Blue Man Group in 5.1

From its origins as an obscure off-Broadway novelty act, Blue Man Group has grown to monster proportions, with authorized spinoffs performing in major cities throughout the world. The group is a permanent attraction in Las Vegas.

On September 14, DTS Entertainment will deliver Blue Man Group to music lovers and home theater fans everywhere with a 5.1 channel surround-sound release of the group's second recording, The Complex, originally released in stereo in 2003. That recording followed Blue Man Group's Grammy-nominated gold record, Audio, which was also released on DVD-A.

The Complex blends Blue Man Group's "signature innovative sound with a traditional rock 'n' roll formula to create a fresh twist on popular music," according to a July 29 announcement, and features vocals by Dave Matthews, Tracy Bonham, and Bush's Gavin Rossdale, as well as the group's well-known "walls of percussion."

The Complex DVD-A features many extras, including exclusive surround re-mixes of all 14 tracks; DVD-A surround sound and stereo; DTS 96/24 surround and stereo for DVD-Video players; DVD-A surround sound and stereo for DVD-Audio players; "behind the scenes" interviews and tour footage; music videos including "Sing Along" with Dave Matthews and "Exhibit 13"; a special "mix breakdown" track, "Your Attention"; and onscreen biographies and photo gallery.

"Considering the number of instruments we pack into one song, DVD-A and 5.1 surround sound is an ideal way to experience Blue Man music," said Blue Man Group co-founder Matt Goldman. "After the success of the DVD-A release of our Grammy-nominated album Audio, we plan to release DVD-A mixes of all of our future recording projects."

Formed in 1987, Blue Man Group creates multimedia performances that feature three bald and blue characters who take the audience on a journey that is "funny, intelligent, and visually stunning." After winning both the Obie and Lucille Lortel awards for their popular New York-based production, Blue Man Group opened equally successful productions in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Berlin; the company now includes more than 40 Blue Men and 50 musicians, and has grown into a 500-person organization.

"Blue Man Group reaches beyond the world of theatrical productions, and applies its vision, philosophies, and aesthetic to a variety of media, including Blue Man Group Records and Blue Man Merchandising," the announcement stated. "While recording The Complex, Blue Man Group developed the ground-breaking rock concert experience known as the Complex Rock Tour, which toured 70 cities in North America during the summer of 2003. That tour was the basis of the group's first DVD, The Complex Rock Tour Live."

DTS Entertainment is a division of Agoura Hills, CA–based Digital Theater Systems (DTS).

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