Birds Of Pray
by Live
  • Record Label: MCA
  • Release Date: May 20, 2003
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 7 out of 38

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  1. MArtinj
    Jan 8, 2007
    0
    13 years ago 8 million America got a copy of throwing copper 13 years later only 50,000 people got a copy of their recent album
  2. MarcR
    Jun 9, 2003
    7
    Nothing groundbreaking with this, but then Live hasn't been on the edge since its debut a dozen years ago. Since then they have produced some of the best, most accessible pop-rock music there is. This is more of the same. I rate the proCritics a 38 for panning this in their frustration with pop music being what it is and always will be...a business of consumption, then artistry.
  3. JanMal
    Jul 6, 2003
    10
    I loved this album. I sorta got turned off from Live for a while but after I listened to this album I'm such a fan again. I think this is my fave album of theirs. It's a CD where you can buy it for all the songs not just a couple.
  4. jackieh
    Jul 6, 2004
    9
    i have to say that Live's older music is unratable...but Birds of Prey is rad...i think that "Heaven" is just so real...people are looking for proof of God when its right in front of our faces...i can just really relate to that song
  5. NickS
    Oct 22, 2003
    10
    CD of the year hands down! From top to bottom..this rocks! Live still rules :)
  6. littledragoon
    May 30, 2003
    0
    worst band ever, no competition. worst album ever, no competition. i have never heard more righteous bilge in all my born days
  7. ScottW
    Jun 12, 2003
    7
    Excuse the band for actually writing meaningful lyrics. I guess what we need is more music about exploiting women and 20" rims. Popular music is a complete joke. Live is true to themselves and their music....I'm glad they don't try to make records to impress the 'critics' or to get on 'TRL'. This album isn't as strong as Throwing Copper, Secret Samadhi Excuse the band for actually writing meaningful lyrics. I guess what we need is more music about exploiting women and 20" rims. Popular music is a complete joke. Live is true to themselves and their music....I'm glad they don't try to make records to impress the 'critics' or to get on 'TRL'. This album isn't as strong as Throwing Copper, Secret Samadhi or The Distance to Here (which would all get 10's from me) but it's exactly what Live is all about.… Expand
  8. jcarowick
    Jun 1, 2003
    8
    cool album. Heaven sounds really cool when played loud. out of all their albums, this would be the third best behind throwing copper and V. reminds me of rush for some odd reason
  9. ZacharyK
    May 19, 2005
    10
    I absoulutly love LIVE and all their cd's. I never want them to stop producing albums!
  10. MaxyM
    Apr 13, 2006
    10
    This is a great album with so much to offer. Anyone who dilikes this album or any of the albums ever made by Live is completly mad and have no clue of what music is.Heaven is the most beautiful song, with the most aspiring words,leaving me absoloutly blown away..Over the years Live has proved that you dont have to sing about broken hearts or sex to get somewhere in the music business. This is a great album with so much to offer. Anyone who dilikes this album or any of the albums ever made by Live is completly mad and have no clue of what music is.Heaven is the most beautiful song, with the most aspiring words,leaving me absoloutly blown away..Over the years Live has proved that you dont have to sing about broken hearts or sex to get somewhere in the music business. They have brought something truly special to the world through theyre music.… Expand
  11. SteveS
    Nov 15, 2003
    8
    A thoroughly enjoyable CD but throwing copper will always be the best Live CD
  12. Chris
    Jun 2, 2003
    8
    A really solid effort. On previous live CDs, I had songs I loved and songs I hated. On this one I really like everything and sometimes consistency is better than moments of brilliance.
  13. steve
    Aug 12, 2003
    10
    I love the music these guys from LIVE release. They are true professionals that deserve a lot more credit.
  14. JohnG
    Jan 2, 2004
    3
    After the trend following V, Live felt the need to make an inoffensive album to regroup the fans. The result is the gutless Birds of Pray. Live is at their best when they believe in what they're doing (Throwing Copper, Distance to Here).
  15. chriscornell
    Jun 22, 2004
    8
    This is a good CD. I'm pretty surprised a lot of critics turned this down.
  16. JimM
    Aug 19, 2004
    10
    THEY'RE BACK!! after what many had described as a disappointing album in 'V' (one incidentally i didn't mind) they are back with the fat guitar riffs, pounding drums and the throbbing bass of old!! One must remember, that 'V' was essentially written and produced on the road while touring with 'The Distance' tour, and was never going to be as well THEY'RE BACK!! after what many had described as a disappointing album in 'V' (one incidentally i didn't mind) they are back with the fat guitar riffs, pounding drums and the throbbing bass of old!! One must remember, that 'V' was essentially written and produced on the road while touring with 'The Distance' tour, and was never going to be as well rounded as The Distance to Here or Secret Samadhi. The key to enjoying 'V' is to not start listening to it knowing it's LIVE. It's just another step in the diversity that this band shows. There are some real power anthems on 'Birds of Pray', namely tunes like Lighthouse, Like I do, and to a lesser extent Sweet Release, which put inbetween some other brilliant, and some would say vintage LIVE songs, which rock hard too. All in all, it is great to see LIVE returning to real form, and anyone who saw the BIRDS OF PRAY tour of 03/04, will know, that this band are back!! I just can't wait for the next 'SWEET RELEASE'… Expand
  17. AndyF
    Mar 26, 2006
    9
    Live has made another wonderful CD. The content and subject matter covered surpasses practically all other bands that are making music today.
  18. BrianD
    Aug 21, 2006
    10
    Great songs! The music and lyrics really speak out about the world around us, and what is going on in the world today.
  19. DaveN
    Sep 22, 2006
    6
    Depressing how this is the same band that released the brilliant Throwing Copper. That being said, it still has enough good songs to keep Live's career going.
  20. MicheleR
    May 25, 2003
    10
    I bought this album on the weekend and think its greta. I have never been disapointed with a live album
  21. ErwinK
    May 28, 2003
    0
    Truly, one of the worst bands on the planet.
  22. Greg
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    This album is wonderful-despite what these clueless critics say. The lyrics are extremely refreshing.
  23. RonelleS
    Jun 12, 2006
    9
    excellent!!!
  24. Nookie
    Aug 17, 2006
    10
    Totally awesome! My favorite album, I totally agree with MaxyM I am sick of hearing about broken hearts and sex in songs, you want to listen to something REAL then Live delivers. Ah well I guess you just have to be a bit more open minded and aware of the world around us to realise and appreciate the truths in Live's songs.
  25. luckyme
    Dec 15, 2004
    3
    Why are so many people giving this album 8's, 9's, & 10's?? Well, hopefully they're all being sarcastic and are actually rocking out at home to the likes of the Velvet Underground or Bob Dylan or the Pixies or David Bowie or Radiohead or--hell, even Throwing Copper or Mental Jewelry, for crying out loud. But this album is just... downright unlistenable.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Rolling Stone
    40
    Birds of Pray, their sixth album, sounds a lot like the previous five.
    Read full review
  2. Stylus Magazine
    23
    Do you have any idea how dull it is listening to someone being calm and content?
    Read full review
  3. ShakingThrough.net
    50
    Birds of Pray just seems clueless, like a high school kid who doesn't realize that his strident need to seem interesting just makes him a joke, and not a particularly funny one at that.
    Read full review
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