Release Date: September 6, 2011
Record Label: Ipecac Recordings

Review:
Fantômas released The Director’s Cut Live: A New Year’s Revolution on DVD via Ipecac Recordings on September 6, 2011. The DVD was filmed at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall during the band’s performance on Dec. 31, 2008.

The studio version of The Director’s Cut was released in July of 2001. The album featured a collection of film compositions including Nino Rota’s “The Godfather,” Bernard Herrmann’s “Cape Fear” and Jerry Goldsmith’s “The Omen (Ave Satani).” Two songs featured on The Director’s Cut Live: A New Year’s Revolution were not in the original release of The Director’s Cut: Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful” and Marc Bolan & T. Rex’s “Chariot Choogle.”

The performance is stunning.  It’s absolutely enthralling to watching Fantômas perform.  With Mike Patton at the helm you are able to witness how the show is orchestrated while band members feed off of the energy of the crowd, and off of each other.

Gearheads will drool over Patton’s console.  It looks like he has every tool at his disposal to add extra layers of sound or manipulate his vocals, even whipping out a smartphone at several points (yes, he uses the infamous fart app).  If you’re paying attention you may be in a bit of awe watching Patton pushing buttons and twisting knobs to get the sounds required for the music.  I can’t imagine how he remembers it all.

The DVD also features audio commentary by comedian Neil Hamburger (Gregg Turkington).  After watching this part, you’ll never think of bedbugs in seedy hotel rooms the same way again.

This is a great concert DVD, intermingling footage and special effects. The only thing better would to have actually been there for the madness.

Track Listing:

1. The Godfather
2. Night of the Hunter
3. Cape Fear
4. Experiment in Terror
5. One Step Beyond
6. Rosemary’s Baby
7. The Devil Rides Out
8. Spider Baby
9. The Omen (Ave Satani)
10. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer
11. Vendetta
12. Investigation Of A Citizen Above Suspicion
13. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
14. Der Golem
15. Charade
16. Intermission
17. Simply Beautiful
18. Chariot Choogle

Purchase:

Links:

www.ipecac.com/artists/fantomas

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Release Date: December 4, 2010
Record Label: Summit Entertainment

Review:
Summit Entertainment’s MUSIC VIDEOS AND PERFORMANCES FROM THE TWILIGHT SAGA SOUNDTRACKS: VOLUME 1 on Blu-ray™ and DVD is an unprecedented collection of music videos and live performances from bands featured on the chart topping soundtracks from each of the three Twilight Saga films.

The DVD highlights 22 songs by famous artists, including: Muse “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever),” Paramore “Decode,” Death Cab For Cutie “Meet Me On The Equinox,” and Cee Lo Green “What Part Of Forever.”

The live performance videos are very compelling to watch, and really help this release stand-out.  The performances that were chosen are all expertly produced and played. The performances by Editors and O.A.R. are terrific.  The Iron and Wine and Bon Iver & St. Vincent performances are phenomenal.  It makes you feel like you’re there, or that you want to be.

There’s a lot of great music videos on this release as well.  “A Million Miles An Hour” by Eastern Conference Champions is a personal favorite because it’s such a great song.  It was a kick to see the video for “Tremble For My Beloved” from Collective Soul’s 1999 album Dosage.  The song holds up surprisingly well compared to the more modern releases in this collection.

I think it’s safe to say that video is making a comeback, especially online, and it’s a novel idea to release a movie soundtrack as a collection of videos.  It’s like someone programmed a commercial-free video channel just for you.  Wow, is it August 1, 1981 again?  Not quite, but at least there’s plenty of good music videos to enjoy, and this release delivers quite a few.

Track Listing:

1. MUSE – “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)”
2. PARAMORE – “Decode”
3. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – “Meet Me On The Equinox”
4. CEE LO GREEN – “What Part Of Forever”
5. ANYA MARINA – “Satellite Heart”
6. MUTEMATH – “Spotlight”
7. LUPE FIASCO – “Solar Midnite”
8. EDITORS – “No Sound But The Wind”
9. THE MAGIC NUMBERS & AMADOU & MARIAM – “All I Believe In”
10. COLLECTIVE SOUL – “Tremble For My Beloved”
11. EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS – “A Million Miles An Hour”
12. METRIC – “Eclipse (All Yours)”
13. FANFARLO – “Atlas”
14. IRON & WINE – “Flightless Bird, American Mouth”
15. SIA – “My Love”
16. BON IVER & ST. VINCENT – “Rosyln”
17. SEA WOLF – “The Violet Hour”
18. THE BLACK GHOSTS – “Full Moon”
19. HURRICANE BELLS – “Monsters”
20. O.A.R. – “Love Is Worth The Fall”

