Live will release their sixth studio album, Birds of Pray, on May 20th. Recorded in two Southern California studios this winter, the set -- which marks a return to the larger sound that defined 1994's 7 million-selling Throwing Copper -- was produced by Jim Wirt (Hoobastank, Incubus).

"Anthems are always the most fun to write," says frontman Ed Kowalczyk. "We're suckers for them. We had kind of gone away from that sound a little bit, so it was nice to get back and rediscover that art form."

The album's first single, "Heaven," was inspired by the birth of Kowalczyk's daughter. "It's just the most awesome, intense and terrifyingly beautiful experience you can imagine," he says. "Through the song I'm just asserting that everybody's life is unique and worthy. It's a real 'fist in the air' kind of song."

"Life Marches On," another single-worthy rocker, finds discontent with contemporary radio. "Over the last five years the art of the song has been shelved in exchange for over-emphasis on image and trend," Kowalczyk says. "I don't need to name any names, but I think that's part of the mission of this album -- to write really good songs."

Kowalczyk credits Wirt with helping to restore the Live sound. "He worked so hard for us, and I just think sonically this is the best record we've ever had," he says. "Even though it's back to basics -- it's just guitars and bass and drums and vocals -- everything really matters. All the parts are really integral to the songs."

Live -- Kowalczyk, guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey -- released their last album, V, one week after September 11th, and, not surprisingly, it has the distinction of being the band's only disc not to go gold or platinum. "It came out when people still wouldn't even leave their houses for milk," says Kowalcyk, "let alone go buy a record. It was the most colossally awful time you could ever think to release a record."

Still, Kowalczyk thinks the time is right for the band -- which has been together for more than fifteen years -- to rebound. A six-week tour of Europe will coincide with Birds of Pray's release, followed by a two-month trek through North America beginning in late July.

"When we get together on stage, we're so intimate, so connected," Kowalczyk says. "We can be apart for months and then reunite, and it feels like we never were separated."

JOHN D. LUERSSEN
(April 15, 2003)