About a week ago I was privy to a premier screening of The White Stripes recently released DVD Under Blackpool Lights, because I work at Tower Records, and we were running some sort of promotion where people who bought the DVD got a free pass to the screening at the AMC Theater in downtown Chicago. Needless to say, I didn�t have to buy the DVD (although I later did, anyway.), and the experience was a pretty mixed one.

I arrived with my company about two songs into the DVD, which isn�t too outrageous, considering the candy cane duo played over 20 songs at the show. The audio quality in the theater left a little to be desired, as you didn�t really feel like you were feeling the classic left-right channel acoustics that I am accustomed to hearing. The video was even worse. The DVD was shot on super eight, and on a gigantic movie screen, it just looks really grainy and, well, dated.

So what exactly was good about the whole thing? Well, the performance itself was extremely spirited. I have seen the White Stripes live in person, and this DVD gives a terrific portrayal of Jack�s considerable guitar talents live, in addition to the charming camaraderie Jack and Meg possess on stage. The film also has some excellent shots of the band as they play. As the viewer, you�re afforded a number of very interesting camera angles that really lend the performance a bit of artistry.

I left the theater fairly well convinced I didn�t need to own the DVD if it was going to look and sound like what I saw on the screen that night, but pleased that I went. The next day at work we heard from several customers that had attended the showing and bought the DVD that the video and audio sound much better when not projecting out of a huge movie theater, so I bit the bullet and bought the disc. It has turned out to be worth it. If you can find it on sale, I�d definitely recommend picking it up if you�re a fan of The Stripes.