Got this yesterday morning, slid into DVD player.
It’s an odd feeling, knowing what to expect from a DT live DVD. I’ve seen this show 3 times, so I know there’s going to be no setlist changes, no new arrangements, no extended improve jams. DT have become predictable and – dare I say it – boring.
What we do get is DT at the top of their game, playing with the clinical precision that only they can. While I do enjoy this side of DT, I hope they loosen up again for the next tour. So there’s no real surprises in the show, what about the disc?
Well, the picture is clear and sharp, with none of the lens flare and colour bleeding that affected Luna Park. I do wish they’d shoot these things on film instead of video though. Oh wait, showing my age there, it’s all shot on digital these days, isn’t it? Well, I wish they’d digitally grade these things to look like film rather than video. There’s a lack of “wide shots” of the stage/screen/lights, with the emphasis on shots of the band. Kind of odd, as the band are playing with one of the best stage productions they’ve taken on the road, you’d think they’d want to show it off more.
The audio is superb – a damn near perfect sound mix. It has that big, echo-y live sound the band have been going for on recent releases, the drums sound huge and booming, everything is clear in the mix, with lots of spaces in between. Lovely.
The orchestra and choir on Illumination Theory is just… well, words fail me. You have to hear this for yourself. The orchestra is tuned down a little for the encores, it’s still there but it doesn’t distract. It’s a nice touch, and used so much better than on Score.
And I’ve never really appreciated before just what a powerhouse vocalist JLB is.
So what we have here is the best DT live release since Budokan. Yes, the extras are a little light (I’d have liked to have seen the Enemy Inside video), but when the main course is this good, who really cares?
Only other quibble – no stand-alone CD!
10 out of 10.