Devo - Live 1980
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Movie Reviews of Devo - Live 1980
Movie Review: Rubber City Rebels
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those gems that made it from a dusty vault onto DVD....and brings onto the screen the performance power packed by Devo.
By the time of this tour (1980, with the footage shot at a gig in Petaluma, Ca.), the band was riding a crest of "mainstream" popularity through the song Whip It and promotional music video - which remains one of the most unique merging of song and script - and the quirky love song, Girl U Want, as the pair became mainstays on FM "new wave" radio.
And though on the surface, Devo may have appeared to be nothing more than a novelty act, it was an incredibly talented band which put a premium on musicianship, with lyrics that was quite more than tongue-in-cheek stabs at rock-n-roll themes. The focus on the DVD is the music and the stage craft of the band; there are not the at times very obnoxious cutaways to audience members.
The band had come a very long way from its formative days in Akron, Ohio, when concerts often degenerated into the audience throwing anything available at the musicians to try to get them off the stage. These "rubber city rebels" are now in the big show, with a refined act that has to be seen to be appreciated.
Movie Review: envigorating live show captured in high enough quality
Summary: 5 Stars
As other people have commented, it's a relief to see a whole live performance with a minimum of footage wasted on the live audience. We witness Devo proving what artful craftsmen they were onstage - this is professional showbusiness (but performed with obvious joy). Video quality is very good - and totally appropriate to the audio...neither are pristine, but you wouldn't expect or want that anyway.
I like that on the DVD-Video side you're given the choice of two very different treatments of what was clearly originally a mono recording. I much prefer the soundtrack treatment by Devo's Bob Casale which is an impressive and convincing recreation of the room ambience you'd expect from that venue. (You can choose stereo or 5.1 versions of both treatments). Chapters marks are placed perfectly and the titles are discrete and effective.
The CD side sounds great too. In every respect a superb product and an invaluable complement to their music video collection.
Movie Review: One of the best concert videos of all time.
Summary: 5 Stars
Right up there with Stop Making Sense, this video document of DEVO's Freedom of Choice tour is absolutely essential viewing for music lovers. If you're a DEVO fan, you already own this. If you're not yet a DEVO fan, you will be after seeing this. I only wish that there were similar videos for each of their other tours. What little I've seen from the New Traditionalists and Oh No! It's DEVO performances has left me salivating for more. Seeing this amazing video lets me know the awesomeness that should have been preserved. There has never been another band quite like Devo. In concept, in sound, in style, they are totally unique. This DVD is proof positive that they are one of the greatest acts in the history of recorded music.Movie Review: Essential purchase for Devo fans
Summary: 5 Stars
In response to the first review, there is no problem with the synch. He has a bad player or a defective disc. I read a review on another site from someone complaining that the camera shots are blurry. Only the far shots are blurred but it doesn't take anything away from the performance because the editing is so quick, the far shots are only a few seconds at a time. The picture is excellent for footage that is 25 years old. The close-up footage is clear. The sound is incredible, especially if you have a multi-speaker system. For $10-$12, this dvd is a steal and a must for any Devo fan. You will NOT be disappointed and unlike some live dvds, this one begs for repeat viewings. An amazing document, I can't recommend it enough.Movie Review: Fantastic.
Summary: 5 Stars
Echo the other reviews. This is a great treat for devo-tees everywhere. Especially when compared to the current concerts, where 30 years later they are just as fantastic (even more so) and tight as a band as they were then. It almost feels like you're watching a video of a current band, until the camera just glimpses the audience.. which looks like a bunch of 70's porn rejects. (Well, that's mean- I'll bet that was the cool look back then). A great concert DVD. I like when Bob 1 makes a face at the camera since it's poised ready to film his solo during a time when he is.. not playing anything..