Audio

by

Blue Man Group

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Returning home from a business trip I was disappointed that my anticipated Blue Man CD hadn't arrived. Soon enough, I found my son had already intercepted the delivery and as he handed it over he said it was "Awesome". And he's right! Taking the advice that "louder is better", I cranked it up and planted myself in front of the speakers. I could feel myself morphing into a Blue Man as the waves of percussion passed through my body. Approaching track 11 or 12 I noticed the dog was barking at the front door and I was busted by the neighbors who were trying to go to sleep. So I guess I'll be hunting for a new home with several acres so the Blue Men and I can live in peace. Audio is an excellent piece of work. I've seen the Blue Man Group twice in New York and I suspect that my visual memories might enhance my Audio experience. The only way this could be better would be if they created a DVD with the same scorching sound coupled with the fascinating display of imagination and style as they wield their unconventional weapons of percussion. Now excuse me while I go to the hardware store to buy some PVC!

I saw the show. It was fantastic. The Audio CD, however, is so-so.

Of you saw the show, you will visualize the animated drumming on unusual pipes, the marshmellow tossing, and the interactive audience show. You'll remember the neo-psychedlic quality as the lights streamed converse to the paper happening. The intensity of the music melds perfectly with the live theater concert.

There is a Pink Floyd heaviness to the drumming. I keep waiting for them to break out into "Another Brick in the Wall." This appealed to my classic 1970s rock tastes, but never meets the quality of Floyd's emotional instrumentation.

It helps to have a good stereo system turned loudly enough to hear the subtle segues between guitar, pipe and drum.

Where the CD lacks is in the total musicality. After a while, each song sounds too similar. Having loved the show, I think I enjoy more of the CD than someone uninitiated to watching several uniform blue face-painted men for an hour and a half. The show brings it home, but the music on its own is less than amazing.

Anthony Trendl

editor, HungarianBookstore.com