DVD Review: "The Color of Noise"
At a nearly exhaustive 120 minutes, The Color of Noise, which tells the story of Amphetamine Reptile
Records and its founder, ex-U.S. Marine Tom Hazelmyer, might just be the
definitive retrospective on the Minneapolis-based record label. The Color of Noise fun fact No. 1 – Hazelmyer
discovered iconic New York noise merchants Helmet. Yes, that’s something you
learn by watching The Color of Noise.
The main selling point of this DVD is the music, clearly. There’s live footage of
The Cows and interviews with the band as well as live footage of Hazelmyer’s
own outfit Halo of Flies – and that’s not to mention the likes of Boss Hog, the
Melvins, Helmet, Hammerhead, Unsane, Supernova, Nashville Pussy, Calvin Krime,
who are also featured here. A
portion of The Color of Noise is also devoted to the troupe of artists
Hazelmyer commissioned, including Frank Kozik, Chris Mars, Coop,
Sheperd Fairey, for vinyl, CD and poster artwork, which helped to breathe life
back into the concert poster-as-serious-art movement that still continues
today. Yes, the next time you see a colorful and interesting album cover or
tour poster – you can probably thank Hazelmyer for that. The Color of Noise fun fact No. 2 – a lot of people like Hazelmyer,
which becomes clear after seeing and hearing his friends and collaborators heap
praise upon him. The Color of Noise
is often humorous and irreverent, just as Hazelmyer and Amphetamine Reptile
Records were, and after watching it, you’ll be quick to realize this story
couldn’t be told any other way.
Grade: B+
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