At Long Last
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 05/08/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After a year or so of rumors and false alarms, the long-awaited Tindersticks DVD is finally here. Indeed, it was worth the wait but I wish it was longer.
What Bareback consists of is nine songs framed by films shot by Martin Wallace. Some of the films seem germane to the songs and some seem so generic that you could put almost any song with them. However, the songs on Bareback are a well-chosen sampler of the Tindersticks catalogue except for the final instrumental which is just silly in combination with the film footage.
My favorites are City Sickness, Travelling Light, Bathtime; which is the only song that features a film of the band playing, Rented Rooms, which midway through breaks into the gorgeous swing version, and Can We Start Again?. Though I like the rest of the DVD, my bias is clearly with earlier Tindersticks material up through their "Curtains" period.
You can't beat the price, but I drop a star because of the brevity of the DVD and the lack of informative liner notes. That latter is a problem with their CDs in general and I think it would help fans in the colonies get to know the band better if more information was provided with the music. Other than that minor complaint, Bareback receives my hearty endorsement. Get it while it is still available."
Sticks, Tender & Otherwise . . . .
J.D. Deisher | Texas | 04/22/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"So....very excited to see this release as I'd only ever seen one Tindersticks video before and only a fleeting glimpse at that.
Assuming you are a fan, it can only be said that this collection does not exactly disapoint, however a word to the wise may be in order.
These clips are art with a capitol "A" in that they reflect the subtle & bitter mundanity embibed by the band.
This is not in your face video, but melancholy reflections for the faithful & familiar with a cockney lifes bittersweet charm & struggle.
The high points are the fact that this is available in america at all & reasonably priced at that!!!! The clips themselves are tastefull and engaging, yet never sublime in the sensory sense of music video.
For a lover of the Tindersticks or (short film form for that matter) this is intersesting ground & well worth the investment.
For those wanting there mind's blown, searches elsewhere may prove more satisfying. But I loved it & this release helps to further illuminate this otherwise mysterious musical outfit.
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