Reviews (page 7 of 8)
4/10
cool... not sounds dumb
Inicios del punk. Raruno.
New wave, post-punk. Un poco todo igual
Q: Is this yet another classic album produced by Brian Eno? A: Why, yes it is.
It's definitely a fun album with much more sophisticated instrumentals than I initially gave it credit for. But I'm not sure how else to say this...I feel like I can't take this album seriously? Both the lyrics and singing style feel mostly childish. Still, it's an enjoyable listen. Favorite track: Mongoloid
Brian Eno and David Bowie produced and mixed this album. They must have seen something in this band. I say they are a decent listen but for me it felt like an uneven mixture of Talking Heads (the singing style - but not as innovative) and Television (the instrumentation - without the streamlined, focused approach). There is some humour in their absurd texts and antics but compared to those other bands I rather listen to those. For someone else, who'll find a different way into music, it might be something.
1/5. Boring and annoying. I listened to it three times just in case but could not latch onto anything worthwhile. Like it sounds like they are having fun but it’s just a worse talking heads. It’s not great honestly.
Properly, and I mean super properly, shite
This album absolutely deserves a place on this list and the songs are pretty good as well. This is the forebearer of new wave and the 80's sound that other artists copied or tried to copy. I will never be a Devo fan, mostly because I find the lyrics to be trite and trying too hard to be quirky. I don't connect with the music, but I have to admit it is good music.
Niets speciaals imo
not so sure about this one. sometimes it's almost cool, sometimes it's annoying, but all of the time it's nothing to write home about.
I always wondered why people got really into Devo. This made me wonder why more. Half-ass sounding cover of Satisfaction. Some really high instrumental notes were cut off by vocals coming in. The yelling and stuttering syncopation were just not for me. Whole album sounds unenthusiastic and lacks emotion. Not insufferable, but not good.
Whip it!
4.5
80s pop.
What? They've got Tom Brady on their album cover? How does even happen? They even mention a goat in "gut feeling." It's not a coincidence. They're from the future. I'm giving this album a 5 just in case.
Inventive and interesting. Satisfaction is a pretty damned creative interpretation of the song that is entirely catchy, bizarre and engaging. Mongoloid is also good, but most of the rest is strange quirky unusual, more than it is enjoyable. Challenging and fun.
surpsingly good. that 70s punk I usually dont like but some wild sounds like soad
DEVO!! More proof that late 70s/early 80s new wave is some sick shit!
No, no no no nono NO.
Started promising, but now I realize why I haven't heard their version of No satisfaction....
This album would have been a lot better if the songs weren't bad.
One of my favourite album covers
This album felt like it had big 'Jim Carrey in the Mask' energy. Fun times, another point in the 'I liked it' column for Brian Eno, his track record is starting to level out for me.
Enjoyed it, sounds of yesteryear imo but nice to hear something different.
I thought it was a fun listen, likes a few of the songs, no complaints
I listened to this around Great escape festival and wonder if my brain was just too full of music to take more in. It hasn't left an impression but Luke rates it. I didn't hate it though. This is a weak review I know
Alright but nothing to write home about
Many of these songs were irritating
What can I say? This is my favorite album released in 1978, beating other incredible LPs such as Kraftwerk' *The Man Machine*, Wire's *Chairs Missing*, Brian Eno' *Music For Airports* or Talking Heads' *More Songs About Buildings And Food". Of course it's gonna be in my own list. Just like those great 1978 albums, *Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo* is one of a kind. It's totally weird and yet incredibly catchy. Tracks like "Incontrollable Urge" and the legendary "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" cover make for a great start, and later on, you have "Mongoloid" and its bouncy bassline, infectious guitar riff and wry lyrics, "Jock Homo" and its crazy vocals, "Shrivel-Up" and its off-kilter synths, or "Gut Feeling", with its enticing arpeggios and insane build-up. Oh, can someone explain to me why this track is not available on Spotify?--without it you don't have a full picture of the dynamics side two go through! Those cuts, along with the rest, suggest a self-contained universe. A nonsensical one, sure. But one that's relatable once you understand what the band is all about: making fun of the whole human race, and have a blast about it! In a way, this record is a mix of all the other albums I've quoted up there--except *Music For Airports*, but since Brian Eno produced this debut, there's still a direct connection to him here (Eno also produced Talking Heads LPs around that time, which shows how important he was for both New Wave and *No* Wave around those years...) Devolution is also a funny concept that hasn't aged a day, if only because of our current "idiotic" time. Early post-punk has many treasures like that, and his here is one of the most precious one. I wish I had more time to talk about this record today. But I only have time left to give a dumb "grading". 5/5, then. Good luck for the album that comes next! Number of albums left to review: 561 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 214 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 102 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 127
It's got Bowie and Eno on the desk, it's got attitude and distinct US new wave sound, it's just a bit difficult to listen to without thinking it's all mood and no songs. I get it, I just don't enjoy it.
Aussi fun qu'inventif
PREFS : TOUT MOINS PREF : RIEN
Some weirdo shit but I like it. An unhinged mashup of punk, new wave, rock, synth. If nothing else Devo is unique and I respect that
I didn't get to listen to this with earbuds because one of my ears is plugged, so that might have affected my enjoyment of the album, unfortunately. I wish it did a little more, I guess. I think it kind of improved in this area by the end though. Pretty high three, but I can't give it a four. My favourite song was Come Back Jonee.
