Rating: Summary: As good as you'll get Review: There is very little decent film of Devo in concert so purely for its rarity this is a five star DVD. The concert is from 1996 and there's a new drummer (Josh? - certainly not Alan or Dave) but watching it reminded me just how good Devo live were. Somehow their studio recordings never quite caught the brilliance of their live act. There is a six track 12" on Stiff (called 'Be Stiff', 1978, ODD 1) which is awesome, if you can find it, but other than that, this DVD is as good as you'll get.And it's good. Very good. Sure, it only lasts for about 55 minutes with 11 songs and the interview at the end only lasts for about two minutes, but if you like Devo, your dollars (or pounds in my case) will be well spent here. The picture quality is really excellent and the sound likewise. The band all look a bit older but the energy is still there and it makes me wish they'd get together again and get back on the road. Criticisms? Well, we could always hope they'd played 'Be Stiff' but there never was any chance of that. As you Americans would say, "Go buy it!"
Rating: Summary: Still rocking after twenty years Review: This 1996 performance was at Lollapalooza, which explains the excellent video and audio quality. They open with "Whip It" (probably just to keep people from yelling for it the whole time), then drop back to the old good stuff.
This is a wonderful performance. You can switch between the edited multiple camera mix, a camera in the back zoomed on Mark, and a camera moving just in front of the stage.
There is very little editing, other than the rapid cuts from camera to camera. If it takes a few minutes for Mark to adjust the Minimoog between songs, then we get to watch and wait with the audience.
If you have even a passing interest in what kind of high energy post punk stuff was happening in the late '70s, you need to pick this up. It's cheap! It's great!
Rating: Summary: Need to own this- but understand what it is Review: Without saying Devo are amazing. Unfortunately watching this concert makes you feel like you are the only DEVO fan on the concert grounds. The majority of the people in the crowd have no clue what is going on. Remember, this was Lollapalooza years after all the godness was gone. If DEVO would have played in 91 or 92, totally different story.
As others have said, DEVO in the sunny aftenoon is an awkward sight. That aside, the performance is still stunning and fun. Smart Patrol/MR DNA is the high point of the show.
If you are a serious Devo fan, you should already own this. If you are just starting your de-evolution just remember to put this show into context, and still buy it.
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