Rating: 
Summary: so punk rock, punks hate it
Review: (time for a review edit) I just bought this dvd today and have viewed it many times! To fully appreciate Devo you should see this DVD because they were always meant to be a visual experience as well as musical. To the normal monkey they will always be known as the THE WHIP IT band, or just a one hit wonder, but anyone who knows anything about anything will either know by now or will be excited to find out DEVO were one of the most atrocious effective forms of commercial terrorism ever. It is something hard to describe but just watching these videos and hearing the music you will either think its too stupid for you or you will embrace its stupidity with a silly grin then your nose will bleed as the stupidity uncovers things foul and odorous that are stinking all around you. And yes I am pretty new to DEVO and I will say I like their early Hardcore Devo compilations and first few official albums far more than their later stuff.
Now on the DVD itself, I haven't seen the earlier VHS or Laserdisc versions as I am only 20 years old but this stuff is all fantastic. The highlight of course is the short film The Truth About De-Evolution which I have been wanting to see for a long time, it was more than I expected! This would have been enough for me as I think nothing else on the DVD comes close to topping it, I wish Devo were able to do more in the early 70s because to me they seemed to lose a bit when they got signed but ANYWAYS! I liked this entire disc, there are commentaries for every video which if you can't figure it out on your own will point out DEVO were alot more than just goofy synth rock. Even the most stale song and video has a serious menacing force or even message behind it, while none of it is nothing that hasn't been said before it gives the ugly realities a horrific new minty aftertaste that makes it far more scary and disgusting than say the equally impressive Dead Kennedys who just came right out with what they wanted to say. This minty aftertaste seems even more foul today, just look at the world around you!
This disc is full of extras, some live show clips (very sad to find out none of their full blown shows were EVER properly filmed), a history of every piece of merch they've ever put out flashing by at the speed of light, extra short film and videos and all types of fun crap. I was sad to see Are You Experienced wasn't on here, as it was a video I saw only once when I was 12 and I will never forget the Beatles wigs, dancing hippies, and inflating/deflating body parts. Just pick it up! I am happy to hear there are 3 more Devo dvds on the way, probably reissues of old tapes on DVD but hey, its about time!Later... Alright the last 3 videos from Devo's final years are truly awful, the music is embarrassingly bad, and not in a fun Devo way. On the commentaries the guys complain about how bad they were treated on all 3 videos and how the videos and songs never got a chance, but the thing is, the songs and videos are so awful you really have to strain to feel sympathy for them. I think them breaking up and getting f**ked over by another record company was the best thing that ever happened to them at that point, had it been 70s Devo it would have been criminal, 80s Devo very unfair, 90s Devo......... heh well, so? Despite these 3 horrible songs and videos this is still a good DVD, now if only they'd reissue those Hardcore Devo CDs, those two and Devo's first 3 official albums are all you really need!
Rating: 
Summary: Devo is rolling in its grave!
Review: A couple of years ago I heard straight from Club Devo that a new DVD was on the way. I was under the impression that it was going to be a new project, thee final once and for all definitive Devo video collection. That's what I thought I was getting when I bought this. Instead, this is just the laserdisc from 1992, hacked up and repackaged. The video quality is surprisingly bad. In some cases the source material goes back even further than the laserdisc, all the way to the We're All Devo VHS collection from 1983 or so. Dr. Detroit and Are You Experienced aren't even here. I hope someday they put out a quality package, because Devo's material deserves it. These guys were the band that got me interested in "alternative" music and the whole "question everything" way of looking at things. Unfortunately it's the only game in town, so if you want Devo's videos, here they are. Except for two.
Rating:
Summary: Are We Not Men? Can't We Just Enjoy This DVD...
Review: Albeit, the quality of some of the early videos is lacking (but in a way, this provides a certain charm), but is not DEVO better than no DEVO at all. I mean where else can one view the short film, 'In The Beginning Was The End: The Truth About De-evolution'? This is a great DVD simply by virtue of it's material. DEVO was a seminal rock group, the original new wave and post-punk band. For that reason alone this is a great DVD. I mean I didn't expect crystal clear clarity & 'Lord Of The Ring'-esque production values. I wanted DEVO, and that is what I got. Thank you Mark & Gerald. In addition to the indespensible early videos are some archived live footage (Including their first ever performance at Kent State in 1972!), and a pretty hilarious public service announcement/ infomercial espousing the virtues of Laser Disc. The abovementioned features, in conjunction with the sweet price make the purchase of this DVD a no-brainer. If you love DEVO, buy this immediately, If you don't, buy it anyways and support subversive art.
