DEVO - The Complete Truth About De-Evolution (DVD, 2003)

This DVD contains most of Devo's classic videos. Starting with their first videos, "Jocko Homo", "Secret Agent Man" and "Come Back Jonee" all the way through the 80s. Their music videos pre-dated MTV by several years. I was lucky enough to see them live at UCSB back in 1979. They started off the show with their videos, and the show was something I had never seen before or since. It was like watching a band from the future. And they played excellent, they are one of those bands that sounded better live than on record. A lot of people think that Devo was just another new wave band, but after seeing them play live, I knew they are a really great rock band. They were way ahead of their time. One of the great things about this DVD is it has a narrative by Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale that tells the story behind each video. This narrative can be switched on or off. So I watched it first without the narrative, then again with them explaining how they made it all happen. I was always a fan of the early Devo, but after watching their later videos with the narrative, they explain how they experimented with video technology and sequencers back in the day when the Commodore 64 was a great P.C. I think Devo is one of the few bands that had a theory behind the whole thing. They explain it better than I could, so I recommend this DVD to anybody who does not know the truth about De-evolution, and those who do.

DEVO is one of the most unique, experimental, influential and misunderstood bands to emerge from the late 1970's. Sadly, their only mainstream hit "Whip It", has overshadowed any of their work that came before or after. If you are a true DEVOtee, you must have this collection of many of their groundbreaking videos, thought provoking lyrics and music. I saw them on SNL when they performed "Satisfaction" and "Jocko Homo". At that moment, I understood their philosophy and was an instant fan. I also was fortunate to see them live in the mid eighties and I have never enjoyed a concert more! Come back Jonee!!

I remember being a teenager in the 80's decade and listening to their songs. Little did I know then about the underlying philosophy on De-evolution and the troubles they had with the music labels that signed them. DEVO had a very evolutionate proposal based on the theories of de-evolution, which to this day have been becoming a harsh reality.
I believe that for any devotee at heart, this will be a very nice collection of their videos(though missing one or two videos which should have been included). It is packed with the essentials in chronological order, so you get a view of DEVOs De-evolution through the years. Be sure to watch the videos again with the supplied commentary audio tracks.

Cool, Avante gard, electronic, ridiculous and innovative! If you like early 80s nerd music this is your holy grail. I love Devo and find their videos highly amusing but I don't know why.