Hubbry Logo
Birds of PrayBirds of PrayMain
Open search
Birds of Pray
Community hub
Birds of Pray
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Birds of Pray
Birds of Pray
from Wikipedia

Birds of Pray
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 20, 2003 (2003-05-20)
RecordedThe Village, Los Angeles, CA;
4th Street Recording, Santa Monica, CA
GenreAlternative rock, post-grunge, hard rock
Length44:20
LabelRadioactive
ProducerJim Wirt
Live chronology
V
(2001)
Birds of Pray
(2003)
Awake: The Best of Live
(2004)
Singles from Birds of Pray
  1. "Heaven"
    Released: April 7, 2003
  2. "Run Away"
    Released: September 29, 2003 [1]
  3. "Sweet Release"
    Released: October 6, 2003

Birds of Pray is the seventh studio album by Live, released in 2003. The first single, "Heaven" became the band's most successful single in several years, reaching number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. Birds of Pray was Live's final release on Radioactive/MCA. They signed with Epic in 2005.[2]

Background

[edit]

Ed Kowalczyk's lyrics on this album return to the spiritual territory of The Distance to Here. Guitarist Chad Taylor explained that the tensions between Kowalczyk and the other three members that eventually caused the band to split from him surfaced in 1999, and had grown worse during the album's recording sessions. "I wasn't sure how our rocker fanbase would feel about the lyrics." He expressed his frustration with the album by adding, "Jim Wirt (producer) worked really hard to fashion a contemporary album, but it never felt like the Live I loved."[3]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic50/100[4]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[5]
Alternative AddictionStarStarStarStar[6]
BlenderStarStar[4]
Entertainment WeeklyC[7]
QStarStarStarHalf star[4]
Rolling StoneStarStar[8]
Stylus MagazineF[9]

Birds of Pray debuted at number 28 on the Billboard 200, selling over 37,000 copies in its first week of release.[10] By August 2005 it had sold 273,000 copies in the US.[2] The album failed to reach gold status in the US, although it outsold 2001's V. The album received mixed reviews from critics and has a rating of 50 out of 100 on Metacritic.[4]

AllMusic disliked Kowalczyk's lyrics, claiming they were "Either too literal or bewilderingly obtuse" and said that the album was, "Still recognizably Live...big, big guitars, sweeping anthemic choruses, earnest ballads, mildly histrionic vocals...but it's a little more subdued and a little more serious and quite streamlined...The biggest problem with the record is that the eye is on the big picture...to the extent that the individual moments aren't all that memorable, clearly lacking singles as forceful as those that fueled Throwing Copper." AllMusic concluded by claiming that, "Live is growing up and settling down, turning into a solid thirty-something rock band."[5]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Ed Kowalczyk except where noted.

  1. "Heaven" – 3:49
  2. "She" – 2:40
  3. "The Sanctity of Dreams" – 3:33
  4. "Run Away" – 3:53
  5. "Life Marches On" – 2:53
  6. "Like I Do" (Kowalczyk, Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Taylor) – 4:14
  7. "Sweet Release" – 3:02
  8. "Everytime I See Your Face" – 3:16
  9. "Lighthouse" (Kowalczyk, Taylor) – 3:08
  10. "River Town" – 4:09
  11. "Out to Dry" – 3:20
  12. "Bring the People Together" – 3:02
  13. "What Are We Fighting For?" – 3:21
British bonus tracks
  1. "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" (Egyptian Dreams Remix) – 4:07
  2. "Overcome" (Live from Philadelphia) – 4:23
Special edition bonus DVD
Live tracks recorded during the 2002 Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands.
  1. "Selling the Drama"
  2. "Voodoo Lady"
  3. "Nobody Knows"
  4. "White Discussion"

Personnel

[edit]
Live
  • Ed Kowalczyk – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Chad Taylor – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Patrick Dahlheimer – bass
  • Chad Gracey – drums
Additional musicians
Technical personnel
  • Michael Attardi – assistant engineering
  • Neil Couser – assistant engineering
  • CJ Eiriksson – digital editing
  • Femio Hernández – assistant engineering
  • John Ikuma – assistant engineer
  • Ted Jensenmastering
  • Phil Kaffel – engineering
  • Okhee Kim – assistant engineering
  • Tom Lord-Algemixing
  • Jeff Robinette – assistant engineering
  • P.J. Smith – assistant engineering
  • Michael Wilson – photography
  • Jim Wirt – production, engineering
  • Jesse Wright – design

Charts

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
Song Peak chart positions
US US (M.R.) AUS BEL (FL) NED NZ
"Heaven"[27][28] 59 33 19 [A] 30 16
"Sweet Release"
"Run Away"[29] 41
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
  • A^ : "Heaven" did not chart on the Flemish Ultratop 50, but peaked at number 6 on the Ultratip chart.

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30] Platinum 70,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[31] Gold 40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[32] Gold 7,500^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Birds of Pray is the sixth studio by the American band Live, released on May 20, 2003, by Radioactive Records. Produced by Jim Wirt, who had previously worked with , the consists of 13 tracks recorded primarily at The Village in and 4th Street Recording in , spanning a total runtime of approximately 44 minutes. It marked Live's final release on the Radioactive/MCA label before the band signed elsewhere, and it debuted at number 28 on the chart, selling 38,800 copies in its first week. The , "Heaven", became one of the band's most successful releases in years, peaking at number 33 on the Tracks chart. The album represents a return to Live's earlier post-grunge and roots, drawing comparisons to their breakthrough records like (1994) and (1997), with a focus on straightforward guitar-driven arrangements, anthemic choruses, and introspective lyrics often exploring spiritual and existential themes. Band frontman Ed Kowalczyk's soaring vocals dominate tracks such as "She", "The Sanctity of Dreams", and "What Are We Fighting For?", while the production emphasizes raw energy over the experimental electronic elements of their prior album (2001). Standout songs include the upbeat "Run Away" and the ballad "Lighthouse", though some critics noted occasional lyrical obscurity and formulaic structures. Critically, Birds of Pray received mixed reviews, earning a Metacritic score of 50 out of 100 based on seven publications, with praise for its catchy hooks and return to form but criticism for lacking innovation and occasionally syrupy sentimentality. Entertainment Weekly described it as containing "a handful of uptempo highlights" amid "syrupy bedroom pleas", while user reception was more favorable, averaging 7.6 out of 10 on Metacritic. Commercially, the album achieved moderate success, bolstered by the single "Heaven"'s radio play and music video, though it did not match the multi-platinum sales of Live's 1990s peak. In the broader context of Live's discography, Birds of Pray solidified the band's reputation for blending intensity with philosophical depth, influenced by Kowalczyk's interest in and social issues. A limited edition release included a bonus DVD with live footage from the 2002 in the , featuring performances of tracks like "Selling the Drama" and "Lightning Crashes". The album's themes of redemption and unity resonated with fans, contributing to Live's enduring cult following despite shifting musical landscapes in the mid-2000s.

Background and recording

Album development

Following the release of their sixth studio album V in 2001, which followed the multi-platinum successes of earlier works like Throwing Copper (1994) and The Distance to Here (1999) but signaled a creative pivot amid declining commercial momentum, Live entered a period of internal strain. Tensions among band members, particularly between frontman Ed Kowalczyk and guitarist Chad Taylor, escalated over songwriting credits and creative control, with Kowalczyk increasingly handling composition solo after collaborative efforts waned post-1999. These conflicts, described by Taylor as emotionally isolating, contributed to a band dynamic strained by unequal contributions, yet they persisted through the development of the next project. Ed Kowalczyk served as the primary songwriter for Birds of Pray, channeling personal spiritual experiences into the material and steering the band toward more introspective themes compared to the experimental edges of V. His lyrics drew from a renewed embrace of Christian faith, having evolved from early rejection of organized religion and exploration of Eastern philosophies in the 1990s to overt evangelical imagery by the late 1990s. A pivotal influence was the 2002 birth of his daughter, which inspired the album's lead single "Heaven" and marked a profound personal shift, ending what Kowalczyk called his "adolescent search for God" through the tangible wonder of creation. This introspective turn emphasized themes of grace, resurrection, and familial love, distinguishing Birds of Pray as a spiritually grounded return to the band's rock roots. The band opted to stay with Radioactive/MCA Records for Birds of Pray, their longstanding label since 1991, as it became the final release under that imprint before a transition to for the subsequent album . This decision aligned with efforts to stabilize amid internal challenges and capitalize on Kowalczyk's prolific output. Writing sessions for Birds of Pray occurred primarily in , a highly productive phase in which Kowalczyk composed 8 to 9 of the album's tracks over six months, often inspired by his secluded life in the mountains. The post-9/11 cultural climate, marked by national grief and geopolitical uncertainty, subtly informed the material's undercurrents of conflict and redemption, as seen in the live rendition of "Overcome" included on the album, which resonated with contemporary shock and calls for unity. Kowalczyk's deepening Christian further shaped this period, infusing songs with motifs of divine intervention and human fragility amid broader societal .

Recording process

The recording sessions for Birds of Pray were conducted at The Village in and 4th Street Recording in . These sessions took place from late 2002 to early 2003, allowing the band to refine their material in professional environments suited to rock production. Producer Jim Wirt, known for his work with acts like , led the project. The sessions were not without difficulties, as interpersonal dynamics within the band created tensions that influenced the creative flow, requiring careful navigation to keep momentum. By spring 2003, the album was wrapped, with final mixes prioritizing Ed Kowalczyk's emotive vocal delivery to anchor the record's spiritual and introspective tone. Mixing occurred at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida, ensuring a that highlighted Kowalczyk's range from intimate verses to soaring choruses.

Musical style and themes

Musical composition

Birds of Pray exemplifies Live's predominant and style, drawing influences from 1990s grunge acts like while evolving toward cleaner, more melodic arrangements compared to their earlier rawer output. The album represents a deliberate return to the band's foundational sound of straightforward guitar-driven rock, stripping away the experimental elements—such as and interludes—present on their prior release, , to focus on dynamic shifts and emotional intensity with just guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. Central to the album's composition is the interplay of instrumentation, with Chad Taylor's prominent, often distorted guitar riffs providing the backbone, as heard in tracks like featuring multi-part intros and big chords. Patrick Dahlheimer's bass lines drive , though sometimes subdued beneath the guitars, while Chad Gracey's simple yet effective drumming adds propulsion, particularly in upbeat numbers like "Life Marches On." Ed Kowalczyk's emotive vocals anchor the arrangements, ranging from powerful high-range belts to flourishes and echoed effects that impart a sense of depth and space. Produced by Jim Wirt, the album's sound emphasizes balanced, multi-layered guitars that evoke a symphonic quality, particularly in the "Heaven," where ten layers of instrumentation blend seamlessly for an anthemic feel. Variations across tracks highlight this versatility: mid-tempo rockers like "Heaven" rely on simple, catchy guitar lines and uplifting choruses, while ballads such as "She" begin with a subdued, introspective build before transitioning into fuller rock dynamics. Reverb and echo effects on vocals and guitars enhance the spatial atmosphere, setting the record apart from Live's grittier productions.

