The Hellacopters – Goodnight Cleveland
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C+ Main Program: B-
Rock fans just love The Hellacopters and now a DVD has
been issued showing the band on tour in the United States. Goodnight Cleveland (2003) shows the band
meeting fans, playing concerts and dealing with the usual life on the
road. We have seen this a million
times, but what always makes a program like this work is whether the band
itself is any good or interesting, as I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (reviewed
elsewhere on this site) did so well in showing changes in the great band Wilco.
The actual work runs only 48 minutes, but the DVD is
loaded with all kinds of interesting and enhancing extras that serve as a great
introduction to those who do not know the band and a real feast for the growing
core of fans. These guys are a hoot and
talented. They are a Rock original and
care about their work. They also enjoy
getting nuts, which is part of the point.
The camera also happens to like these guys, which makes watching the
proceedings amusing enough.
Though they have had no mainstream or Pop hits, something
fans might like to keep that way, they are Rockers in the best tradition. They also have talent, which helps. Most important, they care about their fans
minus any silly sentimentality. If you
have not heard of the band or heard any of their music, Goodnight Cleveland
is a great opportunity to learn about The Hellacopters. They could still become the next big thing
in Rock, which needs all the help it can get right now.
The back of the DVD case amusingly boasts “New Analog
Transfer” both bashing digital hype and even giving a nod to vinyl record Rock
fans. The full screen image is shot on
amateur video and film, not looking optimal, but is sufficient. This is especially true as compared to some
of the older analog video on the extras.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is Stereo on the regular soundtrack and on
the alternate “Spaghetti Western” version, which is also stereo and sounds very
much like Elmer Bernstein’s Magnificent Seven music and is also offers
Pro Logic-type surrounds. Another
soundtrack is actually a commentary track by the band. The audio is also the same on all the
supplements, but this is often monophonic or lesser stereo without any
surrounds. All in all, including about
an hour of outtakes and additional concert moments (like their 2nd-ever
show), this still sure beats a VHS bootleg.
For an independently produced DVD, this puts many
mainstream music DVD-Videos to shame.
Part of it is simply giving fans and viewers many things to choose
from. Though this is not the most
loaded such DVD to date, it is a more respectable showing than many have put
out lately, making Goodnight Cleveland a good, solid disc worth your
time.
- Nicholas Sheffo
