Anyone else think post-New Traditionalists is underrated?

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

n***@gmail.com

2006-10-20 15:03:50 UTC

I've seen on a lot of commentaries on Devo that "New Traditionalists"
is their last good album.

I think this is ridiculous....

Oh No, It's Devo, for example, is one of my favorite Devo albums,
because all the songs are so catchy. And "Speed Racer", as well as
"Peekaboo" do a really good job of giving off some "weird threatening"
type vibe.

Shout, ah yes, the album that some believe is the death knell of Devo.
I even read in an Onion AV article that a band member (I can't remember
the name, but clearly not Mark or Gerald) said that it took him awhile
to like "some" of the songs on the album. Well, I think it's all great
because of Devo's penchant for good techno composition. And their are
also some songs that do a superb job of mixing pleasant melody with
bizarre style:

The main example from this album that I can remember is "Puppet Boy",
where the puppeteer isn't listening to the puppet...better than it
sounds....(and the title track and "4th Dimension" are catchy)

Total Devo is kind of like Shout, but also "Baby Doll" and "Disco
Dancer" are just great songs, and in "Blow-Up" the deep voiced guy over
the breezy synth pop works a little too well

And then Smooth Noodle Maps, the finale. I personally think they went
out with a bang, and not a whimper. "Stuck In A Loop" could've been a
hit of some kind, I like the acoustic in "Post Post Modern Man", and
who doesn't like some acoustic piano (whoop whoop) on "Pink Jazz
Trancers"?

I think there are two reasons these albums don't get the respect from
more "mainstream" spudheads:

1. Style- They pretty much jettisoned the guitar and went all
synthesizer, and started making dance records. I think the message was
still there all the way through, but some apocalyptos need their
stabilizing balance of rock.

2. Popularity- You could argue that Devo was dead in the water as a
nationally popular band, but during New Traditionalists, but it got
worse after that if you believe the commentary on "Complete Truth About
De-Evolution".

And it's all MTV's fault. Whether it's thinking that "Good Thing" was
an obscene sexual act (it may be sexual, but I don't think a french fry
into a donut is that bad), or not paying attention to "Disco Dancer",
or not letting Gerald Casale finish the video for "Post Post...", the
cool station for the kiddies started acting like a bad corporation.

And all of this means that people who liked Devo because they were
counterculture (some, not all), abandoned them because they weren't
popular enough to qualify as the alternative.

N***@gmail.com

2006-10-20 15:48:01 UTC

Permalink

I'm a conformist in this regard. The albums after NT are pretty poor.
The musical invention is just about dried up. Nothing to do with being
a "rockist" -- more like Devo just didn't sound all that different
from, say, Howard Jones, starting with Oh No. And for me, the switch to
synthesized drums and programmable rhythms is a pretty huge factor.
I'll admit to a prejudice against music that lacks live drumming (and
"live" drumming that sounds as if it's played along with a click track
qualifies too).

Post by n***@gmail.com
And it's all MTV's fault. Whether it's thinking that "Good Thing" was
an obscene sexual act (it may be sexual, but I don't think a french fry
into a donut is that bad), or not paying attention to "Disco Dancer",
or not letting Gerald Casale finish the video for "Post Post...", the
cool station for the kiddies started acting like a bad corporation.

Not sure what this is about. "That's Good" was played extensively on
MTV. As for "Disco Dancer" and "Post", I know I saw those once or
twice, but let's face it. MTV was *always* for the mainstream and in
1988 Devo was a largely forgotten group whose previous two albums
flopped even *with* MTV support (They showed "RU Experienced" plenty
too)

Post by n***@gmail.com
And all of this means that people who liked Devo because they were
counterculture (some, not all), abandoned them because they weren't
popular enough to qualify as the alternative.

Not sure what you're saying here either, but I think most people who
liked Devo abandoned them once their sound morphed into something
completely different.

Rev. Richard Skull

2006-10-20 15:58:38 UTC

Permalink

Post by N***@gmail.com
I'm a conformist in this regard. The albums after NT are pretty poor.
The musical invention is just about dried up. Nothing to do with being
a "rockist" -- more like Devo just didn't sound all that different
from, say, Howard Jones, starting with Oh No. And for me, the switch to
synthesized drums and programmable rhythms is a pretty huge factor.
I'll admit to a prejudice against music that lacks live drumming (and
"live" drumming that sounds as if it's played along with a click track
qualifies too).

Not sure what you're saying here either, but I think most people who
liked Devo abandoned them once their sound morphed into something
completely different.

DEVO "lost their mojo" when they lost contact with the reason they
became DEVO, which was "life in middle America," To me, he "Hollywood
Scene" is what killed DEVO's attitude. That and the free access that
Jim Mothersbough gave them to all the cool "toys"

That was the reason Alen Myers left, he though the band was loosing
focus on what DEVO was all about. And no drummer, not even Josh, can
match Alan!

I always think bands whould do some experiemntation, but DEVO was too
obsessed with throughing out the old, that they trhough out their
carreer as well!

