reissue of Throwing Copper, which was released on July 19.[7] The reissue contains three bonus tracks: "Hold Me Up", which was recorded during the original Throwing Copper sessions and later heard in the 2008 comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno but was not officially released;[8] "We Deal in Dreams", which had been released as a single off the band's 2004 compilation album Awake: The Best of Live; and "Susquehanna", another previously unreleased track originally recorded in 1993, though it had been written during recording sessions for the band's first studio album, Mental Jewelry.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [9]
Classic Rock     [10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [11]
The Great Rock Discography7/10[12]
MusicHound Rock     [13]
Q     [14]
Rolling Stone     [15]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [16]
Spin Alternative Record Guide7/10[17]
The Village VoiceC+[18]

Throwing Copper has typically been regarded as Live's strongest album. A Rolling Stone review stated that the band "strive for an epic sound" and successfully execute on that goal;[15] retrospective reviews have been similarly positive, with the Jakarta Post describing the album as "a solid beast from front to back" and uDiscoverMusic characterizing it as "challenging, yet commendably powerful".[19][20] The instrumentation on the album has been generally praised: Rolling Stone considered the musicians to be "expert players [who] drop musical smart bombs with unerring precision", and the Jakarta Post referred to the music as "absolutely dynamic and catchy".[15][19] Singer Ed Kowalczyk was applauded for his vocal performance as well, with a retrospective Stereogum review noting his ability to "raise his voice from a plaintive hush to a clenched roar".[21]

The lyrics of the album received more mixed reviews. The Jakarta Post felt that Throwing Copper "managed to push earnestness and wild esotericism as far as it could go without feeling resoundingly cheesy", but Gina Boldman of AllMusic was more negative, stating that the album's "melodrama [is] a bit much".[9] Stereogum described Kowalczyk's lyrics as "mystic gibberish" that nevertheless featured "memorably inscrutable turns of phrase".[21]

A 2024 review by Paolo Ragusa of Consequence of Sound credits this album with starting post-grunge and shifting rock music to a new direction after the death of Kurt Cobain by combining some harder rock influences with clearer vocals, softer guitar melodies, and the production of Jerry Harrison to make a distinct sound.[22]

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by Ed Kowalczyk; all music is composed by Live

Original compact disc issue
No.TitleLength
1."The Dam at Otter Creek"4:43
2."Selling the Drama"3:26
3."I Alone"3:50
4."Iris"3:59
5."Lightning Crashes"5:25
6."Top"2:42
7."All Over You"3:59
8."Shit Towne"3:48
9."T.B.D."4:28
10."Stage"3:08
11."Waitress"2:49
12."Pillar of Davidson" ([note 1])6:46
13."White, Discussion"6:08
14."Horse" (unlisted track[note 2])4:16
Europe and Australia Two CD set Four Songs
No.TitleLength
1."Operation Spirit"3:19
2."Good Pain"5:39
3."Heaven Wore a Shirt"3:38
4."Negation"3:37
25th anniversary reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
15."Hold Me Up" (from the film Zack and Miri Make a Porno, previously unreleased) 
16."We Deal in Dreams" (previously released on Awake: The Best of Live) 
17."Susquehanna" (previously unreleased) 
25th anniversary reissue bonus disc: Live at Woodstock '94
No.TitleLength
1."Iris" 
2."Top" 
3."The Beauty of Gray" 
4."Selling the Drama" 
5."Shit Towne" 
6."Lightning Crashes" 
7."I Alone" 
8."Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)" 
9."White, Discussion" 
Notes
  1. ^ "Pillar of Davidson" was not included on the original 1994 vinyl version.
  2. ^ "Horse" was an unlisted track on the 1994 releases.[23] It was not included on the original 1994 vinyl version, but the 2012 reissue added "Horse" as a listed track on the D-side.

Personnel

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Adapted credits from the liner notes of Throwing Copper.[4]

Live
Technical personnel

Charts

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Singles

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Sales chart performance for singles from Throwing Copper
Song Peak chart positions
US (Airplay) US (M.R.) Australia Ned UK Ger
"Selling the Drama"[52][53][54] 43 1 49 15 30 89
"I Alone"[53][55] 38 6  — 20 48  —
"Lightning Crashes"[53][56] 12 1 13  — 33  —
"All Over You"[53] 33 4  —  — 48  —
"White, Discussion"[53] 71 15  —  —  —  —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Certifications

