Sole Inhabitant - Thomas Dolby solo live DVD
I've just received Thomas Dolby's newish live DVD recorded in Boston during 2006. I've always considered Dolby's stuff to be underrated, overshadowed by his huge novelty hit "She Blinded Me with Science." His first two albums (The Golden Age of Wirelss and The Flat Earth) are treasure-troves of literate, sonically inventive electronic pop. He threw a bit of a wobbly with the dumbed-down third album Aliens Ate My Buick, but returned to form with 1992's Astronauts and Heretics.
He's not released any new songs for over a decade, but is now returning to music, and this live tour was the first step in his return. I think the DVD may be of interest to some EGN members for a couple of reasons:
1. It is a live, solo, electronic performance. I find it interesting to see how artists tackle the difficult challenge of creating an engaging live experience while stuck behind banks of keyboards and computers.
2. Dolby talks about each song, relating personal anecdotes and talking about his career in the context of the larger New Wave movement of the early 80s (interestingly, he feels he has more in common with the electronic artists originating in the 70s such as Cabaret Voltaire and Clock DVA).
Included are some informative DVD extras, including an interview, a feature about his performance technique, and an examination of his live rig.
Lastly, his old songs have been given some nice, updated arrangements developed for this live performance. I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD and recommend it without reservation, particularly to those electronic pop artists here interested in performing live. It is available from cdbaby.com.
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