Rating: Summary: ditto... Review: A sepia-tone film in 2004. Seems like 'art' more than 'live.' I love the group. I love the music. I even love the album "Tribe" because there are some great songs on it. "Losing Myself" kicks serious...I just love Queensryche. But I feel the way everyone else who reviewed this DVD feels. Why not just release this as a cd? It would have been less of a letdown.
Rating: Summary: Cheap follow up to Live Evolution, but good songs... Review: Art of Live was recorded by the band's crew on their 2003 tour in support of the album TRIBE (Sanctuary Records, 2003). It was originally shot in color, but according to vocalist Geoff Tate, the stage lights overpowered the equipment, resulting in moments where the color is blurred out. The band then elected to go with the old-style golden "black and white" scheme, for an "artsy" feel to the release.Positives: 1. The DVD features totally different songs than 2001's Live Evolution DVD release. It highlights the recent TRIBE album, and includes some interesting renditions of old songs, including an acoustic set. 2. This DVD has two selections performed by Queensryche AND Dream Theater (Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd and Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who), with all 10 band members on stage. Negatives 1. Obviously, the lack of color, in an age where DVD has so much capacity, is a major let down. 2. Advertised as a 5.1 mix, the band announced due to mastering "problems" they either had to delay the release, or eliminate the 5.1 audio. The elected for the latter. 3. The DVD is NOT, I repeat NOT widescreen. 4. Lack of easter eggs and hidden bonus features. The interviews are nice, but there could have been much more done. Overall, the DVD is unique in some aspects (the tracks with Dream Theater, the acoustic set), but after the STELLAR quality of 2001's Live Evolution DVD release (Producer Mike Drumm did an excellent job), the quality of this "home made" release is rather dissapointing. It's worth a look if you are a prog rock/metal fan, but if you can live without the two tracks with Dream Theater, you can live without this DVD. But quite simply, Art of Live is primarily for diehards, and unfortunately, Queensrÿche didn't invest the time and money into this release to make it stand out for them, either.
Rating: Summary: Low budget... Review: Direct Tv is showing this concert in the month of June, although it is not the full show(Direct tv is notorius for this practice)just the concert itself. Picture quality is a nasty brown sepia-tone complete with artifacts that make it look like an old battle-scarred film print. Not a happy viewing experience particularly for the dvd format. Song selection is fair with the stranger tunes being performed as well as a few kinda-unplugged versions. The band performs well and Tate sings as well as can be expected. Sound quality is in-your-face-typical-grunge-loud(but this is via Direct tv)and I doubt the actual dvd sounds much better. No surprises here just a pasted together collection of songs. The concert on Direct tv lasts about 56 minutes.
Rating: Summary: The Art ... of the sellout. Review: Ever returned to a familiar place 10 years later to see old friends who've become a whithered corpses of their former selves? That's what I felt when I watched this concert on Direct TV. All the goth rock, hip-hop, rap/metal and down-tuned guitars have permeated our culture to a such a degree that a once innovative, super-tight band has become a garage band in the name of 'progress.' WHATEVER. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning forms of music that aren't 'DREAM THEATER approved,' I just don't like when bands who have something totally valid to offer sell out and act like the young guys in order to try to convince themselves they're still hip. This DVD is rubBiSh. Tate, once the consumate perfectionist sings weakly and out-of-tune almost perpetually throughout. Not to mention the laughability of his 'gangsta' posturing and gestures. The guitar playing is also very weak on the newer stuff. The new guy isn't a bad guitar player, but I have a feeling a lot of the artistry of this band left with DeGarmo. I'd be interested to see what he's playing these days. On the older material, the presence and clarity isn't bad, but it ain't what it used to be. This band used to be so tight. Even since their first album, they were reknown for their progressive edge to melody, harmony, lyrics, and arrangement. This tour is either a mistaken artistic path or a sleezy grab for the bucks. We can probably blame the record execs or something, maybe they nixed all the prog tunes in favor of the tracks they thought would sell. I'm not completely writing them off, but if the next album sounds like this one, I will for sure. The discrepancy between the old and new tunes on this DVD is hillarious. When playing the old tunes, the band comes alive, playing and singing better than on the new stuff. The stage presence is better (more energy, less "esse-ness") and the arrangements are also better than the newer tunes, though much less dense than they were on the Mindcrime tour. This concert is not without a few shining moments, but overall... it's definitely a sad day for fans of prog rock.
