Devo - Live 1980
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DVD Cover Information Actor: Alan Myers, Bob Casale, Gerald V. Casale, Mark Mothersbaugh, Robert Mothersbaugh Brand: Music Video Dist DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language) Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dual Disc, DVD, NTSC Running Time: 75 minutes DVD Release Date: 2005-08-30 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Studio: Mvd Visual |
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Movie Reviews of Devo - Live 1980
Movie Review: It's good to be retro Devo - or is that redundent?
Summary: 4 Stars
Geez, considering the slagging DEVO (and by extension, their fans) took during their heyday, it's amazing to realize that there is a wealth of material back on the racks in the past few years. Almost their entire catalog is back in print (and all the Warners albums), a series of DVD releases and even a tour! And as for the slew of concert discs to hit the market of late, "Live 1980" is a genuine treasure. It captures DEVO just around the time their national fame was snowballing, on the "Freedom Of Choice" tour. (Think red Energy Domes.)
It makes the DVD a very interesting document in the fact that the band is still pretty raw. In fact, if there is any detriment to this DVD, it is that the recording quality isn't up to snuff for the sound. There are frequent splatters of distortion and the mix isn't always perfect, but this was a punky band live! So for the viewing sequences, you can overlook the sonic flaws; but it does make the CD side a ragged listen. If you really want a strong document of roughly the same concert, Rhino Handmade offers the "Dev-O Live" full length concert.
But you wanted to WATCH, eh, spud? Then "Live 1980" will fill you up. Opening with "Whip It," the band cascades through early material from the first three albums, including "Pink Pussycat" and "Swelling Itching Brain" from "Duty Now For The Future." Mark Mothersbaugh proves that he may be one of the most underrated frontmen of all time with his quirky automaton style, and the band zaps and squanks its way through with those primitive synths.
Also interesting is that this was obviously not being shot for commercial release 25 years ago. The lack of intercut audience shots is very conspicuous and most welcome. You have the cameras trained the entire time on the band and not on goofball audience members with pumping fists and home-made energy helmets. It makes the concert that much more watchable.
And finally, the final proof that De-evolution is very real; The opening "Star Wars" crawler that describes the tension of free thinkers during the age of Reagan, and then points out that things have since continued rolling backwards with "Emperor W" and his extremist enemies. It gets the show rolling with a sly snicker at our not so recent history. So...say it with me, ya'll....are we not men?