Search - FANS ONLY on DVD

Made with love

Shiny Falafel | fremont, ca | 01/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"the dvd is a retrospective of one of the best bands of the last part of the 20th century, belle and sebastian. if you are looking into getting a primer on the band, i suggest you purchase "if you're feeling sinister", "the boy with the arab strap" the lazy line-painter jane box set before you delve your finances into this gem.
belle and sebastian fans are notorious for their cult-like obsession with the glasgow band, and this dvd is the perfect fix. it contains old footage of the band and connects them to newer performances to show how much the band has evolved and from 96 to as early as 98 how massive their music spread. the music they were making in 96, 60s pop with velvet underground riffs and subversive arty lyrics sung by the voice of a choir boy, might have taken their influences from bands past but they were doing nothing anyone was doing at the time.
the type of music they played weren't meant for doing promotional work or selling albums. it was for the sake of making music and "fans only" shows that side of belle and sebastian, the side that made them a mysterious group that garnered publicity by trying to avoid it. the popularity of the band also is a testament to the rabid fans across the world who spread the quality of pop music through word of mouth. this dvd is for them.
not only does it show an evolution of a band musically, but in front of the camera as the earlier videos show a shy, more twee-ish interviews which later videos show the band gaining more confidence and comfort in front of cameras, especially in a hilarious interview with some brazilian talk show.
the growth also shows in the music videos, which started out with hand-held super 8s and a casual approach that shows their sincerity, to much more expensive productions. the interesting part is that from point a and point b (where they are now), there is still a sense of excitement and fun and playfulness in their performances that are not only surprising but a pleasure to see in a world where bands generally get jaded after any type of exposure.
the one qualm (like a true idiot fanboy) of this dvd is that i would have preferred to hear the live audio of the sessions on 54th performance of "dylan in the movies" and the whole performance of stevie richards doing the beach boy's "darlin". but those are stupid complaints with what the brilliance of this dvd to this biased fan. highly recommend if you are a fan of this group.
note: after the credits, there is a bonus performance of "legal man" from the top of the pops where the monkey butler (from the "fold your hands child..." cd sleeve a/k/a stuart david) makes an appearance."

Captivating for Fans (and even non-fans)

Carrie McGath | Chicago, IL | 03/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is an absolute essential for any Belle & Sebastian fan, but it could be enjouyed by those crazy, non-belle and sebastian fans. My fiance was not a fan and was often irritated by their music accusing it of being "bubblegummy going to the mall music." never understood such a harsh and totally untrue comment, but that was his opinion. But we watched For Fans Only together and he now very much appreciates their music and the colorful personalities that make up the band. This band, unlike so many, has so much depth and talent. i mean how many "singers, rock stars" or whatever they're calling themselves today can play one instrument, let alone several? it is lighthearted, informative for fans, the videos are great, and these elements all culminate into being a film that will become a classic in the rockumentary genre, if it hasn't already."

A good gift for Belle and Sebastian fans

life pursuit | Seattle, WA USA | 12/19/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoyed this DVD because although I have
been a big fan of them, I knew very little about them. Having no cable TV or high-speed internet, I've never seen their videos, let alone knew what they look like. In some sense this DVD reintroduced me to the band that I have always loved. It tells the band's history, its members, how they write songs and lots of other things. I've always like them because they make great music, and watching this DVD make them even more loveable because I have a little more insight to their ideas, their environments and surroudings. Plus, I did not know they are all so good-looking people! I like the live shows the most so I wish they'd put more live footages in the disc. Overall I think any Belle and Sebastian fan would enjoy it, and it's the kind of DVD I do not mind watching more than a few times."

Don't Get Me Wrong...

newmyry | 03/27/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I feel I should preface by saying that I love this band to death. However, For Fans Only is pretty shoddy. Every negative comment listed below is pretty valid and probably more bothersome then one would expect. That being said, it's not without merit. I just wish it had been put together better."