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String Cheese Incident: Evolution, The

Image // Unrated // December 11, 2001
List Price: $24.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]

Review by Phillip Duncan | posted February 28, 2002 | E-mail the Author
String Cheese Incident (SCI) is another popular band filling in the void that was left when the Grateful Dead disbanded. They blend an interesting mix of bluegrass, folk, reggae, and pop to create their unique sound. The DVD presents a look at the band's 2000-2001 New Years Eve Celebration. It's more than just a concert, with audience participation and several visual performances as well.

This type of music is not for everyone. The constant jamming the band does bothers some, but is perfectly melded with the actual song presentation here. They divert from the main song long enough to make things interesting, but return before everyone loses interest. This is a lesson that other bands could take note on.

The only annoying thing about the disc is the fashion in which everything is presented. The concert is mixed with documentary footage of the bands history and events that led to the creation and execution of this show. It's al very interesting, especially the parts detailing the different performers that take part in the show, but it distracts from the music. It would have been nice to have this as an option instead of a necessity. I would have like to watch the concert without interruptions.

Beside that fact, this disc is a wonderful look at a band and a whole subculture that most do not appreciate. It offers up a nice history of the band, their individual backgrounds and a nice mix of extras. Perfect for fans and jam band lovers everywhere.

The Video: There is a great varying degree of video quality in the DVD. Everything from film to VHS seems present in the many film qualities present. It's never a distracting switch, because each format change represents a change in subject or timeframe. It's never a jarring switch.

The Audio: Audio quality is good with a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix that is competent. It's nothing earth shattering, but is still vastly superior in sound to a CD. It would have been nice to hear a little more from the rear speakers and the overall mix seemed a little flat. It lacked the punch that a good DVD concert mix can have.

The Extras: There are a nice mix of extras present that all relate well to the disc. They are all contained in the amusingly titled Extra Cheese section. There are more concert performances from other venues and a multi-angle featured is contained in the Cut Your Own Cheese section. Band members are also interview individually and have their own bio sections that list such things as their favorite films, foods and bands. It's interesting the things that they have in common from reading their individual answers. Also included are photo galleries covering the band and their New Year's concert.

Overall: It's definitely a disc that fans and casual fans—such as myself—can easily pickup and enjoy. There is enough of a mix of documentary and concert to keep things interesting, but a concert only feature would have been icing on the cake.

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