- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080i/60 (29.970Hz)
- Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit), LPCM 2.0 Stereo (48kHz/24-bit) Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Region: ABC (Region-Free)
- Rating: NR
- Run Time: 131 Mins.
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: March 20, 2012
- List Price: $19.98
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BestBuy.com:
Purchase The B-52s: With the Wild Crowd — Live in Athens, GA on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(All TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Wow! After 35 years (34 when this show was recorded) The B-52s can still raise the roof. This post-punk band from Mars that formed in Athens, GA, playing their first live gig on Valentine’s Day, 1977, is like the happy counterpart to the edgier California hardcore scene that would give birth to X and The Dead Kennedys. Their classic harmony vocals, comprised of the frontwomen Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, with the call and response beat poetry of frontman Fred Schneider placed over the off-kilter, beach music, punky rhythm guitar playing of Keith Strickland is undeniably recognizable.
The February 14, 2011 show in Athens, GA celebrated the band’s 34th anniversary in front of a crowd of fans, some of whom showed up looking even wilder than the band itself, that was more than overjoyed to be there. Just as much of a party as they have always been, from the opening raw chords of “Pump” and on through a 20 song performance that included fan favorites like “Private Idaho,” “Deadbeat Club,” “Roam,” “Love Shack,” and “Rock Lobster,” With the Wild Crowd is an energetic and joyous performance.
Track Listing:
- Pump
- Private Idaho
- Mesopotamia
- Ultraviolet
- Dancing Now
- Give Me Back My Man
- Funplex
- Whammy Kiss
- Deadbeat Club
- Roam
- 52 Girls
- Party Out Of Bounds
- Love In The Year 3000
- Cosmic Thing
- Hot Corner
- Love Shack
- Wig
- Strobe Light
- Planet Claire
- Rock Lobster
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
The original high definition production arrives in a 1080i/60 AVC/MPEG-4 encodement from Eagle Rock Entertainment. The somewhat sparse set and limited lighting effects aids in keeping the imagery clean and eliminating most artifacts and such from the picture. Things are reasonably lifelike with just some subtle video noise noticeable in the darkest portions of the screen.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
This is the rare concert disc from Eagle Rock on which the LPCM 2.0 Stereo (48kHz/24-bit) mix and the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) are very closely matched. Both are nicely balanced with good separation and a good sense of dynamics. Midrange is very natural and punchy while vocals are clear in the mix. The main differences between the two mixes are that the 5.1 lossless mix, obviously, has the surround channels with performance space ambience that makes things sound a bit more spacious. It is also a little bit “warmer,” for lack of a better word, with slightly more reserved high frequencies that results in cymbals on drums and such being just a bit further down in the mix and for a more pleasing, less fatiguing sound at higher volumes in the long run. There is also a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack available.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1/5]
Only an interview with the band is offered, but it is a good one.
- Interview (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:33:17) – The band reminisces on their early days as residents, students and friends in Athens, GA and also on the formation of the band.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:4/5]
This is a superb anniversary concert for these veterans of the “new wave” era. Pierson’s and Wilson’s voices are in tip-top shape, Schneider’s charisma is on full display, and the party raves on. A must watch for all fans.
Additional Screen Captures
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[amazon-product]B006T8KT8U[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase The B-52s: With the Wild Crowd — Live in Athens, GA on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1/5]
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