Search - Charlotte Martin: Something Like a DVD on DVD

Complex Entracing Perfection!

Steve Alcorn | Orlando, FL USA | 04/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlotte's music is complex, layered, almost mesmerizing, yet extraordinarily listenable, and always seems fresh. Her live performance on this DVD is nothing short of phenomenal, because she single-handedly recreates the intertwined piano, accompaniment and vocals. I found myself wishing for more shots of her masterful keyboard playing and somewhat less hyperactive editing, but they don't detract from the glorious sound of this DVD.

The accompanying CD, which wasn't included in the original DVD release, is called "Something Like a B-Side." There are eight songs, and they're all considerably better than B-sides! All of the tracks seem more open and less electronicly layered than the cuts on Stromata. If you like Charlotte's voice and piano playing, you'll like these. "Genesis" begins with some very nice layered harmonies. "Overcome" is a track she could probably reproduce live, one hand on the piano and one on a synth, but it sounds slickly produced. My favorite track is an alternate version of "Four Walls," which has an infectious electronic rhythm track, and is the down tempo version heard at some of her concerts.

Frankly, either the CD or the DVD alone is worth the price of admission. Together, they're a steal."

Amazing Live Show

Peter | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this DVD. The show is amazing, obviously, because it's Charlotte Martin. It's great for any fans who have not seen her live, really giving you a front-row-seat feel. It's great for those who have seen her live because you get to experience it over and over. Her delivery is great and her vocals are dead on. Her soaring vocals on "Veins" will give you goosebumps, her heartfelt performance of "Every Time It Rains" will make you well-up, and her passion in "Darkest Hour" will remind you why you love her so much.

The "Stromata" music video is a nice plus, but most fans have probably already downloaded that off iTunes--however, the quality is much better on the DVD. My favorite part of the DVD is the commentary, because it's very funny and conversational. It's just fun to listen to.

A downside of the DVD is the production quality. The camera work is not very good and shaky in some songs, and the editing could have been better. Also the setlist could have been better, especially considering she played some gems like "wild horses" and "snowflake" for the taping. It would have been great to see those show up on the DVD.

But my favorite part of this whole package is the bonus b-sides disc. I think the b-sides on the CD are incredible, and i actually listen to this disc more than I listen to Stromata. "Grave Clothes" is very sweet and soft, with impressive lyrics, "Overcome" is very empowering, and honestly it's just nice to hear some acoustic piano songs again. "Stromata" was a good experimental venture but i like charlotte best at the piano. "Revival" is one of her best songs, however her delivery on the disc is a little tamed down, I wanted to hear more fire! My favorite is actually "Four Walls (Funeral Version)." There's just something about that version that is infectious. I never get sick of it, or the original.

For any charlotte fan this is a must. If you don't have it, get it!"

We're thinking of urination

incubus1 | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charlotte Martin. Who would've thought that with only one full-length CD and two EPs--not counting the two impossible to find EPs she released whilst on tour--she had released at the original release of this would be grounds for Ms. Martin to release a live DVD. True, people have released them in the past (and still are for that matter) with only one CDs worth of material, but Charlotte is the antithesis to everything most artists are nowadays. Color me surprised when I stumbled across this gem of a DVD.

Recorded live on November 17th, 2005 in Los Angeles at the Silent Movie Theatre, this set is by far the smallest I've ever seen on a DVD. To give you an idea, the stage consisted of three light up rectangles around her piano, a glittery-gold curtain, and very mild lighting. Also, you can clearly see the exit sign from the stage. Not to mention that you can make out each and every face in the audience. Shows don't get much more intimate than this, and seeing Charlotte performing almost solely to her most loyal fans is something to behold as well.

In addition to the stellar set we're greeted with two unreleased tracks--one performed in the studio and the other actually a mastered track in which pictures are run as the song plays--both of which only serve Charlotte's catalog justice. The songs? Lost In Space (Charlotte performs it with only her vocals and her piano), and Step Back (the mastered song mentioned above). Step Back proving to be the better of the two.

Since this is the re-release of the original Something Like A DVD you're treated with a HUGE bonus...a bonus CD, and new cover art if that tickles your fancy but the CD is what is sure to draw every fan who already owns the first release. If you know Charlotte's music you already know it's worth paying that extra chunk of change just for.

Just as an add-on for those of us who are killing ourselves trying to find the Darkest Hour EP and the Test Drive EP, the songs she performs from those releases are absolutely haunting.

In case you're wondering, here's her setlist.

Veins
On Your Shore
Madman
Steel
The Girl I Left Behind
Up All Night
Bones
Every Time It Rains
Darkest Hour
Limits Of Our Love
Under The Gravel Skies
Four Walls
Something Like A Hero"