The Random Alter Bridge Thread

[Addicted To Pain]

Sleep Token are still young as a band. They just blew up with their most recent album, so it's completely understandable that they're closing with stuff from it. I doubt that they're going to keep the trend of playing setlists in album order for the next tour cycle and the ones after it. They're probably going to stick with closing with stuff from the third album. I usually consider the first three album cycles as being the only tours where it's acceptable to close with a new song. After that, it just sounds presumptuous to me. If a new song is really that good, at least wait until the next album cycle to try it out as a closer.

I would agree with anguyen that a reverse chronological setlist would be the better option for Alter Bridge. However, I just don't think that it would work very well logistically, mainly because they have to work around grouping songs that are in the same tuning together. It's not like when Metallica played their 40th anniversary shows in chronological and reverse chronological order, because Metallica plays mostly stuff in the same tuning and can get away with that.

I wouldn't mind an Elvis-produced version of One Day Remains, but I'm probably in the minority. I agree that it would be cool to have Myles and Mark switch roles for those rerecordings.

The greatest hits track listing looks pretty spot on to me, although I would swap out Walking On The Sky for Native Son. The latter ended up being a fan favorite from that touring cycle, and they even released it as a single afterwards. Still, I would rather take a collection of unreleased stuff, rarities, demos, and live recordings rather than a greatest hits album. I'm still patiently waiting for the One Day Remains 20th anniversary reissue so that I can hear Mark's demos.

[Crumbso]

Oh, and a second thought. I've listened to a few band's re-recordings of complete albums - Switchfoot's - A Beautiful Letdown and Incubus' - Morning View. I like them, and it's interesting to hear how the production and especially vocals sound. So......the question is.......would you want to have Alter Bridge re-record ODR? With Elvis??? And release all of the bonus tracks/unrecorded stuff from that time period?

Good lord no. The best thing about ODR is how well produced it is. Not dunking on Elvis this time, but it's a moment in time.

[Schulzy]

I think if AB does any show with playing songs in album chronological order, I think it would best suited in backwards order going from newest to oldest. I think it could be pretty dicey to put songs like Open Your Eyes, Metalingus, and Blackbird at the early part of the shows since those are the songs people are wanting to hear the most and it's best suited building a set towards having those songs as a climax/ending.

That's an interesting idea. I hadn't thought about going backwards. You and Max had similar thoughts. I'd just like to see them mix it up.

Sleep Token can get with that kind of stuff going from early to latest as they are still young enough in their band history where they are establishing themselves to newer audiences where AB is 20 years old. People have a good idea of the songs they want to hear as show closers and you put those songs at the beginning, you risk having a fair amount of people leaving the show early. Now I know the AB fans faithful would never do that, but you never want to have that as a possibility.

Also a good point. I'm curious what percentage of people going to AB's concerts are seeing them for the first time/hearing the songs for the first time. For me, I've seen so many shows with them that I'm suggesting setlists that would be different for me. Selfish, I know...

As for the idea of re-recording ODR given what the band is now. There are some things that I could see it be a good idea like if they have more of Myles on guitar or Mark singing a track like Burn it Down or Broken Wings. The thing that would make this idea DOA is that they would have Elvis produce it. Now I got nothing against Elvis with the exception of how The Last Hero sounds, but you are taking an album, where you got an audience that thinks that is AB's best sounding album from a production standpoint, and having it re-recording with the producer being a guy that the same audience probably do not like? Going to be a hard sell.

I would love to hear more Myles on guitar and Mark switching up the vocals. Sounds like you and Crumbs are in the same camp regarding Elvis. But would it reignite some interest in that album now that it is 20 years old? Risky, I know, but I would be on the side of curiosity regarding the end results.

[Schulzy]

Sleep Token are still young as a band. They just blew up with their most recent album, so it's completely understandable that they're closing with stuff from it. I doubt that they're going to keep the trend of playing setlists in album order for the next tour cycle and the ones after it. They're probably going to stick with closing with stuff from the third album. I usually consider the first three album cycles as being the only tours where it's acceptable to close with a new song. After that, it just sounds presumptuous to me. If a new song is really that good, at least wait until the next album cycle to try it out as a closer. Hmm...except that Sleep Token opened with stuff from their new album for a while before switching it up. The follow up to that is at what point do bands decide to switch up their setlists for their own sanity (not playing the same songs every time) and also to keep it fresh for live audiences? And how often do you introduce a new song? Once/twice per tour cycle?

I would agree with anguyen that a reverse chronological setlist would be the better option for Alter Bridge. However, I just don't think that it would work very well logistically, mainly because they have to work around grouping songs that are in the same tuning together. I wondered about this and if a shortened set list would allow for guitar changes.It's not like when Metallica played their 40th anniversary shows in chronological and reverse chronological order, because Metallica plays mostly stuff in the same tuning and can get away with that.

I wouldn't mind an Elvis-produced version of One Day Remains, but I'm probably in the minority. I agree that it would be cool to have Myles and Mark switch roles for those rerecordings. Agreed. At this point in their career I'd be curious to hear what the end results would sound like - especially since ODR is 20 years old.

