Staind-MTV Unplugged (2001)

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General		Extras
Category	Music	Main Menu Audio & Animation Music Video-Mudshovel; Fade; Outside; Epiphany Featurette-Unplugged Interview Featurette-Fade-Behind The Scenes Discography Web Links
Rating
Year Of Production	2001
Running Time	51:13 (Case: 72)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Joe Demaio
Studio Distributor	Warner Vision	Starring	Johnny April Aaron Lewis Mike Mushok Jon Wysocki
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI	$34.95	Music	Staind

    While the performance is solid and the musicianship is great, this Unplugged episode doesn't even remotely resemble the magic of Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Eric Clapton or Paul McCartney.

    Much of the set list is comprised of songs from the band's hit album Break The Cycle, with only two tracks coming from their previous album, Dysfunctional. Since the band is fairly new and doesn't have a large catalogue of material, this collection of songs should please fans and newcomers alike. Stand out songs in the show for me were Waste, Can't Believe, Fade and Outside, which particularly seemed to translate well to the acoustic format.

    The performance is quite intimate, with a crowd of only a few hundred in attendance. The video direction is very tight, including plenty of fast editing and close-up shots of the band in action. Basically, if you have seen other Unplugged performances, you know what to expect visually.

    For those that are interested, Staind have a new album coming out in 2003 called 14 Shades of Grey.

Video

    Made for television, this performance is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, full screen.

    The picture is generally sharp throughout, exhibiting some good foreground detail. Shadow detail was well defined for a subdued, dimly lit performance. No low level noise was apparent.

    Colours were rich and showed no signs of colour bleeding. Rendition appeared consistent throughout the feature, and skin tones were true.

    Apart from some very minor compression artefacts being visible in the background, no MPEG artefacts were present. Film artefacts were non-existent. Aliasing popped up regularly on the guitar strings (3:01) but was not distracting to an extreme.

    Only English subtitles are available, and they seem to be accurately paced with the lyrics. The subtitles do not cover the between-song banter.

    Contrary to the packaging, this disc is not RSDL formatted, and is not All Region coded.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    There are two audio options available; the default is English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) and English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s) is optional.

    Dialogue was clear and easy to understand. I never had any problems understanding the lyrics. Audio sync was spot-on at all times.

    Surround activity was good. Acoustic guitars were often panned slightly to the rears, as well as some vocal echo effects. Crowd noise was panned equally between the front and rear.

    Subwoofer response was very good in the Dolby Digital 5.1 track, accentuating the kick drum and five string bass guitar quite well. The Dolby Digital 2.0 track was particularly lifeless, lacking any depth when compared to the Dolby Digital 5.1 track.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

Music Videos- Mudshovel and Fade

Music Videos- Outside and Epiphany

    These are presented in 1.78:1, but are not 16x9 enhanced. The Dolby Digital 2.0 audio is as lifeless on these as the other music videos. Epiphany features an appearance by actor Billy Zane.

Discography

    A discography covering all three of Staind's albums, complete with track listings, but sadly no song samples.

Featurette- Unplugged Interview

    Presented in 1.33:1, with some truly awful audio, the band is asked how they applied these songs to an acoustic format. English, French, German and Italian subtitles are available.

Featurette- Fade-Behind The Scenes

    Presented in 1.33:1, with similarly awful audio, the band discuss in-depth how they aren't in the music business to make videos and be superstars, but how being on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine is a dream come true. English, French, German and Italian subtitles are available.

Web Links

    Two links to Staind's official websites.

    The video quality is good, though some minor compression artefacts are present.

    The audio is great, with considerable surround channel usage.

    The extras are genuine, but suffer in the audio department.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall