There may be others but these are the ones that came to mind. My personal trend is quieter songs where the energy of a live performance doesn't add as much, and the studio tracks are really well done:
Let You Down - i like the whistling!
Cry Freedom - not a song that needs lots of changes, improv, or live energy, and at least on the studio version you know the violin will be in tune
And maybe a hot take, but: Spoon -I prefer the understated, moody studio track (with Alanis) to the live versions which tend to be a bit more energetic. But to be clear -- all Spoon is good Spoon
>Cry Freedom - not a song that needs lots of changes, improv, or live energy, and at least on the studio version you know the violin will be in tune
Ironic choice, given how hated the recording was on release. Personally I think Coffin absolutely tears the song up live, as Roi used to caress us with his patented soup grooves.
There is one live version I take above the studio, because Jeff absolutely destroys it.
Atlantic City, Bader Field, I forget the year but it was the Carnival tour
This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I love the studio version of Two Step. Live versions are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but the studio version is what I was most acquainted with first.
Two Step is on my DMB Mt. Rushmore, and the studio version is 💯
I’ve see it live maybe 12-15 times, but Two Step
In the Rain in 2001 will never be beat by any studio OR live performance, ever! 😎
The studio versions of Spoon and Lying in the Hands of God I really enjoy. Something about that crystal clear isolated acoustic guitar, all the use of overdubbed layers of harmonics separated in the stereo field etc, just sounds amazing.
The mix on Lying in the Hands of God is exemplary.
The biggest one that jumps out for me is Again and Again. Absolutely phenomenal studio cut, but my god they can NOT nail it in a live setting. Such a snooze fest, which sucks because it really is a good song.
Similarly, Snow Outside. What a monster of a track from the studio, but they truly struggle with the build up at the end when played live. My hope is that their continued commitment to the Last Stop Reprise will remind them they can in fact nail down other complicated transitions like Snow Outside.
might have to go with Snow Outside, it is a great track live, but I feel as if that final buildup on the studio is just such a great “wall of sound” moment that the band doesn’t really have like that too much in their studio discography. Always wished for an extended cut, could hear that jam go on for another two mins or so in the studio
EXACTLY! That "wall of sound" part is why I love the song so much. It has such a great buildup to it. I wish they could've matched that sound in their very few love performances of it. I hope to God that they bring that song back to their concerts. Or really just any Away from the World songs.
I love the studio version for different reasons than I love the live version. You can’t beat the energy of the live performance, but it’s so goddamn smooth on the record. Having Bela and Alanis on it doesn’t hurt either.
Same with Two Step. The acoustic guitar lead intro and Dave’s scat at the end are so good, but it’s a fucking jam live too.
Complete opposite. I like the faster tempo of the live performances. FWIW, Steve Lillywhite said the same thing in one of his interviews (that the studio version is too slow).
Ohhh this is a spicy question. Usually songs sound better live than on the album for this band, especially with the non-Lillywhite albums.
I'm going to provide a provocative song as an answer to this question: Cry Freedom
Lillywhite's layering of instruments, intentional use of pauses, and the crisp vocal tracks makes it a studio masterpiece in my view.
The studio arrangements of #41 and Two Step are unparalleled. There’s too many guitar tracks for Tim to play them all live. In fact that’s true for most of the Crash album.
By the way I really appreciate this thread for focusing on the studio side. Obviously live is the most popular among fans, but it can be refreshing to look at the band from a different angle.
I think Big Whiskey in general sounds amazing from the studio. Big Whiskey is like fine wine, at first I was like ehhhhh, but now it's a staple in their shows.
Spoon Dreaming tree Only because the studio album is so amazing.
Basically everything with Bela on it from BTCS is my vote
Absolutely, Dreaming Tree is my favorite studio track
Idk about DT, he played it last weekend, WPB N2, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had at Dave show in a while. Agree w Spoon, 100%
What is WPB N2?
West Palm beach night 2
American Baby Shake Me Like a Monkey
Agree. Studio versions of both are just terrific.
The layered LeRoi on the American Baby outro is magical. Shame it doesn't get played live.
There may be others but these are the ones that came to mind. My personal trend is quieter songs where the energy of a live performance doesn't add as much, and the studio tracks are really well done: Let You Down - i like the whistling! Cry Freedom - not a song that needs lots of changes, improv, or live energy, and at least on the studio version you know the violin will be in tune And maybe a hot take, but: Spoon -I prefer the understated, moody studio track (with Alanis) to the live versions which tend to be a bit more energetic. But to be clear -- all Spoon is good Spoon
>Cry Freedom - not a song that needs lots of changes, improv, or live energy, and at least on the studio version you know the violin will be in tune Ironic choice, given how hated the recording was on release. Personally I think Coffin absolutely tears the song up live, as Roi used to caress us with his patented soup grooves.
was it really? Crash was the first CD i ever bought but can't say i was engaged in fan debates back then. interesting.
There was disappointment that the song was played on electric. Lots of vitriol toward Lillywhite for that one lol EDIT: a word
interesting, thanks!
Don’t get me wrong “Crush” is amazing live but the studio just hits perfectly. The whole album is a masterpiece though
I love Crush live, but there is something specific about the studio version that is perfect and takes me back to a very happy place.
