Devo
The Complete Truth About De-Evolution
MVD Visual (2014)
I’ve long felt there are fewer lesser art forms than the music video. It turns out I was wrong—or, at least pre-1990 it was another game. The Complete Truth About De-Evolution is a DVD compilation of all of Devo’s music videos (1976-1990, minus “Are U Experienced?”), running in chronological order, and it’s a spectacle to behold. Besides the high quality of the new age jams, the band were theatrical, thoughtful, and entertaining. The recurrence of themes across their career is an added bonus and it lends itself really well to this concept, making the 20 videos feel unified much more than one would expect over 14 years’ output. This was first released on Laserdisc in 1993 but with different bonus features and one fewer video.As many are most familiar with “Whip It,” let’s start there. The costuming and abstract art prop use is a common idea across the DVD and it’s well on display with their biggest hit. While the collection starts with the low budget “Devo Corporate Anthem,” which seems to have been filmed on a bowling alley stage, the seeds are in place early, from the creepy rubber masks to the hyperbolic displays of musicianship, and the use … Read more
Steve Adamyk Band
Dial Tone
Dirtnap (2014)
This is Dirtnap Records.Not to pigeonhole anybody, but man does Steve Adamyk Band hit on that pop structure, garage chaos … Read more
Various Artists
Balsa/Sei Hexe - Split EP
String Break (2014)
Two bands hailing from the US Northwest bring a Metalcore filled split from String Break Records. Seattle's, Balsa, take control … Read more
Wolvhammer
Clawing Into Black Sun
Profound Lore (2014)
Having already released two albums showing great promise, Wolvhammer nail it with their third try. No matter how brutal and … Read more
