Review of Simple Plan: A Big Package For You

Introduction

This is really as close to a `concept` disc as I`ve seen for a while. Wrapped in brown parcel paper, and covered with global `Simple Plan` postage stamps, it`s a bumper communication from the band to their many fans, principally in the US. It contains a DVD, that has in excess of 3 hours worth of material, as well as a 3 track CD single and a number of cheesy `boy band` style postcards from various destinations that seem peculiarly at odds with the attitude of this band. The bulk of the disc is full of post-adolescent `Jackass` style japes and toilet humour, as well as plenty of formulaic Skate-punk anthems that sound closer to Busted, Good Charlotte and Sum 41 than they do to the `real deal` (Blink 182 or Green Day). Its all 4-chord power pop, filled with skater references and adolescent pre-occupations. It`s not without humour though. I laughed aloud at the chorus of addicted: `I`m a dick - Addicted to you`. Perhaps, in the final analysis, it`s this self-deprecating element in their music and lifestyle that makes them more bearable than their countless wannabe counterparts, treading down the same tired musical avenues.

The disc has plenty here for fans of the band. The bulk is comprised of home-movie style footage as the band embarks on global domination. There`s plenty of larking about, and no moment of their meteoric rise is left unrecorded. (What would we have done if a band with, say, the longevity of the Rolling Stones had had camcorders from the outset? Every living, breathing moment captured for the obsessive fan`s delectation.)

Also included on the disc are 4 of the bands videos, all amusing enough and thoroughly enjoyed by my `Good Charlotte` loving Daughter, and there are bags of extras too. Their humour gets tiresome, and their songs, all using the same basic formulaic soft/loud dynamic, become a bit samey as the DVD goes on (and on!), but it`s a damn good effort for avid fans of the band, and after all, that`s it`s intended audience.

Video

Variable (as this is principally made up of hand-held Mini-DV footage) but perfectly acceptable. The concert footage is impressive and the digital reproduction of their promos quite superb. (Best NTSC R1 seen in this yard for a while).

Audio

The Dolby Digital does a fine job and really, during songs, the only volume setting to consider is eleven.

Features

It`s full of extras, including a rather disappointingly dreary interview where they talk about each other (variations on `I love that guy!` ad nausem). Many of the extras are more of the same, so why they were demoted to extra status is anyone`s guess. Still - we get a tour of London with the boys, Golf in Jamaica (not very Punk in my book), bits about recording their album, we get to meet their A & R man (I wonder who decided that would be a good idea?!), and much more (or less depending on your view).

Conclusion

This is a great package for fans of this band. It reflects much of their fun loving personalities and self-deprecating humour and there are some exciting musical moments. But in the end, the formulaic music and the predictable `Jackass` japes become wearing (its nearly 3 hours long for God`s sake! Enough tomfoolery already!). However, the package has much to recommend it - with a second CD disc and a series of postcards of the band to boot.