Lonely Old Shut-Ins Only

Since it arrived in my mailbox, in its slim, shiny, jewelbox, I must have watched Fans Only at least 8 times. I am trying to figure out if the band had any un-media-ed event, ever. All the home movies! gig videos! TV show excerpts (who knew Brazilian TV was so much fun, and in English?)! I am also trying to figure out exactly what is the charm of this little band of gorgeous popsters. Certainly (it used to be) Isobel, certainly the whole mysteriousness of the band that they themselves created, certainly the music. Sam has fallen asleep on the couch next to me while I watched it twice now, so that must mean something. I don't think that the pompous yelps of Bono or the barking of Joe Strummer would lull that child to sleep. And I am convinced that Stevie is perfectly charming (and yet I am very glad that Beyond the Sunrise didn't make it onto the DVD). Of course, Stuart's songs have something to do with it all.