Customer Reviews

Concentration Face/Homeboy (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first reviewer said it perfect, the DVD will leave you speechless. I have barely paid any attention to the EP because I cannot stop watching the DVD.

The DVD's running time is very long, about 3 hours. There is enough material in there to ignite even a skeptics interest. It is broken up into 2 parts. The first part is cleverly edited and contains a mixed bag of performances, sound checks, opening acts, backstage antics, and footage around the beautiful foriegn land (Japan). I love the 1st part for its ingenuity. Leave it to Hella to provide you with a unique concert DVD experience. The editing is superb.

The 2nd part is all one concert and the sound quality of this performance is the best of the bunch. They also seemed much tighter at this show. They definately saved the best performance for last.

The CD is very good. The standout track for me is track 2. It is quite accessible to the average experimental music fan and has a beautiful dissonance, like most Hella music.

This was my 2nd Hella purchase, after buying Hold Your Horse Is about 6 months ago. I must say that I was surprised to hear all of the synth stuff in their music now. I wasn't aware of the double album, satan isn't red, and bugs bunny before I bought Homeboy.

This album is a must have for music fans. The techniques those 2 gentlemen use to play their respective instruments must be seen to be believed!

First off, let's get the CD out of the way. It's Hella... not much more to say really. Zach's usual schizophrenic drumming, Spencer's finger-tapping and Atari noises. It's all good, but more of a group effort than Church Gone Wild/Chirpin Hard.
Now let's get to the REAL meat and potatoes.
The DVD is divided into two parts. The first is what many other band DVDs would call the "Behind the sences and bonus performances" selection. This is an hour and a half of various Hella performances during the first 4 shows of the tour, along with the band traveling from place to place, small interviews, set-up of shows, and performances by their opening bands (the best being the Japanese-girl-noise group Nisennenmondai).
The first part ends with an intermission of goldfish, and then begins the second part which is the full performance of their last show.
I've seen Hella five or six times (before their first CD was even released) and I'm astounded at the fact that they now play for so long. By the end of each show, Zach is dripping sweat (and has drenched the floor beneath him and his drum petals).
Most people don't really "get" Hella, and their CDs don't really help newcomers, but this DVD is perfect for those who have never had the pleasure.

It may have taken me forever and a day to find this cd, but it was totally worth it. The EP is pretty good, but the DVD is worth double what i paid for it. Three hours of Hella playing live. It has everything you could ever want from the Hella experaince. If you like Hella get this now, if you dont like Hella you should give this a try because they are a great band.

I have been playing drums for more than 20 years and I have NEVER seen anyone as exciting as Zach Hill! I bought this on a whim because I had loved Hill's drumming on the Mars Volta side project record "Cryptomnesia" (a great album by the way). The DVD is so entertaining! It's part documentary of their tour in Japan and the people, places and other bands they meet, part concert movie. The guitar player occasionally does some cool work but mostly just comes across as this very weird guy who makes noises while the world's greatest drummer leaves puddles of sweat (and awesomeness) in his wake!

The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is that the CD is one of the WORST things I've ever listened to. I don't understand how this can be the same band. I wish I could take back the time I spent listening to the CD! The DVD is worth the money I spent and much more though.

the band is pretty cool. or well, atleast the drummer is. cant say much for the guitar. but the drums totally make up for it. the guy is amazing. the dvd is really cool. lots of little visual tricks are thrown in all over the place. dont blink or you miss them kinda things. the album isnt the band's best, but as i said, the dvd is sweet.

DVD trackliszt

part one (complete performances only): mother could be you [17:30], better get a broom [30:52], top twenty notes [54:47], devil isn't red [72:02]
part two: top twenty notes, women of the '90s, republic of rough and ready, better get a broom, hello great architect of the universe/big time and the kid, mother could be you (aborted), biblical violence, cafeteria bananas, devil isn't red, 1-800-ghostdance, city folk sitting, welcome to the jungle, been a long time cousin (encore)

duh review

DVD part one: Footage of urban Japan mixed with venue/concert clips. Some interesting/fun bits, though not a lot to warrant repeat viewings.
DVD part two: Solid performance with lots of mid-song improvisation. Video quality is perfect, while the sound is close (guitar needs more bass response). Onstage technical errors add to the show's memorability.
CD: Four songs... sounds like the four-piece lineup (???). Crazed electronics galore, though the guitar and drums are never too far from the maelstrom. Long enough (29+ minutes), but not quite varied enough to be considered an album.

Basically: this collection is essential for Hella fans and a worthy purchase for novices... especially since the retail price is less than a CD from Sam Goody. Thanks Hella/5RC!!!