Mental Jewelry is the second studio album by the band Live, but their first under this name; they had previously released the album The Death of a Dictionary under the name Public Affection, under which they also released the EP Divided Mind, Divided Planet. Released on December 31, 1991, it is also the band’s major label debut.
Many of the songs on Mental Jewelry are based on the writings of Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. It also showcases their early funk rock leanings, particularly through Patrick Dahlheimer‘s slap bass playing on songs like “Pain Lies on the Riverside“, “Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)”, and “Waterboy“. The album’s title comes from a lyric in the track “Mirror Song“.
A music video was filmed for “Operation Spirit“. The video was filmed when the band were still calling themselves Public Affection.
On June 30, 2017, Live announced a reissue of Mental Jewelry as a two-CD set, with the first CD containing the original album and the three outtakes and the second CD containing a full concert. Cassette and vinyl reissues were also announced.
Tracklist:
- Pain Lies on the Riverside
- Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)
- The Beauty of Gray
- Brothers Unaware
- Tired of ‘Me
- Mirror Song
- Waterboy
- Take My Anthem
- You Are the World
- Good Pain
- Mother Earth Is a Vicious Crowd
- 10,000 Years (Peace Is Now)
Credits:
Live
Ed Kowalczyk: lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Chad Taylor: guitar, backing vocals
Patrick Dahlheimer: bass, backing vocals
Chad Gracey: drums, percussion, backing vocals
Technical personnel
Jerry Harrison: producer, mixing
David Vartanian: engineer, mixing
Doug McKean: assistant engineer
Tom Lord-Alge: mixing on “Pain Lies on the Riverside”
Ted Jensen: mastering
Gary Kurfirst: executive producer
Phil Schuster: production coordinator
Vartan Kurjian and Jonas C. Livingston: art direction
Julie Carter: sleeve design
Ron Keith: photography
