(FORMAT)

Author: eric Professional Critic? / Writer?: No / No

5 of My Favorite Bands/Films/Whatever: Kayo Dot, The Season Standard, Time of Orchids, Steely Dan,and yes - Mirthkon.

Into Right Now: Schnaak-Collossis, Za!, Dead Rider, Free Salamander Exhibit

Quick Qualification: I've long felt that all critiques/write-ups should begin with the above. It's a relevance thing - a tool to qualify the writer's statements by your own values. Rock on.

About Mirthkon - The Video (format):

This is the best musically centered film I've seen. It's better than great. It's truly outstanding. Even if the music is not your thing, the biting wit is exceptional with fun insight to the personalities of the band members. Although if the music is not your thing, you're in for a long watch. While no connoisseur of indie music films, I've seen larger budget staples like The Wall, Hedwig, etc., and a bunch of lesser known stuff - but (format) is by far my favorite. Viewer beware.

A lot of work went into this full-length effort. It is beyond thoughtful. There are probably hundreds of entertaining tidbits to discover throughout born of both the lighthearted and hints of the pissed off. I watched it 2.5 times so far (wife stated it's not appropriate for 3 year old son) and look forward to a lifetime more.

What I love about this film is the same thing I love about Mirthkon's music: It's the real deal - unabashedly intelligent in approach, content, and (ehem) mirth. Ever experience that disconnect when, as a fan of an artist's music, you see them in action for the first time and their focus seems different than their music's style or content? (IE "Lick My Love Pump".) That doesn't happen here. It's rare to see this much work result in such an appropriate projection of the music. It really succeeds in being the visible incarnation of the music's intent - or so it comes across to this common reviewer.

Progressive music (forgive the gross over-generalization / under-subgenre) does seem to receive the lion's share of accusations such as "Self-Indulgent", "Snobbish", and whatever other terms folks feel deprives them of their entitled sense of preferred entertainment. Well, they won't feel considered here. This struck me as a project of genuine preferred expression minus typical baseless attitude. No pandering about it. Their art. Their time. Their money, effort, & interests with no compromise for general approval or monetary reimbursement (please tell everyone, buy multiple copies, and prove me wrong). I aspire to accomplish so much in this lifetime. But that's not to say there's no effort to entertain: It's just unrepentantly dry and smart. I burst out laughing numerous times throughout. Combined with such overly-outstanding music, I'm hard pressed to think of what offering could be better.

For those who love complex, uber-talented rock: Mirthkon's (format) is a music film benchmark. For those who prefer their video content obvious, shocking, or spoon fed and their music soothing, booty-shaking, or even just 4/4: This is worth challenging yourself if only to expand your familiarity of the possible. Fan or not; for anyone brave enough to brace themselves for more: I recommend this film and band highly.

PS: And if you want a memorable treat, don't miss them live next time they tour through. I've personally seen music icons shake their heads, smiling & muttering "Damn!" at the spectacle that is this stuff performed live. Enjoy.

Much love from CA.

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