Devo - “something for everybody”
July 5th 2010 09:24
Most will remember them as that one hit wonder with ‘Whip It’, but to the musically educated, they will know how influential Devo are to music. Turning music into an art form has always been the basis of Devo’s work. Through their concepts and theories (such as De-evolution) to their stage show and music videos, Devo have expanded on the music to give a total artistic performance.
Sadly it has been a long time since the men wearing energy domes (aka:the plastic pots on their heads) created any art. “Something For Everybody” is return of not only the concepts, but the great song writing the Mothersburgh brothers are capable of creating. Allowing fans through their website to choose what songs made it onto the final product, another example of how the group is more than a rock (or in their case new wave) band.
Musically, the final product comes across as probably their most mature recording. While the humour and silliness is still there in tracks like ‘What We Do’ and ‘Don’t Shoot ( I Am A Man), the album also contains more serious tone in social commentary and subject. (check ‘No Place Like Home’) The guitar work is precise and the synths still play a large part on the Devo sound but at times I found comparing some of the tracks to a band like No Means No. And vocally, Mark is at his best. It almost doesn’t seem like it has been 2 decades since their last offering. (which wasn’t that great.) The band have recaptured the sound that helped make albums like “Q:Are We Not Men” and “Freedom Of Choice” great records.
20 years is a long time between albums for a band that has been around almost 40 years. But the old saying “good things come to those whose wait” applies in this case. This album exemplifies what made Devo so great back in the late 70’s, early 80’s. Catchy, powerful, fun and (ir)relevant. A Devo album that fans will love, because they helped craft the final product.
Sadly it has been a long time since the men wearing energy domes (aka:the plastic pots on their heads) created any art. “Something For Everybody” is return of not only the concepts, but the great song writing the Mothersburgh brothers are capable of creating. Allowing fans through their website to choose what songs made it onto the final product, another example of how the group is more than a rock (or in their case new wave) band.
Musically, the final product comes across as probably their most mature recording. While the humour and silliness is still there in tracks like ‘What We Do’ and ‘Don’t Shoot ( I Am A Man), the album also contains more serious tone in social commentary and subject. (check ‘No Place Like Home’) The guitar work is precise and the synths still play a large part on the Devo sound but at times I found comparing some of the tracks to a band like No Means No. And vocally, Mark is at his best. It almost doesn’t seem like it has been 2 decades since their last offering. (which wasn’t that great.) The band have recaptured the sound that helped make albums like “Q:Are We Not Men” and “Freedom Of Choice” great records.
20 years is a long time between albums for a band that has been around almost 40 years. But the old saying “good things come to those whose wait” applies in this case. This album exemplifies what made Devo so great back in the late 70’s, early 80’s. Catchy, powerful, fun and (ir)relevant. A Devo album that fans will love, because they helped craft the final product.
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Comment by Catherine Stebbins
Thoughts from a Cinephile
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