UNDERWORLD EVERYTHING EVERYTHING LIVE ALBUM AND DVD JBO, V2 RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2000 (CD UK), SEPTEMBER 12 (CD REST OF THE WORLD), OCTOBER 10, 2000 (DVD) REVIEW: OCTOBER 31, 2000

Here is one of the few music releases so far, that leans towards the DVD format with all its advantages on the frontier of technology.
Ambitious English techno act Underworld wanted to release a live album and video. They got the idea to explore the DVD and the project grew into a giant. And it's a cool giant.
"Everything Everything" was first released as an ordinary live CD with exceptional sound and, of course, it is a kind of best-of album at the same time. Underworld's sense for hypnotising rhythms and loops with vocals added makes them an outstanding techno act. So the music delivered here is as good as techno gets.
The DVD release kicks ass with its 5:1 Dolby Surround sound. It certainly feels like you're at the actual gigs. I understand the idea of enhancing the live experience at home with the new technology. But yet, actually being at a concert is still a different thing. Especially since this disc is full of dance tracks. Dance music works best when you dance to it and I must admit I rarely dance in my office. And it's not much fun to look at these three guys, their machines and video art for ninety minutes either, even if they do a good job. There is not much to complain about, with the footage, stage show, mixing and so on.
Maybe they sensed it wasn't enough, because the DVD is full of other stuff as well. You get 90 minutes of that video art, two bonus tracks, out takes, a keyboard vision mixer, access to Internet material and some more. You can also make several choices like language, track order and some other things. I haven't felt much attraction from these toys and extras but I guess lots of fans will enjoy them.
There is of course a VHS version as well, not reviewed here.
This DVD concept could be more successful for more conventional artists, but the initial idea turned out to be a good one after all.

MIKAEL KAHRLE