Category: Reviews

Ten years is quite a long time really. Ten years ago from now, Tony Blair had just come into power promising all sorts, Biggie was shot dead, Princess Di died and Nintendo brought out the N64. A long time has passed since then but one thing that has remained a constant since all those events took place is the continued brilliance of Big Dada.

The label was started by hip hop journalist Will Ashon as an imprint of the ever-popular and boundary pushing Ninja Tune and made sure that everyone knew it wasn’t a label for British hip hop, it was a British label which had hip hop on it. In the ten years it has been going, Big Dada has put out amazing record after amazing record and this DVD is a testament to that fact.

A 30 minute documentary which features Diplo, Mike Ladd, Juice Aleem, Roots Manuva, TTC, Ty and more talking about why they love their home label is an interesting and informative watch allowing the artists to express both their gratitude for being given a chance to shine and also their feelings on why the label has thrived so much.

It’s not just the documentary that you get with this DVD however, you get every single video ever released by the label, around 30 in all, for your viewing pleasure. See Roots Manuva go back to school for Witness (1 Hope), Infinitive Livez‘ Adventure Of A Lactating Man [if you’ve not seen this, get ready for weirdness] and other classic joints. As if that wasn’t enough, there is also a half hour megamix by System-D 128 of the videos which packs a real punch.

Big Dada has gone from strength to strength in its 10 years and the signs on this brilliant DVD are that there is a hell of a lot more to come. Happy Birthday BD, long may you continue!

Abjekt

Live At The Roundhouse: London
(Eagle Rock Entertainment)

Since joining forces as the Dresden Dolls at the turn of the decade, singer/pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione have gained a deeply loyal following with songs like ‘Backstabber‘ and ‘Coin Operated Boy‘; a mix of art-punk and cabaret influences. Small wonder, then, that their fans are a gaudily dressed, oft-costumed bunch, whom can always be relied on to come out to play when the Dolls are in town.

In November 2006, the band played two nights at London’s newly refurbished Camden Roundhouse, where they invited several of their performance artist friends along to create a wonderfully bizarre and entertaining event that highlighted the theatrical background of their music. Unfortunately, the footage of this aspect of the evening is fairly limited; just a handful of interviews with various performers, and a few clips of them in action.

Still, these were ultimately Dresden Dolls show, and the footage of the band’s live set (included in its entirety) is of superb quality. Considering that a pianist and a drummer hardly equate to a traditional rock band set-up, the duo turn in a raucous, vivacious performance; with highlights including an adrenaline-fuelled romp through ‘Modern Moonlight‘ , a stripped-down cover of Tears For Fears’ ‘Mad World‘, and a clutch of performers joining the band for backing vocals on ‘The Jeep Song‘.

As a document of the Dresden Dolls live experience, ‘Live At The Roundhouse‘ does a fine job, but it fails to truly capture the spirit of these two very special nights. This time, you really did have to be there.

Alex Gosman

The problem with compilations – be it on CD or DVD – is that if not done correctly they can present themselves as a rather shocking waste of time and money.

As luck would have it, the latest installment of the annual Roadrunner Roadrage DVD series is in fact not one of these, presenting genuine value for money and enough hard rocking action to give you whiplash. There may be a severe lack of extras here – you’re literally getting nothing but the videos listed on the back of the case – but it still amounts to one hell of a heavy metal marathon.

Featuring videos from the likes of metal gods Machine Head, thrash upstarts Trivium, hard rocking veterans Megadeth, pop-punk upstarts Madina Lake, sword-toting battle lords 3 Inches Of Blood and more, Roadrage 2007 looks set to provide metalheads across the UK with yet another excuse never to leave their bedroom. For a bit.

The DVD is available exclusively via Play.com for the bargain price of £5.99, so take your finger out of your ass and get clicking. Wash your hands first, mind.

Ryan Bird

(Ninja Tune)

Coldcut have always produced innovative music, splicing genres from all parts of the tuneful spectrum, and with this DVD release, they do all that and more. This DVD, which stands alongside their Sound Mirrors album features not only a DVD, but a remix CD.

So, let’s bump the CD quickly – DJ Kentaro hauls arse with his energetic drum n bass remix of ETUC, Spank Rock come in with a typically bassy and ballsy remix of True Skool, The Qemists give their own particular fuzzy and fast paced version of Everything Is Under Control and even UK rapper Sway puts his slant on True Skool. With that sort of calibre on the remix tip, you know it’s worth checking out.

Right then, onto the DVD. Every song on the album has got its visual counterpart, and every single video can stand out on its own as a terrific piece of art. But what makes this DVD such a valuable one is that every video really does fit the feel of the song its portraying and when watched in full, you are taken all over the place senses-wise.

From the charismatic appearance of Roots Manuva on the cover-art styled video of True Skool to the animation which bounces along to the thump of the bass in Just For The Kick to the mosaic backdrop of A Whistle And A Prayer, the individual styles all give the tracks another dimension.