Bonus Feature Tracks: Debussy “Clair De Lune” and Verdi “La Traviata”

Purchase:

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Release Date: December 15, 2010
Record Label: JEMP Records

Review:

On August 14th and 15th, 2010 Phish played at Alpine Valley Music Theater.  The August 14th show is the focus of the Alpine Valley DVD, which was released on December 14, 2010.

The box set features the complete August 14th, 2010 performance on 2-DVDs, as well as 2-CDs, and bonus video featuring highlights from the following night, including “AC/DC Bag,” “Divided Sky” and “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan.” The three-song combination that opened set two of the 15th rounds out the bonus material with “Ghost,” “Theme From The Bottom,”and “Big Black Furry Creature From Mars.”

But enough with the marketing bullshit.  Quite simply stated, this set rocks.  First. the recorded audio is superb.  It was recorded using 57 channels of digital multitrack and mixed and mastered in 5.1 Dolby surround and PCM stereo.  In short, it sounds great.  And if you turn it up very loud, it sounds even better.  In fact, it probably sounds better than if you were actually at the show.

The video put together using a 7-camera shoot, which helps keep the visuals as interesting as the audio because, let’s face it, Phish doesn’t use pyrotechnics, and Trey Anastasio is not known for jumping around he stage like a lunatic.  The multiple cameras provide terrific perspective of Phish doing what they do best, playing their asses off and having a great time doing it.

The band was on fire during this performance, which is what really makes this set a worthwhile viewing and listening experience.  It wasn’t a flawless experience by any means, but these guys play, jam, improvise, and play the hell out of their music.  It’s a real treat to see and hear Phish play live.

Live at the Legendary Alpine Valley Music Theatre is one of the best CD/DVD sets I’ve watched in quite a while.

Track Listing:

CD 1

1. Tube
2. The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony
3. Suzy Greenberg
4. Funky Bitch
5. Reba
6. Fuck Your Face
7. Alaska
8. Back on the Train
9. When the Circus Comes
10. Lawn Boy
11. Sparkle
12. Gumbo
13. Run Like an Antelope

CD 2

1. The Sloth
2. Down with Disease
3. What’s the Use
4. Scent of a Mule
5. Mike’s Song
6. Dirt
7. Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley
8. Weekapaug Groove
9. Bug
10. Quinn the Eskimo

DVD 1

1. Tube
2. The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony
3. Suzy Greenberg
4. Funky Bitch
5. Reba
6. Fuck Your Face
7. Alaska
8. Back on the Train
9. Taste
10. When the Circus Comes
11. Lawn Boy
12. Sparkle
13. Gumbo
14. Run Like an Antelope
15. AC/DC Bag
16. On Your Way Down
17. Divided Sky
18. Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan
19. David Bowie

DVD 2

1. The Sloth
2. Down with Disease
3. What’s the Use
4. Scent of a Mule
5. Mike’s Song
6. Dirt
7. Sneakin’ Sally Thru the Alley
8. Weekapaug Groove
9. Bug
10. Quinn the Eskimo
11. Ghost
12. Theme from the Bottom
13. Big Black Furry Creature from Mars

Purchase:

Links:

www.phish.com

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Release Date: September 14, 2010
Record Label: Rykodisc

Review:
In 1993, I saw Bill Hicks perform in Boston, MA. He was in his comedic prime and the performance is forever etched in my mind as the best I’ve ever seen. It was a few years later before I learned that that Hicks had died about six months following that performance, and that’s when I really began my discovery of his material.

The Essential Collection is a collection of some of Hick’s more popular bits and routines, as well as some previously unreleased material. The CDs are awesome and much more than a simple attempt at a best-of album.  The only flaw with them is the tracks are sourced from a variety of performances, so you don’t really get a feel for a full Hicks routine.  Despite that, it’s all I’ve been listening to lately.

The DVDs are fascinating.  It is incredible to watch Hicks’ evolving routine between 1981 and 1993. So good at 20; mind blowing at 31. The DVDs also contain a movie Hicks made with a friend called “Ninja Bachelor Party.” It’s actually better than most dubbed Kung-Fu movies of the 60′s or your typical John Waters film.

