Review of Fatboy Slim: Why Make Videos The Greatest Hits

Introduction

Norman Cook`s come a long way, baby.

After a plea from ex-school chum Paul Heaton to join his band `The Housemartins`, the young DJ left the burgeoning 80`s Brighton club scene for the thankless life of a bassist. Despite moderate success, the band split in 1988.

It wasn`t until the space year 1996 that he would hit it big, going all pseudonymous on us with the moniker Fatboy Slim and, along with `The Chemical Brothers`, introducing the world en masse to the `Big Beat` variety of techno-pop.

10 years later and the fella`s got a greatest hits album out, titled "Why Try Harder". What better a companion piece than this DVD release featuring all his music videos, titled - what else - "Why Make Videos".

Video

This collection of promo videos goes all the way back to `Santa Cruz` and `Everybody Needs a 303` in 1996. The older cuts aren`t quite as easy on the eye as the newer lot, but while the picture quality is variable, there`s no distinct difference between the old and new.

Aspect wise, it`s director`s choice. Some, like `Weapon of Choice` are in TV standard 4:3. Others, like `Slash Dot Slash` and `Demons` are non-anamorphic 1.85:1 or 2.35:1.

Audio

A functional Dolby Digital 2.0 - what the audio track lacks in oomph, it makes up for in music quality; the songs speak for themselves, surely?

Unless, of course, you hate Electronica with a fiery vengeance. But then you should ask yourself why you`re reading this review.

Features

You navigate the disc via some quirky menus. No `play all` option, which is a shame, as this variety of DVD is perfect for having on the background while you go about your business.

On the other hand, wouldn`t they tell you that`s what the greatest hits CD is for, though?


Rare & Unseen Videos:

1. Sunset (Bird Of Prey) Director`s Cut
2. Star 69 (Animated)
3. Everybody Needs a 303 (Pigboy)
4. The Rockafeller Skank (Spike Jonze audition demo)
5. Build It Up, Tear It Down
6. Don`t Let The Man Get You Down (5 x alternate endings)

A great addition to the DVD, these rare videos include Spike Jonze`s first appearance as Richard Koufey acting like a nutter outside the Chinese Theater, and Don, the subject of the anti-racism video `Don`t Let The Man Get You Down` meeting five different flavours of alternate makers.

Making Of:

1. Ya Mama
2. Right Here, Right Now

As it says on the tin. Who would have thought that hillbillies and cocktails do mix?

Special Bonus:

1. Are We Having Fun Yet? - a montage of clips from Fatboy Slim`s live sets in Brighton, Brixton and Brazil.

2. Video Mashup - Eclectic Method

Documentary:

Why Make Videos?

The flagship extra. An interesting featurette, but focuses on but few of the talent responsible for the ground-breaking videos. Sadly missing Spike Jonze, but does offer insights from the likes of Traktor and Hammer & Tongs into the promo-making process. It doesn`t have a particularly lengthy running time, either.

Conclusion

"Until he started making them for me, I hated music videos." - Fatboy Slim on Spike Jonze.

I bet you love them now, Norm:

*Christopher Walken flying through the air? Check!
*Exploding toilet? Check!
*Werewolf in a top and tail? Check!
*Kittens dressed up like people? Check!
*Paris Hilton in a bikini? You betcha!


It doesn`t matter whether you love his music, hate his music, or hit that awkward spot in-between where you`d listen to it on the radio but wouldn`t buy his album, Fatboy Slim has one of the weirdest, wackiest and warped music video catalogues to his credit. Everyone`s seen at least one - why not check out them all?

Fatboy Slim is renowned in the music industry for taking a very unusual `hands off` approach to promo videos. He`s happy to hand the reins of creative control over to the director and his team, which ensures each video is a 4 minute mini-masterpiece that not only compliments the track, but at times can overshadow.

Can you listen to `Praise You` without an image of (air quotes) Richard Koufey, leader of the Torrance Community Dance Group, leaping around like a loon?

Exactly. Which, in essence, is what make this video compilation great. Sure, it`s just another music video DVD, but what makes this one a little different is that the videos on offer themselves are different. There`s no video after video of rock stars mugging and posing for the camera - It`s not about making him look good. It`s about actively creating an experience and helping the music sound great. And it`s a showcase for the individual talent and range of the directors involved.

So, the video and audio quality here is nothing special. The extras aren`t Earth-shattering. So why buy it? Well, because you`re a Fatboy Slim fan - whether it`s the music or the videos you love, you`ll get something out of this release.