You probably know something about the art project/guerrilla
theater/rock band from Akron, OH known as Devo, The De-Evolutionary Band. After
years of underground touring to go with handmade films and other forms of
art-propaganda they finally released their debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A:
We Are DEVO! in 1978. It was produced by Brian Eno (along with David
Bowie an early supporter of the band) and is considered a post-punk classic.
Two years later, their third album, Freedom of Choice, became a new wave
smash, propelled by the hit single "Whip It." It is both perverse and
inevitable that a band like Devo would score a big mainstream hit. Yet it
also fits in with the band's philosophy and methodology, critiquing the
excessive consumerism of modern Western society. Was this part of the plan all
along? For Devo to first break through to the mainstream and then years later
be considered yet another disposable one-hit wonder seems like it could have
been the master plot of Devo masterminds Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale.
But we're not here to talk about all that today. For between the landmark
debut and the massive breakthrough came the difficult second album,
Duty Now
For the Future. The twist, and there always is one with Devo, is that
this often overlooked album is nearly as good as the first one, with lots of hidden
gems and lost classics. Opening with the synthesized fanfare of the
"Devo Corporate Anthem," the album picks up in earnest with the
energetic "Clockout." This critique of corporate office work reminds
us that the best part of the workday is often the end of it. Another short
instrumental, "Timing X," displays the band's musical chops,
particularly those of drummer Alan Myers. Devo's talent as musicians is
rarely acknowledged, even by hardcore Devo-tees, yet they could always work
their way around the tricky arrangements they created for themselves. "Wiggly
World" is a great high energy rocker with some musical twists of its
own. Lyrically, it provides advice for navigating a strange world where
"It's never straight up and down." "Blockhead" is clearly a
cousin of the first album's "Mongoloid" but is also a great song in
its own right. After charging through at full speed for most of the album so
far, Devo slows things down a bit for the moody and creepy "S.I.B.
(Swelling Itching Brain)."
The inward turn continues with the start of the album's second half.
"Triumph of the Will" uncomfortably combines fascist imagery with
relationship trauma. Things pick up again with the cheery sounds of "The Day
My Baby Gave Me a Surprize." "Pink Pussycat" is a nice bouncy
pop tune which leaves the listener to wonder if Devo are indulging in cheap juvenile
jokes or mocking them. Probably a little bit of both. Perhaps the album's
best known song is "Secret Agent Man." This cover/parody of the
hit 60s TV theme song had been in the band's repertoire since their earliest
days. The additional lyrics play up the absurdity of undercover spy as pop
culture hero. Even Devo know how to rock out and they do on the album highlight
"Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA." The lyrics further deepen the band's
philosophy and mythology that they had previously established on their debut
album and underground films like
The Truth About De-Evolution.
Musically, the band charge through traditional rock song structure even
including a couple instrumental breaks that show off the guitar work of Bob
Mothersbaugh while Myers again brings strong drumming. The album concludes with
the high energy synth-driven "Red Eye." The current CD edition
includes a generous helping of bonus tracks. A pair of singles included here,
"Soo Bawlz" and "Be Stiff," are just as good as anything on
the album.
As the years roll on, Devo's achievements continue to gain recognition and their
influence continues to grow. In the past year, right here in Denver, the Museum
of Contemporary Art hosted an exhibition of Mark Mothersbaugh's visual
works. He's also been one of the top film composers of the past few
decades, particularly known for his work with Wes Anderson. The art and message
of Devo have always taken on multiple formats. Yet their great run of studio
albums has always been their core and the best way for newcomers to enter their
wiggly world. When diving into this world, be sure not to overlook Duty Now
For the Future. It's one of the best.
-
Adam
Reshotko
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