Birds of Pray

Amazon.com
Live was originally labeled the poor man's U2, thanks to their anthemic choruses and earnest spirituality. Unlike the Irish superstars, however, the Pennsylvania quartet have found what they're looking for on their sixth album. Singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk proclaims in "Heaven" that he not only has gotten his faith back, but also has seen God in his infant daughter and a sunset. Gooey sentiments, perhaps, but Kowalczyk delivers them with a sweet sincerity that delivers a solid psychic punch. The band seemed to have lost its way around the turn of the century by embroidering their trademark guitar-heavy sound with an abundance of frivolous loops, gadgetry, and gratuitous fretwork. This time out, they thankfully reverted back to basics, throwing out the trashy keyboards and again pounding out their rhythmically charged rock. Kowalczyk is also writing less ponderous lyrics. The singer has found his salvation in love, which has softened his stern demeanor and given his stream-of-consciousness songs a playful spin not heard before on a Live record. --Jaan Uhelszki

Birds of Pray,Live,Mca,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Alternative Pop/Rock,Pop,Post-Grunge,Rock,Rock/Pop

Birds of Pray

Average customer rating:

Unexpected Greatness From A Band Considered Past Their Prime!
The Comeback Album For Live!
Not One of LIVE's Best.
Surprised they're not more popular
Do not buy

Birds of Pray
Live
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

V
The Distance to Here
Mental Jewelry
Secret Samadhi
Throwing Copper

ASIN: B000093FKA
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Heaven
She
The Sanctity Of Dreams
Run Away
Life Marches On
Like I Do
Sweet Release
Everytime I See Your Face
Lighthouse
River Town
Out To Dry
Bring The People Together
What Are We Fighting For?

Amazon.com

Live was originally labeled the poor man's U2, thanks to their anthemic choruses and earnest spirituality. Unlike the Irish superstars, however, the Pennsylvania quartet have found what they're looking for on their sixth album. Singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk proclaims in "Heaven" that he not only has gotten his faith back, but also has seen God in his infant daughter and a sunset. Gooey sentiments, perhaps, but Kowalczyk delivers them with a sweet sincerity that delivers a solid psychic punch. The band seemed to have lost its way around the turn of the century by embroidering their trademark guitar-heavy sound with an abundance of frivolous loops, gadgetry, and gratuitous fretwork. This time out, they thankfully reverted back to basics, throwing out the trashy keyboards and again pounding out their rhythmically charged rock. Kowalczyk is also writing less ponderous lyrics. The singer has found his salvation in love, which has softened his stern demeanor and given his stream-of-consciousness songs a playful spin not heard before on a Live record. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected Greatness From A Band Considered Past Their Prime!.......2007-06-21

Upon Live's release of their fifth studio album entitled "V," the seemingly forced and dull effort portrayed a band who lacked potential both musically and lyrically. In comes their sixth studio album, "Birds Of Pray," which was released on May 20, 2003. Unlike its predecessor, "Birds Of Pray" is a solid album from start to finish as it successfully showcases big guitars, sweeping anthemic choruses and earnest ballads. There are no "fillers" to be found within the 13 tracks that comprise one of the band's most superior albums to date. Below, please find the rating for each song individually:

Heaven - 10/10

She - 10/10

The Sanctity Of Dreams - 9/10

Run Away - 9/10

Life Marches On - 9/10

Like I Do - 9/10

Sweet Release - 8/10

Everytime I See Your Face - 8/10

Lighthouse - 9/10

River Town - 10/10

Out To Dry - 8/10

Bring The People Together - 10/10

What Are We Fighting For? - 10/10

The Comeback Album For Live!.......2007-04-25

I titled this review as such because it follows their disasterous 2001 release "V". They tried to be something they are not with the rap. Anyway, I first heard "Heaven", and decided to give it a chance, being cautious because of their last effort. On December 26, 2003, I decided just to buy the album and give the whole thing a chance. It was slow going at first, but after about 4 months, I found myself listening to the whole thing consistently with much pleasure. Although not as anthemic as "Throwing Copper", Live did go back to the basics on this one, concentrating on good riffs and inspiring lyrics. The songs on B.O.P. provide great melodies when you are driving down an open road or simply decompressing after a long day. Every song on here is good, but the standout tracks for me are "Life Marches On", "The Sanctity of Dreams", "River Town" and "Out to Dry". A definite keeper!

