Hard Vision |
August 2007Mott the Hoople | Stryper | Graffiti TV | Oasis | Project Alf | High Times Ultimate Grow Mott The Hoople This is an unauthorized profile of the band. It features many people who were involved with Mott The Hoople in many different ways, or influenced by them. Included are several musicians (like the Clash's Mick Jones), journalists, and industry insiders, who tell the story of the band, album by album. Mott started off as Silence, then hooked up with producer/manager Guy Stevens and hired frontman Ian Hunter. These were major turning points in the band's career, and what really got the band going. After changing their name (which they got from a novel) they began recording albums and playing live. Although they developed a strong cult following on the live circuit (one critic calling them the most exciting live band in Britain at the time), their albums sold poorly, and they couldn't make a breakthrough. They were ready to call it a day when they met David Bowie, who offered to lend them his producing and songwriting talents. At first he offered them the song "Suffragette City", which they turned down (and Bowie later made into a hit of his own). Then Bowie suggested the song "All The Young Dudes". The rest, as they say, is history. This song gave Mott the breakthrough hit they needed, and became their most famous song, and their claim to fame. The band continued recording and touring into the 70s, scoring more hits, but this finally took its toll on Ian Hunter and he quit the band. While he started a solo career, the band continued on in various forms until they too eventually called it quits. This is a very detailed, insightful, and enjoyable look at the inside story of Mott The Hoople. They are best known for that one song, but this shows there was a lot more to the band. They made a lot of great music and were a very influential and underrated band. There are also some cool bonus items included; fan club founder Kris Needs talks about his first encounter with the band-they smuggled him into a school dance he wasn't supposed to be in, and he had to watch them from under a table! Mott keyboardist Morgan Fisher's (who later played keys with Queen on one of their tours) 8mm film of the band on tour in the US, with his commentary, is also included, along with a fun trivia quiz. Stryper Well, we all remember Stryper, right? How could anyone forget these righteous, religious rockers, with their neon bright yellow and black spandex and their bible tossing concert escapades? Stryper ruled the 80s with a rocking religious message, and some pretty cool music to boot. They had the musical chops to show they were not just a silly gimmick, and they knew how to rock. Still do, as a matter of fact. After a lengthy hiatus, Stryper swung back into action a few years ago. This DVD shows them playing a concert in Puerto Rico on 2004, with the original lineup (brothers Robert and Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, and Tim Gaines, resepctively). The bumble bee spandex and big hair are gone (although Oz still plays those yellow and black guitars of his), but the talent is still there. The guys have still got it in them, and they rock out like it's 1986! They play many of their classics, including "Soldiers Under Command", "To Hell With The Devil", "Honestly", "Free", "Calling On You", and many others. Mike and Oz are both very good guitarists, very Van Halen influenced, and Mike sings with his harmonious but gutsy voice. His pipes are no worse for wear, even after two decades. Brother Robert plays drums like there's no tomorrow, and Tim Gaines keeps perfect time on bass, just like always. It's almost like they were never gone. It shows that true talent never dies. The crowd is very enthusiastic and the boys really get them worked up. They do they usual thing, praying, preaching, and bible tossing. A rock concert meeting a revival-two opposite worlds, oil and water opposite, colliding. Kinda trippy, but Stryper have a way of making it work (and I've experienced it before myself, having seen the band back in the day. Took me a back a bit!). Just when you thought this kind of thing was gone with the 80s, Stryper have returned. Goes to show you some things never go out of style. Stryper were a unique band in many ways, the biggest one being a religious hair metal band, as well as a religious group who got mainstream success (not to mention the bumblebee stage garb!). Many considered them a novelty but as I said, they had the talent to show otherwise (and still do, as this performance shows). Although their music was comparable to other hair metal masters like Ratt, Scorpions, Kiss, Van Halen, etc, Stryper did manage a sound that was all their own. I can't think of another vocalist with a voice like Mike Sweet. Some live footage from their 80s heyday is included as bonus material. Get a load of Rob's drum kit at this concert-that thing goes for miles! Stryper put on a very good show here and it's clear they still got it in 'em. Religious or not, you'll have a blast rocking out to Stryper! GTV DVD The only reason why I watched this crap is because I had to do a review on it. I didn't mind the first few minutes...it was something new...had to wait to see what it was all about. One thing's for sure...this shit got old really quick. Oh, yeah, this is really what I wanna spend my time watching...a bunch of retards who ain't got nothing better to do with their time than to "keep it real" with a spray can. I sat through "Volume 4" first because it was the shorter of the two (44 minutes) and since I figured this was gonna be something I wasn't gonna be into, the short one seemed to be the better choice. People who steal, people who break into places they're not supposed to be...isn't that called criminal activity? Yeah...I want to watch a bunch of criminals in action as they "represent" and "keep it real." After going through "Volume 4," I had no interest in watching "The Best Of Graffiti TV," which features selections from the first three releases. But, since I had no choice, I threw it in my DVD player and wasted 64 minutes of my life. For a "best of," it certainly wasn't any better than the previous release. This one started off with some guys paintin' on a cop car. Not the brightest lightbulbs in the pack. More people with their "represent" and "keepin' it real" bullshit. You know, when you hear it once, it's not too bad. But, when they keep sayin' it over and over again...I don't know...that line about beatin' a dead horse comes to mind. The camera work is just plain bad. I've seen some bad shit in my time...but...this takes the cake. The noise in the backround doesn't help much either. I have some video in my collection that does that. But, I left them in the basement and they got damp...not a good thing....and I certainly wouldn't try to put 'em out there for the public to buy because that would just be rippin' people off...know what I mean. I'm sure there's an audience out there for this sort of thing. If you wanna spend your money on this junk, be my guest. I wouldn't suggest it. I mean, really, if you wanna throw your money away, I'll give you my address and you can send it to me. I'll spend it on something better than Graffiti TV, that's for sure. I know...I'm really down on these releases, right? Sorry, but, I can't help it. I call 'em as I see 'em. As they would say on Graffiti TV...I'm just keepin' it real, yo. Oasis I've seen a few of these "Under Review" DVD's. Some were good, some weren't so good. They're all pretty much the same. A group of people get together to talk about the band or, in this case, an album. I think you really need to be a fan of the band to be interested in these releases. I was never really into Oasis and I really didn't wanna sit through this one. But, I did...and not just because I had to review it. For the most part, the "Under Review" DVD's are put together rather well and they are worth watchin' at least once. This one features contributions official Oasis biographer Paolo Hewitt, Clint Boon, John Robb, Nigel Clark, Pat Gilbert, DJ Justin Moorhouse and ex-Uncut editor Paul Lester. More information about each of these people can be found in the bonus section. There's also an interview from 1995, "When Oasis Met Blur," which was before they became chart rivals. It's nice to have, I guess. I can never get into interviews you have to watch unless it's the actual interview, which this isn't. It's an audio file with random images. Even if I was into the band, this feature wouldn't really appeal to me. But, if you're a fan and you're wondering if this is worth picking up...I'd say yes. You'd get your money's worth out of this one. Project: ALF I'm not sure why this release was submitted to a hard rock/heavy metal website for review. But, I'm glad it was because...it's freakin' ALF, man. You've gotta love him. Not much to review since it's just the movie and, if you're an ALF fan, you already know the plot. I guess it wouldn't hurt to refresh your memory, huh? Okay, well, the original television show ended with an episode called "Consider Me Gone." ALF was on his way home and he ended up in military custody. "Project: ALF" picks up from there. Martin Sheen has a grudge against ALF, which is explained in the film and, because of that grudge, he's on a mission to terminate ALF. Luckily, William O'Leary and Jensen Dagget are on ALF's side and, when they learn of his scheduled termination, they kidnap ALF in order to save his life, with Martin Sheen hot on their tail. AFL is taken to another scientist, Miguel Ferrer, who wishes to expose him to the rest of the world...although he's not as kind as he seems to be and ALF is in more danger than anyone knows. How does it end? Well, you'll just have to pick up a copy to find out. It's a good movie for what it is. Of course, ALF is the star of the show. Almost every line he has is a wise crack. The other characters don't seem to put too much effort into their performance. Although Ed Begley Jr.'s cameo gives ALF plenty of good lines and Ray Walston adds a bright spot about midway through the film. The lack of the Tanner family is what a lot of die hard ALF fans had a problem with...and the fact that they were supposedly placed in Iceland didn't go over too well either. So, you pretty much have to enjoy it for what it is. Bottom line...it's a good family movie. High Times Presents: Jorge Cervantes' Ultimate Grow DVD One thing's for sure...Better Homes & Gardens this isn't. However, the information contained on this instructional DVD will make your home...and garden...a hell of a lot better if you take this knowledge and put it to good use. This release features everything you need to know about growing marijuana. We start off with a lesson on how to build a grow room from the ground up pretty much...including information on lamps, lights and electricity. Then we get into the party plant itself...starting with the seeds, clones...blah, blah, blah...right up to harvest time. Everything in between is covered as well...the soil, how to deal with pests, disease and fungi, the difference between plants, air, circulation, soil, containers...this dude talks about it all. I'm no expert on marijuana. But, I think it's safe to say that he didn't leave anything out...he even threw in some advanced techniques for good measure. There's also a nice little catalog that comes with it. This ain't no cheap production either...this release is, if you'll pardon the pun, very high quality. Top notch stuff here, dude. On a personal level, I'm not really into marijuana. I'm happy with beer...that does the trick for me. But, if you're a pot head and you grow your own, make sure you check this out. Oh, yeah...and don't get caught. |