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Sales certifications for Throwing Copper
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] 10× Platinum 700,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[58] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[59] 7× Platinum 700,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[60] 2× Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] 6× Platinum 90,000^
Sweden (GLF)[62] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[5] 8× Platinum 8,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Thee, Marcel (August 1, 2019). "After 25 years, Live's 'Throwing Copper' remains alternative rock gem". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. ^ Martins, Jorge (December 25, 2023). "Top 10 Post-Grunge Albums From the '90s That Actually Stood the Test of Time". Ultimate Guitar. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "+Live+ Today Release The Super Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition Of Their Landmark 8x Multi-Platinum Sophomore Album 'Throwing Copper'". Universal Music Enterprises. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Throwing Copper (liner notes). Live. Radioactive Records. 1994. RARD-10997.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ a b "American album certifications – Live – Throwing Cooper". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Peter Howson (b. 1958) – Sisters of Mercy" Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Christie's
  7. ^ "Throwing Copper Super Deluxe 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set (2LP+2CD)". Friends of Live. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Blistein, Jon (May 30, 2019). "Hear Live Rip Through Previously Unreleased Track 'Hold Me Up'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Boldman, Gina. "Throwing Copper – Live". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Dome, Malcolm (July 19, 2019). "Live's Throwing Copper: 25 years on, suddenly contemporary". Classic Rock (loudersound). Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Live". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  12. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Live". The Great Rock Discography. Canongate. p. 897. ISBN 9781841956152.
  13. ^ Durchholz, Daniel (1999). "Live". MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. pp. 679–681. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  14. ^ "Live: Throwing Copper". Q. No. 98. November 1994. p. 115.
  15. ^ a b c Evans, Paul (August 11, 1994). "Live: Throwing Copper". Rolling Stone. p. 70. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  16. ^ Moon, Tom (2004). "Live". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 490–91. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  17. ^ Gardner, Elysa (1995). "Live". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. p. 226. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  18. ^ Christgau, Robert (November 28, 1995). "Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via robertchristgau.com.
  19. ^ a b Thee, Marcel (August 1, 2019). "After 25 years, Live's 'Throwing Copper' remains alternative rock gem". Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Peacock, Tim (April 26, 2022). "'Throwing Copper': How Live Fashioned a Platinum-Grade Alt.Rock Classic". uDiscoverMusic. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  21. ^ a b DeVille, Chris (April 18, 2014). "Throwing Copper Turns 20". Stereogum. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  22. ^ Ragusa, Paolo (May 22, 2024). "Following Kurt Cobain's Death, Live's Throwing Copper Birthed the Post-Grunge Movement". Features > Anniversaries > Dust 'Em Off. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "REVIEW: Live – Throwing Copper (1994)". October 8, 2014.
  24. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Live – Throwing Copper". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Live – Throwing Copper" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – Live – Throwing Copper" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  27. ^ "Ultratop.be – Live – Throwing Copper" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  28. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9023". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  29. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Live – Throwing Copper" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  30. ^ "Eurochart Top 100 Albums - August 5, 1995" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 31. August 5, 1995. p. 10. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "Live: Throwing Copper" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Live – Throwing Copper" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  33. ^ "Charts.nz – Live – Throwing Copper". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Live – Throwing Copper". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  35. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Live – Throwing Copper". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Live Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  38. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  39. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1995". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  40. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1995". Ultratop. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  41. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1995". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  42. ^ "Year End Sales Charts – European Top 100 Albums 1995" (PDF). Music & Media. December 23, 1995. p. 14. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  43. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  44. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1995". The Official NZ Music Charts. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  45. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  46. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1996". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  47. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1996". The Official NZ Music Charts. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  48. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  49. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  50. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002". Jam!. Archived from the original on September 2, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  51. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (December 25, 1999). "Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade > Top Pop Albums of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  52. ^ "Ultratop entry for Selling the Drama" Archived November 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Ultratop
  53. ^ a b c d e "Throwing Copper > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles" Archived July 11, 2023, at the Wayback Machine AllMusic
  54. ^ "Chartverfolgung / LIVE / Single " Archived August 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Musicline.de
  55. ^ "Ultratop entry for I Alone" Archived October 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine Ultratop
  56. ^ "Ultratop entry for Lightning Crashes" Archived November 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine Ultratop
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  58. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1995". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  59. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Live – Throwing Cooper". Music Canada. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  60. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Live – Throwing Cooper" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved September 20, 2019. Enter Throwing Cooper in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2001 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  61. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Live – Throwing Cooper". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  62. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  63. ^ "British album certifications – Live – Throwing Cooper". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 20, 2019. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Throwing Cooper in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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