This album rules. Super fun, very unique, lots to love about it. I sometimes like how subtle the electronic instrument use is, other times I feel like it could be a little more emphasized, but overall a solid record.
Very good album. I remember listening to this a long time ago and being a bit disappointed that it wasn't more wild like my assumptions said it would be. Knowing what I was getting into, it was a very fun listen and I'd definitely listen to it more. 4/5
Sucks that the catchiest song on the album is titled after and frequently repeats a slur. B+ otherwise, love Devo but certain elements just don’t hold up
listened on my lunch break, deserved a more sincere listen and review sorry bout it. Liked what I was hearing 3.5/5
Really fun record that still feels timely, with exciting angular melodies and often quite funny lyrics. Only mildly dated by its production. Can hear the influence in a lot of today's post punk. Fave track: Too Much Paranoias
What a treat - so easy to enjoy the punchy and unique stylings and fun instrumentation. Seems completely original and innovative compared to some of the other rock and post-punk outfits of the time. Weird and a total joy. Fave track: Come Back Jonee
Not for me I'm afraid
This was another throwback. Anyone recognize the first song like say from MTV. Jocko homo is a good one too. I never got into them much but I do like them. One of the guys went on to write every single soundtrack you've ever heard on a movie.
Perhaps the most bizarre album I have ever enjoyed - it really is very strange. I'm not sure it is one of the best 1001, or one of the most important 1001, but it is certainly interesting and I am glad to have heard it. Pretty much every track has the germ of a pop song in it, but then buried under many layers of bizarreness.
I liked this a lot more than I thought I was going to. Great album name as well. 3.5/5, but I'll do 3/5 here.
Quirky as fuck, but not catchy or memorable like Talking Heads. I'm sure it was fairly game-changing when it was released, but in 2023 it's just silly and annoying.
Fun album
Bolje nego sam očekivala 3 pjesme sam lajkala
okej je, pondosljivo u nekim trenutcima, u vecini slucajeva jako napadno
Ako ste se ikada pitala tko je DEVO ovaj album vam odgovara na vaše pitanje
We are devo!!
Me ha gustado (PSP)
This album was a bit of a strange one, I’ve never heard of Devo before so based off the cover I was interested to check this one out, and I have to say it’s definitely unique. What makes Devo stand out is the eccentric vocalist paired with the up beat instrumentals, a perfect example of this is on the first track ‘Uncontrollable Urge’ which is filled with this killer guitar riff and an almost back and forth between the main vocalist and the backing vocalists like they’re giving 2 different perspectives. This is again seen on ‘Jocko Homo’ where the main lyrics are a repetition of the album title where the main vocalist asks the question and is answered by the backing vocalists. Another point that stands out to me is the mix of rock and some slight electronic influences, there are some tracks which are heavy rock and roll such as the first track and ‘Come Back Jonee’ and there are tracks with that almost futuristic sound like on the back end of ‘Mongoloid’. To be honest the praise kinda stops there as I find there are 2 massive things letting this album down, first is the structure of the songs. Unfortunately, most of the songs rely on the chorus to carry them and it’s alright with the cadence of the vocalist but it’s gets a bit dull when you know what’s coming next before you’ve even heard the song. Secondly, the lyrics are just bland. A very clear example is the track ‘Praying Hands’ which repeats “You’ve got your left hand, you’ve got your right hand, you’ve got both hands, you’ve got praying hands” it’s just a bit predictable. Also the track ‘Space Junk’ where I’m pretty sure they just start naming places around the world in a list which I don’t get. It’s a shame because the vocalist is really entertaining but a lot of these songs feel like chants at times and barely a nice tune, especially the last track which just sounds so weird and a bit sinister, almost like a cartoon villain. I think this band definitely has the sound to it but in my opinion a lot of the songs are lacking some key structure, would love to hear them do some longer tracks as that sort of energy can really boost a longer track. Nevertheless, I found this album a bit strange, I probably won’t return to it. 2/5
When I was a kid, I was gonna one of two ways - I was gonna go for Devo or I was gonna go for They Might Be Giants. Of the two, I understood They Might Be Giants so that's the way I went. The first two songs here are a great start and if that could be kept up, this would be a hard album to deny. But deny it I do! After those first two songs, it's a slow slide down. I love the spirit of it, I love the energy of it, but I just don't love the songs.
Devo arrive at their first album fully formed - a bunch of geeky clowns dismantling rock 'n' roll on record, all in service of a sinister, shadowy credo that humanity is going backwards. You're never too sure whether they're joking or not, and that ambivalence lurking in the heart of Q: Are We Not Men? forms a huge part of their appeal. The other is their weird, stiff, hysterical motorik music. There's not a bad track here, and many real highlights. Strange sounds, played with intent and determination.
I don't think I've ever listened to a Devo album all the way through before. As someone who grew up with MTV, they made such a big visual impact on my young eyeballs that the music has always been somewhat secondary. And I'm still not positive if I'm supposed to take the music itself seriously... but I kinda don't care. There's a general tone and feeling that came through while listening to the collection of songs here that I enjoyed overall. I don't like the Stones cover and I agree with Craig that the songs aren't as strong as I'd hoped for, especially thinking in comparison to that album we listened to recently from The Cars. But again this one is more about the feeling and it gave me a good one. Plus, I got to have a meeting with Mark Mothersbaugh once and he couldn't have been nicer. Their offices had weird instruments laying around and was exactly what I hoped it would be. Towards the end of the meeting, Mark had to leave to go talk to David O'Russell about scoring one of his films and asked if I'd rather go in his place. Ha. Top 10 moment in my entire film endeavor.