Everything Is Under Control‘s video, which moves on a “Big Brother” style theme, runs close to the wire, showing masked riot police beating innocent people. The main character in the video is running away, trying to figure out what is going on whilst the constant flashing of the message that everything is under control tries to force its way into his consciousness.

The best video of the collection is the masterful Sound Mirrors. It begins in a similar vein to Massive Attack’s Teardrop, with its slow burning, gloomy atmospherics. Then the mesmeric turning of the light grabs your attention and slowly but surely, jelly fish evolve and are lit up against the bleak backdrop. Eventually they work their way up to the surface and onto a giant dish, which then transmits their light up to the sky.

If you’re a fan of Coldcut, then this is a must-buy as it shows just how malleable their music can be. But even if you’re not in love with the music, the videos are enough to warrant a purchase, each holding its own tiny piece of glory amongst the others.

Abjekt

Chaos Ridden Years/Stockholm Knockout Live
(Universal)

Given that black metal bands are generally not renowned for having a sense of humour, Children Of Bodom are something of an anomaly.

During the course of ‘Stockholm Knockout Live’ – a full-length recording of the band’s recent show in the Swedish capital – you’ll be treated to the sight of a car as part of their stage set, and the sight of keyboard player Janne Warman gleefully grilling sausages over the pyro flames. Oh, and let’s not forget the music; songs like ‘Silent Night, Bodom Night’ and ‘Follow The Reaper’ sounding as gloriously epic as ever.

If you like Children Of Bodom but have never seen them live, ‘Stockholm Knockout Live’ does a pretty good job of showing you what you’ve been missing. If you have been lucky enough to catch them live recently, then you’ll more or less know what to expect.

For the seasoned COB follower, there’s the ‘Chaos Ridden Years’ documentary, which chronicles the story of the band from their mid-90s inception to the present day. Featuring interviews with every member, it’s a detailed and often entertaining insight into the world of the Bodom, complete with snippets of live footage and general booze-addled tomfoolery.

Combine that with a clutch of promo videos and a couple of other extras, and you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet deal. Check www.cobhc.com for more info.

Alex Gosman

(Eagle Rock Entertainment)

Ask me who my favourite band is, and I’ll pick the Ramones every time.

They certainly weren’t the first band I loved, but Joey and his bruddas from Queens represent pretty much everything that I love about punk and rock n’ roll. Plus, they’ve influenced most other bands that I like, in one way or another, so forgive me if this review occasionally lapses into unashamed fan worship.

‘We’re Outta Here!’ is effectively a documentary of the band’s last ever show, at the Palace in Los Angeles on the 6th August 1996. The DVD footage will make you wish you’d been there; with a sold-out crowd going nuts as the Ramones tear through all those classics for one last time.

The band also had several of their friends along for the ride; so you’ll get to see Motorhead’s Lemmy joining the band for ‘R.A.M.O.N.E.S.’, Lars and Tim from Rancid helping out on ’53rd and 3rd’, and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder singing backing vocals on the closing ‘Any Way You Want It’.

The live clips are interspersed with various mini-interviews, which give an interesting and often revealing insight into the Ramones -both as a band and as individuals. Former members, producers, members of fellow NYC bands Blondie and Talking Heads, and various other famous fans of the Ramones all take their turn in front of the camera, along with the band themselves. There’s a certain aura of sadness that the band are finished, but also a great sense of pride for what they achieved.

The CD features a full-length recording of the show, with the band ripping through 32 songs in little over an hour. Sure, it’s no ‘It’s Alive!’ (the definitive Ramones live album), but the excellent sound, frenetic pace and Joey’s loveable stage banter are proof enough that this was a good show to bow out on.

If you ever saw the Ramones live, this will bring back fond memories. If – like me – you didn’t, then this is a fine snapshot of the latter-day Ramones live experience. Gabba Gabba Hey!

Alex Gosman

(Snowball Entertainment)
Director: David C. Thomas

This fine DVD documentary right here is the complete story of one of the worlds most innovative rock bands to ever bless this earth.

Detroit in the 1960’s catered only for the family that worked in the automobile industry. America at the time was under strict government control, life was becoming boring and youth culture started to rise above the demanding authorities and formed bands.

The MC5 in particular had an edge to them that made them stand out amongst the rest. They were unique in the way they delivered a new form of rock and roll that screeched its way in to bedrooms across the world, they had a sound that almost single handedly inspired the punk movement of the late 70’s and more to the point, they gave attitude out by the truck load and never took any shit from no one.

Once merged with the managerial services of local political activist John Sinclair who had formed the radical left wing “White Panther” party, the band caused controversy wherever they went with their music which alerted authorities leading up to the concern of the FBI and a barrage of police oppression that eventually saw Sinclair locked up for 10 years for possession of 2 spliffs of weed. The band went through their own drug problems and eventually split in 1972 just after living for a while in the UK where they managed to record ‘High Time’.

