The Groundhogs: Live at Astoria (Eagle DVD/CD Set)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: C     Music/Concert: D

 

 

If you are going to make a movie and you decide to put a movie poster in your shot, you better make sure that you make a movie better than the one featured in the movie poster.  This is an unspoken movie making rule, the same thing applies similarly to the music world in that you never play a concert and wear a T-shirt for a band that is better than yours because they will see the shirt and start thinking about that band rather than yours.  Well, I knew that things were going to be interesting when The Groundhogs came on stage and the lead guitar player/singer was wearing a Groundhogs shirt of all things, can you get any more desperate than this?   

 

Chances are if you have heard of this band than you don’t really need a reason to buy this DVD/CD set as you probably are a die-hard fan and already own it, but if you haven’t heard of this band, this DVD/CD set won’t likely change your mind either way.   

 

Set list: 

 

Shake For Me

Eccentric Man

3744 James Road

I Want You To Love Me

Split Part 1

Split Part 2

Mistreated

Cherry Red

Groundhog Blues

Down in the Bottom 

 

 

The real disappointment here is the performance of this particular DVD, which is low budget and wouldn’t really matter how it was put to DVD.  Starting with the 1.33 X 1 full frame transfer it immediately looks flat with poor color quality, grain, noise, and resolution is a problem throughout.  Darks are almost non-existent and look more faded gray than anything.  The 2.0 stereo mix is inadequate as well and demonstrates a poor recording that is unbalanced and only further demonstrates why high-end equipment, proper calibration, and expert technicians need to be the ones handling the mastering process in both the audio and video departments of a concert.   The CD is not any better.

 

Fans probably won’t care that much, but this disc won’t make any new converts.

 

 

-   Nate Goss