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Circuit Music Journal Vol. 5
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The DVD:
Number 5 the latest issue from Circuit, the interactive DVD music magazine that has been publishing efforts for a while now. There are a few minor things that I still am not thrilled about with this disc, but at the same time, there are some big improvements that I think heighten the experience of the DVD.
The only complaint is the complaint that I've had with other issues, and it's a minor one. The menus try to be hip and flashy, but I still think they're a little too much. I'd rather have a more simple approach without the clips. Once the viewer gets to the section menus, they're fine - but the clips are not needed.
Now that I've gone through the minor complaint, I'll chat about the positive aspects. The material offered on this disc is more enjoyable than past issues that I've sampled. There are some very cool interviews and behind-the-scenes clips, such as a behind-the-scenes look at the Jayhawks recording in the studio.
There are also four "live in concert" scenes, from Breakbeat Era, Death In Vegas, Royal Trux and Supreme Beings Of Leisure. This section also illustrates what I consider the "layer" concept(that's what I like to call it) that Circuit seems to function on. At first glance, we just see the live performances. But, with a closer look, the disc also offers things such as interviews with the band on alternate tracks - and some also have more than one alternate track for additional material.
The band covered in this issue is the Replacements, and the disc offers short films and videos from them, as well as a live performance and a biography/discography. All of the bands highlighted throughout the issue are: The Jayhawks, The Residents, Breakbeat Era, Death In Vegas, Royal Trux, Supreme Beings Of Leisure, Gomez, Scritti Politti, Deathray and The Wiseguys. If you want to learn more about the band, most of the sections offer a nice interactive biography.
Before I move on, I also want to talk about where I felt this issue makes a big leap from previous issues. The sound is more consistently in 5.1 on these segments. Although the live recordings were not "the best" concert recordings I've heard on DVD, they're definitely above average, and stronger than the sound for previous issues. Bass is warm and rich for the performances, and the music comes across with pleasing clarity and detail. The picture quality varies from good to very good - the only flaws are the occasional artifact and slightly grainy looking image on occasion.
Also, there are a couple of trailers for Warner Brothers movies. "Three Kings" is presented in 2.0 and full frame, and "House On Haunted Hill" is letterboxed and in 5.1(and it sounds very good). The "junk drawer" section offers some strange clips that, honestly, aren't needed on the disc and could have been used for something else.
My final thoughts on this disc are that Circuit just needs to smooth out the menus and presentation a little. There's nothing wrong with the material itself, and the clips that are in 5.1 sound excellent. At $14.95(and lower online), the price is certainly right. I'm recommending this issue, and I like where the series is heading.
Grade:B+
Number 5 the latest issue from Circuit, the interactive DVD music magazine that has been publishing efforts for a while now. There are a few minor things that I still am not thrilled about with this disc, but at the same time, there are some big improvements that I think heighten the experience of the DVD.
The only complaint is the complaint that I've had with other issues, and it's a minor one. The menus try to be hip and flashy, but I still think they're a little too much. I'd rather have a more simple approach without the clips. Once the viewer gets to the section menus, they're fine - but the clips are not needed.
Now that I've gone through the minor complaint, I'll chat about the positive aspects. The material offered on this disc is more enjoyable than past issues that I've sampled. There are some very cool interviews and behind-the-scenes clips, such as a behind-the-scenes look at the Jayhawks recording in the studio.
There are also four "live in concert" scenes, from Breakbeat Era, Death In Vegas, Royal Trux and Supreme Beings Of Leisure. This section also illustrates what I consider the "layer" concept(that's what I like to call it) that Circuit seems to function on. At first glance, we just see the live performances. But, with a closer look, the disc also offers things such as interviews with the band on alternate tracks - and some also have more than one alternate track for additional material.
The band covered in this issue is the Replacements, and the disc offers short films and videos from them, as well as a live performance and a biography/discography. All of the bands highlighted throughout the issue are: The Jayhawks, The Residents, Breakbeat Era, Death In Vegas, Royal Trux, Supreme Beings Of Leisure, Gomez, Scritti Politti, Deathray and The Wiseguys. If you want to learn more about the band, most of the sections offer a nice interactive biography.
Before I move on, I also want to talk about where I felt this issue makes a big leap from previous issues. The sound is more consistently in 5.1 on these segments. Although the live recordings were not "the best" concert recordings I've heard on DVD, they're definitely above average, and stronger than the sound for previous issues. Bass is warm and rich for the performances, and the music comes across with pleasing clarity and detail. The picture quality varies from good to very good - the only flaws are the occasional artifact and slightly grainy looking image on occasion.
Also, there are a couple of trailers for Warner Brothers movies. "Three Kings" is presented in 2.0 and full frame, and "House On Haunted Hill" is letterboxed and in 5.1(and it sounds very good). The "junk drawer" section offers some strange clips that, honestly, aren't needed on the disc and could have been used for something else.
My final thoughts on this disc are that Circuit just needs to smooth out the menus and presentation a little. There's nothing wrong with the material itself, and the clips that are in 5.1 sound excellent. At $14.95(and lower online), the price is certainly right. I'm recommending this issue, and I like where the series is heading.
Grade:B+
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