“The MC5 A True Testimonial” took 7 years to put together and takes you through the highs and lows of the entire journey that saw the band go from record company backing to nothing in a short amount of time, with words from band members Wayne Kramer, Michael Davis, Rob Tyner, Dennis Thompson and Fred “Sonic” Smith. It is an uplifting account of rebellion and a quest for freedom against all odds but also focuses on the demise of what MC5 once had. It tackles the feeling that 5 people have created to produce such a powerful message whilst race riots, the Vietnam War, censorship and political unrest permanently surrounded them and i can tell you straight up that it’s an incredible story!

So many bands have taken influence from the MC5, namely Iggy Pop and the Stooges who were their “little brother band“, Motorhead, The Ramones and the ‘grunge’ scene that exploded in the early 90’s with Nirvana, Mudhoney and many others. Once you discover the history of this band you will realise how much of an importance The MC5 once were and still are today.

You should try and find yourself a copy of this film online; it’s not easy to get hold of but its one of the best documentaries you will ever see, I guarantee that it will definitely make you “Kick Out the Jams Muthafucker!”

Zac
15.01.07

A film by Todd Phillips

If there was ever a DVD that could shock your system its this. GG Allin died of a heroin overdose in 1993 after a lifetime of self abuse and hatred to all human beings on the planet. His history was rife with anti social behaviour from an unstable family background and it was not long until he started to divulge into the world of punk rock, but GG had his own idea of how his band was going to perform in front of the public which caused outrage in Cities wherever he toured with his band The Murder Junkies.

Musically the results were a mess compared to other punk bands but they didn’t give a fuck as they had GG Allin on stage who would stagger out of his mind into the audience, who could never predict what he was going to do next. These spontaneously explosive sets consisted of puking and defecating all over the stage, then throwing it into the crowd whilst rubbing it all over himself as he stood in front of everybody in the venue naked.

He would ask the crowd to suck his dick and then kick the crap out of them one by one as assaults and fighting were part of the vicious live performance where GG walked into territory where he could simply annihilate.

These live sets were like nothing else you would have seen propelling him as a living legend. His following saw something of GG in themselves – the loneliness, the squalor, the government rules and the lack to live like society expects. Allin was also fascinated with serial killers and visited John Wayne Gacy various times who thought GG was special. The killer even painted a portrait of Allin as one of his own.

His controversy attracted so much attention that appeared on various TV talk shows in the USA including slots on Morton Downey, Jr, Geraldo and The Jerry Springer Show where he would spread his movement and promise parents that their children were his and had no power once they were introduced to his regime. Click here for a YouTube clip with GG’s last interview on the Jane Whitney show.

HATED gives you an insight into the pain, despair and violence sustained throughout his life with interviews, spoken word studio footage and the life outside of his reckless live shows that led his crusade for abomination.

It also features the last show he played at small club called The Gas Station in New York City. Once the power had cut out at the club, he went on the rampage, causing a riot in the streets and the entire scene from soundcheck to chaos is recorded throughout. The footage is undoubtedly mind-blowing to say the least.

He always said he would die on stage but fate got there first – about 3 hours after this show on June 28th 1993, GG Allin died of a heroin overdose in a friend’s apartment. His discolored, unwashed corpse was set in a casket with no make up, dressed in a black leather jacket holding a bottle of Jim Beam with headphones on.

You see the whole thing in the extras part of the DVD and it’s fucked up. It makes anything other rock and roll DVD documentary look tame and should certainly be one that you will remember as HATED is THE most fucked up documentary you will ever get to see.

Pick one up from here.

Zac
18.01.07

(Overgreenland Productions)

Minneapolis/St Paul might not be the haven of hip hop as far as the global community are concerned – no doubt it’s the metropolises of Los Angeles and New York in the minds of most. But for those of us who like to dig a little deeper, it is the Twin Cities in Minnesota that are currently bringing the world of hip hop to its knees.

Austyn Steelman came across it by chance, on a visit to her mother, when she went to Fifth Element, a record shop owned and run by Rhymesayers Entertainment which is the core of the hip hop scene in the cities. The beauty of visiting this store was that at any given time any number of rappers or producers will be there, and in the case of this DVD, you’ll get to hear the views of Los Nativos’ Felipe from the store and see his freestyling with Eyedea.

The other people interviewed are Atmosphere’s rapper Slug, DJ Abilities and the mainstay of the Hecatomb crew and friend of Rhymesayers, Carnage. What this documentary does well is find out how the scene differs from the usual NYC/LA stories, with Felipe explaining how the sound differs due to the different scenery, lack of skyscrapers and close proximity to the countryside.

You are able to learning about their histories too, from Eyedea’s days with the Battle Cats breaking crew through to how they make their records, with DJ Abilities’ views on exploring sound particularly interesting. What stands out as a big positive for me is that Steelman has focussed not just on Atmosphere, the big group that are well established, but also the smaller acts, like Los Nativos who are a great group in their own right, and given us a more rounded idea of what it’s like to grow up and mature in the hip hop scene in Minneapolis.

This DVD is certainly one for the underground hip hop fans, so get on over to the website and order your copy right now!

Abjekt