Sad thing is, I think that their Electronic stuff was actually ahead of
its time.

Rev. Richard Skull

2006-10-20 15:48:48 UTC

Permalink

Post by n***@gmail.com
I've seen on a lot of commentaries on Devo that "New Traditionalists"
is their last good album.
I think this is ridiculous....
Oh No, It's Devo, for example, is one of my favorite Devo albums,
because all the songs are so catchy. And "Speed Racer", as well as
"Peekaboo" do a really good job of giving off some "weird threatening"
type vibe.
Shout, ah yes, the album that some believe is the death knell of Devo.
I even read in an Onion AV article that a band member (I can't remember
the name, but clearly not Mark or Gerald) said that it took him awhile
to like "some" of the songs on the album. Well, I think it's all great
because of Devo's penchant for good techno composition. And their are
also some songs that do a superb job of mixing pleasant melody with
The main example from this album that I can remember is "Puppet Boy",
where the puppeteer isn't listening to the puppet...better than it
sounds....(and the title track and "4th Dimension" are catchy)
Total Devo is kind of like Shout, but also "Baby Doll" and "Disco
Dancer" are just great songs, and in "Blow-Up" the deep voiced guy over
the breezy synth pop works a little too well
And then Smooth Noodle Maps, the finale. I personally think they went
out with a bang, and not a whimper. "Stuck In A Loop" could've been a
hit of some kind, I like the acoustic in "Post Post Modern Man", and
who doesn't like some acoustic piano (whoop whoop) on "Pink Jazz
Trancers"?
I think there are two reasons these albums don't get the respect from
1. Style- They pretty much jettisoned the guitar and went all
synthesizer, and started making dance records. I think the message was
still there all the way through, but some apocalyptos need their
stabilizing balance of rock.
2. Popularity- You could argue that Devo was dead in the water as a
nationally popular band, but during New Traditionalists, but it got
worse after that if you believe the commentary on "Complete Truth About
De-Evolution".
And it's all MTV's fault. Whether it's thinking that "Good Thing" was
an obscene sexual act (it may be sexual, but I don't think a french fry
into a donut is that bad), or not paying attention to "Disco Dancer",
or not letting Gerald Casale finish the video for "Post Post...", the
cool station for the kiddies started acting like a bad corporation.
And all of this means that people who liked Devo because they were
counterculture (some, not all), abandoned them because they weren't
popular enough to qualify as the alternative.

NuTra is a favorite for me becuase:

1) I saw the Spudboys in concert for the first time on that tour.

2) The show is STILL the best concert "show" I ever saw, even with the
fancy MIDI video crap used by almost everyone these days. Thier live
interaction of the music & the visual (film adn stills) in their
concerts was waaaay ahead of their time. The visuals they used for
'Soft Things" was great. Photos of radiation victoms from old Civil
Defense files!

3) It was The MOST Blatent SubGenius Themed LP EVER released! If
"Through Being Cool" does not make you send $30 to:

The Subgenius Foundation
PO Box 181417
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118-1417

Then you are a Conspiracy GLORP who belongs in teh Church of
$cientology!

(As "Bob" said to L. "Ron" Hubbard, "yea thet're "Pinks", but their
money's green!"

AS well as the Poster that was included. It was a variation of a art
work in the Origanal "Book of the Subgenius"

many people think it was too "dark", but DEVO knew the future, they
forsaw the decent of our society from a mere "disfunctional family" to
what we are experienceing today. After seing them last year, I
De-evolution is REAL and its spreading like the ass-cheeks of a
COngressional Page in the GOP Caucus room!

Todd Spango

2006-10-20 17:39:35 UTC

Permalink

Post by Rev. Richard Skull

1) I saw the Spudboys in concert for the first time on that tour.
2) The show is STILL the best concert "show" I ever saw, even with the
fancy MIDI video crap used by almost everyone these days. Thier live
interaction of the music & the visual (film adn stills) in their
concerts was waaaay ahead of their time. The visuals they used for
'Soft Things" was great. Photos of radiation victoms from old Civil
Defense files!
3) It was The MOST Blatent SubGenius Themed LP EVER released! If
The Subgenius Foundation
PO Box 181417
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118-1417
Then you are a Conspiracy GLORP who belongs in teh Church of
$cientology!
(As "Bob" said to L. "Ron" Hubbard, "yea thet're "Pinks", but their
money's green!"
AS well as the Poster that was included. It was a variation of a art
work in the Origanal "Book of the Subgenius"
many people think it was too "dark", but DEVO knew the future, they
forsaw the decent of our society from a mere "disfunctional family" to
what we are experienceing today. After seing them last year, I
De-evolution is REAL and its spreading like the ass-cheeks of a
COngressional Page in the GOP Caucus room!

Heh. He said "caucus."

JMiller

2006-10-20 20:50:49 UTC

Permalink

I like about half the songs on Oh No, but you can tell the creative
spark that fueled their first three albums is turning away from making
great and original music and turning to manufacturing hits.

