Brian Eno - "1971-1977 - The Man Who Fell To Earth" DVD

An informative and enlightening discussion and assessment of Eno's time in Roxy Music, and his subsequent solo career, "The Man Who Fell To Earth" is another unlicensed, unofficial documentary from Sexy Intellectual. But this one works well, bringing together the usual array of journalists and collaborators to analyze Eno's career and musical works.

Robert Rich, Jon Hassell, Roedelius, David Toop, and Robert Christgau all appear to discuss Eno's pioneering sounds and influence, so credibility isn't an issue. Also examined are Eno's short-lived Obscure Music label, and the lineage of his best-known contribution to modern art, "ambient" music, tracing the inspirations back to Erik Satie, John Cage, LaMonte Young, and others. As well, Eno's work with Bowie, Cluster and Harmonia are examined, with some fascinating anecdotes from those who were there.

In all, a very well-done documentary, only missing a companion disc with a look at Eno's later years. Maybe that one's in the works?

Finally, I need to give props to the artist(s) who created the animations and films to accompany all the Eno sound samples here. The visuals were appropriate and well-attuned to the sounds. Great work! (Sexy Intellectual)

Eno info site

Eno site (more official)

U2 - "Let Them Be - The Second Chapter" 2xDVD

Compiling 2 originally-separately-released DVD releases, this unauthorized boxset proves to be indispensable for serious U2 devotees. Beginning with the individual DVD release "Achtung Baby - A Classic Album Under Review", this set heads into examining U2's rather spectacular comeback from critical derision back in 1991, and the album that spawned the unmistakable jewel in U2's crown, the single "One". "Achtung Baby" reinvented the Irish legends and placed them back at the top of the rock heap, and this DVD wisely refers to the band's inspirations at that time -- Bowie's Berlin trilogy with mutual friend Brian Eno, the German experimental 'Krautrock' scene of the 60s/70s, and the Manchester dance/rock melding of the 90s. Oddly (and noticeably, for this scribe) absent is any reference to U2's industrial inspirations...where's KMFDM or Einsturzende Neubauten or Insekt? Regardless, "Achtung" is rightly one of U2's pinnacles, and individual tracks are examined by a panel of expert journalists. It's an enlightening look at an album that, as each year passes, becomes even more remarkable. It's even convinced me to fire up my tattered copy of the CD.

Second in this set is a DVD entitled "The Rebirth Of Cool - U2 In The Third Millennium". This 68-minute documentary looks closer at the band's last couple of albums, and shows Bono and company's comeback after the admittedly subpar "Pop" album. Starting with 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind", which led off with the triumphant return to form that is "Beautiful Day", U2's legacy was rekindled, and the line of smash singles bore witness to just that. The other album to receive attention here, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb", is similarly praised as a typically strong entry in the band's (almost) impeccable back catalog.

As with all of Chrome Dreams' releases, this unauthorized disc includes remarks and commentary from a host of journalists and collaborators, but never the band themselves, though there are several TV interviews with Bono, The Edge, and Larry Mullen that are included alongside plenty of live and promo footage. It's a solid work here, and one that has inspired me to revisit the band's later-period releases. U2 remain one of the world's most popular bands, and despite widespread commercial success, they emerge with integrity intact. They are as relevant and idealistic now as they ever were, and that is a testament to them as much as any accolades I can think of. (Chrome Dreams via MVD Visual)