This album probably would have been a breath of fresh air in 1978. It has aged quite well but I listen to such a bredth of music it doesn't really stand out as unusual. I do love the cover of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, very catchy.
Unnngh - love this Devo album! I saw them live at a festival in Japan in like 2008, and they looked like a bunch of portly middle aged men in yellow jumpsuits and funny hats, but they sounded exactly the same. I was convinced they were miming and kinda bummed out, but then towards the end of the set the singer started to get slightly out of breath and it became apparent that they’re just awesome and can recreate their sound from the glory days at will…. 😆 Fave track - "Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)" is just so so good. Love the moody intro to "Mongoloid" too...
This was an awesome album. Great recommendation.
Never really a Devo fan, though I can see the value in it. To me the music isn't really that far off mainstream rock and the lyrical sensibility and vocal delivery don't do a ton for me. Solid for what it is but not my thing.
This is one of those albums I bought recently because everyone should own this record on vinyl. For novelty and nostalgic reasons, Devo is one of those one-of-a kind bands that had an interesting concept and took it as far as they could. I first saw them on TV (SNL or Fridays?) around this time and well, they were hilarious! Personally, I liked them best on the early albums, as their sound was fresh and exciting on the debut, but loses steam towards the end. Still an enjoyable listen and you can't help, but visualize those goofy hats.
Cat: um, I kinda love this?!?! A little bit weird for the sake of being weird, but also brilliant. Talking Heads meets Styx meets the Cars. Funny, Spotify played Talking Heads right after this album! AJ: Energy is through the roof. Rhythm section is a fucking truck. Lead singer annoys the fuck out of me. If I had to see them live and they played anything besides Uncontrollable Urge and Gut Feeling, I would leave angry. Uncontrollable Urge is a rippah, though.
LOVE THIS. I've listened to this album before but I enjoyed it more this time around.
I'm a bit too young (5 years maybe) and probably on the wrong continent to have grown up with Devo as a thing. Beyond Whip It! I didn't know their music at all. And that was probably through Rockband or something. This is alright. I enjoyed the vaguely new-wave, punky sort of sound and there are some decent individual tracks. I'd listen to it again if I cam across it randomly but I might not go out of my way to find it. Better than average certainly.
Not sure this is for me, pretty forgettable and dull
A bit nuts, but lots of fun. It does feel quite dated, but I am always excited to see what tv series or film Mark Mothersbaugh is writing for now. The talent and production qualities are up there. Blissfully short but I miss Whip It.
Fun record but very novel and annoying. This was great when I was 9 and wanting to pester everyone in the house. Punk, techno, surf, bubblegum pop... Devo is the musical equivalent to pop-ups ads. They've got elements of music I like but excessive and unnecessary.
I do not enjoy Devo. Makes me think a little bit of the Talking Heads and B-52’s. I did like the Stones cover and Johnny B Goode.
I really liked this. Definitely frenetic — there were times it sounded like Talking Heads meets King Crimson — and interesting to hear a more guitar-driven side to the band. I'd heard much of this ... well... some of this before, but hearing it all in one album brought that point home. I listened to some of "Freedom Of Choice" after this was over to get a feel for the more electronic vibe. It's all good. I am not man. I am Devo.
i like the idea of Devo more than the reality. Too herky jerky and paranoid for my taste. But kudos to them for being so weird and wired.
3-4
This album was so fun! I can definitely hear the inspiration for some of my favourite indie rock bands today
This band is fantastic. Even as a young teen when I first heard 'Whip It!', I loved their humor. Much later, I realized what excellent musicians they are. I am glad I got to listen to this album in full, which I hadn't done before. When I place this album in the time and context of when it was recorded and released, it's clear to me how ahead of their time they were. So fun. And I do remember devoted Stones fans losing their minds over Devo's cover of 'Satisfaction' on this album. That cracked me up. Superb!
для 1993 года звучит очень устеревше, если честно; монотонно и скучно как-то
барабаны очень сочные все что могу выделить)))
Ну вообще снова база, но тут какая-то фишечка была, так что 4о4ка
Liked it at first but then got tired of it towards the end.
3.5/5 I kind of liked this album. 😬 I like electronic music so this was an interesting foundation to that kind of music. It got grating on the nerves eventually, but I liked the beginning.
Weird but peppy and brief. A little too experimental and repetitive for my tastes but not quite to a "tear my hair out" degree. Not a fan of the singer or style of singing.
Ok
Fun and I liked it more than I thought I would. I don't think of it as artistry but it does have energy.
Surprisingly enjoyable. 7.
A parody, a satire, a statement. Apparently, devo is a shortened term for "devolution". These guys believe that the American society is devolving. They made sour tunes based on punk and accidentally started the terrible synth epidemic in '80s pop. Kinda surprised this was produced by Brian Eno. In short, it's fascinating, it's fun, but unfortunately, it's new wave.