Post by n***@gmail.com
Shout, ah yes, the album that some believe is the death knell of Devo.
I even read in an Onion AV article that a band member (I can't remember
the name, but clearly not Mark or Gerald) said that it took him awhile
to like "some" of the songs on the album. Well, I think it's all great
because of Devo's penchant for good techno composition. And their are
also some songs that do a superb job of mixing pleasant melody with

But they totally disregarded what brought them to the table...quirky
guitar sounds and sonic weirdness created by cheap technology. It's
like when the Residents started using samplers...a piece of what made
them great has been absent since then.

Post by n***@gmail.com
The main example from this album that I can remember is "Puppet Boy",
where the puppeteer isn't listening to the puppet...better than it
sounds....(and the title track and "4th Dimension" are catchy)
Total Devo is kind of like Shout, but also "Baby Doll" and "Disco
Dancer" are just great songs, and in "Blow-Up" the deep voiced guy over
the breezy synth pop works a little too well

Very inconsistent, but at least they started to realize that they
weren't going to have hits and started writing more for the fun of
songwriting than just to get a hit.

Post by n***@gmail.com
And then Smooth Noodle Maps, the finale. I personally think they went
out with a bang, and not a whimper. "Stuck In A Loop" could've been a
hit of some kind, I like the acoustic in "Post Post Modern Man", and
who doesn't like some acoustic piano (whoop whoop) on "Pink Jazz
Trancers"?

Yeah, the more they got over the fact that there were no more hits for
them, the better their writing was.

Post by n***@gmail.com
I think there are two reasons these albums don't get the respect from
1. Style- They pretty much jettisoned the guitar and went all
synthesizer, and started making dance records. I think the message was
still there all the way through, but some apocalyptos need their
stabilizing balance of rock.

And that's why the vast majority of their live show is guitar-based
now.

Post by n***@gmail.com
2. Popularity- You could argue that Devo was dead in the water as a
nationally popular band, but during New Traditionalists, but it got
worse after that if you believe the commentary on "Complete Truth About
De-Evolution".

Devo killed themselves by chasing the hits.

While that is true, it doesn't mean that Devo would have been bigger
if MTV supported them.

No, people who liked Devo abandoned them because they started chasing
the hits instead of making great music. They had some good music on
all their albums, but they abandoned quirkiness for a payday.

--
The Big Ass Broadcast
www.bigassbroadcast.com
The biggest internet radio show in the world.

Fr▲nk P▲nu©©I‬

2006-10-20 21:09:59 UTC

Permalink

Post by n***@gmail.com
I've seen on a lot of commentaries on Devo that "New Traditionalists"
is their last good album.

It's their last "great" album. There's good stuff on subsequent
releases. Listenable post-Nutra is not AS good as what came before, and
the crap on the same albums weighs it down. It seems the boys petered
out. Lost they DEVO. Got sucked into the machine and mangled.
Post-Nutra was DEVO after a head injury. A brave attempt, but jeez,
Dick Clark would be embarrassed by some of it.

The DEVO appears to have crept back into Casale and Mothersbaugh over
the years, but circumstances have not left a DEVO-sized hole in the
stinky yellow mainstream. DEVO was lightning in a specimen bottle, and
the 1980 magic is gone, leaked out through the airholes punched in the
pink rubber stopper. It is still great fun to listen to the sounds
coming from the moving fragments in the DEVO bodybag. JIHAD JERRY is
the best DEVO album since NUTRA. WIPEOUTERS and various videogame and
movie tracks sometimes shoot forth wads of real DEVO. Makes you want to
keep that blue dress unwashed forever.

____________________
www.frankpanucci.com
http://reperkussionz.blogspot.com/

2006-10-21 22:45:31 UTC

Permalink

Um, not, it is just because the songwriting took a dive.

SOME good songs on each album, as you point out, but nothing after
NuTra was wall-to-wall awesomeness, like their first four LPs (although
Oh No is pretty close).

The records just aren't as fun to listen to, as satisfying.

That's all.

g***@hotmail.com

2006-10-22 21:18:06 UTC

Permalink

Bottom line is they lost their edge. I always felt Devo's
material was a production tweak here and there of being seriously good.
Arguably, their best produced albums were FOC and Nutra which were
very similar to the Hardcore cds i always felt. Both had that 4 track
feel/vibe to them. In a minimalist sort of way.

Take a great song like GirlUwant, tweak it for the Tank Girl sound
track and its even better. Shout/Ohno were way off. Especialy
shout, which sounds like a romper room soundtrack. As Jerry said
himself, "We also were victims to Dev-o"

g

Post by jt

SOME good songs on each album, as you point out, but nothing after
NuTra was wall-to-wall awesomeness, like their first four LPs (although
Oh No is pretty close).
The records just aren't as fun to listen to, as satisfying.
That's all.- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

Pink Pussycat

2006-10-23 04:51:56 UTC

Permalink

Yes, I do. As I've said here and elsewhere, "Total Devo" is
my favorite album.

~Pink

--
"The enemy is at the gate. And the enemy is the human mind
itself - or lack of it - on this planet." - General Boy