Search - Superchunk: Crowding Up Your Visual Field on DVD

Absolutely SUPERB... I couldn't have asked for more.

S. Miller | Maryland | 11/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Had this DVD's only content been the music videos, I still would have given it 5 stars. However, Superchunk/Merge have gone above and beyond my--and your--expectations. If you're not going to read the rest of my review, AT LEAST READ THIS: Buy this DVD, it is worth it on ALL levels!



Along with getting 12 incredibly varied, creatively brilliant and often hilarious music videos, there is at least one commentary track for each by members of the band or directors. These offer great background information not only about the videos, but simply about the band history, inside jokes, etc. Personally, I hate buying a "special edition" DVD these days and getting 3 outtakes and a 6 picture image gallery. I always wonder why they couldn't get someone--ANYONE--to just do a commentary or interviews about the film. Superchunk has really gone all out here... I mean, what's better than getting 4 different band members' perspectives about ONE video? Along with these simply being "interesting," it really gives you more of a lasting appeal/use out of this DVD. So anyway, along with these 12 videos, there are 4 "bonus videos" (with the only difference being they seem a bit "less professional" in their production and don't offer the commentary tracks). Even if you're not a huge Superchunk fan (or don't even know who Superchunk is), you'd probably enjoy all these videos simply for their artisticness and creativeness. As other reviews said, this really is a great place to start if you're just getting into the band.



Now, as I said, had it only been for these music videos, I would have been fully satisfied with this DVD. However, you are also receiving an hour long documentary, bonus band interviews/history and another 10 videos of live shows (featuring video from their first ever show--your only chance these days to see Mac rocking out with "big hair")



There's also a certain "Merge charm" that comes along with this DVD. This is the whole "indie quality" behind Superchunk and Merge. If you're unfamiliar with the band and the label, you should know that Mac (guitar, vocals) and Laura (bass) founded Merge in 1989 and have kept running it since then. They have turned down major record labels over and over again so they can keep doing what "[they] want to do." Because of this, when Merge releases something, they really put their heart and soul into it. The videos and production was not made by million-dollar budets, it was made by passionate, creative band members--and it shows. Though it has the "indie" feel that is so charming about the band, the quality far surpasses ANY music DVD collection I've ever bought--for any price, from any label. This isn't a forced release or limited collection just for the sake of being "forced" or "limited." There was no red tape to tip-toe around while producing this DVD. You are getting everything you'd want, and more, and it's the only place to get it all.



This is an all out SUPERB collection of Superchunk "stuff." And, it's really, really, really good stuff."

If you ever wanted to find out about Superchunk...

J. Olmedo | CA | 07/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...but didn't know where to start, this DVD's perfect!



Before buying the DVD, I had yet to own a single Superchunk CD. (actually, I still don't, but that'll change very soon...) I had read a few reviews and was aware of the history surrounding them...After 'acquiring' a good amount of their songs, I fell in love with them and had to know more about this great band.



Some time passed, and I had forgotten about them for a while...but then comes this DVD! What a great way to get re-acquainted with the band I never really had the chance to get into. It has all their videos (full of milk!), the movie "Quest for Sleep" that chronicles their 2001 tour, and plenty of live bonus material (with stuff dating to the 80s!) Pick it up."

Excellent DVD

gumpkennerdly | atlanta | 05/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This dvd is well orchestrated. The videos are very creative to have such low budgets. my favorites are the "throwing things", "mower", "package thief", and "watery hands" video, ("watery hands" features david cross and janeane garofolo). The Quest For Sleep section is a documentary of their 2001 fall tour. Some of the scenes are hilarious and bascially show what the band does on stage and off. Jon Wurster is hilarious. It was a four-week tour that took place in Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. Mac said it felt like "two months".The rest of the stuff is bonus footage featuring an interview from mac and jon, five songs from their first show, homemade videos from mac and other people, and other live footage (including a version of "phone sex" with annie hayden on third guitar)."

Everything a Superchunk fan could ask for

gumpkennerdly | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is even better than I hoped it would be. It's packed with rarely-seen but highly entertaining videos, hilarious and interesting commentary, a fascinating documentary that's very revealing, and some raw but amazing concert clips that really capture the band at their best. It's nice to see that the humor and soul of this great band come through so well here, too. Buy this DVD, you won't regret it."