rain king
"when I think of heaven, I think of you"

Compared to August and Everything After's take on this song, the live version leaves a bit to be desired in the speed department. I fell in love with the original of this song very quickly; with the strummed intro and the fast pace [as compared to many of August's other tracks], it was something that simply could not be ignored.

The live version is not one of my favorite album cuts. It's not that the music is badly performed or the vocals are second rate; in fact, the vocals fit the mood of the song very well, and for a live song, the music is very well put together. I can't really explain the reasons I don't like the song too much.

I do enjoy listening to Adam's quiet serenading, however. Somehow hearing him live seems to intensify the meaning felt behind the vocals; when he sings about Henderson waiting for the sun and the endings and beginnings, it's easy to just want to reverse the track and listen to his voice again.

A newer bridge is added in this version; as many of the songs on this album, new words, new chords are inserted. Difficult to understand but nonetheless meaningful, the lyrics show us once more that Adam has no shortage of talent and creativity.