The greatest hits track listing looks pretty spot on to me, although I would swap out Walking On The Sky for Native Son. That was going to be an alternate for me. The latter ended up being a fan favorite from that touring cycle, and they even released it as a single afterwards. Still, I would rather take a collection of unreleased stuff, rarities, demos, and live recordings rather than a greatest hits album Do you think it's too much to add to a Greatest Hits? Would you prefer it be separate?. I'm still patiently waiting for the One Day Remains 20th anniversary reissue so that I can hear Mark's demos. And that goes back to my re-recording idea. Regenerate some interest in that album and add material that long time fans have been craving.

[Schulzy]

Oh, and a second thought. I've listened to a few band's re-recordings of complete albums - Switchfoot's - A Beautiful Letdown and Incubus' - Morning View. I like them, and it's interesting to hear how the production and especially vocals sound. So......the question is.......would you want to have Alter Bridge re-record ODR? With Elvis??? And release all of the bonus tracks/unrecorded stuff from that time period?

Good lord no. The best thing about ODR is how well produced it is. Not dunking on Elvis this time, but it's a moment in time. Remember Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham? Try it, try it! You will see!

[cheesedip1]

Wikipedia says AB3 received critical acclaim overall. I'm a bit skeptical about that.

And on the album ODR what songs have keyboards in them? Linear notes says there are keyboards.

[Dolo]

And on the album ODR what songs have keyboards in them? Linear notes says there are keyboards.

The End is Here for sure.

[gbruin]

That's what owning a bunch of guitars and having a tech is for.

[Crumbso]

Wikipedia says AB3 received critical acclaim overall. I'm a bit skeptical about that.

And on the album ODR what songs have keyboards in them? Linear notes says there are keyboards.

I remember AB3 being very well reviewed by the press that did actually review it. The fanbase was maybe less receptive at the time. It's aged fairly well in my opinion and it falls in 4th place in terms of album rankings for me.

[Schulzy]

That's what owning a bunch of guitars and having a tech is for.

Thank you! I was wondering if that was a crazy idea or not.

[cheesedip1]

-----AB3 is alright but I think critical acclaim may be pushing it. It's not mind blowing.

------Unrelated but I think sometimes people forget that being a musician is a job. Somedays it just sucks. It's like anything else. It's not always fun and exciting.

[Crumbso]

-----AB3 is alright but I think critical acclaim may be pushing it. It's not mind blowing.

But critical acclaim isn't about whether you like it or not. It's about whether critics reviewed it well or not. Wikipedia has it sitting at about an 8/10 critical average, with multiple 5 or 10 star ratings. Personally, I like ABIII but it's not in the top 3 rankings, and certainly below the Fortress, Blackbird, ODR quality mark.

[cheesedip1]

Well duh but regardless if that's what critics thought then I absolutely disagree with them. At its best AB3 is good but not great.

Me personally ranking the the top 4 AB albums:
Fortress (best)
ODR
AB3
Then probably Blackbird.

Then the other 3 albums.

Blackbird album has some great songs but overall it's not as consistent as AB3.

And yes even tho AB3 is their third best album, I still consider it good but not great.

[Crumbso]

Yeah but it's still critically acclaimed

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

[Dolo]

I find it hilarious that cheesedip1 pop in on here every now and then, throws in a couple of hot takes and then he's gone for a couple of weeks.

[Schulzy]

I find it hilarious that cheesedip1 pop in on here every now and then, throws in a couple of hot takes and then he's gone for a couple of weeks.

Where I'm from we call those "drive bys". The cheese does make some good points though - food for thought...

[cheesedip1]

----People on YouTube are lame. Harshly criticizing singers over a few small mistakes.

Some people didn't like some Breaking Benjamin performances. So then they bring in some backup singers to help out with some of the tougher songs and people complained about that too. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Although I do wish Ben would sing the verses of Sooner or Later at least.

Regardless, I think people should cut singers some slack.

-----Wheres Shakenbaken? Isn't he the guy who only liked rock music and electronic music?

[cheesedip1]

Okay so after listening to that AI alter bridge song a bunch of times, honestly the song kinda sucks. The lyrics are generic as hell and the lyrics and whole song just feel random.

[Addicted To Pain]

4 years ago today, I was scrolling through my phone and stumbled upon a headline that caught my interest: "Mark Tremonti Picks His Dream Metallica Setlist". My first thought was, "Wait, Mark Tremonti is an actual person? I thought that that was just a guitar model name!"

So I looked him up to see which band(s) he plays with, and I recognized the name Alter Bridge because I knew that Volbeat opened for them back in late 2016. I decided to check them out.

The rest is history.

Happy Alter Bridge-aversary to me!

[Addicted To Pain]

Fun fact of the day: Lover has only ever been performed live in the United States once by Alter Bridge (excluding Myles Kennedy solo performances), and it was acoustic for the Pawns & Kings listening party.