A few tracks draw comparisons starting
with ‘Pretty Thing’, three songs in, which really
does sound something like Weezer’s ‘Buddy Holly’.
It reminds me of sixties rock ‘n’ roll mixed
with Phil Collins meaning it’s rather happy clappy
but for all that you can’t fault them for their passion.
Aslan are indie-folk with a gospel bent sometimes, not more
evident than during Crazy World.
After a while, it all starts to sound the
same with only a few tracks sounding different with one, ‘Chains’,
feeling like the twin of Radiohead’s ‘High and
Dry’. It has a bluesy feel to it and a country twang
of a melody complete with hand-clapping from the crowd. What
really grabs the attention though is a cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish
You Were Here’ which sends more than just a shiver
down your spine. Starting off acoustically, just Dignam and
guitarist, Tony McGuiness, it’s eerie.
But, when it comes to the DVD, ‘Made in Dublin’ is a real treat.
For once the commentary on it, that’s between some of the songs, is really
entertaining and as much for people new to the band as the fans. It makes you
want to watch on and for someone dreading self-indulgent waffle this was most
unexpected. It even manages to put a whole new perspective on the band – I
never knew a DVD could do this. You can access each little bit of commentary
via a menu with a quote summing up what that particular section is about.
The camera-work is excellent, a combination
of intimate stage and mid-audience shots. It’s possible
to get a feel of the atmosphere of the venue but also the
mood of Aslan themselves. And together with the commentary
it’s almost more informative than the biography that’s
provided with it. The bonus material is quite good though
with a couple of videos for the 2003 ‘Crazy World’ promo
version and a special bonus version of the Rolling Stone’s ‘Angie’.
Both are basically live versions of the songs but Angie has
footage from the gig interspersed with scenes from the commentary.
If you just take the CD, it isn’t
a very remarkable live album but, together with the DVD, ‘Made
In Dublin’ starts to look bloody good value. Fans of
bands like Turin Brakes will love it but then again, it would
be unfair to pigeon-hole them like that. Good stuff.
Natasha
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