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KovalainenFanBoy

By KovalainenFanBoy
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KovalainenFanBoy Grand Master

KovalainenFanBoy

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I've been obsessed with Devo lately. A few weeks ago, I heard Whip It on the radio an it got stuck in my head. As a result I started listening to their stuff and reading articles, interviews, watching their videos, etc. And I find them fascinating. I already knew about the dualism, the not-so subtle irony that impregnates all of their artistic efforts. Those happy, silly, upbeat songs, that seem like thoughtless, mindless fun at first listen, but actually are actually charged with critique, pessimism, and black, acid humor. But I already knew about that and I'm sure so do you.

 

But what has been fascinating me ove the course of my discovering of this band is the fact that not only did all of their artistic efforts revolve around the concept of "de-evolution", but the band actually became that concept themselves. I'm talking about the "degradation" of their sound, from guitar based post-punk to completely guitar-less, synth driven new age pop, and the decline in musical and lyrical quality. And then, they spend 20 years making shitty versions of old songs for ads and produce the album that, for me, closed the circle of de-evolution: Devo 2.0. I mean, look at that. Did they do this for money? To make a point? For fun? All of above?

 

I've been thinking about this band for a few days now, and I felt like I should share my thoughts.

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J3FF3R00 Grand Master

J3FF3R00

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One of the greats. I'm a potato, for sure.

 

My cousin was obsessed with them in the late 70s.

He passed the spud torch to me and I carry it proudly. When i was really litlle, in the early 80s, he would sit me down and show me old DEVO videos. He still is a rabid fan and actually has an ongoing relationship with the band and caters for them when they are in town.

 

If you are a new fan (or even an old one) and haven't heard it yet, try to hunt down DEVO Hardcore Vol 1.

The stuff on that is DEVO in their purest state. It is so raw and mind blowing.

 

Skip to 2:30 to hear one of the best songs you'll ever hear in your life...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCv3uHB3EkI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

 

After that, Q/A is my fave. Hardcore Vol 2, New Traditionalists, Duty Now For The Future, Freedom of Choice and Oh No! It's DEVO! are all fucking top-notch.

 

Also, check out their film The Truth About De-Evolution.

Edited by jefferoo
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pattern recognition Mentor

pattern recognition

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Posted (edited)

I've been obsessed with Devo lately. A few weeks ago, I heard Whip It on the radio an it got stuck in my head. As a result I started listening to their stuff and reading articles, interviews, watching their videos, etc. And I find them fascinating. I already knew about the dualism, the not-so subtle irony that impregnates all of their artistic efforts. Those happy, silly, upbeat songs, that seem like thoughtless, mindless fun at first listen, but actually are actually charged with critique, pessimism, and black, acid humor. But I already knew about that and I'm sure so do you.

 

But what has been fascinating me ove the course of my discovering of this band is the fact that not only did all of their artistic efforts revolve around the concept of "de-evolution", but the band actually became that concept themselves. I'm talking about the "degradation" of their sound, from guitar based post-punk to completely guitar-less, synth driven new age pop, and the decline in musical and lyrical quality. And then, they spend 20 years making shitty versions of old songs for ads and produce the album that, for me, closed the circle of de-evolution: Devo 2.0. I mean, look at that. Did they do this for money? To make a point? For fun? All of above?

 

I've been thinking about this band for a few days now, and I felt like I should share my thoughts.

 

hell yes, devo are (were) amazing. in devo-obsessed periods in my past, i've also thought about them de-volving over the years, and whether they planned that, or just became shit. i know they just become shit like most bands do, but it fits nicely.

 

i would also mention mark mothersbaugh's emergence as a hot childs-program composer in that de-evolution.

 

great, great live band, unbelievably tight.

 

edit: i still recall as a child the surreal moment that was seeing them in a honda scooter ad, and around the same time them on saturday morning television talking about their energy domes protecting them from beams from space or something. one of few bands to make a huge impact on me at various times in my life.

 

 

amazing:

 

Edited by pattern recognition
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J3FF3R00 Grand Master

J3FF3R00

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Little know facts about DEVO.