Rating:
Summary: NICE TO HAVE ON DVD FNALLY, BUT MISSING MATERIAL!!! WHY??
Review: As a long-time DEVO fan, I'm happy that Rhino/WB FINALLY put out a best-of DEVO video collection on DVD, but WHY are there so many holes? I don't really miss the "Are U Experienced?" video much (the addition of seldom-seen "Mongaloid" video makes up for it!), but as any fan knows, there are lots of bits/segments MISSING that were included on old, OUT OF PRINT VHS edition of DEVO's "THE MEN WHO MAKE THE MUSIC" and "WE'RE ALL DEVO" - for example, where are all the original cool BOOJIE BOY/GENERAL wraparound skits/segues DEVO created? Where is the COMPLETE backstory with the evil record label? Where is the LIVE footage on tour in JAPAN recorded at BUDOKAN? Also, surely there must be MORE unseen promo footage, featurettes, etc. locked in the vaults - and why not do a filmed piece showing the group's reunion tour on LOLAPALOOZA, etc? Since this is the FIRST and maybe ONLY DVD fans are likely to get, why does the release seem so lackluster in terms of packaging/bonus materials? If Rhino put as much effort into making a DVD as they do their "RHINO HANDMADE" CD's, this would get 5 stars - I'll keep the DVD but wish it respected the high standard/pioneering spirit and lasting influence of DEVO - if "now it can be told," then TELL THE COMPLETE STORY not some shoddy, rush-job cash-in?!
Rating:
Summary: NICE TO HAVE ON DVD FNALLY, BUT MISSING MATERIAL!!! WHY??
Review: As a long-time DEVO fan, I'm happy that Rhino/WB FINALLY put out a best-of DEVO video collection on DVD, but WHY are there so many holes? I don't really miss the "Are U Experienced?" video much (the addition of seldom-seen "Mongaloid" video makes up for it!), but as any fan knows, there are lots of bits/segments MISSING that were included on old, OUT OF PRINT VHS edition of DEVO's "THE MEN WHO MAKE THE MUSIC" and "WE'RE ALL DEVO" - for example, where are all the original cool BOOJIE BOY/GENERAL wraparound skits/segues DEVO created? Where is the COMPLETE backstory with the evil record label? Where is the LIVE footage on tour in JAPAN recorded at BUDOKAN? Also, surely there must be MORE unseen promo footage, featurettes, etc. locked in the vaults - and why not do a filmed piece showing the group's reunion tour on LOLAPALOOZA, etc? Since this is the FIRST and maybe ONLY DVD fans are likely to get, why does the release seem so lackluster in terms of packaging/bonus materials? If Rhino put as much effort into making a DVD as they do their "RHINO HANDMADE" CD's, this would get 5 stars - I'll keep the DVD but wish it respected the high standard/pioneering spirit and lasting influence of DEVO - if "now it can be told," then TELL THE COMPLETE STORY not some shoddy, rush-job cash-in?!
Rating:
Summary: NOT complete!
Review: Damn that Jimi Hendrix estate! Thanx to them, Devo's "R U Experienced" video is NOT included on this so-called "complete" DVD collection! (But heck, I guess Devo was best in the '70s anyway.)
Rating:
Summary: DeVoD for you
Review: Despite some of the reviews below, I ordered 'The Complete Truth About De-evolution.' I received my Devo disk today, so I popped it in my DVD player and pushed 'play.' All my fears about inferior quality were dispelled as the first video came up. It was the five boys standing at attention proudly in their shiny uniforms, ready to perform their Duty Now, For the Future. All the videos are nice, clear, crisp DVD quality transfers from the original 16mm films, which is exactly what I had hoped for. Now I can't wait for a second disk that has all the great videos that wouldn't fit on this one, but still, this one is packed with 18 great Devo videos that will satisfy all your Devo moods for now:
1. Devo Corporate Anthem
2. In the Beginning Was the End: The Truth About De-evolution
3. Satisfaction
4. Come Back Jonee
5. The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprise
6. Worried Man (1 of 3 excerpts from the 'BIG ENTERTAINMENT' film)
7. Whip It
8. Girl U Want
9. Freedom of Choice
10. Through Being Cool
11. Love Without Anger
12. Beautiful World
13. Time Out for Fun
14. Peek-a-Boo
15. That's Good
16. Disco Dancer
17. Post Post-Modern Man
18. Post Post-Modern Man (Rocky Schenck remix) Also there is intelligent and interesting optional commentary by Gerald V. Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh throughout all the videos.
There are many other interesting extras too.
*Interview with Chuck Statler (music video director & Devo collaborator)
*The Tour Film - a short film wherein General warns Booji Boy to stay clear of the powerfully dangerous metal press.
*Early Live Gigs - rare footage from three interesting Devo concerts
1) Kent State University 1972
2) The Crypt Lounge 1977 ('Too Much Paranoia', 'Uncontrollable Urge' and 'Clock Out')
3) DEVO performing incognito as DOVE (1980) wearing polyester suits and green visors, and playing 'Worried Man'
*Photos - snapshots & road pics
*The Deal - 2nd of 3 excerpts from the 'BIG ENTERTAINMENT' film wherein Daddy Knowitall sics Rod Rooter on the Boys to get them back into their yellow suits.
*Albums, Singles, CDs - album covers
*Posters - miscellaneous posters
*DEVO wear and T-shirts
*Buttons, Pins, Badges
*Miscellaneous de-evolution - stories and pictures
*Kindred Spirit - 3rd of 3 excerpts from the 'BIG ENTERTAINMENT' film wherein Rod Rooter tries to interrupt Dr. Birthfood (played by Timothy Leary) as he monitors the boys' reprogramming session.
* production credits for the 4 Laserdisc promo spots interspersed between the 18 music videos
*Color Bars - hmmm, well that's all that it is?
*'Mongoloid' music video by Bruce Conner
Rating:
Summary: buy it for the special features
Review: DEVO was a concept band - philosophical, experimental, uncomprimising, unapologetic and with plenty of forward thrust. And they had a fashion catalog and newsletter to boot. Those were the days.
Most of the videos on this disk are NOT that. Instead we get a bunch of pre-teens doing cheesy robotic choreography and other lukewarm pablum. It looks like DEVO really, REALLY wanted to get in on the ground floor of MTV. They failed.
In fairness, the DVD is a mixed bag - there are some good videos (Secret Agent Man, Jocko Homo, Satisfaction), and some of the early 80's mass-market videos are passable (Whip It, Beautiful World, stuff from Oh No! It's DEVO).
The most interesting part of the DVD are its special features, including a running commentary by Gerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, recorded in 1992. They give some insight into the videos (and try to cast them in a favorable light).
Rating: 
Summary: Voyager Laserdisc to DVD, Finally!
Review: Finally, DEVOtees need not purchase outdated Laserdisc players and spend $150-200 for the long out-of-print Voyager laserdisc "The Complete Truth About De-Evolution"! You can have it here for hundreds less on DVD. It may lack the "R U Experienced?" video, but I understand they've replaced it with Bruce Conner's early groundbreaking experimental film for "Mongoloid" (1977). Buy this DVD, and pick up a copy of the new DEVO book - "Are We Not Men?..." by Jade Dellinger and David Giffels (SAF Publishing Ltd., 2003) too! Now it can be told.
Rating:
Summary: THE TRUTH? CAN U HANDLE THE TRUTH?!!
Review: Finally.....DEVO on DVD! But "Complete" ??? Sorry Spuds,it's a bit uglatto! What's missing? Mostly it's the "linking" material.... The Rod Rooter/Donut Rooter/Daddy Knowitall/Genral & Booji Boy skits,it also contains none of the live footage from the original "Men Who Make The Music". BUT....this is not the fault of RHINO,this is the first re-issue of a Laser Disc.release out of Japan,and appears as it was released then. Except,that the estate of Jimi Hendrix put the brakes on "Are You Experienced" being released,so that is missing.( Which is sad,because it's A) A brilliant cover & video,and B) Apparently it's okay to prostitute Jimi's music to commercial makers instead. ). So why purchase this re-issued spud wazz? Well....it is the ONLY collection available on DVD. It DOES have some interesting additionals,early black and white footage of the FIRST DEVO public appearance,and an appearance by DOVE ( singing "Worried Man" live ),and a good selection of photos,memorbilia,and inside stories. And...it's probably the first release,US wise,of "Disco Dancer",& "Post Post Modren Man"( 2 versions).Although the "used in concert version" of "Love Without Anger" STILL remains in the DEVO vaults,and has never been released. Still....overall,it's good to have a little DEVO for the ol' DVD! DUTY NOW,SPUDS!
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