Music DVDs

The latest releases reviewed

The latest releases reviewed

OS MUTANTES
Live at the Barbican
Luaka Bop/V2
***

Many of those who caught the Brazlian veterans' recent disappointing Dublin show will need some convincing before braving another encounter with Sérgio Dias Baptista and sundry hired hands. But the good news is that Live at the Barbican seems to star another Os Mutantes entirely. Recorded at last year's triumphant London show, the DVD catches the reformed band as they themselves cop that the adulation for them and their music is more than just a hipster whim. Os Mutantes were the tropicalia movement's house band, the Sao Paulo teenagers whose psychedelic pop fringed the music of many of the leading figures of the era. Original singer Rita Lee blanked the reunion (she has had the most successful post-Mutantes career), but Zelia Duncan makes a good fist of the band's harmonies on this outing. A pity that the reunion's Irish trip did not produce a performance as joyous and euphoric as this. www.osmutantes.com    JIM CARROLL

GARBAGE
Absolute Garbage
Warner Music Vision
****

Whatever one thinks about Garbage's music (this geezer reckons they're one of the best under-the-radar major rock acts of the past decade), anyone but a fool would have to credit them with producing some of the most gloriously off-centre music videos. Structure is in place throughout, as are some cool reference points (Diane Arbus, James Bond, The Wicker Man), but throughout it all is the highly visible, extremely photogenic and quite compelling Shirley Manson. So focal a point is Manson that she all but makes the rest of Garbage disappear (most of the time they just stand at her side, or behind her, as if emphasising their subservience). Manson is adept at holding back while simultaneously making you feel as if you're watching someone or something very in-your-face-strange indeed. Extras include a sparky, almost flinty documentary, Thanks for Your, uhh, Support. www.garbage.com    TONY CLAYTON-LEA