Lyrical themes

The of Birds of Pray revolve around central motifs of and , with frontman drawing on Christian redemption, , and existential searching to convey personal transformation. In the album's "Heaven", Kowalczyk employs the metaphor of his daughter's birth as a profound divine connection, symbolizing the realization of through everyday like and , which ends his decade-long quest for spiritual certainty. This theme extends to subtle allusions to and hope in tracks like "The Sanctity of Dreams", where evoke an "empty graveyard" as a nod to Christ's redemption amid life's trials. Recurring ideas of personal struggle, romantic and familial love, and societal permeate the album, shaped by the band's working-class roots in , and the broader post-millennial anxieties of the early , including post-9/11 fears and the . Songs such as "What Are We Fighting For?" blend existential questioning of violence with Christian imagery—like rejecting the as a —to societal aggression, reflecting a search for in turbulent times without dogmatic preaching. Love emerges as a redemptive force, often intertwined with spiritual oneness, as Kowalczyk describes infusing lyrics with an , muse-like energy drawn from personal experiences. Compared to the preceding album V, Birds of Pray presents more overt religious imagery—evident in its prayer-infused title and faith-centered narratives—while maintaining balance through universal emotional appeals and poetic phrasing that avoids preachiness. For example, "The Sanctity of Dreams" champions hope and individual dreaming against societal conformity, urging listeners to embrace inner vision as a path through despair, rendered in evocative language that prioritizes emotional resonance over explicit sermonizing.

Release and promotion

Commercial release

Birds of Pray was released on May 20, 2003, through Radioactive Records in the United States, with international distribution handled by and its subsidiaries via . The album marked the band's final project under the Radioactive imprint, amid significant corporate restructuring at MCA, including executive departures and the label's eventual absorption into later that year, which limited promotional resources and support. The album launched in standard CD format and was widely distributed through major retailers such as and . A limited edition version included a bonus DVD featuring live footage from the band's 2002 performance at the in the , enhancing initial market appeal. The limited edition was housed in a slim double jewel case with an 18-page booklet containing credits and photographs. The cover artwork depicted abstract silhouettes of birds against a serene backdrop, symbolizing the album's title and thematic undertones. Digital downloads became available shortly after through emerging platforms like , though physical s dominated the 2003 commercial landscape. No original vinyl pressing was produced at launch, though limited-edition vinyl reissues appeared in subsequent years. Liner notes in the CD booklet acknowledged spiritual and personal influences on the recording process, including thanks to producers and contributors like Patrick Warren for string arrangements, reflecting the band's ongoing exploration of faith-inspired themes. This positioned Birds of Pray as a transitional effort for Live, bridging their Radioactive era with future label moves, though corporate instability at MCA contributed to modest initial rollout efforts beyond the lead single "Heaven."

Singles and promotion

The lead single "Heaven" was released on April 7, 2003, with a primary focus on radio to build anticipation for the album. The accompanying , directed by Arni & Kinski, was shot in and emphasized ethereal visuals, portraying a young girl and boy attempting to cross a river while performs in a stark, otherworldly landscape. Subsequent singles included "Run Away," released in September 2003. This release featured B-sides such as acoustic versions and remixes tailored for international audiences, including European and n editions. Promotional activities centered on the band's summer 2003 Tour, which supported the album across , , and , often co-headlining with acts like . The group made several appearances on , including video premieres and live performances, and leveraged footage from their 2002 set as a bonus DVD in limited editions to highlight their live energy. Marketing strategies emphasized the album's spiritual themes in press materials, aiming to reconnect with the band's core fanbase drawn to frontman Ed Kowalczyk's introspective lyrics on faith and personal transcendence.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in May , Birds of Pray received mixed reviews from critics, with an aggregate score of 50 out of 100 on based on seven reviews, reflecting divided opinions on the album's return to the band's roots. Several reviewers praised frontman Ed Kowalczyk's passionate vocals and the album's spiritual depth, noting how tracks like "" and "Like I Do" delivered radio-friendly anthems infused with uplifting, faith-tinged energy. One critic highlighted the record's engaging blend of heavy guitars and catchy choruses as a welcome back-to-basics effort reminiscent of Live's '90s output. However, others criticized the album for its overproduced sound and perceived lack of innovation, describing the material as formulaic and uninspired compared to the band's earlier work. Entertainment Weekly faulted it for demonstrating Live's ongoing tendency toward "earnestly dull songs," while Blender dismissed the choruses as excessive tributes to overstatement. Q Magazine offered a more favorable take, calling it "a treat" despite these reservations.

