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: : Enchant -
Live at Last DVD : :
While some bands wilt away playing the same old
tired tunes the same old tired way, Enchant only gets better with time.
Their newest material sounds fresh. Their old material, on the other
hand, is tweaked to such a degree that it sounds like it’s unwrapped for
the very first time. Enchant has obviously worked through many reps in
the studio. Ted’s voice has never been so clean and crisp. Doug’s guitar
never sounded so good. Throughout the DVD, the group repeatedly flaunts
their musical muscle. Simply put, this is their best work to date.
No obvious blunders were captured for the small screen. The performance
is incredibly tight and the result is picture perfect. You would think
they re-shot each scene until they got it right. It’s strictly
real-time, so you know this is not the case. Even though DVD’s are
gaining ground in the progressive rock genre, this is not a cheap
gimmick to cash in on the craze. Instead, this DVD is the real McCoy
(and I’m not talking locomotive lubricators for those of you who know
your history). Enchant definitely chooses the right time, the right
place, and certainly the right concert to make into a DVD.
While the same songs can be found on a CD by the same name, this one
comes packaged with a bonus you can’t find anywhere else. Here you will
find a collection of solo interviews, a group interview, and even some
whimsical fan interviews. If the music wasn’t enough (and it’s quite
substantial by itself), this should certainly sell you.
Since all other reviews will focus on the music, let’s take a moment to
look into the bonus:
Sean has an interesting conversation with the interviewer about
Enchant’s ever-changing sound over the years. He even discusses how
older songs have evolved over time. Ed shares the fact that Dave Meros
uses the same bass pedals and racks. This allowed them to share
equipment on tour. Doug has an interesting chat about blossoming into a
songwriter.
In the group interview, I was surprised to hear Sean once worked with
Matt Guillory in Dali’s Dilemma. He goes on to say that he left them to
join a band called The Truth About Seafood. What was he thinking? His
agent must have fallen asleep at the wheel. While this might not have
been the keenest career move, Sean’s path ultimately brought him to a
great place. When Enchant’s original drummer (Paul Craddick) left,
stepping into these shoes was obviously a step in the right direction.
Now Matt works with James LaBrie and Enchant has another quality
release. I guess you could say the sky’s the limit for these two chaps.
It’s amazing how everything has a way of working out.
What’s also interesting in
the group interview is the friendly persona of these musicians (this
seems to be a trend in the world of progressive rock). Bill is the
springboard to much of the band’s comical relief. He makes a comment
about the Blueprint album that causes Doug to say, “Ted, Fire him, Ted,
Fire him now.” This is obviously done in a joking manner, but it just
piles on the proof that this is one playful bunch. Bill is also the
storyteller. He mentions answering the ad thinking they were just
another garage band. When he heard them play, he realized they were a
whole lot more. Then he found out they were actually practicing in a
garage. If not for their illustrious talent, these guys truly would be
that garage band next door.
Interspersed throughout the group interview, you
get of glimpse of what it’s like to be sitting in on one of their
rehearsals. The flashbacks (or flashforwards) are done quite nicely.
The band also has very loyal fans who are quite enamored with them. One
fan wearing an Opeth shirt refers to them as overtalented. Whatever that
words means as it’s not in the Oxford Dictionary, it sounds about right.
They even have some of the youngest progressive rock fans you’ll ever
see (it’s all relative I guess). There is one fan wearing a “Class of
‘92” t-shirt (sorry, but I don’t know their names). You’ll really enjoy
the commentary shared by this particular fan.
If there is one problem with the DVD, it’s that it is “too” long. It
should satisfy the most insatiable appetite, but man oh man; it is one
heaping helping of Enchant. With so much to go around, nobody (and I
mean nobody) will be left groveling for more. There is something is for
everyone and in the end, if there is one problem to have, this is it.
Surprisingly, with this quantity comes quality. You are guaranteed to
have many enjoyable moments with this release. You’re sure to be tickled
pink when you witness Bill playing the keyboards with his nose.
As far as the music (let’s not forget to mention the music, right?), it
has all their popular songs as well as many lesser known. It’s all here.
You get Paint the Picture, What to Say, Seeds of Hate, and a special
rendition of Oasis. Like I said, the length of the concert is
staggering. It comes in two continuous sets that stop only for brief
chit-chat with the audience. Any first-timers will certainly come away
with exposure to all areas of their discography. The veterans, on the
other hand, will be appeased by the set list as well. The DVD covers
seven albums and each album is represented in some way, shape, or form.
This makes for a concert that spans over 2.5 hours and this doesn’t even
begin to count the bonus material.
Just when you think you’ve got this band gauged, they take it to the
next level. Check it out! I believe your expectations of Enchant will be
far exceeded. If you like Enchant, progressive rock, or just want to see
what this band has to offer, this DVD is the next logical step. As
“Class of ‘92” says and I must concur, they’re a real class act.
Josh Turner
8.75/10
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
A Blueprint of the
World - 1995
Wounded - 1997
Time Lost - 1997
Break - 1998
Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10 - 2000
Blink Of An Eye - 2002
Tug Of War - 2003
Live At Last - 2004
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