Not One of LIVE's Best........2007-03-10

I love this band. They have an amazing amount of talent. However, this album has fallen short of their greatness. The first song is remenisent of "The Distance to Here", but you'll find out very quickly that this album lacks LIVE's creative song writing ability, and falls short of portraying their amazing talant. If you're a hardcore fan, I would buy the album, but don't expect greatness because it just isn't there.

Surprised they're not more popular.......2007-01-22

Although I usually listen to the heavier stuff, Live is a really great band. I'm surprised that they haven't been more successful, commercially. True, BoP doesn't quite measure up to "Throwing Copper" but it's still a very well-done album.

Do not buy.......2006-12-08

I am a big Live fan who is actually one of the few who loved their last album V. That being said this is the worst piece of junk they have released. They should have issued "Heaven" as a single and been done with it. There is not one other song worth listening too and I have given this CD many chances. Thank god the boys have recovered with their new album "Black Mountain". Do not buy this record even if you are a completest just get the greatest hits for "Heaven".

Average customer rating:

LIVE; you never know what's going to come up!
Yay!!!! Another +Live+ masterpiece!!!!!
Very enjoyable album
BIRDS OF PRAY
Great album

Birds of Pray (Bonus DVD)
Live
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

V
Mental Jewelry
The Distance to Here
Secret Samadhi
Awake: The Best of Live (Deluxe Version - CD/DVD)

ASIN: B000093FKB
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Tracks:

Heaven
She
The Sanctity Of Dreams
Run Away
Life Marches On
Like I Do
Sweet Release
Everytime I See Your Face
Lighthouse
River Town
Out To Dry
Bring The People Together
What Are We Fighting For?

Amazon.com

Album Details

The Veteran Band Return to the Fray with an Album that Gets them Back to their Roots. The Set was Produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Something Corporate) and "Heaven" Leads off the Album and the Anticipated String of Singles. This Special Edition Includes a Bonus Dvd with Live Tracks Recorded During the the 2002 Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands.

Customer Reviews:

LIVE; you never know what's going to come up!.......2006-04-12

I enjoyed this album as I do all LIVE albums, though it is my least favourite offering so far, if only because some of the songs sounded like they were trying too hard to be 'LIVE-like'...and because unlike most LIVE albums, this one does not read like a book; a progression of songs from one end to the other that tells a consistent story. Instead it seems more like a haphazard collection of songs written while on tour. However it is growing on me, song by song; or rather some of the songs are growing on me at different paces, unlike with, say,'V',where I dismissed the whole first half of the album at first blush, only to have it explode in my consciousness as a whole two listens later as a cohesive narrative of confusion and anger fading to hopeful Love.

For me, 'Pray's progression was of standouts like the powerful 'SHE' and the haunting indictment 'What Are We Fighting For?', then the creepers; the haunting ballad to Jesus, 'River Town' first crawled up into my psyche like a determined mouse and then ate away at my resistance bit by bit (I now absolutely ADORE this song!), then 'Sweet Release' struck me as wonderful. 'Run Away' was already a good road song, only improving with Shelby Lynne's backup/duo vocals n the Best Of version. 'Out To Dry', 'Like I Do', 'Lighthouse', 'Everytime I See Your Face' and 'Sanctity of Dreams' took a little longer, but I've found something to love in them as well, in that order. On the other hand, 'Heaven' has always seemed too radio-friendly to me, and the frantic 'Life Marches On', and overwrought 'Bring the People Together' were the ones that felt like they were trying too hard...the lyrics and melody just never seemed to match up in my mind. This inconsistency for me was the reason this could never be my favourite LIVE album; but then Ed calls it 'the sound of a band restarting its engines'...so here's hoping the progressionwill be smoother in 'Songs From Black Mountain'; an album that already sounds like it will have its commercialised aspects, but also flashes of the old introspective/spiritually inquisitive LIVE I love and treasure.

The bonus DVD of live songs was a wonderful sugar on the cake; at first I enjoyed this far more than the CD, since I have not had the opportunity to enjoy my favourite act live; and seeing Ed's connection with the Dutch fans makes me understand better why it is that he loves playing to them so much. US fans may not 'get' his lyrics because they aren't selling out enough, Brits may not 'get' the lack of razor-sharp sarcastic wit in the music and ethos; but the Dutch seem to 'get' both lyrics and music, and to appreciate both band and message as they are. Maybe I'm a Dutch LIVE fan in spirit, misplaced to the US by some cosmic accident, LOL.