Was not expecting Devo lol
Not for me
very repetitive
The best. I remember how quirky and strange this sounded when it came out, especially Satisfaction. Now it just sounds like a cool cover version.
I always feel like I should like New Wave more than I actually do. The A side is a little generic but the B side is wonderfully weird and very Devo
a very Important album in music history, which isn’t always a good thing with this list. I’m always gonna love some Devo, though
Irritating for the most part and I felt like it was an inside joke that I didn’t get.
LP
Not for me
It was a little eccentric and doesn't have any of Devo's mega hits. It was relatively short. I will round up.
I thought I may quite like this after the first track, but the rest is catastrophic. Also, some very questionable song titles. Rating: 1.5/5 Playlist track: Uncontrollable Urge Date listened: 11/03/23
This was less Devo than I was imagining. Except the vocals. They were very Devo.
A bit frenetic for me. But I understand Devo better now.
it's meh
It has everything I like in music, except I can't stand the singing. It's weird, but catchy. Favorite song: Space Junk.
How was this the first time I've listened to a Devo album? I can't say, but one thing I'm sure of is I've been missing out. So much wasted time...
Fantastic album by a fantastic band. I think people pass Devo off as a one hit wonder, but they couldn't be more wrong. They're a electronic punk band with a message of devolution & were founded after the founding members witnessed the Kent State Massacre. If you listen carefully, those aren't just pop songs, and I'm grateful to have seen them live last year at Cruel World Fest. The energy was off the charts complete with the band ripping their signature suits to shreds. Do yourselves a favor & watch their old 80s shows on YouTube. Nearly the entire album is made of my favorites. I remember first hearing their version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction on the movie Casino & was amazed. How in the world can a band recreate THAT song so perfectly? Again, wow. This album is pure joy for me. 5 stars.
Love me some DEVO. Some songs are dated and a little problematic, (we don't say Mongoloid anymore) But still such great tunes on this album.
New Wave just isn't really for me. Sounds at times like a punkier, dollar store Beach Boys. Standout is "Come Back Jonee"
Saw Devo live at Knebworth in 1978 - definitely a Marmite band. Who can forget the quirky (I Can't Get Me No) Satisfaction, the controversial Mongoloid ,and the definitive Devo track Jocko Homo?
It's weird for me to think that most of Devo's popular stuff came out in the late 70s as opposed to the 80s since that's the decade I mostly associate them with. This sounded more 70s than whip it but still. As for the actual album, I thought it was largely unnotable. There wasn't much besides maybe the first track that really interested me.
It’s wild, fun, electric, and just plain interesting music. Some songs are better than others, but this album deserves a listen in its entirety.
Pouco mais de trinta minutos para conhecer este pós punk definidor dos anos 80, muitos teclados, empolgação e vocal característico. Conhecido e quase nada lembrado.
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would, kinda goofy but good
Genuinely found this spooky and unsettling
Somehow so dated, and yet so ahead of its time. It boggles me that this was less than 15 years after the Beatles formed. Some parts hold up better than others, but this is a fun, interesting, and self-embracingly weird cut.
A truly fun electronic punk/New wave record.
wacky but not good enough
Neither hated it nor really enjoyed it. It was just ok.
First time listening to Devo. Love it
Is this music?
The cover for (I can't get no) Satisfaction! Buster just showed it to me like a few days ago. What a coincidence. Good start. But fades into meh. It's ok.
Feels ahead of its time, and I can feel its influence on other artists. Not bad, but not super my taste.
A lot like early talking heads, perhaps with some B-52s energy in there too. This album was a bit polarizing for me; there were a few songs a liked a lot, and a few tracks I didn't like much at all. "A" for creativity I think I liked Space Junk, Mongoloid, Gut Feeling, and I also kinda liked Shrivel Up
Aww hell yeah. This is some great shit. It's super fucking weird and didn't sound like anything else at the time. Great music and tons of fun.
This is the kind of punky new wave music I can behind. Loud and fast, but without being repetitive or boring. This is weird shit. Devo were ahead of their time. This is probably a 4.5 star for me, and I've chosen to round down, but I could have gone in either direction on this one.
aight
This album has some interesting tracks, but with some notable exceptions, New Wave just doesn't do it for me. "Sloppy" was quite the bop though.
Parcela doidona da lista. Tem que ter. Gostei. Ouvia as duas primeiras e pronto. Se não fosse essa lista...os caras tocam muito. Essa lezeira é proposital. Genial.
Kind of gimmicky but not bad.
A few interesting moments. Appreciate their influence but for the most part difficult to listen to
icon
It's very close to a 5, but i want to reserve 5 in case something better comes up.
My dad always loved the Q&A format of this album title. The first song, Uncontrollable Urge, is a new wave song from 1978 but it could be ska from 2001 or indie rock a la Vampire Weekend circa 2014. Very influential. Their cover of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction is interesting. Praying Hands is very traditional Devo to me. Good album.
Aikamoista paskaa se oli tämäkin. Kuraviikot jatkukoon!
Alkaa tulla kisaväsymys vastaan ku tällasii levyi puskee eetteriin. Ei sysipaska nyt kuitenkaan
The rhythms are airtight, the synths punchy, Mark Mothersbaugh’s vocals yelping along at just the right pitch. But the magic of Devo really takes hold once their real meaning clicks: wicked social satire masterfully painted with sci-fi and kitsch.