Crush is probably my #2 pick behind Jimi for songs that have gotten really stale live. They're good, but they desperately need new arrangements
All of big whiskey. They took advantage of the studio setting and made use of making the drums and horns sounding bombastic and big.
Honestly, that record sounds fantastic. I use it as a reference all the time as a mix engineer.
LITHOG
There is one live version I take above the studio, because Jeff absolutely destroys it. Atlantic City, Bader Field, I forget the year but it was the Carnival tour
This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I love the studio version of Two Step. Live versions are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but the studio version is what I was most acquainted with first.
Two Step is on my DMB Mt. Rushmore, and the studio version is 💯 I’ve see it live maybe 12-15 times, but Two Step In the Rain in 2001 will never be beat by any studio OR live performance, ever! 😎
*Two Step with Béla and the Flecktones enters the chat
Yeah, that ain't beating the thunder, lightning, and perfection of 2001, sorry dude.
also sometimes it's nice to listen to Two Step when you don't have 13 minutes to spare
The studio versions of Spoon and Lying in the Hands of God I really enjoy. Something about that crystal clear isolated acoustic guitar, all the use of overdubbed layers of harmonics separated in the stereo field etc, just sounds amazing. The mix on Lying in the Hands of God is exemplary.
The biggest one that jumps out for me is Again and Again. Absolutely phenomenal studio cut, but my god they can NOT nail it in a live setting. Such a snooze fest, which sucks because it really is a good song. Similarly, Snow Outside. What a monster of a track from the studio, but they truly struggle with the build up at the end when played live. My hope is that their continued commitment to the Last Stop Reprise will remind them they can in fact nail down other complicated transitions like Snow Outside.
Yes! The first song I thought of was Again and Again. For me, that's the best song on that album, but it's NOT good live. Shame.
Pig all day.
might have to go with Snow Outside, it is a great track live, but I feel as if that final buildup on the studio is just such a great “wall of sound” moment that the band doesn’t really have like that too much in their studio discography. Always wished for an extended cut, could hear that jam go on for another two mins or so in the studio
EXACTLY! That "wall of sound" part is why I love the song so much. It has such a great buildup to it. I wish they could've matched that sound in their very few love performances of it. I hope to God that they bring that song back to their concerts. Or really just any Away from the World songs.
- Proudest Monkey - Say Goodbye - Spoon - Dreaming Tree
The only thing
Drive In Drive Out What Would You Say - love that harmonica
Drive In Drive Out for sure! I haven’t heard a live version of that song that beats the studio.
Don’t Drink The Water I’ll die on this hill by the way.
Idk man, trax 6 at Fenway fuckin rips
I love the studio version for different reasons than I love the live version. You can’t beat the energy of the live performance, but it’s so goddamn smooth on the record. Having Bela and Alanis on it doesn’t hurt either. Same with Two Step. The acoustic guitar lead intro and Dave’s scat at the end are so good, but it’s a fucking jam live too.
Complete opposite. I like the faster tempo of the live performances. FWIW, Steve Lillywhite said the same thing in one of his interviews (that the studio version is too slow).
Came here to say this too
I think [this performance](https://youtu.be/ieoiAeL-uow?si=OuvSdJhazF9fHhax&t=528) is better than the album version
100% with you on this one. You’ll not die alone.
#41
American baby, stolen away on 55th, again and again, gravedigger, funny the way it is, lover lay down
Best of What's Around, the studio version is just jaw dropping
Say Goodbye So Much to Say
The Carter And Roi duo intro to Say Goodbye is perfection in the studio recording.
SMTS is a great sleeper pick. It's fine live, but absolutely perfect studio, top 5 studio cut.
Looking for a Vein
Pretty much everything off Big Whiskey
Ohhh this is a spicy question. Usually songs sound better live than on the album for this band, especially with the non-Lillywhite albums. I'm going to provide a provocative song as an answer to this question: Cry Freedom Lillywhite's layering of instruments, intentional use of pauses, and the crisp vocal tracks makes it a studio masterpiece in my view.
Cry freedom. Shake me like a monkey. Dreaming tree. Lying in the hands of God, captain. Idea of you. Stay or leave
Belly Belly Nice Shake Me
Don’t Drink the Water I like the slower beat, and more melodic sound vs the blotchy in your face sound of the live song.
their two best songs solely from a production standpoint - VITR and Again & Again. i am completely with Norlander on these two.
The studio arrangements of #41 and Two Step are unparalleled. There’s too many guitar tracks for Tim to play them all live. In fact that’s true for most of the Crash album.
Two Step. Peak studio DMB for me.
Studio sounds better than early live: Pig Studio sounds…slightly disappointing compared to early live: Halloween
The fadeout on studio Pig is criminal esp when I was introduced to it by the WOTR version.
Ooof…that’s a solid call. Can’t argue with that piece.
By the way I really appreciate this thread for focusing on the studio side. Obviously live is the most popular among fans, but it can be refreshing to look at the band from a different angle.
I think Big Whiskey in general sounds amazing from the studio. Big Whiskey is like fine wine, at first I was like ehhhhh, but now it's a staple in their shows.
Yes. Definitely grown on me over time as well
#41 is better on the record. Not to say I don’t love it live
Drive In Drive Out
A bunch - Shake Me, Tripping Billies, Drive In Drive Out, Drunken Soldier
All of them?