Greetings... I've just posted a (long) review of the new
Kraftwerk DVD I thought you might be interested in reading. Go to one
of these sites and/or read the text below... cheers
http://serenadeingreen.blogspot.com/
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/12/08/042731.php
Five word summary: "somewhere between minimum and maximum"
all the words...
Kraftwerk: Minimum-Maximum DVD -- At long last... the reclusive
mensch-machines from Dusseldorf have assembled an official "MusikFilm
produkt"... Like the 2-CD collection of the same name, Minimum-Maximum
was recorded live during Kraftwerk's 2004 world tour. The DVD has the
same track listing as the CDs, in fact (with one "bonus track" on the
DVD)... and yes, even the exact same cover art... just as you might
expect from the "inventors of techno" who have embraced, emulated and
literally embodied high technology, mass production, and robotic
coolness for over 30 years.
I was fortunate enough to see Kraftwerk's live "produkt" in Chicago
earlier this year, and the Minimum-Maximum DVD is indeed an accurate
document of the concert experience -- only without the sticky floors,
brain-melting volume, sweaty audience, and overpriced beer.
Of course this is a technical improvement over the bootleg DVD I've
seen of a 2004 London Kraftwerk show (although the shaky digital
camerawork added a somewhat welcome human element...) The graphics and
menus are sleek, simple, and streamlined. There are Stereo and DTS 5.1
Surround sound options, and as you would expect, both mixes are clean,
clear, and precise (with crowd sounds and applause present when
appropriate... just like on the Minimum-Maximum CDs.)
Could a live performance by an electronic band possibly be that
interesting to watch? Well, Kraftwerk's unique (and strangely
irresistible) stage presence has to be seen to be believed: the band
(four middle-aged, clean cut German guys identically dressed in a
variety of subdued yet strange outfits) stand behind laptops and
synthesizers doing whatever they do back there (maybe playing Solitaire
or balancing their checkbooks? we never do get so see those laptop
computer screens on the DVD...) and the one on the left (Ralf) adds
minimal vocals now and then. You know it's 90%
pre-recorded/pre-programmed music, but watching these four guys up
there tapping their feet and bobbing around is somehow quite adorable
and engaging. The big "theatrical" moment comes when the band members
are replaced by creepy/kitschy robot versions of themselves performing
the song... yes, you guessed it: The Robots. If you expect stage diving
and guitar burning, though, you've definitely come to the wrong place.
Visually, the DVD is mostly a standard "concert video," with frequent
wide shots of the stage area and the all-important visuals projected
behind the band... essentially you'll see the show as if you had been
there... sitting in the best seats in the house. Maybe this is as it
should be -- just don't expect an electronica Woodstock or a techno
Gimme Shelter... (wouldn't that be great, though?)
There are some occasional close-ups and attempts at "production
touches" that are a bit awkward, such as showing the band members'
hands and heads on the buttons of the "Pocket Calculator" (resulting in
sort of a Brady Bunch/Hollywood Squares effect.) There's also a rather
amateurish digitally pixellated pseudo-psychadelic freak out during
Home Computer (do not adjust your DVD player...) Now and then there are
split-screens and cross-fades, and when the background videos are in
black and white, the band is also (not sure if that's supposed to be
"artistic" or some kind of mistake...) And I noticed only one crowd
shot during the entire two hour concert. Overall, in contrast to the
highly stylized, synchronized, and very professional projected films
used by the band, the production, direction, and editing of the concert
itself has a surprisingly (and slightly embarrassing, especially for
Kraftwerk) low budget digital video look to it (the credits list a
three man camera crew, which is very obvious...) It's almost like they
got a few of those bootleg camera guys and gave them a couple thousand
bucks to improve upon their earlier efforts.
I would nevertheless recommed this release as an entirely functional
live concert DVD of a legendary band... but I do have a few more
gripes: Most importantly, why isn't there more bonus material? Yes,
it's fun and weird to see Krafterk performing at the MTV video
awards... but surely there are plenty of rare video goodies in the
KlingKlang vaults that could have been included (like we got on Led
Zeppelin's amazing double DVD.) And why not release the CDs and DVDs at
the same time (or packaged together) rather than hitting the fans with
the ol' "double dip" a few months after we've already bought the CDs
(and possibly a concert ticket too)? It also doesn't indicate anywhere
on the packaging or credits where any of this was actually filmed... it
looks like it's all the same venue, but who knows (I guess who cares
when the show is pretty much the same everywhere... but this info is to
be expected on a live concert release -- and besides, the
Minimum-Maximum CDs list the city and venue for each track!) ...
sigh... well, let's wrap this up...!
Are you new to Kraftwerk? You need this: it's a good way to immerse
yourself in the band... The less memorable new material (Expo 2000,
Vitamin, an overlong Tour de France sequence) is much more enjoyable
with the visuals, plus you get all the classic Kraftwerk hits (albeit
in their digitized The Mix versions) and all the fabulous
retro-futuristic imagery from the band's past and present all in one
shiny package.
Are you a longtime Kraftwerk fan? You need this too (actually you
probably already have it): True, you'll feel shortchanged by the lack
of bonus material and surprised that the video produciton quality isn't
at the same meticulously professional level you have come to expect
from Kraftwerk. Regardless, you're grateful there's finally an official
KlingKlang DVD, and if you've never seen the band live, this is the
next best thing.
A final note for avid collectors, obsessed fans, and/or the
independently wealthy: There's a deluxe limited edition "Notebook"
Minimum-Maximum box set packaged as a fake laptop computer... it
includes the DVDs and CDs plus an 88 page book of tour photos and
technical data... (technical data...? would anyone really pay extra for
that...? and who needs photos when you have the DVDs...? I think I'll
pass, guys.... maybe next time...)
****************************************
Stephen V. Funk
http://serenadeingreen.blogspot.com/