Rating: Summary: Best R.E.M. Concert Film Yet! Review: After seeing R.E.M. in Detroit last Fall, I was determined to purchase this DVD the day it came out. After my initial viewing my high expectations were exceeded! Tourfilm and Road Movie are both excellent films, but this one surpasses them both. The Wiesbaden outdoor setting is beautifully filmed, and the sound is incredible. The song selection provides many highlights, although I wish they had played "Driver 8" in this show, as it does not appear on any of their earlier live films. Maybe next time! I would recommend this DVD to both the veteran fans and folks who are new to R.E.M. I saw them in three times in the mid-1980's, and I can certainly say that the band has lost none of its passion over the years. They certainly put on a great show for the enthusiastic fans in Germany. Hopefully, this DVD will spark renewed interest in R.E.M. in the U.S.
Rating: Summary: If you missed the concert, check this DVD out! Review: Even if you missed the last tour, this DVD will put you right there, front row. R.E.M. has had 2 other live concerts on DVD, Road Movie, and Tour Film. Both of these other two DVDs are bogged down in artsy movies, even though they provide excellent music. I saw R.E.M. on tour this fall, and I can honestly say, this is the best of the best. The songs encompass R.E.M.'s entire career. I had ONE problem with this DVD, and this was that the camera kept scanning the crowd for girls who seemed not to be wearing bras if you know what I mean. I got annoyed with that, but that was a minor annoyance. I enjoyed the music tremenously, and would recommend it to anyone. I miss Bill Berry's steady drumming, but Bill Riflin wasn't bad at all. As a long time R.E.M. fan with every CD and Vinyl that they've ever come out with to my name - pick this DVD up now! You won't be disappointed!
Rating: Summary: R.E.M. At Their Best. Review: First of all, I have to tell you that I'm not a HUGE R.E.M. fanatic...just a casual listener. When I bought this I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it and I was proved wrong. This is a fantastic DVD and is worth every cent. R.E.M. plays a good show and this proves it. The crowd is awesome and it is so cool to see Michael Stipe interact with the crowd. The DVD consits of the bands July '03 sold - out show at Germanys out door Bowling Green Stadium and the documentary " A Stirling Performance" based on the bands legendary Stirling Castle performance in Scotland and features live and of course, documentary footage. The set is: 1. Begin the Begin 2. What's the Frequency, Kenneth? 3. Maps and Legends 4. Drive 5. Animal 6. Daysleeper 7. The Great Beyond 8. Bad Day 9. The One I love 10. All the Way To Reno(you're gonna be a star) 11. Orange Crush 12. Losing My Religion 13. At My Most Beautiful 14. Electrolite 15. She Just Wants To Be 16. Walk Unafraid 17. Man On the Moon 18. Everybody Hurts 19. So fast, So Numb 20. Country Feedback 21. ***Permanent Vacation 22. Imitation Of Life 23. It's the End Of the World As We Know It(and I feel fine) This is a wonderful DVD and a wonderful concert. I recommend this to anyone who likes R.E.M. I garuntee you'll enjoy it!
Rating: Summary: Nice to see Michael happy Review: Growing up in the 80's there were two groups I semi-worshipped (and still do); R.E.M. and Haircut 100. Oops, the latter was supposed to read U2. (insert rim shot here) Anyways, I was lucky enough to see U2 a few times and they always put on a good, lively, interested show. I was only able to see R.E.M. once (Monster Tour), and I was sadly disappointed. They sounded pretty great, but Mr. Stipe was disinterested. He sang half the songs with his back to the audience and seemed as though he wanted the show over with asap. Maybe I caught him on a bad night, but at least I have this dvd to fall back on when I want to see an R.E.M. that I always wished I'd seen live. He is upbeat, smiling, mingling with the audience AND they (and the dvd) look and sound great. My only complaint is the total lack of any HC100 covers. I recommend this dvd to any old or new R.E.M. fan. It's $11.99 at Best Buy this week so pick it up.
