Artist: Live
Album Title: Birds of Pray
Label:
Bones:
Summary: Live R.I.P. 1991-2003
Reviewed By: Stuart 'Record Store Guy' McPhee

After a 9-year courtship, this reviewer and the rock group Live have parted ways. This reviewer states that their relationship has been strained for a few albums now and things have finally come to a head on their new release, 'Birds of Pray'.

So where did it all go wrong you may ask? You were under the illusion that we made a good partnership, and given the time and place we were quite close. While things may have started off a little rough with their religious dominance on their debut effort 'Mental Jewellery', there was nearly two years of bliss during the 'Throwing Copper' album where we were living the angst filled teenage dream. Innocence was lost and confidences were shared.

When time came for the third release, 'Secret Samadhi', many of my friends said Live had gone weird and to a point I agreed with them. However I was too infatuated to say any different, so I decided to love them for who they were. Then all of a sudden they went placid when revealing their 'Distance to Here' record. Friends rejoiced at this newfound peace but it all seemed so fake. Live had never been interested in Dolphins before, where was all this hostility towards fun and good times coming from?

At least they made a bit of effort with 2001's 'V' but it was short lived when they tried to apply for the 911 anthem with 'Overcome'. And now this 'Birds of Pray'. Oh I get it: Pray not Prey (it's a doozey all right). If it seems they come off all smooth and regular, it's because it is 'Live by Numbers'. The single 'Heaven' while being a cracker of a song sounds like Ed Kowalczyk used his own copy of 'Live's Music for Dummies' when recording it.

Probable conversation back at Live HQ:

Ed: "Chad (Taylor, guitarist), I'm feeling quite peckish could you order us up some Chinese from Soongs and oh shit it's been 18 months since the last album, when you're done with that can you please call up the record company and phone in the next album because honestly I couldn't be arsed. And don't forget to order some prawn crackers for god's sake."

Both this reviewer and Live wish each other well for the future.