Andy Nichols
Seasonal cash grabs or worthy stocking stuffers?
Ho-ho-ho boy. It’s beginning to feel a lot like a seasonal cash grab.
Despite being a stocking-stuffingly heavy time for CD releases books DVDs overwrought box sets repackaged old stuff contemporary Christmas albums and an endless selection of “greatest hits” packages (many from acts who are neither great nor possess any hits) the December buying season is almost always quantity over quality.
The music fan on your list is sometimes tough to buy for but concert DVDs and artist documentaries have proven to be one of the only true growth segments in the music industry. Here the 2010 releases that have caught our attention — for better or for worse.
Rush
2122 * Moving Pictures
The latest instalment from the Classic Albums doc series this package boasts being “The definitive story of the albums.” Although the package is informative and mildly interesting (if you’re a Rush fan) the Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen directed documentary Beyond the Lighted Stage is far more entertaining (if you’re a Rush fan). Regardless both beg the question “How much is too much Rush?” Of course that depends on the prog-classic rock fan on your Christmas list. Two reindeer (out of five).
INXS
Mystify
No shortage of relics from past glories makes Christmas 2010 unlike any other holiday buying season. Captured live at the Lorely Festival on the banks of the Rhine during the band’s peak in 1997 (mere months before Michael Hutchence’s untimely death by as it’s speculated autoerotic asphyxiation) two things stand out on Mystify : 1. Some of these songs haven’t aged all that well. 2. Hutchence was an outstanding frontman in his day — and by all accounts pretty kinky too. Two-and-a-half reindeer. Gross.
The Big Four
Live From Sofia Bulgaria
Nothing says Christmas like five hours and two DVDs of Metallica Slayer Megadeth and Anthrax. Watching Anthrax and Megadeth ripping it up through torrential downpours is almost worth the price of admission alone. The package highlight occurs when all four bands join onstage to perform the Diamond Head pseudo-classic “Am I Evil.”
After five hours of mayhem it’s clear that Slayer still rules the roost. It’s also good to know that we’re all aging at the same clip. Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman are far less menacing when they’re carrying 50 extra kilograms between them. Four bloody reindeer. Ultra gross.
The Rolling Stones
Ladies & Gentlemen The Rolling Stones
Captured at their absolute peak during the 1972 Exile On Main Street tour — and you have to go back at least this far in order to truly appreciate the Stones — it’s been a while since Mick Keith and the lads looked or sounded this good. Hard to understand why this has been on ice for 38 years but better late than never. Besides dad and maybe even granddad still like to rock. Five elegantly wasted reindeer.
Velvet Revolver
Live in Houston
This five-year-old live DVD just makes you long for a bona fide Guns N’ Roses reunion. Slash and Axl need each other at least as badly as David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. Three corkscrew-haired reindeer. Next.
Jane’s Addiction
Live Voodoo
This is way way better than you might think. Captured at the massive New Orleans Voodoo Festival on Oct. 31 2009 the original Jane’s lineup plays 13 cuts from its first two albums and that’s something only overshadowed by a maniacal crowd jumping around in a stunning array of Halloween costumes. Four ’90s punk reindeer that “Been Caught Stealing.”
And to all a good night.