A lot of people (read: critics) slam this band for,(A) having an 'inconsistent recording history' (a criticism that only holds up in 'Birds of Pray' in my lexicon), or (B) being from the grunge era.

My rebuttal to (A) is: Too many folk in the music business can't seem to get past the biggest selling album disease; they compare all later efforts to the one that broke the charts. I personally wouldn't have remained a LIVE fan of this degree throughout the years if all they had done was release a 'Throwing Copper' clone every couple of years. I happen to LIKE the fact that LIVE gives the money-driven industry the finger and goes on growing and evolving--and letting their music evolve WITH their lives and ideas--without regard to trying to duplicate the public success of their best known effort. This rather punk ethos (for a solid rock band anyway) is called 'not pandering to the moneymen' and 'artistic integrity over public consumption'. The subsequent albums have sold well, though they haven't had the lucky timing that 'Throwing Copper' had to fit so well into what was happening in popular music at the time. Only jaded critics who care only about numbers would call these modest successes 'failures' only because they weren't 'Throwing Copper's with different covers. Far too many bands and artists have been murdered by their labels forcing or pressuring them to recycle, rerecord, and play the same stuff that won them accolades in their breakthrough efforts, regardless of whether they had since grown or changed; in the process losing that edge of anger or wonder or whatever it was that first captured the public imagination. LIVE has chosen to be comfortable with the fans that 'get' them rather than allowing someone to force them into an artistically stultifying mould for the sake of sales alone; this is called 'not selling out', and for taking that risk I applaud them.

As for (B): Though they happened to have emerged into the public eye in the same era as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, et al, LIVE never really fit the grunge model with anything but a tendency to ignore the interview and paparazzi angle of business (ie they refused to whore themselves out to the media, instead preferring to concentrate on the MUSIC, shocking though that may be!), and a wonderful sort of ambivalent anger at the socio-religious status quo. This anger was the reason many folk loved 'Throwing Copper', and dislike later albums, in which the anger has faded to a message of Hope and Unconditonal Love. If consistent anger without growth is what these folk are looking for, then obviously a band that grows and changes is not for them. And for those who call lead singer Ed Kowalczyk a Kurt Cobain wannabe; they have obviously never listened for a moment to the lyrics and melodic spirit of his songs anyway.

Which brings me to another main criticism of LIVE. Some folk are turned off by the overt spirituality of Ed's lyrics, calling it 'preachy'. Critics also slam LIVE for their lyrics, saying "if we wanted preaching, we'd go to church". But EddieK is not preaching; he neverdoes. What he is doing is sharing the most intimate moments of his life: the moments when the Spirit touched him and made him whole; and in knowing how that feels, how uplifting it is in a moment of confusion, I find these lyrics inspiring.

As a long-term Live fan, I find them life-altering; and in fact, this fourth album, 'Distance to Here', quite literally saved my life. Many I've spoken to feel the same way; for though Live as a band name is hard to 'google', the FriendsofLive are out there and being uplifted daily by the work the band, and EddieK with his lyrics in particular, do. They make the world better just by being in it...and by being willing to SHARE! If communication and understanding can save the world, then Live are right on the avant guarde, with U2, the Indigo Girls, and a few others.

So all I can say for those critical minds who find Live's lyrics 'pretentious and sentimental' and 'drippy softcore preachery'... for them I can feel only pity, for as far as I am concerned, the message of Love is one for everyone, if we can but let it in. If the lyrics don't speak to these people, fine; but they do speak to some of us; so deeply that they bring tears to our eyes. So the fact that these critics are arrogant enough tell everyone they meet not to bother listening long enough to make their own decision/connection (or not) with the music, to me, is a sin. Just because they got nothing out of it, doesn't mean we are all alike...thank God! Yes, we are all different...but Love is Love.
Thank you EddieK and Live, for lifting me up.

