Scissor Sisters: Hurrah! A Year of Ta-Dah (DVD) ***

Reviewed by Beth Squires
UK certification E | UK RRP £19.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 90 minutes

Hurrah! The Scissor Sisters have put together a fantastic, personality-filled DVD, coincidentally just in time for Xmas stockings across the country. Featuring a live show filmed in London earlier this year, and a documentary following the band and their various exploits, this is a treat for everyone who loves, or has briefly loved this crazy bunch of New Yorkers.

If you have ever been lucky enough to be a member of the audience at a Scissor Sisters gig, you know that the live portion of this DVD is going to be extraordinary. Filmed at London's O2 Arena earlier this year, front woman Ana Matronic and front man Jake Shears shine on the stage, which is evidently their natural habitat. The energy is truly infectious as they bound around pulling shapes, singing harmonies and addressing the 20,000 strong audience. Fun is the primary aim of a Scissor Sisters live show and the Kiss You Off tour was no exception. The scissor-shaped stage set extends into the crowd, with some lucky(?) members being picked to stand in the 'crotch pit'. There are lasers, glittery tight fitting, barely-there outfits, and all the exuberance you can imagine. But the great thing about this band is their ability to bring it all back to basics on gorgeous soulful songs like Mary. There's a lot of heart to this band, and that can sometimes be forgotten in favour of all the glitz and dancing.

The hour long documentary also featured on the disc is a fast-moving whirlwind of events depicting their insane promotion for the Ta Dah album. The surreal rules supreme for much of it; from German variety shows that seem stuck way back in the past, to filming a segment for dramatic American TV soap Passions. My favourite feature of the DVD, bar the amazing live show, is the brilliant video and behind the scenes footage of the She's My Man video. Filmed in one single shot with the camera staying perfectly still throughout, and directed by acclaimed Japanese artist Nagi Noda, the video is funny and fascinating to watch.

EXTRAS *** Four entertainingly enjoyable music videos and a great stripped down acoustic four-song gig that shows a whole other side of the band.