Here we come to my favorite of the 2002 Collector's Series DVDs, Audio Adrenaline's Lift. The album released almost exactly a year earlier and offered some of Audio Adrenaline's greatest work to date. Earlier in 2001, Audio A released a VHS project entitled Audio Goes Video straight to fans, making it only available with purchase of their hits project Hit Parade or at their live shows. The video took the fan through a journey of some of the band's most memorable moments on the road and offered an inside look at the members and their personalities. While the record company wasn't too keen on releasing a DVD for it, a portion of the material on it did make it to the new Lift DVD. So does it seem cheesey to have rehashed material? Not here.

For the "On the Road" featurette -- that if lengthened by just 15 to 20 more minutes could have been the feature -- key moments from the Audio Goes Video are mixed with brand new footage for what makes a really enjoyable segment. In the original video, an instrumental rendition of "Tremble" was set to a montage of beautiful sights from around the globe which fits absolutely perfectly on the Lift DVD considering "Tremble" closes out the album. Footage from this year's Creation Festival and Festival Con Dios tour help bring the segment up to date while classic pranks footage from their 2000 "Underdog Tour" fit just as fine with its "On the Road" theme. One of my favorite features was actually an interview with the group as they chowed down on Taco Bell and Burger King at a rest stop as they shared a little about their forthcoming project Worldwide. The segment ends wonderfully with amusing and much appreciated "interview outtakes."

In the music video department we're treated to the low budget but thoughtful "Rejoice" video which has drummer Ben Cissell leading the audience on a cross-country trip to discovering what makes people rejoice. Next up is the worshipful and well-placed "Hands and Feet" video from their previous 1999 project, Underdog. The best of the three videos follows last with their hit single "Ocean Floor" and the amazing concept video filmed for it. We're also treated to a fun and interesting "making of" featurette for the video afterwards. Other items featured on the DVD include 8 audio clips from tracks from the Lift CD, a regretfully short behind-the-scenes video of the Lift photoshoot (which failed to address why only the image of Mark hanging has been used and not the rest of the guys which is shown in this clip), and a brief photo gallery of about nine photos (mostly live concert moments).

The Lift DVD is an awesome piece for any Audio Adrenaline to add to their collection of Audio A paraphernalia. It's a joy for the fans and its obvious the fans were on the minds of the band while putting this project together. Again, I would have liked to have seen more from the project or some live footage (and not just studio music set to live footage), but all in all the Lift DVD will be one of the best of the DVD singles releasing this year.

- Review date: 11/28/02, written by John DiBiase