I've listened to a lot of these songs but never listened to the album front-to-back. The first few songs are classics. This album definitely has a consistent sound. Some of these songs are just straight up annoying though. Jocko Homo and Too Much Paranoias sound like they would be way more fun live but on an album I'm just wondering why I would subject myself to this. The album picks back up with Come Back Jonee and Gut Feeling. All in all, it's okay. I get that it was different at the time, but it isn't super enjoyable to listen to now.
I thought I liked Devo (De-Evolution of Man)... this album is made me reassess that. I think I like the idea of Devo kore than I like the music. Still, this must have been a pretty eye opening album in 1978. Props for that. Uncontrollable Urge is likely the only song that I'll seek out again though. Gut Feeling was another highlight I guess. Shrivel Up ended on a slightly higher, but incredibly weird, note. Most of the songs ranged from forgettable to tolerable. I'm sure it was an important album for the progression of music, but it doesn't hold up. 5/10.
Couple of slapping songs, didn't get enough listens in to truly enjoy
Look at those smartass with funny hats making some of the most advanced new wave music you will ever hear. I love those guys.
Geniuses at the top of their game
Fire fire fire !!!
This album is so cool, a monument of its generation. It's a really fun, enjoyable and light journey amongst the punkish new-wave of the late 70s.
Never heard this album before. I of course have heard the songs Uncotrollable Urge and the iconic take on Satisfaction, but the rest of the album is new to me, and I love it. Almost every song has a way to bore its way into your brain to the point where I'm humming it at various points in the day. A couple of the songs are just a little too angular for my tastes which keeps it from being a 5 but its oh soooo close. 4.5 stars
The first song was really cool but the rest very underwhelming
Halvempia viinejä kypsyttelijä.. heh... tyhmä on. Tässä on sitten.. heh... Noh.. heh päivän kypsyttely.. Ollut.. tehty.. heh.. kuin päivän pönttölataus konsanaan.. sen kypsyttely.. mahan hämmentely.. oikialla kädellä... heh.... Pyyttonia pönttöön.. heh....ei aluksi paljon tähtösiä anneta... yhtä.. heh.. siinä sitten ylikypsyy melkein.. että viittä... ehei ehei... kolmea...
Not bad
Not really a Devo fan, but Uncontrollable Urge and their cover of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction were the standouts.
Something about the way you taste Makes me wanna clear my throat There's a message to your movements That really gets my goat I looked for silver linings But you're rotten to the core I've had just about all I can take You know I can't take it no more 3/5
Funky. 4/5
Tight and repetitive. Jerky punk without the silly aggression and pointless noise. However, the musical repetition is not a huge step away. Very famous, but not that great - disappointing. The chapter in Simon Reynolds's "Rip It Up and Start Again" is illuminating and far more interesting than the music (see also Throbbing Gristle, which expresses loads of substance over actually anything resembling music!!!!!!)
It's. Just. Weird. Has a vibe of 80's Brit punk, although they are American and from the 70s.
Innovative and ahead of their time. They weren't afraid to just be themselves, and it shows. At the time nobody knew what the hell to make of them. Now, it's pretty obvious the impact that they had on a vast majority of 80s new wave and alternative music.
they have other songs that are not "whip it"?
brand new
New wave classic from the end of 70s, and together with 'Freedom of Choice', my favourite Devo album. The first four tracks could be skipped but the sequence Mongoloid - Shrivel Up = 5-star new wave songs.
This sounded pretty energetic and original, but, although I do like the occasional weird song, there was just too much silliness on this album to really enjoy it.
The shouty vocals, the jumpy rythms .. not my piece of cake.
Rock and Roll if it was made by spastic drama club rejects. 2 hands cause at least this is something different. ✋✋
Not that great in songwriting, but a genre-defining staple
Classic Devo. This started a whole new sound in music. Standouts: Uncontrollable Urge, I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Jacko Homo Others: Praying Hands, Mongoloid, Too Much Paranoid, Come Back Jonee 4/5
My first Devo album, it holds up
Kanonplatta med åtskilliga hits. Ägde skivan som ung och den gick varm på skivspelaren. Mongoloid är en av världens bästa låtar dessutom.
Foundational album of a low-key influential band, but not one of my preferred releases from them
When I first head this album I wanted to give it a 1 star. However I listened to it a second time and found it wasn't as bad as I thought. I ended up adding 3 songs to my liked on Spotify which after my first listen, I never thought would happen. Still only giving it a 3 because it was very odd. But I do respect it.
Aight
A really wacky album but there are not a lot of tracks that I want to relisten in the future apart from the opening track and "Satisfaction". I do like Alan Myer's drum work in this album.
Way better then Whip it
Really consistent and good album, even beyond the radio hits. Creative and experimental without losing structure, and very well produced.
Didnt love it. Some songs were good and i enjoyed them alot but a few of the others brought this album down to a 2 for me... might have to take another listen when im more in the mood for it?
Im sorry that i can not vote 0 star. It was terrible.
ookkkkkkuuuuurrrrrr.... thank you boomers.
73/100: Very energetic album. This is one of those albums in which you can feel the fun that was had in the recording studio through the music. It nearly sounds like Devo just took all of the fun riffs and lines that jokingly come up in jam sessions and made an album with them. I don't necessarily think this is that great of an album, but it is certainly very fun to listen to, which I greatly appreciate. That doesn't make it a great album though unfortunately.