 

They are all approximately the same height, weight, hair color, eye color and shoe size.

 

A lot of that has to do with the fact that they are 2 sets of brothers.

 

I wish my brother was cool enough to start a band with me like DEVO.

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J3FF3R00 Grand Master

J3FF3R00

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ah, i thought this was a thread about the MC

 

:facepalm:

 

 

 

 

Also

 

just in case anyone wanted to know where OK GO stole their best idea from...

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54JBeywtoqg

 

 

 

Also guys, don't forget that Brian Eno produced Q/A.

Edited by jefferoo
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Cryptowen Grand Master

Cryptowen

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That is literally the worst music I've ever heard.

It's David Firth/Locust Toybox/that guy who makes Salad Fingers & constantly references 90s IDM

 

Anyways I like Devo but I haven't spent much time listening to stuff that came out after New Traditionalists

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KovalainenFanBoy Grand Master

KovalainenFanBoy

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Something For Everybody was a pleasant surprise too, nothing groundbreaking but still better than everything they released after (and including) Shout

Edited by ThatSpanishGuy
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J3FF3R00 Grand Master

J3FF3R00

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Something For Everybody was a pleasant surprise too, nothing groundbreaking but still better than everything they released after (and including) Shout

Yeah. Not bad. I remember hearing the album previews when they let their fans pick the tracks. Cool idea, IMO.

At least Mark has made a solid reputation for himself as a film composer. His edge adds so much to Wes Anderson's stuff.

 

I've missed out on a few opportunities to catch Devo live. Even their dress show at the NYC summer stage. I don't know what my problem is.

 

 

Also, this is for you Neil Young fans ...

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSAz1Vc4U34&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

... from Neil's film "Human Highway". Devo stars in it. It's one of the craziest movies ever.

 

Edited by jefferoo
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splesh Grand Master

splesh

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The Complete Truth About De-Evolution is a really great DVD. I remember hearing they were cool with the Devo 2.0 because it was "proof of de-evolution". I think one day in the near future, I'm going to buy myself a classic red energy dome. Devo are so great.

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Guest Margatroid

Guest Margatroid

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I got into Devo when I was 15 or 16 in the mid-90s, when they had a minor popular revival and Henry Rollins re-released a lot of their albums on his Infinite Zero label. There was this older dude I knew at the comic store who listened to them and I remember him saying something like "you like them because they're weird, but eventually you'll realize it's more than that."

 

They're still my favorite band nowadays. It's sort of a cliche at this point that they were under-recognized pioneers, but it's a cliche because it's true. They took Kraftwerk's minimalist electronic style and "group uniform" approach and infused it with wit, clever philosophy and humor, and they were one of the first groups to do amazing things with music videos. Their videos had so much style that they don't even seem dated now, 30 years later. They seem more "Devo" than they do "80s."

 

I was actually listening to them a lot the past few days, as I do several times a year. I agree with pretty much everyone that their albums up to "Oh No!" are the best, but I actually like Shout quite a bit. It's a brilliant pop album, really. I think it got a ton of critical hate because everyone expected Devo to be intentionally weird, so people felt obligated to accuse them of selling out or failing when their sound became more "normal." "Please Please" and "The 4th Dimension" in particular are great, as is "C'mon." The whole album has a rather melancholy vibe to it that I enjoy. I remember going to a record store as a teenager, discovering Shout, and taking it over to one of the in-store listening stations. As soon as I heard the first few bars of "Don't Rescue Me" I was sold.

 

Total Devo and Smooth Noodle Maps are also not quite as bad as they're usually said to be, although I would say TD is their worst. Still, even it has its gems. "Blow Up" is fucking hilarious.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT86cm2PvUY

 

Anyway, yeah, Devo rules.

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Guest Xenblake

Guest Xenblake

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listen to the 7 versions of Post Post Modern Man in a row

 

so good the way the same song tweaked in different ways just keeps on comin at ya. so.....Devo.

 

edit: the Swedish version of Baby Doll is laughs too

Edited by Xenblake
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