Disco de Oasis: “Lord Don't Slow Me Down”

I just picked up this DVD the day it was released. Alot of people were worried about the US version not being the same as the UK. No worries for fans, Amazon's information is wrong. The US version has the full (unedited) 95 minute version of the documentary and does include the bonus DVD of the Manchester 2005 concert. I was lucky to see the documentary at a screening almost a year ago, but it was an edited version used for promotion and TV. The full version flows a little better, although I was overall somewhat bored with it, I think it was the director's (Baillie Walsh) intent to perhaps capture some of the monotony of being on the road day after day. I was hoping to see the Gallaghers tear things up a bit more, but in truth their wild antics have left them and you see more mature (and perhaps boring) sensibility towards life on the road. That being said though, it is still fabulous for die-hard Oasis fans espescially footage of gem, andy, and noel playing ideas on acoustic guitar. The black & white give the documentary a classic feel, without being pretentious. What makes it worth buying (it's readily available for download, albeit illegally, on youtube and fan sites at least for now) is the commentary track done by Gem, Noel, Liam, Andy, Baillie, and a few others. The commentary audio track is available for the entire film, and there is where the Gallaghers' humor and personality shines through, where as the film itself didn't seem to catch that. There is alot more insight into why the band loves to do what they do, after all these years. As far as bonus features, there's also the an audio Q&A with Noel that's quite revealing in his attitudes towards Be Here Now, touring, and future plans. The thing that makes this DVD 5 stars (from the 4 it would've had with just the documentary) is the bonus DVD featuring the band playing live in Manchester from July 2nd, 2005. It is the same that was broadcasted on British TV, but the picture is clearer and the sound is much improved, espescially when using the 5.1 surround mix. Some have complained that Liam's voice is a little low in the mix, I would agree, but overall the quality of the recording (and the video for that matter) is the best of any Oasis live concert I've heard, including the previously released Familiar to Millions concert. The concert is absolutely stunning and the lighting and camera angles really get at the expirience. It's good to see Oasis releasing a DVD of a show from the DBTT tour, because is includes Turn up the Sun, Lyla, Mucky Fingers, Importance of Beind Idle, etc., this is simply classic material . Considering Oasis could've waited and released these DVDs separately, for 20 bucks each, it's really an amazing buy. If anyone ever needs convincing as to what makes Oasis great, just show them this concert and play "Rock n' Roll Star". Unbelievable!

The film itself is fantastic - a real look behind the scenes of one of the best rock n' roll bands of all time. There are some hilarious moments which include Liam dancing and some classic and memorable interviews. The 2-disc DVD also has a live concert from 2005 in Manchester which was a part of the "Don't Believe The Truth" tour. If you've purchased either"Familiar to Millions", "There and Then" or "Live by the Sea", you'll notice the Manchester concert is edited in the same way. The concert was packed and Liam and Noel tear it up. I would buy this dvd FOR SURE. You're getting both a killer documentary and a rockin' show for a very good price.

I saw this during a special preview in Boston last year and really thought it was a fantastic behind-the-scenes journey with the band during their last tour. The film has a great 8mm/home movie aesthetic, which I thought was really strong. There are mostly tail-ends and bits of songs, keeping the focus on the band during off hours (I hope you guys are planning a DBTT concert DVD as well?), and these stage moments are interesting in the context of their traveling. There are many great scenes of what fills the time between gigs: the endless interviews, playing games, writing, etc. If you want to spend time on tour with a great band and you enjoy a cinema verite look, check this out. **other reviewers have noted that there is a longer version with a bonus concert disc. If so, this 60min disc will certainly be lacking the full treatment it deserves.

Sorry to my fellow Oasis fans, but this is an awful product. The only thing I can find slightly interesting between both disks is, well, not much. The band is infamous for their lack of charisma on stage, and it shows. The crowd have all the energy here. Oasis writes incredible, anthemic music, but on stage, they are mannequins. Off stage they are cartoonish foul mouthed wanna be thugs. The pretentious attitudes grow old after 10 minutes. After 20, I wonder why I even like this band. Well, it's because they have an amazing talent for making incredible albums. Calling a band a "studio band" is taken as an insult, but I don't think it should be. When they're in the studio, they capture lightning in a bottle every time. On stage...meh. What was the point of the "behind the scenes" footage? Was that shot and directed by a twelve year old? It went absolutely nowhere. Worse than a home movie of someone's family. SAVE YOUR MONEY for the next Oasis CD, which there better be another one of, because so far "Beady Eye" sounds like recycled "yeahs."

There is one problem with this DVD set and one problem only: the marketing. It is packaged as a documentary with a bonus concert. It SHOULD have been packaged as a concert with a bonus documentary. Because the concert is the meat of this. For my money the sound, the showmanship, and the virtuoso performances captured here are better than Live by the Sea, better than There and Then, better even than Familiar to Millions. (Also making this better than FtM is the lack of those pretentious "visuals" inserts.) Oasis is the greatest [live] band in the world and it has never been on greater display than it is here. The cinematography is gorgeous, the sound is amazing, and the music is Oasis. What more could you want?

I wish they had done one of these for Be Here Now and Heathen Chemistry, but oh well, I'll take what I can get. Also a companion CD for this one would be nice.

(I also admit I got kinda sick during "Rock 'n' Roll Star," as the director uses a nonstop series of pans and zooms with increasing tempo to convey a frantic energy, to nauseating effect. If you have a sensitive stomach you might want to listen that one with your eyes closed.)

That said, the documentary is also very enjoyable, although perhaps too moody, atmospheric, and abstract for the tastes of some. For a really good time, turn on the commentary track. Noel and the band basically riff their own movie (including plenty of slagging on Liam), and it is hilarious.