Notes - New wave post-punk - Produced by Brian Eno! He’s EVERYWHERE - I used to listen to this album in high school a BUNCH - Love how crisp and punchy this album is - Every part of it just worms into your brain - Jangly, percussive guitar parts - Yelped vocals - Very distinct sound aesthetic - Talking heads-y (Eno connection) Fav - Too much paranoias - Love the energy and guitar part Least fav - Come back jonee - Sounded unfinished 4/5
Annoying.
Would buy this.
Q: Is this not shite? A: Yes
I’ve only heard the main Devo hits, so this LP full of wiry, energetic punk-pop was a welcome surprise. Things do get a little repetitive, and some vocal fills are a little annoying, but these pass by so quickly it hardly detracts from the fun of this 30-minute romp.
Always down for Punk.
I love this! It's an essential work of burgeoning punk/new wave fusion. Uncontrollable Urge is a perfect opening track and that horribly jarring cover of Satisfaction is glorious in all its subversive cheekiness. Devo rules.
Endnervig. Ich sammle immer mehr Beispiele für schreckliche Alben aus den pre 90's
litt masete
these guys play fast; they did Satisfaction at three times Rolling Stones speed
uh, this album was decidedly not for me. it was a struggle to finish listening. i like new wave and i like punk, but devo's album missed the mark completely for me. it was just weird--maybe too punky? the only devo song i know, "whip it," is much more synth than punk, so that abrupt difference didn't help either. i do try to find a positive thing in every album: the heavy guitar sound ran the album.
I mean...it was tolerable. Beyond that, a couple of the songs were actually okay. But this just really didn't do anything for me. I honestly don't even have anything to say about it.
I occasionally wonder what the person who can't see any value in stuff like Devo actually likes musically. My brain screams 80s Phil Collins, but perhaps that's reductive. Plainly not for everyone, but love em, they ripped it up and started again.
Uncontrollable Urge e mega banger classic album också
Swag
Awkward, angular and all the better for it
Littéralement mind blown, le mélange de son est ahurissant, c'est tellement en avance sur son temps. L'une des découvertes les plus surprenantes des 1001
13th October 2022 Listened during the day while sort of working from home. Watched a couple of eps of bad sisters, met Ross to chat Educating Rita and went to the lit festival with mum in the evening to see London laundromat. This was fun, quirky and funny punk.
cool
Interesting tunes, genre I am totally unfamiliar with. Creative use of dissonance in a lot of the songs on guitar. Reminds me of The Police. From my favorite era, yet I only know the biggest hits.
I can firmly say I am no Devo fan. At least it was short. Not so much new wave as surf rock with programming.
Not very good. Might have influenced a music genre but it was pretty hard to listen to. I would not willingly listen to a single song on this album again.
3/5
Yeah yeah yeah yeah ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye YEAH The satisfaction cover is actually so good The lyrics and substance of Mongoloid are problematic but the music goes hard Lots of Talking Heads vibes which makes sense since this was produced by Brian Eno Why tf did they spell Johnny “Jonee” Wow loved this album so much more than I thought I would
I did not enjoy this. It was laborious to listen to and maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but they just came off as so winey. Would not recommend.
I like most of the album but I can't stand the first 2 tracks, meaning I found it hard to get into the album. But overall I enjoyed it.
Fartcore band. Interesting album, but overall it was too far out for me
bien qsy! muy diver. 8 /10
How can you be post punk as early as 1977 lol. I like it.
meh
4.5
Every song sounded like a meme song
I listened to Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo for the first time in the last year and a half. I wanted to see what else was on the album with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Jocko Homo". In general I like the mix of electronic, new wave, and punk that is Devo. There are several tracks from the band that I will always be willing to listen to, and some that I will play again just because the song scratches a particular itch. "Space Junk", "Gut Feeling" and "Mongloid" were new tracks to me that I added to my personal playlist. Rating this album is a little strange because based on my individual track ratings this album gets 3 stars, but I would have to admit that I might just listen to the album again to have a full Devo experience.
This is one of my favorites. Good from start to finish.
Bad
Since when have compilations been allowed. Its one of the better art school projects but its still a bit cheeky
Classic
Fuckin banger. In my collection
Yes you are men and pretty weird men at that but who doesn't love a bit of devolution
I wanted to like it, but too much monotone for me.
Now I know exactly why this album didn’t ring any bells. P.S. I’m very curious as to the justification for including this album in this list. Maybe someone got confused with the Albums to Die From list.
Classic.
Such a great album!! I love the raw punk edges the band had with the new wave sound. It's so damn good.
Genius record with all the weirdness and musical brilliance that made Devo the greatest thing I had ever heard at the time. This is something nobody had ever heard before. Catchy, fun, odd, anti-normal, punk, new wave synth, and one of the greatest covers of all time (Satisfaction) - this record packs so much into 11 tracks. It’s even more surprising today to think that Bowie and Eno were part of this. Six stars if I could.
The first 4 Devo records are all great. This is my favorite. There is a nice blend of instruments and synths before they really settled on their sound.
Love this album. The synths sound strange in all the perfect ways, it's catchy and weird, but it's not so out there that it's not enjoyable. It's just excellent.
