"Live" albums are a tricky affair.  Naysayers are quick to point out that they are marketing ploys for record companies to scupper more money from the pockets of fans.  "Live" albums do give fans something to hype about while artists buy more time working on their next project.  And there is some grain of truth in this: some live albums are nothing more than re-recordings of the artist's studio efforts with the audience clapping sandwiched in between songs.  Moreover, the cards fall even farther away from favor when the artist only has one studio album.  So, is the live album completely a carbon copy of their studio counterpart with a few augmentations?  Before we investigate for King & Country's latest live effort "Hope is What We Crave for: Live," it is prim and proper to say a word about this duo.  Joel and Luke Smallbone are siblings born in Australia but moved to Nashville when they were younger.  They are also brothers to Contemporary Christian artist Rebecca St. James.  Named after the English battle cry "for King and Country," these Aussie brothers are determined to live out Psalm 20:7:  "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

In 2012, for King and Country released their major label debut "Crave."  "Crave" was greeted with success when hit No. 2 on the iTunes top Christian & Gospel albums on its day of release and No. 42 on the overall chart. It peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Christian album chart, and has remained on the chart for 26 weeks.  The album was later named iTunes' "Breakthrough Christian & Gospel Album of 2012." To further capitalize on the album, this live recording ensued.  This album was recorded at the Factory in Franklin, TN on the final night of their first headlining tour, "The Proof Of Your Love Tour," in November 2012. The audio version of "Hope is What We Crave for: Live" consists of 9 tracks.  8 of which come from "Crave" with the inclusion of their Christmas single from last year "Baby Boy." 

So, how does this live record flare?  In certain respects, "Hope is What We Crave for: Live" escapes some of the abovementioned trappings.  First, instead of just regurgitating the songs back to us albeit a live setting, these boys do invest more personal touches to the songs.  Rather than just sing right through "Light It Up," the duo pauses at the song's bridge to clue us in about the genesis of the song.  Listening to how "Light It Up" was written for a friend suffering a detrimental illness puts a compassionate shade of appreciation now as we listen to this cut.  Also, the way they teased out "The Proof of Your Love" into an awesome worship experience allows us to witness their worship-infested hearts.  Second, some artists turned their live shows into a vanity act, where everything is all about them.  For King & Country are never into the showbiz of the self.  Rather, on "Fine Fine Life" you can sense their willingness to bond with their fans by getting them to sing along.  Though a tad embarrassing is that when the woman fans get to sing their part, they are barely audible.  

 
Third, live recordings are also places whereby artists can showcase a new song, sing a worship favorite or indulge in a cover song.  Here, they have included their Christmas single "Baby Boy" from last year.  However, one would have wished the lads would be more adventurous to include something just a little extra for the fans.  Nevertheless, if you are not acquainted with their debut record, "Busted Heart," "Crave" and "Pushing On a Pull Door" are Godly rock anthems that deserve to be one's itunes playlist.