Artist Info:Discography Album length: 2 Discs: 10 tracks (CD); 14 Songs (DVD) Street Date: November 23, 2004
Few bands have tried as hard to let their fans know how appreciated they are as Third Day has.
With already two live DVD projects chock full of extras under their belts and two worship records
featuring some live versions of favorite Third Day tracks, it may have been a surprise to some
to find Third Day releasing yet another live project. Live Wire releases just
over six months after their latest studio project Wire was released to fans worldwide.
The album marked the band's return to straight-up rock n' roll in years, and in a big way.
At a glance, Live Wire appears to potentially be the special fan project of all projects.
And, you know what? It just might be.
Live Wire consists primarily of a live concert DVD featuring five Third Day favorites
accompanied by eight of the thirteen songs from Wire. And on this live DVD,
fans are treated to an extensive behind-the-scenes look into the band's recording of the
album, taking us into the studio and even giving us a peak at the song writing and evolution
process. On top of this, a music video for a brand new fan-tribute song entitled "Thank You All" is
also included, as well as a live photo gallery, DVD trailer, and World Vision featurette. But just
when you think that might sound pretty good, the band has also included another disc.
The second disc is a nine-track live audio CD with a bonus studio recording of
"Thank You All."
The live DVD offers a crystal clear picture and a crisp sound. The show, recorded
on July 22nd, 2004 in Louisville, Kentucky, is presented almost like a feature film with an isolated
introduction complete with credits that soon launch the viewer onto the stage before the band for an up close
and personal experience. While some concert recordings have been edited to death, spastically taking
you across the stage in some sort of A.D.D. fashion, Live Wire is paced just right and knows when to linger
just a little bit longer. The filmmakers take a little artistic license on songs like "Come On
Back To Me" when they utilize a slow motion technique that works beautifully most of the time, only
missing the mark once or twice. "It's A Shame" mixes feature portions of a video that shows behind the
band on a large screen backdrop and shots of the band playing the song live. While it may be risky to
not focus on just either the video or the band live for the duration (since you might be missing moments from either
that you may want to see), the end result is effective and still retains the emotional impact
experiencing it live offers. Given that this DVD is mainly an example of the "Live Wire" tour set,
the song choices are nicely varied although understandably focused on cuts from Wire -
and delightfully so.
Fans will undoubtedly enjoy the disc's "Rockumentary," if anything. While many times bands will
give fans a little quick look into the making of a project, a substantial and realistic look into the writing
process is seldom seen. Third Day's bassist Tai Anderson narrates this candid feature, with its
highlight being a raw look at the making of the song "I Believe." We're given a taste
of what the song was originally intended to sound like, as it originally featured portions of what was
later used for "Til The Day I Die," and the struggle the band experienced in trying to decide
what direction the final version of the song should go in.
The audio disc consists mostly of the songs from Wire (with the exception of "Blackbird"
and "Sing A Song"), and merely features audio versions of the same recordings featured on the DVD.
Many times I've watched a live DVD and wished an audio disc was also available and it's fantastic
that the band decided to make this available to fans.
The highlights of the audio disc are undoubtedly the newly refaced version of "Blackbird," originally
from the band's 1996 debut, and the new Gomer tribute "Thank You All."
Live Wire is the project most fans only wish their favorite band would release. While, yes,
it could have been taken even further to include all of the songs on the DVD on the audio disc or even
more features, it's clearly not necessary. The DVD's extra features and the audio disc are already
bonus highlights and fan treats as it is. Third Day humbly thanks their fans with Live Wire
and after experiencing this project, you may feel the need to somehow return the same appreciation.
- Review date: 11/21/04, written by John DiBiase
Artist Info:Discography Record Label: Essential Records
Album length: 2 Discs: 10 tracks (CD); 14 Songs (DVD)
Street Date: November 23, 2004
Buy It:Amazon.com
Live CD:
RockStar
Come On Back To Me
Sing A Song
I Believe
It's A Shame
'Til The Day I Die
Wire
Blackbird
I Got A Feeling
Thank You All (Studio Version)
Live DVD:
RockStar
Come On Back To Me
Sing A Song
Consuming Fire
You Are So Good To Me
I Believe
It's A Shame
My Hope Is You
'Til The Day I Die
Blackbird
Wire
Show Me Your Glory
You Are Mine
I Got A Feeling
Special features include: A "Rockumentary," Photo Gallery, "Offering (World Vision Feature),"
“Thank You All (Gomer Tribute),” and Trailer.
Artist Info: 
