Live BIRDS OF PRAY

Live: Ed Kowalczyk (vocals, guitar); Chad Taylor (guitar, background vocals); Patrick Dahlheimer (bass guitar); Chad Gracey (drums).
Additional personnel: Joel Derouin, Bruce Dukov (violin); Evan Wilson (viola); Larry Corbett (cello); Patrick Warren (strings, chamberlin).
With 2001's V, many longtime Live fans were left scratching their heads. The experimentation in both song structure and production approach seemed forced and unsatisfying. The quartet's follow-up marks a just-in-time return to form for the band. BIRDS OF PRAY opens with "Heaven," a very personal song relating the emotional impact of the birth of singer/principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk's daughter, which doubles metaphorically as a rallying cry for individuality.
The album's momentum locks fully into gear almost midway through, with "Like I Do." Perpetually underrated drummer Chad Gracey's 16th-note feel drives the modern-day-Rush tone of this essential track. With the ridiculously catchy "Sweet Release" and "River Town," the band scores sure-fire commercial radio potential. Producer Jim Wirt (Hoobastank, Incubus), on his first Live outing, captures the band's punchy and polished essence without unnecessary ornamentation. The magic captured with previous gems (such as THROWING COPPER and THE DISTANCE TO HERE) is instantly evident on BIRDS OF PRAY, a musical homecoming to say the least.

• Format: CD
• Released: 5/20/2003
• Genre: Pop