Yay!!!! Another +Live+ masterpiece!!!!!.......2005-10-24

Live rocks, and so does this album. I love how through this amazing band's 13 year career, they always change, but in some ways, haven't changed since "Mental Jewelry". The lyrics, oh the lyrics, in this album are amazing. Every song is crafted like a pop song (V1, Ch, V2, Ch,Bridge, Ch) but so perfectly. You won't even care. Every one of the musicians play excuisitly. The guitars are loud, bass is catchy, and the drums are never predictable...Just like all their other cds. These songs are just plain fun to listen to. You'll listen as much as their others. I was very pleastly surprised by it. I thought that it would be a pathetic attempt to fit in with the stuff coming out in '03, but it isn't. Live stay true to their fans, and have come out with great music and pefect song writing.
I highly recommend this album.
3rd best one.

Very enjoyable album.......2005-02-16

Can we stop comparing albums to other albums? A great band not only creates great music consistently, but evolves over time. With the exception of "V", all of Live's records have been great and also different! No, it may not be as good as Throwing Copper, but I think it is unfair to expect a masterpiece like that to be replicated. Secret Samadhi has several excellent songs (Heropsychodreamer, Gas Hed Goes West, etc.) but also had some very boring tunes. Birds of Pray, on the other hand, is enjoyable from front to back. It says something that the lone single from the album is one of its weaker tracks.

I can't say there are many great songs on the cd, but every single one is good. Nothing groundbreaking is done here - There are no incredible drawn out guitar solos, the songs rarely depart from the traditional pop song structure (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus), and nothing is shocking or controversial about it. What it is, however, is a collection of very catchy, often thoughtful, enjoyable songs that will tempt you to sing along and push the repeat button. It is an album to be listened to in the car, at home alone, at a party, when you are happy or depressed.

The heavy Lighthouse, political What are We Fighting For?, and Sanctity of Dreams are some of the most memorable songs in my opinion. Out to Dry is probably my favorite track. Short and sweet, it has possibly the catchiest chorus of any Live song ever.

I believe that most great albums grow better and better with each listen, and that it often takes time to truly realize and appreciate their greatness. However, if you are impatient and don't like to wait for music to grow on you, Birds of Pray would be a good investment. It's good from the first listen.

BIRDS OF PRAY.......2004-04-10

PERSONALLY I THINK BIRDS OF PRAY IS EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS THROWING COPPER. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THIS CD. IT IS ALWAYS GREAT WHEN THERE ARE SEVERAL GREAT TUNES INSTEAD OF 1 OR 2. PLUS THE DVD AT THE PINK POP IN THE NETHERLANDS IS AWESOME.

Great album.......2004-03-27

This is my first Live albim I've bought; it's so good I'm looking into more of thier albums. It rocks hard and has great melodies. If you like rock music with real singing this album is a great choice.

Average customer rating:

So Quick, So Hot, So Mad

Manufacturer: Music Masters Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Whither Runneth My Sweetheart
Will you Buy A Fine Dog?
Think'st Thou To Seduce Me Then
Can She Excuse My Wrongs
Cease Mine (Thine) Eyes
Giles Farnaby's Dream; His Rest
Go to Bed, Sweet Muse
Musing My Own Self All Alone
A Toy: The Dark Is My Delight
Of All The Birds That I Do Know
I Pray You, Good Mother
Fantasia
I Go Before My Darling
The Satyr's Masque
Pined I Am And Like To Die
Peter's Pleasure-The Second Part Of Peter
If Thou Long'st So Much To Learn
Away, Call Back What You Have Said
The Carman's Whistle
A Bellman's Song (Maids To Bed, And Cover Coal)
So Quick, So Hot, So Mad
Sweet Kate

Average customer rating:

Birds of Pray
Live
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00009KI0W
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Tracks:

Heaven
She
Sanctity of Dreams
Run Away
Life Marches On
Like I Do
Sweet Release
Everytime I See Your Face
Lighthouse
River Town
Out to Dry
Bring the People Together
What Are We Fighting For?
Forever May Not Be Long Enough [Egyptian Dreams Remix][*]
Overcome [Live][*]

Amazon.com

Album Details

The Veteran Band Return to the Fray with an Album that Gets them Back to their Roots. The Set was Produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Something Corporate) and "Heaven" Leads off the Album and the Anticipated String of Singles. This Special Edition Includes Two Bonus Tracks, "Forever May Not Be Long Enough (Egyptian Dreams Remix)" and "Overcome (Live from Philadelphia)", which Are also Available on the "Heaven" Single.

