With a title that sounds like a porno flick (Are you quite sure about that?? – Ed), Close To Blue is probably all the stimulation Blue obsessed housewives and their teenage daughters need for a singularly satisfying night in.

Featuring seven live tracks recorded at a one off-show for specially selected fans, the DVD showcases tracks from the latest album Guilty, as well as old favourites from their previous two albums.  Duncan, Simon, Antony and Lee give a quality performance with flawless harmonies in between cheeky winks and flirting with the underage audience.

The preceding behind the scenes segment shouldn't be watched by the faint hearted as it contains some very disturbing screen shots of Simon with his hair out.  Believe me, it's not a pretty sight.  He does cover it up with a bandana after a few seconds but by then it’s too late and you'll never be able to look at his neatly cane-rowed head the same way again.

On top of all this, there's an exclusive 'interview' (I know three-year-olds who could ask more interesting questions in their sleep) where the boys reveal the stories behind the songs they co-wrote on the new album as well as waxing lyrical about girls, clothes, and how the media portray them as 24 hour party people which they claim they're not.  Lee, as you would expect, spouts a lot of crap, reiterating how much of an immature little arse he is.  Yeah, he has a great voice but if he doesn't watch out he'll be the next Brian Harvey.  

If you make it past this segment, then a number of extras await you, namely their 'show stopping performance of 'Riders' at the Brit Awards 2003, which apart from Simon's Lenny Kravitz-esque picky afro is not especially distinctive or show stopping for that matter.  However the video for 'Guilty' is great and includes some bonus 'making of' footage plus the inclusion of Blue's very first performance of debut single 'All Rise' on SM:TV.

As music DVDs go this one's not bad, though the editing is diabolical.  For the fans, there's enough of what they want, but truthfully, it's distinctly average.
(2½/5)

Release Date: 01 December 2003

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