Rating: Summary: Excellent performance Review: Here is the tracklisting for Perfect Square, which was filmed on 7/19/03 in Wiesbaden, Germany: 1. Begin the Begin 2. What's the Frequency, Kenneth? 3. Maps and Legends 4. Drive 5. Animal 6. Daysleeper 7. The Great Beyond 8. Bad Day 9. The One I Love 10. All the Way to Reno 11. Orange Crush 12. Losing My Religion 13. At My Most Beautiful 14. Electrolite 15. She Just Wants to Be 16. Walk Unafraid 17. Man on the Moon 18. Everybody Hurts 19. So Fast, So Numb 20. Country Feedback 21. Permanent Vacation 22. Imitation of Life 23. It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) Also there is a 38 minute documentary called "A Stirling Performance." There are a lot of great moments and the picture and sound on this DVD are great. I would recommend it to any R.E.M. fan.
Rating: Summary: Must see Review: I have become a big time fan in the past year. I had wanted to see them in concert. After seeing this dvd of the band in concert I MUST now see them in concert. It is incredible. It is enjoyable to any big time or long time fan or to someone that is only marginally interested in their music.
Rating: Summary: Awesome show Review: I have yet to actually see the DVD, but I was one of the few Americans at this show in Germany, and I must say that the concert was unreal. I wasn't even an REM fan prior to the show, but after the concert I was turned on to their music. The energy was incredible and the music was awesome. I have no doubt that the DVD reflects this.
Rating: Summary: What is Going On??? Review: I know that I am just one of the thousands of people who gripe and moan about what R.E.M. has become, but this DVD is just over the top. The last thing I ever wanted to see from R.E.M. is irrelevant soloing ("That's Mr. Peter Buck on the guitar!"), Michael Stipe acting like one of the "Fab Five" on the stage (Please don't pull your shirt up to show one of your nipples ever again), and session players wearing cowboy hats, jumping up and down on stage like they're in KISS or something. The ultimate in mediocrity/ hypocrisy was Michael Stipe, hat in hand, striking a pose prior to "Man on the Moon", so the audience would know what song was next. Additionally, what in the heck is up with the stage backdrop??? Uh, I know who I'm watching. You don't have to put it in writing three times (One is 30 feet tall, no less), and I don't need to see super-size pictures of your faces on stage. How is this any different from KISS or Aerosmith putting their name in lights behind them every time they play? What ever happened to R.E.M. showing video that amounted to art on a screen behind them? What was wrong with that? Why do I have to see the word "LUV" in neon? Why is there no drama or mystery associated with the performance any more? Everyone was lit up like a Christmas tree the entire time. I felt like I was watching someone perform at a casino. The only reason I gave this DVD any stars was the musicianship on some songs. "Orange Crush" has never sounded better live. The fact that they included "Maps and Legends" was surprising, to say the least. I guess the good days are gone for good. Bill Berry must be sitting back, thinking "Thank God I got out while the getting was good".
Rating: Summary: Perfect Show Review: I love R.E.M. and saw them on this tour, they were magnificent as usual. This concert film is a brilliant example of what a really great live show should be. Unlike Tour Film or Road Movie, there are no extra layers of visuals, just a bright beautiful stage set, a fantastic band, an enthusiasic crowd, and some of the best songs in rock and roll. An absolute must for any R.E.M. fan, and anyone who enjoys a great rock show. Also, the documentary included, "A Stirling Performance," is very well done, and you need not be a big fan of the band to enjoy it, as the subject of the film is the town of Stirling itself, and its fine, generous people.
Rating: Summary: Among the best I've seen... Review: I really enjoy these concerts on DVD and have seen a good number of them. I usually find that I need to watch the concert twice to really get into them, but when I bought Perfect Square on a whim and saw it for the first time, I was hooked by the second song. The scenery of the concert location is beautiful, as is the stage itself. The crowd is humongous and energized. The picture and sound are both good, and the performance is fabulous. I was very impressed. It's now an easy favorite.
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