Oh No it's Devo! Before I begin this review I should full disclosure that I am a Devo fan. Some people just do not have the capacity of them. I understand this. Devo are somewhat different than many American rock bands in their presentation. This is because Devo is not a traditional band of its time wanting to talk about sexual intercourse and party things. This band came from an angle of commentary on the society of the United States.
They also were very visual first before MTV. Sometimes in art when something starts something that becomes popular it is overlooked as its originator. As the known Ghandi once said: 'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win'. Of course he was portrayed by the excellent Ben Kingsley, and apparently he was not very nice to his woman, but as Ghandi isn't even perfect we can all breathe a little easier!
Now the first Devo record is still in my heaviest plays. It was recorded with the great Eno. It contained many songs that many people have secretly copied. This is a blueprint sort of record. In this way, many of the bands after it came in the 1980's in America were heavily influenced by it. This is important in the 'Devolution' of Devo, the band. In fact by the time album number three 'Freedom Of Choice' was arrived, they hit their commercialness with 'Whip It' which featured a video with an attractive Asian who was cross-eyed.
If we hit the switch to now, we have 'Something For Everybody'. This recording is the first Devo recording in 20 years. This is apparent. Some of this record tries very hard. Now, it's not a bad thing, and I have listened to this for many times already, which I do not always do before I write. Some of these songs are not only good they are great. So far, 'Fresh' and the very amazing 'Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)' are easily immediate classics. The singer and brain of the band Mark Mothersbaugh is writing the lyrics he is born to sing. The band is not too over the top.
The song 'Somethin' is that cynical but smart voice with the drums reminiscent of 'Whip It' provided by the newer drummer (although not so new it seems as he began the live show in 1995) Josh Freese. Josh is great. He was in the Nine Inch Nails and a friend is sending me a copy of his recording which I will review at later time. 'Later is Now' is also a quick classic for this band, which is written by the other brain of it Gerald Casale.
I would like to take a moment to discuss the cover art as well. It is a woman eating in a sexual manner a small blue version of the classic Devo hat. First of all, no one should ever judge an attractive woman negatively. Beauty should always be a celebration. Second of all, there is nothing about the cover that would let you know it is a Devo recording EXCEPT the hat. This to me says this album is for the fans, and those in the known about them. However, the other side of this is that it is a sexual picture. It does fit into the Devo philosophic angle of having both a pleasant and easy to approach flavor but still has some cryptic undertones.
The issue which it brings me to as I suggested above is this: so much of modern music in the dance times as computers and electronics became apparent was a natural and sometimes unnatural branch of the Devo tree. Here we are in 2010 and Devo is back with a recording and in some ways I think they wanted to say 'Hey, we started this stuff, and look here we are'.
There is nothing wrong with this. But on many of the songs, there is a lot of things that seem to be a little too put in their places. In fact, the singer Mark has his voice often sounding like a robot or perhaps like a GPS voice too often for what I would like to listen. Again, this is an album with a lot of depth, so I am going to let some of this embellishment take on its own place in the record because the songs and the lyrical themes are still amazing. Sometimes when a band has too much covered up on their vocals I am turned away. There is something that makes me feel it's just gimmick or insecurity. At some points on this record, there is that feeling of Oingo Boingo or Goldfrapp (I reviewed their record not long ago and it all sounds like a car commercial) and this is only because of the parts that seem to not be aligned with the core of what the message is. Perhaps this is a result of still being on a major label, or maybe because it is their first recording in so long, I don't know.
But I will say, if they ever were to read this review (Ha!), don't be afraid to be Devo! Life is too short to break the news to the people gently! However, overall, this is a far, far better recording than most new bands, and the music and words are still top notch. I would bet that live the songs are perfection without all the additional things that sound a bit odd. Who knows, this may be something I enjoy with each additional spin of it.
In fact, I will go make an Absolut cocktail and put on this record now, and for the future!
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