Included with The Essential Bill Hicks is a download card for Lo-Fi Troubadour, a collection of original music by Hicks. It’s mostly just Hick’s singing and playing guitar. I half expected some Hendrix-esque rock tunes, but in reality Hicks plays in the style of a melancholy singer-songwriter.

Sometimes it’s in hindsight that you realize you’ve witnessed something great. Hicks’ Boston performance had me in tears because I was laughing so hard, even at the bits I didn’t agree with. Hicks made you think… or at least encouraged it. If you never had the chance to see him live at least there is record of his brilliance so you can get a taste of what it was like.

Track Listing:

CD (DISC 1):
1. Fevered Egos
2. I’m Talking to the Women Here
3. My Favorite New Kid
4. Marketing & Advertising
5. Artistic Roll Call
6. Orange Drink
7. Save Willie
8. Menu?
9. A Killer Idea
10. Goodbye You Lizard Scum
11. Summertime
12. Elvis*
13. The News
14. Confession Time (Cops)
15. Please Do Not Disturb*
16. Spectravision & Housekeeping*
17. Girl of Your Dreams
18. Clam Lappers & Sonic the Hedgehog
19. What Is Pornography?
20. Renting Pornos & Girlfriends*
21. Name & Address Not Withheld*
22. Beelzebozo*
23. Pussywhipped Satan
24. I Love My Job
25. Audience Member/Old Folks Home Manager*
26. Worst Audience Ever
27. The F Word
28. My Parents

CD (DISC 2):
1. Drugs Have Done Good Things
2. Rockers Against Drugs Suck
3. We Live in a World
4. Drugs Have Done Good Things Part 2*
5. Ding Dong
6. Gays in the Military
7. Speaking of Homosexuality
8. Children on Airplanes
9. Your Children Aren’t Special
10. Pro Life
11. Non-Smokers
12. Audience Memeber/Dental Assistant*
13. Smoking
14. Smoking Tastes Great*
15. Yul Brynner
16. Smoking in Heaven
17. Flying Saucer Tour
18. Burning Issues
19. Odd Beliefs
20. Kennedy & the Warren Commission
21. Handguns: UK vs. USA*
22. The Vision

DVD (DISC 3):
1. The Early Years (Peformances* & Interview)

• Houston, TX – 1981
• Houston, TX – 1984
• Indianapolis, IN – 1985
• Houston, TX (Part 1) – 1986
• Houston, TX (Part 2) – 1986

2. The Outlaw Comics (Performance & Interview* – The Origins of the Outlaw Comics)
3. Extras – Photo Gallery

DVD (DISC 4):
1. Ninja Bachelor Party (Film & Notes)
2. Austin Bootleg Series (Performances* & Notes)

• November, 1991
• December, 1992
• June, 1993
• October, 1993

Download Card:
LO-FI TROUBADOUR (Original Songs* – Written and Performed by Bill Hicks)
1. Introduction
2. She’s a Woman
3. Hey Mama
4. The Road Can Be Hard
5. Jazz Instrumental
6. The Moon Is Smiling
7. Turn Your Mind Over to Your Heart
8. No Music in My Soul
9. Waiting to Meet You
10. I Never Really Cried for You
11. Outro Instrumental

*Previously Unreleased

Purchase:

Links:

www.billhicks.com

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Release Date: September 7, 2010
Running Time: 99 minutes
A Twinkle Cash Company / Semi Rebellious Films Production
in Association with True Story Films

Review:

Blood Into Wine is a documentary that focuses on Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski’s struggle to create a high-quality wine region in the harsh terrain of Northern Arizona while facing a number of obstacles including the state legislature, the wine establishment and curious wildlife. Produced and directed by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke, Blood Into Wine has screened in over seventy-five cities since its Feb. 19 theatrical release. Keenan also announced that a Blood Into Wine soundtrack will be released simultaneously via Puscifer Entertainment. The film co-stars Milla Jovovich, Patton Oswalt, Bob Odenkirk, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim.

Blood Into Wine isn’t exactly a traditional documentary. The film also gives Keenan and the directors opportunity to inject humor and irreverence into what could have been a dry infomercial for the burgeoning Arizona wine industry. The mock-interview scenes with Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim are especially funny with the duo’s idiocy in stark contrast to Keenan’s dead-pan sense of humor. However, it’s really the passion of Keenan and Glomski that carries this film and makes it so intriguing to watch.

