Fantomas – The Director’s Cut Live: A New Year’s Revolution
Over ten years after Fantomas released their Director’s Cut album featuring covers of film and television themes, they release a DVD and mp3 album (available separately) of a live version recorded (it doesn’t specify, but I think it was) New Year’s Eve 2008/’09.
I’ll start with the album: It’s OK. Not too different from the original. Maybe some parts are extended. I’d probably only recommend it for completists. It does also have an encore of Simply Beautiful. The other difference is that the drums are played by Dale Crover and not Dave Lombardo. But they’re played similarly enough though.
But the DVD is where it’s at. I’m generally not into concert DVDs. This one’s OK. It at least has multiple camera angles and looks good. There are also some goofy things in there that I don’t want to ruin, but enhances the experience greatly.
The real reason that you NEED this DVD is the commentary which is provided by America’s Funnyman Neil Hamburger. Which, by itself, was awesome enough when I found that out. But when I selected the feature a couple nights back, I was delighted to find that it’s not just an audio commentary. There’s video of Neil watching the video while the concert plays in the bottom corner. It elevates an awesome feature to totally amazing.
Leonard Cohen – Live In London
At 74 years old, Leonard Cohen is still one of the best songwriters and performers of our time. Live In London is a beautiful two-disc set and separate DVD of Cohen’s performance at London’s O2 Arena in July of last year. The set is a career-spanning set that includes a lot of Cohen’s classic material and is a perfect companion to The Essential Leonard Cohen released a few years back.
Though the concert was in the O2 Arena, which holds about 20,000 people, this feels like such an intimate show. I will have to admit that I am not as well in tune with Leonard’s back catalog as with some of the other artists from his era. So, this was a treat on many levels. The album and the DVD have mirror tracklisting so you are not missing out any tracks if you just grab one. But, after hearing the album or watching this DVD this will need to be in your collection.
Leonard has such a cool and slick vibe to him. He still has that same low tone that drips out cool. He does a few bits of banter during the tracks which are rather fun. Leonard does not disappoint and does include some of his signature tracks such as “Everybody Knows” “Bird On The Wire” and “Suzanne.” The version of Suzanne was especially a compelling and emotional moment of the set.
“Hallelujah” is easily Cohen’s most recognizable song and his version here is easily one of the best I have ever seen. “Democracy”shows off Cohen giving one of his strongest vocals.
Cohen does not tour that often and that is another reason to pick up this amazing collection. I have already watched it about four times since I got it.
Soulwax – Part of The Weekend Never Dies
The documentary is a fascinating look at the people behind Soulwax, Nite Verisons, 2 Many Djs or any of their other names they go bye. The documentary follows their new concept of touring called “Radio Soulwax” which, sees them play as Soulwax and DJ under their 2 Many Djs name as well as other people join in for the fun. It was also great to hear interview with all the other acts they had as well because you never get to hear much from these artists. James Murphy, Tiga, and Nancy Whang provide a lot of interview that really showcase the personalities of these guys. Tiga’s few clips were great because the guy seemed so revved up and excited it was wonderful. But, I think what he said about Soulwax was dead on “they were godfathers.”
The footage from the live shows were so amazing. The angry and the power in the live sets can really be seen. After one of the shows there is a great clip of a guy licking a young ladies leg which was just a hilarious. After awhile, it was hard to imagine how hard this must have been for Soulwax. They were performing live and DJ’ing each night after awhile that has go to take a toll on you. You can see at times during the film that they just looked very tired and broken down. Another, great little tidbit was the story behind the brilliant track “NY Excuse.” I had no idea after all this time that James Murphy worked on the track.
“Part Of The Weekend Never Dies” is a great look at some of the pioneers of this new moment. Soulwax were a big part of it but it also seems that everyone is friend and they are all close. If you don’t already have “Any Minute Now” seriously go out and grab a copy along with this as this some life altering stuff right here.
By John Siwicki
Justice – A Cross The Universe
An electronic/dance act performing live is always a tricky thing. Now, once you get that format down it is hard to really capture the moment on the record. It is a little different from a rock band as a lot of a seeing a dance act perform is a lot of the atmosphere and the situation. One of the best live albums I have ever heard was Underworld’s “Everything, Everything.” As anyone who has heard their debut album the band have the songs that will be able to get the people going crazy. “DANCE” “DVNO” and “Tthhee pparrty” in any setting will also get people fired up.
I have never seen Justice live so I can’t really compare the two experiences. It seems that the band live just use it as a live DJ set which, is still cool and nearly impossible to perform these songs live. There were a few songs that come over really well. “Stress” was the first one that really got my attention. The track is a bit frantic but you can hear the crowd during most of the song in the background and that makes you feel like you were in the mix there. Then we had the “We Are Your Friends (Reprise)” which, had a few chants of the “we are your friends” line by the crow before Justice throw down some nice and hard beats.
The live album is a solid effort. I found myself getting very much into this mix. The encore by the band was a great touch. “NY Excuse” is one the new classics that is very underrated in my eyes. I just have a feeling it does not do the band justice(that was unintentional) as you know being their at the gig could not be replicated. It is still better than nothing.
By John Siwicki