album of the week: 6.4

Devo

Something For Everybody

Warner Bros (2010)

why you'll love it - First good album in nearly thirty years

why you'll hate it - oh no! It's Devo

Reunions depress the hell out of me. Age happens to all of us, and rock stars never seem to get that. Thankfully Devo aren't rock stars. Though the past nearly thirty years of obscurity lent me the nightmare theory that they would return with no new ideas saying "check us out, we did Whip it! 80's am i rite?" Not the case here. New look, new ideas, and firing off their classic de-evolution themes and corporate satire.

Surprisingly, the concept surrounding Something For Everybody is probably some of the greatest satire Devo has ever come up with. The focus tested songs, art, and stage ensemble confuses the hell out of young clueless spuds. It's amusing to see it's the youth who are baffled by Devo now. In the late 70's it was the old critics and rock and rollers being punked by their nerdy synths and boiler suits. Now it's the mainstream embracement that today's rebellious youth is scared to death of.

The album is also wildly overproduced. Never to a point where I felt the edges were too smoothed out and dulled, but there are quite a few unnecessary echos and swooshes. I'd have a problem if not for this likely being all part of the gag. Also, since their last arguably good (if not, noteworthy) album, Oh No! It's Devo (1982), sounded like cheap thrift store Casio garbage, this is almost like making up for that.

It's all superficial to a point though. While ironic lyrics are smattered throughout, it's clear Devo still has focus on our de-evolved society. "Don't Shoot" evokes thoughts of the Kent State massacre (cited as a pivotal event in the creation of the band), and brings it to modern day, complete with a cheeky nod to the "Don't tase me bro!" kid. "What We Do" is quickly becoming my go-to ultimate Devo song of all time. Nothing represents the band better than that second verse. Total blended up pop-culture, nonsense, and misinformation; further shrouding the cryptic message of human disconnect. "Please Baby Please" did what I thought would be impossible, return to the satirical classic rock and roll pop style that made their debut album so curiously brilliant.

I grabbed the 16 song deluxe version of this album, available on iTunes. There is also a "song study" version available online; which are the 12 most popular tracks researched by the focus tests. Then there is the physical version found in stores that boasts itself as "88% focus test approved". On this version, the band went with the fans except for one or two tracks that they felt just had to be on there. Now, if Devo is so content to treat the 16 tracks buffet style, then I thought why not have a tracklisting for myself?

Since the album is Something For Everybody, there are a few tracks out there that seem to have been written for ignorant spuds who only know "Whip it" and think they've only done just 80's synthpop music. These songs sound like they were plucked out of a John Huges film. Rubbish. Then there are a couple tracks that Mark Mothersbaugh just didn't quite nail the lyrics on. He made the message too obvious, or is rhyming for the sake of rhyming. Unenjoyable misfires. So, that is why I have my "retcon version" of the album. 10 tracks (which roughly all Devo albums are anyway), and a mental block of those other lousy songs.

Every version of this album has the 4 or 5 best tracks, the brilliant "focus tested corporate allegiance" motif, and are truly better than anything they have done in over 25 years - no fucking doubt. My version of the album I feel puts it right alongside Freedom of Choice (1980) and New Traditionalists (1981). I love the energy, abstract hooks, and use of real instruments in "Signal Ready, "Let's Get To it", and "Watch Us Work it". It's not as good as their first two albums, but what the hell on this planet is? Hardly anything.

None of this will win you over if you aren't a Devo fan already. If you've never given them a chance before, start at the very beginning instead. Work your way up to and including New Traditionalists, then STOP! Pick this bad boy up next. If you're still begging for more, pick up Oh No! but it may be toxic to your personality.

They may be old and fat now, but the world hasn't left Devo behind. Something For Everyone is not only a good collection of tunes, but more importantly, culturally relevant. Perhaps the world has always been many strides behind them, and now they're back with a wink to say "I told you so".