The film is not an insight into Keenan’s personal life outside his passion for the daunting task of starting a vineyard and winery in Arizona. The take-away is an appreciation and an basic understanding of the challenges Keenan and Glomski face, including the investment in money, time, and hard labor required to accomplish their mutual goal of creating wine they like. The fruits of their labor begin to be realized when world renowned wine critic James Suckling pays a visit to Caduceus Cellars and offers some encouraging words.

The Blood Into Wine DVD will be loaded with bonus features when it arrives in stores on Sept. 7th. The DVD extras include extended interviews with Maynard James Keenan and vineyard partner Eric Glomski, Puscifer concert footage, and deleted scenes featuring Heidecker and Wareheim.

This is an enjoyable film. Whether your a wine enthusiast, or Keenan devotee, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.

Links:

www.bloodintowine.com
www.caduceus.org

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Release Date: February 9, 2010
Record Label: E1 Entertainment

Review:
Pretenders-Live in London captures one of the band’s many electrifying performances from their 2009 tour.  Live In London captures this legendary act at their best. Available as a DVD/CD package, The Pretenders – Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers, James Walbourne, Nick Wilkinson, and Eric Heywood – perform their greatest hits, including “I’ll Stand By You”, “Kid,” “Back On The Chain Gang,” “Middle Of The Road,” “Brass In Pocket” and many more.

A good friend said to me, “This is the best CD I’ve heard in years.” I would certainly agree that this may be one of the best live albums I’ve ever heard.  The mix is done so well and the performance is so good that it’s easy to forget it’s recorded live.  Solid from start to finish, The Pretenders’ extensive catalog can easily hold your attention for the entire time the CD is spinning.

What’s remarkable about the CD is that it’s actually culled from the film (DVD/Blu-ray). Not only can you hear just how great this band really is, but you can also witness their live energy as Chrissie Hynde and the rest of the band give it their all for the crowd. Pretenders-Live in London is a sold reminder of what true rock and roll is all about.

Track Listing:
CD
1. Boots Of Chinese Plastic
2. Don’t Cut Your Hair
3. Talk Of The Town
4. Kid
5. The Nothing Maker
6. Don’t Lose Faith In Me
7. Back On The Chain Gang
8. Love’s A Mystery
9. Don’t Get Me Wrong
10. Tequila
11. Stop Your Sobbing
12. Day After Day
13. Cuban Slide
14. Middle Of The Road
15. The Wait
16. Tattooed Love Boys
17. Precious
18. I’ll Stand By You – Bonus Track
19. Brass In Pocket – Bonus Track

DVD
1. Boots Of Chinese Plastic
2. Don’t Cut Your Hair
3. Talk Of The Town
4. Kid
5. The Nothing Maker
6. Don’t Lose Faith In Me
7. Back On The Chain Gang
8. Love’s A Mystery
9. Don’t Get Me Wrong
10. Tequila
11. Stop Your Sobbing
12. Day After Day
13. Cuban Slide
14. Middle Of The Road
15. The Wait
16. Tattooed Love Boys
17. Precious
18. I’ll Stand By You – Bonus Track
19. Brass In Pocket – Bonus Track
20. Message Of Love
21. Rosalee
22. I Go To Sleep
23. Break Up The Concrete
24. Thumbelina

Purchase:

Links:
www.thepretenders.com

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Release Date: October 27, 2009
Record Label: The End Records

Review:
Average Blasphemy is a great collection of videos from the Japanese metal outfit Dir en grey.  The DVD highlights material from the albums Uroboros and The Marrow of a Bone. Dir en grey has a history of meshing intense visuals with powerful music, and the videos on this DVD are prime examples of the band at their best in both respects.

The DVD also features extensive behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the videos, however it does not feature much dialog or commentary. A few more extras might have made this DVD more appealing, but if it’s primarily Dir en grey’s great music that you’re after, then this disk is definitely for you.

Chapter Listing:

1. Vinushka
2. Dozing Green
3. Glass Skin
4. Reiketsu Nariseba
5. Agitated Screams Of Maggots (Restricted version)
6. Grief
7. Ryoujoku No Ame
8. Clever Sleazoid
9. Red Soil
10. Vinushka (Promotional Edit)
11. Clever Sleazoid (Despair In The Womb version)
12. Agitated Screams Of Maggots (Despair In The Womb version)
13. Conceived Sorrow (In Weal Or Woe version)

Links:

www.direngrey.co.jp

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Released: December 2, 2008
Label: Image Entertainment

Review:
The Vans Warped Tour ’07, 2007 Tour Compilation boasts performances from eleven of the bands touring on one of the strongest line-ups in the tour’s history. Also included are several interviews and over an hour of bonus performances.