Rating: Summary: The Art ... of the sellout. Review: Ever returned to a familiar place 10 years later to see old friends who've become a whithered corpses of their former selves? That's what I felt when I watched this concert on Direct TV. All the goth rock, hip-hop, rap/metal and down-tuned guitars have permeated our culture to a such a degree that a once innovative, super-tight band has become a garage band in the name of 'progress.' WHATEVER. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning forms of music that aren't 'DREAM THEATER approved,' I just don't like when bands who have something totally valid to offer sell out and act like the young guys in order to try to convince themselves they're still hip. This DVD is rubBiSh. Tate, once the consumate perfectionist sings weakly and out-of-tune almost perpetually throughout. Not to mention the laughability of his 'gangsta' posturing and gestures. The guitar playing is also very weak on the newer stuff. The new guy isn't a bad guitar player, but I have a feeling a lot of the artistry of this band left with DeGarmo. I'd be interested to see what he's playing these days. On the older material, the presence and clarity isn't bad, but it ain't what it used to be. This band used to be so tight. Even since their first album, they were reknown for their progressive edge to melody, harmony, lyrics, and arrangement. This tour is either a mistaken artistic path or a sleezy grab for the bucks. We can probably blame the record execs or something, maybe they nixed all the prog tunes in favor of the tracks they thought would sell. I'm not completely writing them off, but if the next album sounds like this one, I will for sure. The discrepancy between the old and new tunes on this DVD is hillarious. When playing the old tunes, the band comes alive, playing and singing better than on the new stuff. The stage presence is better (more energy, less "esse-ness") and the arrangements are also better than the newer tunes, though much less dense than they were on the Mindcrime tour. This concert is not without a few shining moments, but overall... it's definitely a sad day for fans of prog rock.
Rating: Summary: Excellent CD...Waste of a DVD Review: First and foremost I am an avid Queensryche fan, new and old material, and I saw them live this year on the same tour they filmed this DVD. The show live was fantastic and worth every penny. It was refined, energetic, and colorful in ways that I believe only Queensryche can do it. The DVD: I was impressed with the sepia toned look of the opening song "Tribe". I thought it looked very dramatic and set the mood for the rest of the dvd. Then the second song came on and it was still sepia toned. In my opinion....big freakin mistake. The WHOLE dvd is filmed in the same fade in and out sepia shade, like old vintage film footage. I am listening to the DVD in the background because it is almost unwatchable to me. I don't want to watch Queensryche as if they were filmed by Time/Life video. I find it interesting that such a versatile band would resort to 1 trick wonder video to bring down the excellent music on the dvd. I purchased this shoddily shot DVD for 24.99, and there was no cd included. A while back I purchased Linkin Park's DVD, which was an excellent concert video, and came with an accompanying cd for 21.95. I am not trying to compare the 2 bands, for they are very different, but I think that the art of live is a relative ripoff compared to other recent concert DVD's. Save yourself money, buy the cd(the music is still fantastic), or better yet.....spend the money to go to their show. But use the DVD for a coaster.
Rating: Summary: Great Performance, Bad Quality Control Review: First of all, what the hell is "Strereo"? Look on the back of your dvd cover and tell me... I'm a huge Ryche fan from 1983 and am disappointed with this release. I don't mind the black-and-white, looks artsy to me and makes it unique. The sound is great, however the missing 5.1 sound ruined the experience for me since I have a kick ass system. I don't see why they had to have THREE different versions of "Losing Myself" in the extras. The extras were way too short and not worth even bothering watching. I'm actually going to meet the band at a signing tomorrow in New Jersey. If I get more than three seconds to talk to them I'll let them know how disappointed I am with the quality of this dvd. All that being said, Queensryche could put out a DVD of them rehearsing in their sleep and I'd buy it!