A short groovy album, nothing amazing nothing terrible
So good! Classic. Original sound. Image this came out in 1978! 4/5
Eh, kinda just fine
Mark Mothersbaugh's lead singer - kind of grating voice Way poppier than expected Uncontrollable Urge is good, everything else is basically just a less good Uncontrollable Urge
Campy but fun.
Not my first choice for a devo album. It's alright
There's an ever growing group of people who have decided that getting Devo in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame is the hill they're willing to die on. This group seemingly gets louder every year, and their argument always seems to be something like, "It's insane Devo isn't already in the hall." No, it's really not. For one, the Hall seemingly has a pretty easy process to determine election: An artist is eligible for induction 25 years after their debut album. That's a reasonable amount of time to build a body of work, and long enough to the point where voters would surely know whether or not an artist is Hall Of Fame worthy. And what's Devo known for, other than "Whip It" and it's quirky music video? Maybe an interesting Stones cover? This is a decent enough album, it sounds about ten years before its time. But let's stop pretending that Devo was something more than A Flock Of Seagulls with better press. Apparently Bowie and Iggy Pop were really into Devo and clamored to produce this album. Let's not forget Bowie and Iggy were also really into coke around that time, too. So I guess what I'm trying to say is I would have enjoyed this more if I knew the right coke dealer.
Right off the bat, great, known song (Uncontrollable Urge) and in a few movies. Satisfaction is obviously a cover but a great take on it - reminds me of the movie Casino. All else is good too but it does taper off. 8/10.
2 The European alternate cover makes me hate this album
Certainly they transcend the novelty act trap (and memories) but don’t get to actual substance or any real merit beyond the occasional chuckle or non-negligible cleverness. “Satisfaction’ works pretty well and “Gut Feeling” is the closest to straight-up effectiveness in the New Wave/indie rock vein – but there’s a saminess has the satire wearing thin before too long. One likes the commitment to doing something different and pretty damn original without loving the output. In time, the funny hats would make it hard to take the music seriously; one wonders if they were taking the piss out of their fans or who took whom too seriously (or not seriously enough). One doesn’t think enough of the product to be inspired to consider the depth or poignancy of the social satire (consumer culture is a pretty fat target) or how this fares as performance art. (That it was on the radio makes pop music the main genre. Were they merely a less serious Talking Heads? Were they outdone by their spiritual heirs (e.g., They Might Be Giants, Dead Milkmen and Magnetic Fields)? 2.5 > 2
Devo is so weird & so punk
New Wave that recognises that human beings are devolving. Stick a flower pot on your head and join in. Best Tracks: Uncontrollable Urge; (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction; Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)
Really good
Kinda jangly and annoying
vermoeiend
Tja, wat moet je hier nu weer van vinden? Ik heb het geprobeerd in ieder geval...
Hier was ik al heel snel klaar mee. Verschrikkelijk!
Ik vond dit best ok eigenlijk! Met Anke eens dat het ergens wel aan Talking Heads doet denken.
Dat je vindt dat andere mensen juist dit album moeten luisteren voordat ze doodgaan, is beyond me.
a little more generic talking heads, post punk new wave style
It’s fun and out there in just the right ways.
From the art design, to the sound, and the cover of the Stones Satisfaction and the reminder of gut Feeling being used in Wes Anderson's (shocking!) The Life Aquatic, just a lot to enjoy here.
mid talking heads
I get where they are coming from and even where they are going. But this is not a patch on the great examples of the genre. Later stuff begins to sound like Depeche Mode and ABC. Cover art. What on earth is going on. Probably matches the music well.
That Rolling Stones cover was a waste of time on an otherwise (fairly) enjoyable listen. This album did not change my life, and there were times I wondered "do I actually enjoy this or am I just listening?" Maybe I'm overthinking and this album had its moments but I ultimately just thought it was fine overall.
Very good
a ta
Great album. Are We Not Men? Stradles that punk / post-punk / new wave perfectly. As a bonus, the only non-Devo song written by the band, The Rolling Stones (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction is a great example of taking an original and putting your spin on it. 4/10
Odd punk-like stuff with a rolling stones cover. Not my thing, but I've heard worse.
NERRRRRRRDS
Devo is nuts, love em forever
I've always been more of an Oingo Boingo fan than a Devo fan, but having now heard this Devo debut, I am really struck by how similar their first albums are. I can see how people dismissed Boingo as a Devo knockoff at first. This whole album is a lot of fun, and makes me want to dive into more Devo beyond just their biggest hit.
A great album. It's absolutely criminal that many people see Devo as nothing more than a "one hit wonder". I'd probably give it a 4 for my enjoyment and an additional star for its influence and my assumption that others have probably given this too low of a score.
Great, top-to-bottom!
Devo at the beginning were much different than the Devo the world came to know. This is a fun and bare album with plenty of good times.
Classic! What's not to like?
Not my bag
Killer
Yuss!
A fun romp with the zany introduction to devo. Favorites: "Uncontrollable Urge", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfsction", "Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)"
Not my type tbh but I respect it
Not bad
Serves well to remember this is an amazing album - avant garde and still relevant. I forgot - I had devolved - now I remember.
