Northstar – The Uncomfortable Camera [DVD]

Ahhhh Northstar. It’s odd how much I know about you, and yet, how little I know about you. For instance, I know lots of people were extremely sad when you announced that you had broken up. After all, they had loved your 2004 album Pollyanna, every one was talking about it. But then again, at the same time, we can’t forget your breakout 2002 album Is This Thing Loaded?, the album that forced people to go as far as proclaiming you to be the “best band ever!” Nonetheless, even though I knew so much about you, there was one thing I always wondered: what the hell do you sound like? You see, I had never heard a single song by you and was never really that bothered about it either. So I decided to take The Uncomfortable Camera and treat it like a learning experience and finally find out what you sound like! And what did I find out this evening? I don’t like you.

Well, now that that awkward introduction is out of the way we’ve come to one conclusion: I’m not a fan of Northstar. I’m really not. The songs all seemed to sound the same, the singer seemed too laid back – and this is both the live performance and the music videos. But, oddly enough, the simple fact that I don’t really like the band didn’t really hinder the enjoyment factor of the live DVD; because in all honesty, the DVD isn’t half bad.

You see, the main thing that keeps the DVD interesting is the unnatural filming strategies High Roller Studios used on the DVD. The footage is crystal clear with quick pans all around the stage. It never lingers one one view for more then a couple seconds before cutting to another angle. The camera isn’t perfectly still, but rather shaky as it zooms in and out but that makes it seem more realistic. It isn’t to the point where it becomes unbearable to view and dizzying, but rather stops right at the point of what you would see at a concert. You wouldn’t stand perfectly still, you would see the band move and around as you tumbled in the mosh pit and that’s what you get. It is much more realistic and in your face than the live shots that are perfectly still. And then, to make it even better, they throw in a black and white grain filter every once in a while, which adds a nice touch to the look of the set. They are even able to capture the crowd at the exact opportune moments, as they thrust their hands in the air and sing widely with vocalist Nick Torres.

Once again adding a little extra depth to the footage, High Roller Studios have spliced in some 8mm footage of random shots of Alabama in between the occasional song along with narration by one or two of the band members who tel their perspective about being in a band, growing up in Alabama and going out on tours.

So really, not liking the band didn’t stop me form enjoying the DVD. It was shot so well and edited so perfectly that I enjoyed just looking at the artistic filming aspect of the performance. So you can expect that real fans of the band will go insane over it.

And, as a slight added bonus, they have added some extra features to the package. Sure, none of it is really that exceptional, but the big fan may enjoy it. There’s two acoustic tracks, three music videos and a small behind the scenes look at the band recording their sophomore album Pollyanna.