Barenaked Ladies Talk To The Hand: Live In
Michigan (2007/Summit/Shout!
Factory Blu-ray)
Picture: B Sound: B Extras: C Concert: C+
Formed in
1988, the Canadian Rock/Pop band Barenaked Ladies have been now-longtime
survivors in the business with a group of hits that were never monster
successes, yet consistent in what they are capable of. If anything, their tribute to Brian Wilson
entitled Brian Wilson is one of
their most memorable works. Why they
have not expanded beyond that is odd, but they are still together, performing
here on June 15, 2007 with the oddly titled concert release Talk To The Hand: Live In Michigan now
on Blu-ray.
The songs
include many of those hits you might have heard somewhere, including:
1)
One Week
2)
The Old Apartment
3)
Sound Of Your Voice
4)
Bank Job
5)
Too Little Too Late
6)
Adrift
7)
For Your (acoustic version)
8)
Be My Yoko Ono (acoustic version)
9)
Wind It Up
10) Angry People
11) Pinch Me
12) Powder Blue
13) Brian Wilson
14) Easy
15) If I Had $1000000
Yes, the
commas are never apparently in the title of the last hit, though it is that way
in the menus of the actual disc. As for
the concert, it is not bad, but lacks a certain energy and intensity I expected
from what I have managed to see of the band over the years. The concert is not a disaster, not their
worst night on stage, but I was not overwhelmed by it in total and though it is
a good showcase of their work and abilities, it does not have the overall
impact it should. However, it gives one
a good idea of where they are now, but leaves the question of where and if they
are going anywhere more interesting.
The 1080i
1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image has some good color and shots, but also
as definition issues and is not a state-of-the-art, which is ever-changing with
HD. More of a variety of shots and some
different editing choices would not have hurt either. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is not bad, but does
not take full advantage of the formats potential so they sound good, but not
great. The combination is not a
disappointment, but not demo quality either.
Extras include Backstage With The
Ladies, Concert Photo Montage and
a sound check featuring Angry People.
- Nicholas Sheffo