This is very much music of its era, the late 70s where electronic music and synthesisers were becoming quite common. Music was changing,to me this wss the foundation of the 80s pop sound. There are similarities with Talking Heads. This is fun, humerous music and less confrontational than the contemporary punk sound coming from the Clash, the Pistols and Iggy Pop. it is fun to listento, but sounds very 70s
I could've sworn I've had this one already
A bit corny, but decent.
This was something else, and not in a good way. The lyrics were terrible.
Rien d’extraordinaire et pas le genre d’album que j’aurais pense produit lar eno. Cest de la,punk adoucit. 3
This is the new wave band Devo's debut album. Reviews were mixed at release, but have been more positive over the years. The early reviews were probably less positive because new wave music was still "new" and rubbed some critics the wrong way. This album has now been called a cornerstone of new wave music in America. And the album has been certified gold in the US. This novel music is catchy, comical, but impersonal and leads nowhere. It's best listened to in the background, and one shouldn't try to pull meaning from it too much. I liked some of the songs, but will not seek out more Devo music.
You can tell that they were trying to do something different, but it just didn't impress me
This album belonged in the 80s. I don’t mean that as a compliment. Truly the worst cover of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction ever.
I don't like being shouted at. "Gut Feeling" was good.
Early new wave sound still very much influenced by punk. I heard a lot of the Kinks in this album. I enjoyed the strange lyrical content and the playfulness with rhythms. Overall not a bad album. I can definitely see how this links to later new wave and post punk sounds
Pretty revolutionary at the time. Saw them at Knebworth supporting Genesis of all bands. They certainly stood out with their white boiler suits and orange hats.
Ich habe heute einen meiner seltenen zu kritikfreien Tage, daher noch 2 Sterne. Niemals mehr, der zu stark an David Byrne erinnernde Histrionengesang und die einfallslosen Songstrukturen geben nicht mehr her. Und schon ist es doch noch ein Verriss geworden. Welt ist in Ordnung.
I have always liked Devo, even though I didn't really "get" them when I was a kid. I liked the flowerpot hats and of course you couldn't get away from Whip It. Later I came to understand the commentary they are making on society, which makes Satisfaction doubly fun. That said, it is also the case that DEVO is best in small doses. Listening to a whole album at once is a bit much.
I absolutely love the insanity of this Album.
I feel like I was meant to love this but I found it just okay. I can't explain it, but it felt somewhat smug to me?
this is just discount talking heads lol
Like listening to a blueprint of what was to come in 1980s.
So easy to only think of Whip It when you hear Devo. Enjoyed this album and it's fast raw sound. Reminded me of early Talking Heads at some points which would have been contemporary to this album's release.
Classic. Impossible to not love
Hard to imagine the shock this would have had on release. Still utterly bonkers in places, the best ever Satisfaction cover, and in Mongoloid a song that could never have been written today (I remember the lyrics being printed in Smash Hits). Only not a 5 as one too many song follows the same template.
Like Talking Heads, these guys just miss the mark with me.
Classic Jams. Much better than I expected.
talking heads with an ironic adult daycare aesthetic. the sonic equivalent of drinking a cup of warm gravy: an absurd concept that's unpleasant to get through.
Uhhhhh. Why is this even a thing? “Satisfaction” was wayyyyy too forced and when you have to force satisfaction on someone, it just ain’t it. and Mongoloid made me vomit up my ☕️ Let’s just pretend this album doesn’t exist, k?
Yep, Devo is Devo. Never listened to a whole album but didn't disappoint. Quirky, minimal, affected. It's a vibe, but not one I see myself embracing very frequently.
I want to like DEVO; new wave sounds, angular guitars and synths, arty and strange aesthetic, willfully esoteric, but I think I can only deal with half of these songs. As usual, I'm put off by the bleated vocals, a style I can never get behind. As usual, the hits work for me, the rest, less so.
It's a feat to be as consistently obnoxious as this album. Judging people by their music taste is a stupid thing to do, but I genuinely don't understand why this would ever be on a list of "albums you must hear before you die".
What a great album . I remember watching them play Satisfaction on SNL and not knowing what to think. Now I just think they're brilliant and ahead of their time. 5 🌟
Not the Devo I was thinking of. What a shame. Anyone remember the guy who used to volley dead pigeons round the high street while singing about kicking someone’s girlfriends head in? He’s a bit like morrissey but way more poetic. This was shit though but I’m grateful it reminded of that little scamp so I’ll give it a 2
Please send help.
dunno if i'm a man or devo any more.
The misadventures of a scout leader and a group of cubs that is strictly off the record. Nothing happened here. They simply went camping.
Q. What does SHACK eat for breakfast? A. Lamb chops.
Strong hat game.
Lo: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Jocko Homo Possibly my mood, but I couldn't get into this one. Guess I don't like Devo as much as I thought I did.
Mostly fun!
What a fun listen
Ehhhhhh
so bad
I thought I would like this album but I did not. I think it's just where I am in life - the quirky paranoia new wave just isn't where I'm at right now. Full respect to Devo though - maybe when I was 18 it might have struck the right chord, I could easily imagine that. But I am now in the demographic where I'd rather listen to the episode of 99% Invisible that discusses the story behind the album art than listen to the album itself.
10/10 I love new wave
An incredibly unique album. Pretty hard to compare it to anything else. Felt like it was a precursor to the 80s style. However, None of the songs really stood out. 4.4/10
I’m not into Devo