Retrospective reception

In the 2010s and beyond, retrospective analyses have increasingly portrayed Birds of Pray as a pivotal transitional work in Live's discography, bridging the band's commercial zenith of the with their subsequent experimental phase and internal challenges. A ranking of the band's albums described it as a "great Live album," albeit one that did not innovate beyond established formulas, highlighting its consistency amid shifting dynamics. By the , critics noted its role in evolving the group's sound, with a 2023 review praising the album's "heavy-rocking grandeur" and "anthemic ambitions" as emblematic of frontman Ed Kowalczyk's introspective style, even while critiquing its earnestness. The album's reception gained nuance in light of Live's breakup, which Kowalczyk attributed to a need for creative renewal in a 2013 interview, marking the end of the original lineup until a partial reunion in 2016. Birds of Pray's spiritually infused , addressing and global conflicts like the post-9/11 era and the , have been viewed as an early indicator of Kowalczyk's deepening personal exploration, which intensified during his solo career amid the hiatus. This period of turmoil underscored the album's raw emotional core, positioning it as a precursor to the band's fragmented path forward. Among fans and critics, Birds of Pray has cultivated cult status within Live's dedicated following, valued for its unfiltered emotion despite initial commercial shortcomings. A 2024 reappraisal labeled it among maligned rock records deserving reevaluation, pointing to enduring fan engagement through high streaming numbers for tracks like "Life Marches On" and live performances that amplified its intensity. Enthusiasts on forums and social platforms have echoed this, calling it "great live" and a mature evolution. Recent discography overviews up to 2025 continue to reference Birds of Pray as an integral part of Live's legacy, which encompasses over 22 million albums sold worldwide, emphasizing its contribution to the group's sustained impact beyond peak hits. These nods, appearing in career retrospectives, affirm its place in a catalog that balanced arena-rock accessibility with thematic depth.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

Birds of Pray debuted at number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking Live's sixth consecutive top-40 entry on the ranking. The album's performance reflected a resurgence in radio airplay for the band following a period of declining commercial momentum. In , it achieved a stronger peak of number 3 on the Albums Chart, bolstered by the band's established fanbase from prior tours . Year-end tallies placed it at number 59 on the Albums Chart for 2003. Internationally, the album topped the Mega Album Top 100 at number 1 and ranked number 40 on the Dutch year-end albums chart for 2003, underscoring robust European support driven by Live's extensive touring history in the region. However, it entered the at number 199, indicating comparatively weaker traction in that market despite promotional efforts around the . The lead single "Heaven" drove much of the album's visibility, peaking at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100—Live's highest placement there since 1994—and number 33 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It also reached number 19 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. Subsequent singles like "She," which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, received limited radio promotion but failed to secure significant chart positions, with peaks confined to lower-tier airplay detections in select markets.
Chart (2003)Peak Position
US Billboard 20028
Australian ARIA Albums3
Netherlands Mega Album Top 1001
UK Albums (OCC)199
Single (2003)US Hot 100US Mainstream RockAustralian ARIA
"Heaven"593319

Sales and certifications

In the United States, Birds of Pray sold 38,800 copies during its first week of release in May 2003, debuting at number 28 on the chart. By August 2005, the album had accumulated approximately 273,000 units sold, falling short of the 500,000 threshold required for gold certification by the (RIAA). Internationally, the album achieved notable success in select markets. In , it was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association () in July 2003 for shipments exceeding 70,000 units. The Netherlands awarded it a gold certification from NVPI in June 2003 for 40,000 units, while granted gold status by RIANZ for 7,500 units. Overall, Birds of Pray contributed to Live's cumulative worldwide surpassing 22 million units as of 2025, though its performance lagged behind the band's 1990s commercial peaks, such as 's over eight million copies sold in the US alone.

