Family Values Tour DVD

1998's Family Values tour may have run to only a brief five shows, but its effect on the larger rock landscape is still being felt today. Devised by the band Korn and inspired by Jane's Addictions travelling Lollapalooza extravaganza, the tour brought together the now familiar cultures of metal and hip-hop on one genre-busting bill. This release is a combination of live footage and behind-the-scenes documentary (itself an odd mix of the new, thoughtful approach of bands like Korn and the rather tired rock 'n' roll clichés of some of their touring partners). Musically,... the bill was a slightly hit-and-miss affair: openers Limp Bizkit were still struggling to find their sound during this tour and Orgy's sleazy Goth industrial didn't particularly work, especially their cover of New Order's "Blue Monday". Germany's Rammstein, however, are a terrifying, pyrotechnic wonder and Ice Cube provides perhaps the concert's best moment--the sight of a slightly uncomfortable looking New Orleans officer during "F**k Tha Police". The interview footage does much to convey the genuine family atmosphere that existed between the artists and all involved seem truly excited to be part of the whole experience. On the DVD: Digitally remastered from its original video release, the audio soundtrack is available in a choice of 5.1 surround sound or PCM stereo. The visual editing is superb, mirroring the cutting-edge nature of the project. A shame then, that the DVD is unable to offer much in the way of extras other than instant chapter accesses to individual tracks.--Phil Udell [show more]

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