The performances look and sound great. Most of the footage shows the bands performing near the top of their game. It’s the next best thing to actually being there. The only things missing are the oppressive heat, $5 bottles of water, sweaty crowd surfers, and flying shoes.

Notable performances missing from this compilation include Paramore and As I Lay Dying, but the 60 minute running time and over an hour of bonus songs more than makes up for it.

The DVD also contains several interviews with bands on the tour, most of them expressing tales of woe regarding life on the tour, including stories about pot-a-potties, showering, and food service. Two band interviews stand-out as being particularly amusing; Killswitch Engage and Bad Religion. The bits about the “Wall of Death” and “The Hottest Chick” made me bust a gut laughing.

This DVD brought back a lot of memories from the tour. It was awesome to be there, and a blast to be able to see it again.

Featured Artists:
Avenged Sevenfold
Bad Religion
Chiodos
Circa Survive
Coheed & Cambria
Killswitch Engage
Fishbone
Pennywise
Pepper
Starting Line
Sum 41

Plus Bonus Interviews with Alkaline Trio, The Almost, Chiodos, Coheed & Cambria, Escape The Fate, Killswitch Engage, Meg & Dia, Paramore and The Starting Line

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Review:
A couple years ago Long Island’s Vision of Disorder briefly reunited for a handful of shows. The events were filmed by Bill Yukich, who was granted full access to the band, both on and off the stage.

The Dead in New York DVD includes shows from Long Island and Worcester, Massachusetts from 2006. “It shows everything from the mayhem of the material with people getting knocked out during the crazy breakdowns along with insane crowd sing-a-longs” explains guitarist Matthew Baumbach.

He does not exaggerate. Vision of Disorder’s performance grabs you by the throat and throttles you senseless. The crowd in attendance is left a tired, bruised, and bloodied mess, and we are reminded of just how dominant this hardcore/thrash band was… and is.

The production of this DVD is awesome. The audio is crisp and clear, and the fast cuts between multiple cameras helps to convey the energy of the show. Nothing is lost. Crank up the volume loud enough, and it’s almost like you were there.

The special features, including a brief history of the band and behind the scenes footage, is pretty cool and you get to know a little bit more about the band chemistry and what makes them tick.

It was recently announced that Vision of Disorder is reuniting to record another album. This DVD gives us a forceful reminder of what we’re in for, and what we’ve been missing… a major ass-kicking.

Chapter Listing:

1. Intro
2. Choke
3. Element
4. Imprint
5. Viola
6. Ways To Destroy Ones Ambition
7. For The Breeders
8. Suffer
9. What You Are
10. Adelaide
11. Beneath The Green
12. Jada Bloom
13. Through My Eyes
14. D.T.O.
15. Jam
16. 7/13
17. Formula For Failure

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Released: November 20, 2007
Label: Ipecac Recordings

Review:

On Live, Mike Patton joins John Erik Kaada to create a seven person band for this live performance of the music from the album Romances. The DVD features the full set from Roskilde 2005 as well as behind the scenes footage from the event.

The concert footage on the DVD is mesmerizing. While watching you feel as if you not just watching a concert, but invited to a special event that doesn’t repeat itself frequently. The compositions are primarily Kaada’s, but Patton plays an integral role in helping Kaada transform his music into the live performance format. The result is an awesome composition of layered of instrumental sounds and vocals.

The behind the scenes footage is feature the rehearsals leading up to the performance. The viewer is a spectator to the musical process of these two great minds. Any language barriers are torn down as they share a common language without words; music.

Patton may be one of the most under-rated musicians and performers of our generation, and if you have any doubt of it after watching this DVD, you’re simply missing the point of it all. More important is his ear for new talent, and ability to release it for the rest of us to enjoy.

Chapter Listing:

1. Legless Liss
2. Invocation
3. Pitié Pour Mes Larmes
4. Aubade
5. L’Absent
6. Crépuscule
7. Viens, Les Gazons Sont Verts
8. Seule
9. Pensée Des Morts
10. Nuit Silencieuse
11. The Cloroform Theme

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