Top 5 Songs that sound better live

[zaleraexdeath]

Ok! so our discussion topic this week is L'Arc~en~Ciel songs that when played live tend to sound better than their recorded counterparts. As well as listing the songs this week it would be great if you give a few examples of why these song versions are so much better

Comments

[nightpwnsj00]

In no particular order:

Promised land - they jack up the tempo here so much live that I've actually begun to find the recording really boring; it almost seems as if it's lagging at parts. Needless to say, this makes the live version so energetic and moving, which is perfect for concerts. I can't say for certain which performance is best because they always speed up the tempo, but possibly one of the late 90s concerts?

Fare Well / Caress of Venus - (I know this is two just hear me out ok) I fucking love the segue between these two songs, and I wish that they'd utilize it more often rather than just delving straight into Caress of Venus. Had it not been for hyde's shitty ass rasping during Shibuya 7 Days (who the fuck tries to scream in Fare Well no), this would've been perfect then. Also, it's another excuse to play Fare Well and any excuse for more Fare Well is fine by me.

Perfect Blue - Shitty procession and exit aside (not to mention hyde's stupid poncho), the live versions of this song have a really nice feel to them. My

[zaleraexdeath]

Thank you for replying again! I love the language you use in these posts haha, so passionate and honest :D. I can't watch Shibuya 7 days at all due to Hyde's voice :/ it was like he was stuck in two eras and hadn't made a good transition yet. I agree with Perfect Blue (especially the poncho), I think it just seemed so much smaller and personal than the rest of the concert. Vivid Colors was amazing the 15th L'Anniversary but I think thats due to nearly EVERYTHING being better in that concert haha.

[nightpwnsj00]

Whoever decided to record Shibuya 7 Days on the last day of the fucking concert needed to get fired because hyde's voice was fucking shot and it showed. The same goes for the Faith tour but we're talking about L'Arc here ;)

And YES wow whatever happened during the 15th L'Anni needs to happen again because that shit was so on point... could be because hyde actually practiced singing but who knows hmmm.

[keishiiikeis]

I'm going to limit my list to post 2005-ish, seeing as he surpasses himself with every live, its hard to choose just a few that sounded better because really, everything he sings now after that period will most likely sound better live than the recorded versions haha - here are my top 5:

Drivers High
Yes. I was waiting for someone to talk about that long note, and how that has now become the highlight of this song. he sometimes mixes abit of growl in that but my favourite instances L'anni 2006, AYR, ToK, holy fuck when he killed that part each time - perfect key not a hitch in that flawless delivery - and alwaaaaaaays showing off how effortless it was to him. Yes. That bridge will always be one of my favourites of all laruku composition, made all the better with the atmosphere of the live.

Seventh Heaven
Funnily enough, this isn't even one of my favourite songs but dayum does it get the party started and the crowd going. Its not a regular on my ipod playlist, but definitely a favourite concert setlist number. That pumping beat,

[zaleraexdeath]

I really appreciate you guys replying to these posts, I love hearing the opinions and thoughts of other fans :D. Driver's High is made infinitely better by the change in the bridge. I also like the older versions but Hyde screaming wasn't always nice to my ears. Seventh Heaven was always bouncy and fun, but Ken's personality due to his little MCs before it just runs throughout the song in live performances....except when he is hit by fireworks. I didn't really take notice of My Dear until I saw a live performance of Ken singing at the top of his voice, creating a beautiful harmony with Hyde. I've loved it since then.

[rollingstar88]

The great thing about L'Arc is such a consistent band. What you hear on CD is exactly what hyde's voice can do in real life.

HEAVEN'S DRIVE - The live version has a much faster tempo, I can't help but think the studio version is lagging behind as a result of listening to the live versions so many times. The same can be said about HONEY.

My Dear - I never thought I would like this song. But seeing L'Arc perform live in Paris back in 2008 changed everything, especially with ken's piano intro and hyde's mesmerizing voice. This song is pure epicness, it's up there with the likes of forbidden lover and finale. The recent L'Acoustic version is even more amazing.

X X X - The studio version seemed to use electronic instruments (synthesizers?) for the start of the chorus sections (that "DUN" beat that's repeated a few times), whereas we hear much heavier (earthquake-inducing) bass and guitar portions in concerts. Love it.

Pieces - There's just something very nostalgic about the sugar-coated melody used in Pieces, I particularly love ken's

[zaleraexdeath]

I think Heaven's Drive was always one of those songs that would sound better live, it needs to be unrestrained and rapid which is kinda lost in the recording. I agree with XXX too. The heavy booming bass in the live is so much more powerful on stage, not to mention the use of a live string section in some performances made it so much more real and beautiful. Shout at the Devil for me is better due to the same reasons as Heaven's Drive, it just needs to be unleashed with as much real passion as possible. Thanks for replying :)