The Film
Fans of The B-52s rejoice! Not only is the band still belting it out, but they are actually doing it very well. With the band's 35th anniversary upon us, Eagle Rock has unleashed The B-52s: With the Wild Crowd Live in Athens, GA. It's another stellar release for the studio, and a treat for B-52s fans of all ages.
The show was actually recorded in February 2011, when the band revisited its former stomping grounds to celebrate its very first live show on Valentine's Day 1977. Of course, they have a lot more material now -- and a lot of what's here will be very familiar.
Although there's obvious signs of aging, original members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland can still deliver the band's unique, signature sound. In fact, it's pretty darn impressive, considering the range that's delivered here.
Fans will also be relieved that there's no filler here. Even the casual listener should be able to identify most of the Blu-ray's 20 tracks, which includes "Give Me Back My Man," "52 Girls," "Love Shack," "Planet Claire," and "Rock Lobster."
The Picture
This 1080i, 1.78:1 transfer is what we've come to expect from Eagle Rock. Overall, it looks pretty darn good. Considering how colorful the band is, it's actually the background that's filled with bluish purples, thanks to the stage lighting. That said, the ladies offer up nice splash of color. Cindy has her red flower and pink stripes, and there are various shades of red in Kate's hair and on her eyelids. Some of the wider shots aren't as impressive, but close-ups show the band's age (literally) -- except in the case of Cindy Wilson. Has girlfriend had a bit of work done? She looks phenomenal!
The Sound
Like all of Eagle Rock's releases, this one defaults to the LPCM Stereo track, but has options for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital 5.1. As usual, we opted for the DTS-HD, which does provide a wider sound experience over the LPCM track. This option delivers a nice balance between the instruments, the effects and the harmonies, which are dowright excellent.
The Extras
The lone extra on this release is an interview, which is all you really need. It features four of the founding members sitting down to talk about the band's humble beginnings, some of their adventures, and the collaboration. They also touch upon the band's original fifth member, the late Ricky Wilson.
Final Thoughts
The B-52's have still got it -- assuming you ever thought they had it. Yes, the band can be a bit of an acquired taste. That said, fans should be clamoring for this Blu-ray. Between the performance, the audio and the video, it's a real treat.
Product Details
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Movie | |
| Extras |
