Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks

Not exactly Spinal Tap. Not exactly Martin & Lewis. Not exactly normal.

Once in a great while, an act appears that shimmers with such kineticism, such verve and lust, that audiences are scorched into submission – such an act is The Darkness – oh, and Tenacious D "The Greatest Band On Earth".

No small coincidence that I mention The Darkness above; an anachronism that treads the same razor's edge as The D, but on the "serious" side of the music biz. But what denotes "serious"? If financial success is the measure of sobriety, then Tenacious D is every bit as serious as those "real" rockstars. Which makes Tenacious D, as unlikely as it may be, real rockstars.

Jack Black and Kyle Gass have achieved a unique quasi-stardom; satirized themselves into the "serious" rock world and into ostentatious success that they obviously could never grasp via conventional methods. We KNOW that these guys are veterans of the rock scene – how else could they act so clueless so convincingly? – who never did "make it" with whichever garage bands they wore five-inch heels in, due to the provincialism of the music business; for the simple reason that their niche of pomp-rock has come to be purveyed by the likes of (and the looks of) the David Coverdales and the Jon Bon Jovis. And if you didn't fit the mold, you were out in the cold. But Tenacious D have become their own self-fulfilling prophecy: in satirically proclaiming they would "change the face of rock" - they have!

Black's hi-octane physicality and power-tenor vocal delivery is comparable to any of the arena frontmen whom he is hot on the heels of, and Gass's guitar expertise rivals, if not surpasses, most of the toyboy hair-shredders of the 80's who were bequeathed recording contracts on the strength of their Aquanet.

But Tenacious D's angle of attack has widened their scope. Unlike "serious" musicians who boast powerful talent, yet are stultified by the "demographic" that they are marketed to, The D can shamelessly perform feats which would cause "serious" rock stars unwarranted PR problems or lose them their followings: criticize other musicians without press repercussion; display their out-of-shape bodies without loss of libido; wear idiotic stage attire whilst fearing no fashion police; claim to devil-worship without evangelical dissent; egotistically aggrandize their own product without humility; all due to the initial establishment that this project is unequivocally tongue-in-cheek!

But how far can tongue-in-cheek stretch? Ultimately, when international tours come into play, the business of propagating fun has to be taken seriously somewhere along the way – or money gets squandered and corporate wangling gets ugly.

The bittersweet irony is that in winning widespread public acceptance – in other words, in attaining "commercialism" (a word that would make rockers and hard-core fans cringe) – Tenacious D have paradoxically lost the vital element that won them that commercialism: their naiveté - for where is the parody in terming yourself "The Greatest Band on Earth" if everyone in your audience AGREES with you?

The hook for the HBO series which launched Tenacious D onto an unsuspecting public was that it was OBVIOUS that these two rock-and-retch burnouts would never even have the finances to pay for a ticket to see - let alone BE - "The Greatest Band On Earth", as they exalted themselves from a dank stage where audiences almost didn't even acknowledge their existence. (That being said, HBO must be kicking themselves that they didn't contract Tenacious D for more than 3 half-hour episodes - Who knew that those benign television morsels, all of which are included in the Master Works DVD, would attain such cult legend?)

And now, Tenacious D, having brushed so close to actually being considered The Greatest Band On Earth (through acclaim by a multitude of fans), have necessarily modified their focus. This is not a bad thing, as every artist must sway to their public's demand, but their éclat has shifted, from "vainly trying to make people notice them", to "raving in the spotlight". The overwrought, Spike Jones-directed Wonderboy music video is a prime example of their largesse threatening to outrun their self-possession. Though they parody Ronnie James Dio in an eponymous ode, this video is more Dio than Dio ever was – the production value could never be matched by Dio's budgets in his heyday - which begs the question on whether the satirists have become the satire yet.

IS it still tongue-in-cheek? Yes.

For holding at bay the curse of self-consciousness and self-awareness is a schoolkid honesty and sophomoric sensibility, illustrated best in the three additional mentally-twisted shorts on the DVD – showing us that, talented though they may be, The D are still two sick puppies with abject disregard for social protocol, a near-miracle in this frightened and quivering politically-gutless modern age. It might be guilty laughter watching "Rock Star Sperm For Sale", but it is unbidden guilty laughter. We wish we could ALL be this honest and juvenile and callous.

The DVD also sports the full-length concert at the Brixton Academy in London; a daring, stark presentation featuring only the duo themselves, harking back to their roots when there was no "band" intrusion into their chemistry. It is testament to The D's charisma and talent (Black's freneticism, perfectly complemented by the understated Gass) that they can hold an internet-bred audience with such rigor…

We bear witness to one of the truly great comedy teams of our time.

Praise be to Satan on his big-assed steed!

(Movie Maniacs, visit: www.poffysmoviemania.com)

I have always been a big fan of The D but this is a DVD that not just fans, but every person old enough to witness offensive language will love. There is a sort of magic to the combination of comedy and rock that make you want the new Tenacious D movie to come out tomorrow. Not only is the humour dirty to a point of total awe, but the music these two guys can produce is frightening. Jack Black can deliver hilariously original lyrics with the intensity of any lead singer out there. Kyle Gass, lead guitarist, is magic with a guitar. Although the music and concert is amazing, all the little extras like the short films and road documentaries make this DVD a must have for Tenacious D fans, comedy fans, and rock fans alike.

These guys are funny. The thing that really makes this double DVD great, though, is the talent Kyle and Jack possess. You'll be hard-pressed to find a frontman as vigorous as JB. He is humorous, but also positively intense. He has a remarkable vocal range. Kyle's guitar work is highly commendable as well.

The episodes from HBO and other exploits on the DVD are worthwhile, but not as enjoyable for me as the concert. I do recommend this DVD in its entirety. Anyone who dislikes the use of the "f" word may not agree with me.

This two-disc set is perfect for long time D-Sciples or for introducing this musical/comedy duo to the masses. Jack Black and Kyle Gass are the genius behind Tenacious D, a rocking acoustic duo blessed by none other than Satan to spread their awsomeness about the globe. On the first disc you'll find every episode of their unfortunately short lived HBO series as well as a complete concert recorded live at Brixton Academy in London England. Highlights from their TV show include the episodes "Search for Inspirado" in which the band has 5 days to write a new song (because the club where they play is tired of the same song every week), and "The Fan" in which the D find themselves turning the table on a would-be stalker.

Disc two contains gems labeled "For Psycho Fans Only". On this disc you'll find three music videos, and two movies about the making of two of those videos. Also it contains an on the road documentary, D appearances on TV shows, and three extra short films that were made for HBO.

The Works has everything you could ever hope for chronicling this groups greatest creative efforts. The content some will find offensive and there are many rock induced "Satanic" elements which, humorously add to the depth of these characters (if indeed JB and KG aren't just being themselves). Their songs are addictive, easy to pick up and sing along with, even if their subject matter isn't something you'd want the kids to be exposed to. If you enjoy irreverent, satirical humor along the lines of Monty Python or The Simpsons, then I suggest whole heartedly Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks.

This may be one of the funniest duos since... anybody. Beyond the comic

genius that is Tenacious D lies a couple of great musicians. The songs will not only make you laugh your a#s off, but they're good musically. Tenacious D is a legitimate rock band and a comedy act in one. The DVD is really well put together, it's got all of their HBO episodes, a live concert, behind the scenes stuff, a video directed by Spike Jonze with Dave

Grohl, and a ton more. It's a tight DVD and a must have for longtime D Fans and newcomers alike. If you don't find this stuff funny... I feel sorry for you.