Megadeth
Rusted Pieces (Capitol Video) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
”Rusted Pieces” is 45 minutes of Megadeth performing uncut versions of
”Hangar 18,” and ”Holy Wars . . . The Punishment Is Due” along with
”Peace Sells” (banned in the U.K.), ”Wake Up Dead,” ”In My Darkest Hour” (rejected by MTV) and the remake of the Sex Pistols` ”Anarchy in the U.K.” This may sound menacing to those unfamiliar with Megadeth, but fans already know that this band speaks knowledgeably on war, political control and Orwellian topics. And they jam. The videos are mainly montages of clips paced at a dizzying speed to coincide with the music. Between songs, Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson discuss the concepts of the song-an invaluable addition since both are well-versed and funny.
Talk Talk
Natural History-A Video Selection (EMI) (STAR)(STAR)
Britain`s popular Talk Talk hit its U.S. peak in 1984 with the minor hit
”It`s My Life” and the alternative single ”Talk Talk.” Nowadays, the band may be better known for its beer commercial song, ”Life`s What You Make It.” New wave as they are, the songs sound dated and the videos are pretty basic. The highlights are ”It`s My Life” and ”Life`s What You Make It,”
segments that use engaging animal-insect clips that gain momentum as the songs do.
Mr. Big
Lean Into It (A-Vision) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
Mr. Big has got to be the cutest band on video since the Beatles. It`s not really their appearance but the way all four interact with the camera. This hourlong assortment of professional videos, home videos and interview footage showcases the personalities of the guys along with their music. Pro videos such as ”Green-Tinted `60s Mind” are great, but black-and-white studio clips like ”To Be With You” and silly band discussions at Chinese restaurants are what make ”Lean Into It” fun, informative and appealing.
B.B. King and FriendsA Night of Red Hot Blues (HBO Video) (STAR)(STAR)
This hourlong concert, filmed in 1987 at the Ebony Showcase Theater in Los Angeles, features such guests as Eric Clapton, Gladys Knight, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Phil Collins. The show starts strong with an energetic version of ”Why I Sing the Blues” and some hot guitar-dueling between King and Clapton on ”The Thrill Is Gone.” And while a duet between Billy Ocean and Chaka Khan sizzles, the rest of the show is devoted to Etta James, Khan and Knight trying to out-sing each other in boring versions of ”Ain`t Nobody`s Business But My Own” and other tunes.
Ratt
Detonator Videoaction 1991 (A-Vision) (STAR)
Everything about this four-song video reeks of sexism and stupidity. Hey, it`s only rock `n` roll, but it`s pretty sad when the only way a band can get airplay is by showing a chesty blond in a glass box being sprayed by a hose
(”Lovin` You`s a Dirty Job”). Besides the fact that the ”Detonator”
music is a rehash of every other Ratt song, the videos are typical of the stuff that gives heavy metal a bad name.
Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees (Warner Reprise Video) (STAR)(STAR)
This Damn Yankees home video debut opens with the ballad ”Come Again.”
For some odd reason, guitarist Tommy Shaw (formerly of Styx) begins the video with an acoustic guitar but ends with an electric one, yet he gets the same sound. So much for even trying to look as if you`re really playing. ”High Enough,” a love song that creatively uses a Bonnie-and-Clyde video theme, is the highlight, though it has already been played on MTV to a sickening degree. Other clips include ”Coming of Age,” both the video and the MTV
”Unplugged” performance. The acoustic version is more of a treat as guitarist Ted Nugent-in his hunter`s camouflage cowboy hat, no less-jams, rolls his eyes and chews his ever-present gum.
Kix
Blow My Fuse-The Videos (A-Vision) (STAR)
Kix has a new album, ”Hot Wire,” but songs from the previous record are featured on this 26-minute video. The videos for ”Get It While It`s Hot,”
”Cold Blood” and the title track are snoringly similar-all concert footage bathed in blue light. The final video, a staged version of Kix`s best- known song, ”Don`t Close Your Eyes,” is also dull.
