On a technical level, the disc is not overwhelming but still well presented. Given the nature of what they're doing, don't expect a 5.1 surround mix. The makers of 45-rpm records hadn't really thought that far ahead. Camera work for the show is certainly interesting, if a bit lo-tech. There are a myriad of camera angles, from side-stage to back of the bowl to mounts on the DJ stand, and even some clever cams mounted to the wrists of Shadow and Chemist. Intercut into the DVD presentation are visuals created for the stage backdrop, which are all well done and add to the overall experience. In short, you are able to view the execution from every possible angle and vantage point.
There is also a booklet included in the packaging, which is a very lengthy and thorough chronology of both DJs, as well as cut-'n-paste and collage hip hop in general. It's a great complement to the video and audio experience, and provides amble background material on both the scene and this particular set.
The bonus features for the disc are on the shorter side, but interesting. In addition to trailers for some other related DVDs, there are two main bonus items. The first is a making-of featurette about the set and the Hollywood Bowl setup. It offers a great glimpse into what went into the technical production, as well as just their process of collaboration in general. And it also gives generous time to their fascinatingly eccentric semi-host for the DVD, Mr. Kim Fowley. The other bonus feature shows a prior live performance clip of a portion of the Hard Sell set. It's brief, but enjoyable.
The Hard Sell isn't the perfect set, but it is still immensely entertaining and masterfully performed. A couple of very slight technical glitches aside, you're able to watch two peak performers in the scene put on a unique and expertly done concert. The intro film to the main show is meant to dispell any misconceptions that real DJ-ing "just" consists of guys playing some records. Shadow and Chemist aren't just playing records; they're using records, with an eye towards their source and to the past, to create an experience entirely different from what came before.
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