Search - Come Close (DVD/CD) [Amaray] on DVD

Good for True Saosin Fans

Pippin Black | Milwaukee, WI, USA | 04/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had been hoping for a Saosin concert DVD for some time now, and here it finally is. Unfortunately, this is not all I had hoped for, but I still do enjoy it. The sound quality is, to be polite, disappointing, and the performance quality, with the exception of drummer extraordinaire Alex Rodriquez is a bit raw. Harmonies are SOMETIMES beautiful and other times a little sour. The bass guitar is inaudible in all but a few of the songs. But despite these shortcomings, the incredible energy and musical originality of Saosin comes through. Rodriguez ties everything together with an incredible performance that alone is worth the price of this DVD.

As an old boomer who saw Hendrix and the Doors in person at their peaks, I have long had an appreciation for truly creative and musically talented bands. Saosin has restored my faith that such great bands can continue to appear. And, by the way, Morrison and Hendrix were pretty raw in person also!"

Strictly for diehard fans.

Big Fudge | Athens, GA USA | 04/14/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Short review: Subpar sound, boring show, strictly for diehard fans.

Long review: I am a casual fan of this band. I have never seen them live. I am attracted to their raw energy, compelling guitar work, great drumming, and first rate vocals.
Unfortunately this recording doesn't really stack up to their studio work. My biggest complaint is that the vocals sound strained and overwhelmend by playing live. The worst track is the intro to Voices, where the "harmony" is waaaay off. Were the monitors broken that night? Did the lead singer forget how to breathe?
Also, the mix is pretty weird. It sounds really compressed. The guitars are soft and too distant and separated into the right and left channels, so overall the instruments don't sound like they are in the same room. The drums have a nice fat sound, at least (I am a drummer and love this guy's style) but are too loud. And do they have a bass player or not? I can't tell.
It sounds almost like the recording was pulled straight off the board and pressed to cd. Compare this with a live punk masterpiece like NoMeansNo's "Live and Cuddly" and you will see what I mean.

I was hoping the DVD would offer insight into the band member's personalities, and was really looking forward to checking it out. I was disappointed. It jumps straight into the show and, well, none of these guys talk. Ever. They certainly have loads of energy, and seem to be having a good time. But guys, it's ok to talk between songs. Really. Crack a joke, smile at one another, talk up the bartenders, have some beers, single out a hot chick, ANYTHING. The whole show feels quite scripted, though the video has a pro look to it at least. My wife summed it up best when she said it looks like a Tiger Beat video for a "Cute Guys in a Band" special.

I have a feeling this CD/DVD wasn't really intended for a casual fan like myself, but instead for someone (likely female and under the legal drinking age) with fond memories of seeing them live and wanting something to reminisce with.

"