Stereophonics - 'A Day At The Races' (V2)
4/5
By: Toby L
Stereophonics have opted for plenty of concert-releases in the past, presumably in order for their fans to replay classic performances in the comfort of their own homes, as opposed to in a muddy field - and 'A Day At The Races' is the latest, providing all the highlights of their impressive sell-out shows from Donington Park and the Cardiff Millennium Stadium during last year's summer.
Content >>>
Musically, the DVD is stunning; providing virtually the full performances of their stadium set-lists from 2001, you get the Phonics' chronological catalogue of tunes, right from 'the beginning', as Jones puts it, with 'Local Boy In The Photograph', right up through to the recent soul-rock collision of 'Vegas Two Times'. Kelly and the boys - including the slightly newer five-piece line-up - are on consistent top form throughout, particular highlights proving to be the eerie pop of 'Mr Writer' and almost touching singalong crowd moments, such as 'More Life In A Tramp's Vest' and the irrepressible 'Just Looking'. Atmosphere-wise - the crowd-shots, the elaborate stage-set and lighting are all caught on camera with the same romanticism that one receives when in attendance of such a special concert, and by the time the men in front walk off, you experience the same lull of an anti-climax, yet high of a satisfaction, as those fans that were actually there would have done.
Sadly, the DVD-extras - namely the lengthy and rather tame documentary - fail to maintain such a pulse. Indeed, the aforementioned following of the band via the assistance of cameras whilst they prepare for the two massive shows is occasionally mind-numbing, if only intriguing for the moments when you see the band in their lavish backstage environment, boarding on to leather-clad seated joy-wagons and lazing around in their gigantic dressing-rooms with friends and family-members. Aside from that, though, unless you like hearing multiple swear-words in a Welsh accent - which, admittedly, can often be an amusing proposition - then you might as well peruse the 'Cutting Room Floor' bonus-tracks - inclusive of a sterling 'A Thousand Trees' - and 'Photo Gallery'.
Sound & Vision >>>
What you're basically presented with in 'A Day At The Races' is a simple representation of a concert, with no special effects or unusual camera-angles; it's fast, occasionally gritty, and otherwise well-conducted. On the sound front, although hardly much like a live orchestra in the Royal Opera House, it does the job pretty well, capturing a fair fix of audience cheers and applause alongside a stealthily-defined separation of all the instruments being paraded on-stage, whilst still possessing all the rock 'n' roll sexiness of a finely distorted guitar.
Overall, the Stereophonics triumphed last summer - and this is the best way to recall the memories; and it certainly beats those dodgy bootlegs that your mate flogs down the market.
Artists in this article: Stereophonics
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