Elephant Parts

Michael Nesmith wasn't just monkeying around when he created this groundbreaking, pre-MTV "video album" comprised of music videos and The Groove Tube-style TV, commercial, and movie parodies (minus the raunch). Elephant Parts won the first Grammy for music video, but this is more than just a mere time capsule relic. Two decades-plus later, the music videos are charmingly archaic, and the comedy sketches--hit-and-miss even then--hold up surprisingly well. Favorite bits include: a Japanese monster movie twist on Nesmith's country hit "Joanne"--called, of course, "Rodanne"; the lovely song "Rio"; the commercial for "Elvis drugs" (All Shook Uppers and Blue Suede Ludes for stoner parents who don't remember to take their drugs every day), the game show spoof "Name That Drug," and a bit about Neighborhood Nuclear Superiority for warring neighbors. Only one ill-conceived segment may offend: the subject of battered women is not a laughing matter, even for women covered in batter. As a welcome DVD extra, Nesmith graciously supplies folksy and informal commentary. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Lee Benson)