BLACKFIELD: NYC - LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY

Bizarre, bizarre, bizarre! I loved the first 2 Blackfield albums, reviewing the II with sheer adulation and unabashed praise. I am an unashamed sucker for melancholic (Okay, Sad) songs, even if it isn't prog! So why am I not blown away by their NYC live DVD? Hard to say but there is a nagging feeling of unease as I watched this twice and I still cannot shake the malaise. Perhaps it has to do mostly with Aviv Geffen, a gnome "Prince" like figure who looks absolutely silly with silver glitter eye shadow, sings in a rather unpleasant voice and strips off his shirt by concert's end (the temperature can't be too hot for an Israeli, so why is he trying to show off his scrimpy body?). Yet fellow Israelis Tomer Z on drums (very impressive), Eran Mitelman on keys and Seffy Efrati on bass all exude a certain charm as well as good chops. Steve Wilson shines, as usual both on guitar and on vocals but Aviv, who may be a huge star in his homeland but I am sorry to say he just doesn't cut it for me. Musically, the songs are all well played with highlights being "Miss U", "Blackfield" ,"1000 People" , "Pain" , the Alannis Morrissette penned "Thank You", "Where is my Love ?", "End of the World" and "Cloudy Now". Honestly, if Wilson would have not been present, this project would not have amounted to much, progressively or otherwise. It proves again the lofty praise that he richly receives. I guess I will just have to stick to the CDs, like in the good old days. 4 stars for the music, 3 stars as a DVD. Bizarre!