DVD Review: BAD BRAINS: Live at CBGB 1982(mvd visual)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

If you’re ready to graduate from the modern-hardcore crap that not only pollutes your brain but also makes you look about as menacing as a 12-year-old girl, you may want to head back to to the early 80s to check out Bad Brains, the seminal hard punk-edged reggae-core group that shook CBGBs club to its foundations on a semi-monthly basis. Bad Brains: Live CBGB 1982 chronicles what was arguably the band’s heyday through the shaky, grainy footage of a series of shows at the legendary club in all its sweaty, distorted glory. At the time, the band’s fusion of punk and reggae rocketed them to cult status on the East Coast despite their limited output of recordings and infrequent touring and to those not fortunate enough to catch the band live, this is as close as it gets.
– dániel perlaky

DVD Review Led Zeppelin: The Origin of the Species (sexy intellectual)

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Led Zeppelin: Origin of the Species is part of the Critical Review series dissecting the “roots and branches” of the band as well as the individual members. Looking at the musical histories and influences that created pre-Zeppelin groups like The Yardbirds and Band of Joy, the film follows the young musicians as they create the legendary group from the ground up all the way to international success.
Featuring lots of rare or previously unseen photographs and film footage, the DVD gives visually more than others have in the past while maintaining a scholarly approach incorporating the insights of 60s NME editor Keith Altham among others who present great first-hand memories. All the viewpoints create a well-rounded understanding of this phenomenal group.
– anatol ziege

DVD Review The Tomorrow Show: Punk and New Wave dir: Dan Funk (shout factory)

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Tom Snyder, while being both stiff and a bit of a blowhard, nevertheless gave ample audience to members of the burgeoning punk and new wave movements on his late night “Tomorrow Show.” Regardless of the fact that he often had them on in order to ridicule their clothes or approach to music, Snyder nonetheless deserves credit for introducing a lot of the giants of the genre to a mainstream audience. The Ramones, Elvis Costello and Patti Smith all showed up on his couch to be questioned by the chuckling, eyebrow wagging Snyder, who usually sat, visibly perplexed, in a cloud of cigarette smoke while these artists tore through their live sets. When he interviewed them it was often uncomfortable and confrontational: in other words, classic television. Out of either naiveté or gentle gibing, his “genuinely curious” line of questioning evoked some of the greatest sound bites of rock and roll. (On why he cut himself during a performance, Iggy Pop says, “Because I’m on your show.”) Finally rescued from grainy bootlegs, you can now see all of these indispensable bits of punk history on one DVD. I guess you’re all right after all, Mr. Snyder.
– sean o’neal

DVD ReviewWhy Should The Devil Have All The Good Music?dir: Vicki Hunter + Heather Whinna(blank stare)

rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Uh, maybe because Christian music sounds sort of lame? Without taking a stance one way or the other and just letting the music do the talking, this documentary inadvertently proves that--even when dressed up in the trappings of speed metal and punk--Christianity manages to keep from rocking. That’s just my opinion, of course, and that’s why I find this documentary more than a little funny as it earnestly tries to explore the young musicians who want to play secular forms of music but do it all in the name of Jesus. Those already given over to the Word may disagree, and the huge crowds at some of the featured Christian rock festivals prove that, despite my opinions, there’s actually a thriving scene for this sort of thing. Interviews with Pedro the Lion, MXPX and dozens of lesser bands you’ve likely never heard of paint a picture of pious, proselytizing folks who just want to celebrate the good word with lots of guitars. God speed and all, but thrash metal made by dudes wearing eyeliner is bad no matter how pure your intentions (in fact, it’s even worse.)
– sean o’neal