DEVO, pioneers (who got scalped) of the Music Video. They may not have been the first - such claims going alternately to Bob Dylan or The Residents, but they were one of the most influential and iconic. How many people still recognize those red hats from the "Whip It" video? (Oh, and they're actually called "Energy Domes")
This DVD is a chronological look at DEVO's videos, and an almost complete look at their major filmography. It's also an almost complete rip of the ancient Complete Truth About De-Evolution Laserdisc. I have to emphasize the "almost" here, because that's what it is. First off, it's missing the amusing promo video for DEVO's "Theme from Doctor Detroit." Okay, that's not exactly their most memorable video, but it's still pretty durn amusing. It can be found on the We're All DEVO! VHS, but who the hell watches VHS tapes these days?
It's also missing, however, DEVO's landmark 1984 video for "R U Experienced?" Not only is it one of only two DEVO videos to be done in 35mm, and the first music video to use computer morphing - it's an incredible cover to boot. Sadly, the Hendrix estate denied DEVO rights to use the video for unknown reasons, and it has been slashed from the disc. The listing for the video in the DVD credits even has a big red "X" over it to drive the point home. A shame. To make up for it, somehow, Rhino tacked on the film-collage video for "Mongoloid" made by Bruce Connor. Essential viewing.
The DVD has bonus features out the wazoo, too. There's live footage from 1973(!), 1977, and 1980 (at the M-80 Festival as DOVE). There's audio commentary for all the videos, and bits from a promotional video DEVO made to promote Laserdiscs. There's an interview with Chuck Staler There's photo galleries, and excerpts from "My Struggle..."
Okay, here's the second big problem, aside from the missing videos. Whoever was responsible for converting the galleries was very sloppy. Instead of being able to step through each image, as on the original laserdisc, you have to PAUSE the DVD and use the "next frame" button to move through. Frustrating. Here's what it's like:
3...2...1... *pause* Damn, missed some images. *rewind, try again, and again* Got it! *press next frame* Same image. *press next frame several times* Oh! There's the next one.
Yeah, it's frustrating, but even if you ignore the galleries and missing videos, this is STILL essential. Where else are you going to get most of DEVO's major videos in one place? Not MTV, or even VH1, these days. This is the only way, flawed as it is, so get it.
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