The F-List 
DVDs
Forgoing an attempt at parsing the pros and cons of every DVD of '05, we focus on standouts from the mini-genre of multimedia and music DVDs. For a shortlist, it packs a broad punch, with something for mainstream music heads, documentary dorks, and the most insular of indie snobs. Palm Pictures cleans up with two picks (Dig! and the Directors Label series), but c'mon, we just had to give cred to any imprint willing to drop Matthew Barney's Cremaster 3. -Jocelyn K. Glei
SMiLE documents Brian Wilson's once-lost "epic love poem to America," originally penned in the late '60s. Focusing on the history of the music and Wilson's tortured past, the DVD culminates in the album's cathartic live performance in London four decades later, in all its charming, grandiose glory. -
Colin J. Nagy
The Black Keys Live perfectly captures
the duo's stripped-down, blues-rock sound during a particularly intense performance in Sydney, Australia. Although the actual show is undoubtedly the highlight, additional features include an interview, live photo gallery, and video for "10AM Automatic." -
Colin J. Nagy
As if Ondi Timoner's insightful documentary on the parallel career paths of West Coast rockers the
Dandy Warhols and the
Brian Jonestown Massacre wasn't engaging enough on its own, the
two-disc DVD release supplements the film with commentaries from both bands, follow-up interviews, music videos, and the requisite bonus footage. -
Doug Levy
The second batch of DVDs in the impressive
Directors Label series focuses on the video work of
Mark Romanek,
Jonathan Glazer,
Anton Corbijn, and
Stephane Sednaoui — from the brutal visuals of UNKLE's "
Rabbit in Your Headlights" to the crisp black-and-white of Jay-Z's "
99 Problems." Extras include an elegant, info-packed companion booklet, plus hours of interviews with music icons like Bono. -
Jocelyn K. Glei & Josh C. Forbes
An essential testament to unrepentant music geekdom,
Looking for a Thrill documents musings by 112 indie-friendly trailblazers — from Björk to the Boredoms — on what fermented their passion for music. The five hours of material is uniquely cross-indexed, allowing for endless casual revelations and insights. -
Jake Lancaster
