New DVDs

The latest releases reviewed

LESS THAN JAKE
The History of . . .
Cooking Vinyl
***
This Gainsville, Florida punk- ska band enjoy the kind of rabid following that will always keep them in pocket money. Raised on a musical diet of UK punk and Two-Tone (Buzzcocks, Specials, UK Subs, The Beat), Less Than Jake hold hands with the mainstream without going steady. This DVD establishes a strong connection between the band and their fans via a series of historical, episodic documentaries, Jackass-style video clips, live shows, a photo gallery, and general knockabout, beer-fuelled fun and games (the latter gathered under the section Various Clips of Random Silliness). Breathlessly entertaining and a little on the dumb side, yetalso an insightful view of the way in which unoriginality coupled with passion and irreverence can make you happy and rich.  www.lessthanjake.com TONY CLAYTON-LEA

GENESIS
When in Rome
EMI
**
Perhaps the most positive thing you can say about this release is that its impressive duration is the best thing about it. Recorded last year in the Italian capital, this is a very well-made effort that features near all the band's hits, plenty of extras and a special fly on the wall documentary. It's just the music that isn't up to much. No doubt Genesis's many fans will thoroughly enjoy hits such as Turn It On Again, I Can't Dance, Land of Confusionand Hand on My Heart, but it all just seems to be an entirely different musical world from the time when the band was fronted by Peter Gabriel. There's a blandness here that certainly won't win over any neutrals, but for die-hard fans it's quite a comprehensive package and good value for money. BRIAN BOYD