Average customer rating:

Birds of Pray
Live
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Grunge | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000DZP5Z
Release Date: 2003-10-27

Tracks:

Heaven
She
Sanctity of Dreams
Run Away
Life Marches On
Like I Do
Sweet Release
Everytime I See Your Face
Lighthouse
River Town
Out to Dry
Bring the People Together
What Are We Fighting For?
Lighthouse [Live][*]
Beauty of Gray [Live][*]
They Stood Up for Love [Live][*]
Heaven [Live][*][Multimedia Track]

Album Details

Includes an Enhanced Bonus Disc featuring the Single "Sweet Release", Three Live Tracks and the Video for "Heaven" Recorded Live.

Average customer rating:

One Hit Wonder...NOT!!!
Keeping Chaucer Alive
A Refreshing Change
Music To Feel Good About
A Relaxing and Beautiful Trip into the Middle Ages

The Chaucer Songbook

Manufacturer: Eroica Classical Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004U4SQ
Release Date: 2000-06-08

Tracks:

Angelus Ad Virgnem
Symlen Ben-Bys
Ne Qu'on Porroit
King Orfeo
My Lief Is Faren In A Londe
My Lief Is Faren In A Londe
Sanctus
Alma Redemptoris Mater
The Pear Tree
I Have A Gentil Cock
Ich Am Of Irlaunde
Edi Be Thu
Roundel Of The Birds
Ton Y Brenhin
Maid In The Moor
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Glenkiudie

Customer Reviews:

One Hit Wonder...NOT!!!.......2006-01-19

There is so much more to this album than "I Have A Gentil Cock". Like most, I originally purchased the album for this harmonious hit single, but after a few months I was beginning to get burnt out on it. I eventually decided to give the rest of the CD a try and was amazed. DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE I MADE!!! Dont get me wrong, "I Have A Gentil Cock" is a brilliantly mastered song but please do yourself a favor and give the rest of this cd a try. You wont be sorry!

Keeping Chaucer Alive.......2003-12-24

This CD, and the Songbook that it accompanies, make Chaucer a living presence for the contemporary reader and listener. Many of Chaucer's pilgrims define themselves in part by the music they play or sing, and the characters in the stories they tell (even the rooster and chicken in "The Nun's Priest's Tale") express themselves musically. Until Carol Wood put this collection together, and arranged and performed the music for it, no one had made this rich context available. But not only is the work a triumph of musicological scholarship, the playing and singing are lovely quite on their own. Every edition of Chaucer (who wrote a number of poems, or portions of poems, for music) ought to include this CD in a pocket in the jacket!

A Refreshing Change.......2003-02-13

Carol Wood is a well-known Celtic scholar with a Ph.D. in Medieval Welsh literature and several books on Celtic poetry and early music. I once had the pleasure of hearing her perform in Paris. Her approach to early music and to the performance of the works on this beautiful disk as well as on her other CDs is a refreshing change from those pseudo-"authentic" performances on pseudo-"ancient" instruments that self-styled "scholars" insist is the only "correct" approach. Her love of this music comes through in the joy of her performance and in her truly "professional" and "scholarly" approach to it. I heartily recommend it to all lovers of early music.

Music To Feel Good About.......2002-09-21

While I like this CD for its solid renditions of medieval tunes, I think it should have a strong appeal to those who are caught up in the Celtic music craze. Though the performances are solid, they are also sensitive, subtle, and, at times, even delicate. There's nothing heavyhanded or flashy on this disc. I live in Wood's home town (Lake Charles, LA), and here she is better known for her harp playing than her singing. That may be appropriate, since some of her compositions for solo harp are quite lyrical (check out her "Beasts of Bethlehem" CD). But the big surprise on the "Chaucer Songbook" is Wood's singing. It has a childlike quality that is utterly charming and irresitible. This CD will make you feel better than anything you've heard in a long time.

A Relaxing and Beautiful Trip into the Middle Ages.......2000-07-22

The singing and playing on this disk, as well as the music itself, is quite wonderful. There is also an extremely interesting, informative, and attractive booklet that comes with it filled with a great deal of information about Chaucer, the music, the sources of the music, and translations. Whether one is interested in Chaucer or not, the music is very compelling and quite beautiful, and all the facts about the Middle Ages were quite interesting, too. All three of the female vocalists are superb, as is the harp playing and the other instrumental music. I have listened to this CD many times now and find it very relaxing, especially after a day of work. So it has my highest recommedation for several reasons.

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