The Doobie Brothers - Livin' on the Fault Line (LP)
- LP
- 1 piece(s)
- 1977
- 10 tracks
- 35 min
- classic rock
Livin' on the Fault Line
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3.7
Average of 9 reviews
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Michael McDonald’s little joke on the globe …Livin’ On The Fault Line is quite the telling album title for this exceedingly commercially driven record, the second outing from the Doobie Brothers' second coming and the final one that would ever find its way into my music collection. Truth be told, I was holding it just yesterday and, glancing at the glossy album cover, I couldn’t recall even a single track from this release. Co-founder Tom Johnston had exited the band early on during these sessions, which meant the Doobies' songwriting style did indeed take a tumble off the fault line. Michael McDonald, once again, seemed to believe that showcasing his vocal prowess was more important than anything else. He delivered yet another Holland, Dozier, and Holland Motown classic originally performed by Marvin Gaye, this time covering “Little Darling,” which, while decent, was no shock. It signaled a noticeable shift for the band, morphing into a jazz-infused album of smoothness blended with R&B influences. Some folks might argue that this album, which didn’t produce any hit singles, is the most polished and thought-out Doobie Brothers album of all time. But what else should one expect with Baxter and McDonald, both formerly of Steely Dan, stepping in to steer the ship? Even so, there’s a lingering sense of sorrow, perhaps melancholy, hovering around the edges of this record that seemed to lack any standout moments or direction. Gone is the guitar-driven rock of earlier releases, replaced by Michael McDonald as some sort of Miami Vice heartthrob, with the new sophisticated sound being entirely radio-friendly. And the worst part? McDonald played this record for a friend whose opinion he valued, who said, “All the tracks have merit, though I’m not sure they gel as an album,” then McDonald continues by saying that his friend finished with the line “This is a piece of shit, Michael!” I’m sure they both did a couple of lines of coke, laughed, and released this lackluster adult contemporary offering on the world anyway. This prompted me to note that by 1977, there seemed to be no credibility left in the music industry, where even music magazines would find ways to suggest the record might not be so good, all while praising it at the same time. They might as well have simply said nothing. Of course, McDonald has admitted this point, saying, “Fault Line was a classic case of ... it was me, not them. Over the years I’ve learned that I get a certain thing in my head, and it becomes my worst enemy at that point.” Well, the point is, if you’re listening, Mr. McDonald, you unleashed this joke on the world knowing it was bad, you toured behind the album knowing it was bad, you accepted praise from DJs knowing the record was bad. Just tell me I’m right—the record business is a business, where there’s no room for credibility. So, regarding the album’s title Livin’ On The Fault Line, earthquakes don’t just happen; they are caused by things beyond our sight, things going on well below the surface. Seems the band knew the album was a shattering mistake when they named it. **The Fun Facts:** Strangely enough, this was the second album to feature or imply an earthquake by the Doobies; The Captain & Me also features a California overpass brought down by an earthquake. The building featured on the cover was inspired by the original movie Planet Of The Apes, and replacing the Statue of Liberty is known as the Transamerica Pyramid, located at 600 Montgomery Street in the Financial District of San Francisco, California. And while it is an earthquake-proof building, that won’t prevent it from sinking into the ocean.
This album is absolutely amazing, from beginning to end, Michael McDonald's vocals are perfect. As expected from the Doobies, the sound quality is top-notch. Outstanding!
This isn't one of my go-to Doobies albums, that's for sure. There ain't no songs on here that really stick with you, unlike some of their other work. I'd say skip this one unless you snag it for next to nothing, like a buck or two at a thrift store, just to have it in your collection, cause you won't be spinning this one much.
The state of the vinyl can really show you how great an album is. Mine is in fantastic shape and plays like it's fresh out the box. Snagged it for nothing, so can't complain much.
This ain't one of my go-to Doobies records, that's for sure. There ain't no songs on here that really stick with you, unlike some of their other works. I'd say give this one a skip unless you snag it for next to nothing, like a buck or two at a thrift store, just to complete your collection, 'cause you won't be spinning this one much.
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