Rating: Summary: Queensryche Live = Art Review: Having been a Queensryche fan for many years - first catching them supporting Dio in '84 - I was totally looking forward to this release, as Queensryche on stage is the beast in its natural habitat. The bands decision to film in B&W is indeed a brave one and I must say that the direction does indeed enable the band to pull it off. The set list is extremely well balanced considering it is only 2 years since 'Evolution'. Obviously the emphasis is on material from the more recent 'Tribe' album and here, the songs benefit from the added dynamics of a live performance. Although there is no Dolby 5.1 option, I first listened to the disc while wearing headphones and the 2.0 sound mix is a killer. The opening track is indeed brutal and sums up all that we like about QR. Rockenfield's firecracker drumming, Jackson's menacing bass lines, Wilton's soaring breaks and of course Tate's rich vocals. 'New Guy' Stone's riffing fits in perfectly with the other elements and at times his body language is reminiscent of 'Dirt' period Jerry Cantrell - not a criticism, just an observation! The inclusion of a mid-set acoustic piece varies the pace and contains an interesting version of 'Roads to Madness' however my only gripe is the inclusion of 'My Global Mind' - a song that certainly does not make my list of favourite QR tracks. The 2 'MindCrime' tracks pick up the pace again - well received by both the audience and this reviewer! The encore numbers of 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Wont Get Fooled Again' whereby the band are joined onstage by Dream Theater is a blast. To hear 2 sets of amazing musicians playing 2 classic songs on the same stage - and having a lot of fun in the process - is just superb. So if youre a fan of the band, listen and enjoy! If you're not but willing to give the boys a listen, buy 'Evolution' instead.
Rating: Summary: Great sound! Review: I have been a fan now for about 15 years, I have to say they sound just as good now as they did back then. This is a great DVD for the Ryche fan....I love the new songs, the new guitarist (Mike Stone) adds a thicker and more heavier sound. Buy it and enjoy at full volume. See Ya
Rating: Summary: grow up, change and EVOLVE Review: I thought I'd post a review after seeing all of the banality that's been written about this dvd by bozos still living in the age of operation mindcrime (1988). Queensryche EVOLVES and CHANGES and in our world of pre-packaged, hyper-sexual oriented, materialistic consumption; a band that strays from the path to pursue new ground is never accepted (at first!). I loved this dvd!!! Yea its in black n white, but some of the best visual art has been in black n white. Ever seen Brando's The Wild One or Streetcar named Desire or The Bad Seed? Ever watched any of those awesome Twilight zones circa 1957-1962 by the master Rod Serling? Ever seen Eraserhead by David Lynch? Go on and cry little boys stuck in the mid 80's!! I'm movin on with Geoff and the "ryche" and no matter what these guys do, I'm there. If all the sudden they want to do a tribute cd to Lawrence Welk, I'm layin my cash on the counter!!! To all you idiots living in the past, MOVE ON and thank god that those record company corporates with no musical or artistic talent are still in cohort with Queensryche and a slew of other great guys from the past. If I go into a music store and see some "ryche" or Bowie or Cult or George Lynch or Billy Idol or anything from "the past," I'm gonna buy it way before I even think of getting some recycled crap put out by some in-experienced profit and greed corporate monsters. All I've got to say is if you're truley into music and experience and not some snot nosed, super critical loser; check out this dvd. You won't be disappointed!!!
I gave this 4 stars due to the fact that I wanted more one on one with the guys in the band, a sit down 20-30 minute interview would have been awesome!! The good news is these guys aren't going anywhere, so maybe I'll get my wish eventually for a little more intimacy!!!
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