Track listing and formats

Standard edition

The standard edition of Birds of Pray, released on May 20, 2003, by Radioactive Records, comprises 13 original tracks with a total runtime of 44:22. The album's track sequencing opens with the "Heaven" to generate immediate momentum, transitioning through dynamic rock arrangements before culminating in more introspective and atmospheric closers that reflect the band's thematic exploration of and loss. All lyrics were written by the band's lead singer , with music composed by Kowalczyk and band members , Chad Taylor, and Chris Culos on select tracks.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Heaven"3:50
2"She"2:40
3"The Sanctity of Dreams"3:33
4"Run Away"3:53
5"Life Marches On"2:54
6"Like I Do"Kowalczyk, Dahlheimer, Taylor, Culos4:15
7"Sweet Release"3:03
8"Everytime I See Your Face"3:16
9"Lighthouse"Kowalczyk, Taylor, Culos3:08
10"River Town"4:09
11"Out to Dry"3:20
12"Bring the People Together"Kowalczyk, Culos3:03
13"What Are We Fighting For?"3:22
This configuration represents the baseline international and U.S. CD release, without bonus material or regional variations.

Special editions

The British edition of Birds of Pray, released in 2003 by Radioactive Records, includes the standard 13-track plus two bonus tracks: "Forever May Not Be Long Enough (Egyptian Dreams Remix)" and "Overcome (Live from )", which extend the overall runtime to approximately 52 minutes. These additions provide remixed and live interpretations of earlier material from the band's catalog, enhancing the release for audiences without altering the core sequence. A limited special edition CD/DVD package was also issued in 2003, featuring the full standard album on CD alongside a bonus DVD capturing live performances from the band's set at the 2002 Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, Netherlands. The DVD includes four tracks from the May 18, 2002, show: "Selling the Drama" (3:29), "Voodoo Lady" (4:48), "Nobody Knows" (5:05), and "White, Discussion" (6:27), offering fans high-energy footage of the band's pre-Birds of Pray live energy. This edition, distributed in regions including Australasia and Europe, was marketed as a collector's item with NTSC or PAL formatting depending on the market. No significant reissues or expanded editions of Birds of Pray have been released beyond the 2003 variants, with digital streaming platforms such as and offering the standard tracklist without additional B-sides or remasters as of November 2025. The album remains available in its original configurations, preserving its initial bonus content for archival purposes.

Personnel and credits

Band members

The band Live, formed in , in 1984 by childhood friends, maintained its original lineup of four core members for the recording of Birds of Pray, with roles consistent across their prior albums. Ed Kowalczyk served as lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter, contributing lyrics and melodies to all tracks on the album. Chad Taylor handled duties and provided backing vocals, shaping the album's guitar-driven rock sound. Patrick Dahlheimer played bass guitar, anchoring the rhythm section. Chad Gracey performed on and percussion, driving the album's energetic percussion elements. All four members are credited as co-writers on the album's compositions.

Production and additional personnel

The production of Birds of Pray was overseen by Jim Wirt, who served as the album's primary , , and mixer, bringing a clean, dynamic sound to the recordings that emphasized the band's energy. Wirt collaborated closely with the group during sessions, contributing to both the engineering and overall sonic polish. Additional engineering support was provided by Phil Kaffel, alongside a team of assistants including Jeff Robinette, John Ikuma, Michael Attardi, Neil Couser, Okhee Kim, and P.J. Smith, who handled various technical aspects such as editing by C.J. Eiriksson. The album was recorded at The Village in , California, and 4th Street Recording in , with mixing completed at South Beach Studios in Miami, Florida. Mastering was performed by at Sterling Sound in New York, New York, ensuring a balanced and impactful final product. Limited guest musicians enhanced specific tracks, notably the on "Run Away," where arranged and conducted the parts, managed by orchestra coordinator Suzie Katayama. The strings were played by Larry Corbett on , Evan Wilson on viola, and violinists Bruce Dukov and Joel Derouin. Additionally, Patrick Warren contributed keyboard performances on "Life Marches On" and "Out to Dry," adding atmospheric textures to those songs.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.