| New Traditionalists: ***1/2 |
| The guitars are much less prominent, yet de-evolution proceeds apace. Our computer masters shall be pleased. |
Sales weren't nearly as good as the figures for Freedom of Choice -- guess too
many punters wanted 11 songs that sounded just like "Whip It". It's also got more of a
synth-pop sound to it, marking a clear transition in Devo's sonics from punk inflected
rock to electronica. It all works out just fine, though, mainly because aside from the
satire and the visuals, the band's greatest strength was always its songwriting and they
repeatedly demonstrate on New Traditionalists that they've got the goods. Fans have a
lot to dig here -- non-fans may shake their heads in bemusement, but for anyone who
really listens to what's going on here, an impressive sonic experience is in store.
Through Being Cool - When you were never cool to begin with, this might not seem
like a really impressive roar of defiance, but it's still a great nerd anthem. The song's
rollicking and catchy and I felt a real sense of resonance at 14 when the band
suggested that "... You might meet a dozen or two / Young alien types who step out /
And dare to declare / We're through being cool." Sure, so that didn't happen until
college, but it was a happy thought that kept me warm at night. In the moribund social
scene of western North Carolina, it still is :)
Jerkin' Back 'n' Forth - Yeah, the song's high-octane goofy. It's still completely
fucking great, from the primal dance floor beat to that incredibly chaotic riff that
completes the chorus. Devo's brand of synth pop was far more muscular than their
contemporaries and their chops as arrangers were hard to match. You'll find that all over
this song.
Pity You - This tune has the thumping bass rhythm and the looping high-hat to
make it perfect for the disco, then Devo fuck the vibe all to hell by squeezing in
Colecovision calibre sonics. And do I ever love that perversity. They know exactly what
they're doing; the whole song's about pushing everything just a little too far, from the
guitar blast that just mighta been part of a cartoon soundtrack to the ubersqueaky
harmony vocals. If you're synched up with Devo's sense of humor, it's a blast.
Soft Things - The faux fanfares make this stand out a bit from other techno pop of
the era and the congas are a nice touch, but for Devo, it's nothing special. I sorta
remember this album having more filler than a typical Devo record and even though it's
been a long time, I've got a sinking feeling that my memory serves me correctly.
Going Under - Now this is a thing of beauty. The punchy beats, the endlessly
inventive sonics, and the synth wash layered upon all that, just gel into a sublime
electronic alchemy. As for the lyrics, when I was 14 and I heard "little girl with the four
red lips," I thought Mothersbaugh was singing about romancing an alien. Now... well, I
like my current interpretation just as much.
Race of Doom - It's exactly what the title suggests; a song about a death race. No
other band of that era had the nads to get this wacky and it likely wouldn't have
succeeded if anyone else had tried. This succeeds. There are about half a dozen
distinct motifs in the arrangement that flow together seamlessly; they're never banging
into each other at cross purposes. And that blazing conga rhythm at the bridge is just
so, so sweet. If a song like this can't bring a smile to your face, I really feel bad for you.
Love Without Anger - Strictly pedestrian. This coulda been one of The Human
League's lesser efforts, for Chrissake. Plus, that braying synth that anchors the tune is a
migraine inducing annoyance.
The Super Thing - This one didn't come off very well, either. The lyrics are really
nifty and so's that stinging, twanging guitar lead on the bridge. The overall sound is
really murky and lethargic, though. It just doesn't work. I'd bet that this would be really
prime source material for a kickass remix, though.
Beautiful World - Their greatest song ever and one of my all time favorite tunes. It's
just so sweet, lilting, and wistful... right up until that sucker punch in the final 30
seconds. The band's humor and irony have never been so savage. Just perfect.
Enough Said - This puncy arrangement woulda benefited from a faster tempo and
some serious moxie, but it's still fairly decent. Moderately catchy with some wryly funny
lyrics. And yeah, I'm damning it with faint praise because it has the raw material for a
great song and the band didn't give it the energy it needed to really catch fire.
Working in the Coal Mine - Really cool cover of the Allen Toussaint original; the
song that was recorded for the Heavy Metal soundtrack and included with the original
album as a bonus 45". Even with the robotic, psuedo-futuristic synth sounds, it works
and it's faithful to Toussaint's original vibe, right down to the harmonies and country
twang guitar.
If nothing else, the record demonstrates that drummer Alan Myers just doesn't get
enough love. The man's the most underrated player even to sit behind a kit and he was
integral to the magic Devo was able to pull off. It's short of their best work, but it's still a
damn good album. If you've only listened to a couple of their songs and you're not sure
what all the fuss was about, try this out. You may well be surprised by the chops these
guys had.
-Maneating Lemur (11/12/08).
many punters wanted 11 songs that sounded just like "Whip It". It's also got more of a
synth-pop sound to it, marking a clear transition in Devo's sonics from punk inflected
rock to electronica. It all works out just fine, though, mainly because aside from the
satire and the visuals, the band's greatest strength was always its songwriting and they
repeatedly demonstrate on New Traditionalists that they've got the goods. Fans have a
lot to dig here -- non-fans may shake their heads in bemusement, but for anyone who
really listens to what's going on here, an impressive sonic experience is in store.
Through Being Cool - When you were never cool to begin with, this might not seem
like a really impressive roar of defiance, but it's still a great nerd anthem. The song's
rollicking and catchy and I felt a real sense of resonance at 14 when the band
suggested that "... You might meet a dozen or two / Young alien types who step out /
And dare to declare / We're through being cool." Sure, so that didn't happen until
college, but it was a happy thought that kept me warm at night. In the moribund social
scene of western North Carolina, it still is :)
Jerkin' Back 'n' Forth - Yeah, the song's high-octane goofy. It's still completely
fucking great, from the primal dance floor beat to that incredibly chaotic riff that
completes the chorus. Devo's brand of synth pop was far more muscular than their
contemporaries and their chops as arrangers were hard to match. You'll find that all over
this song.
Pity You - This tune has the thumping bass rhythm and the looping high-hat to
make it perfect for the disco, then Devo fuck the vibe all to hell by squeezing in
Colecovision calibre sonics. And do I ever love that perversity. They know exactly what
they're doing; the whole song's about pushing everything just a little too far, from the
guitar blast that just mighta been part of a cartoon soundtrack to the ubersqueaky
harmony vocals. If you're synched up with Devo's sense of humor, it's a blast.
Soft Things - The faux fanfares make this stand out a bit from other techno pop of
the era and the congas are a nice touch, but for Devo, it's nothing special. I sorta
remember this album having more filler than a typical Devo record and even though it's
been a long time, I've got a sinking feeling that my memory serves me correctly.
Going Under - Now this is a thing of beauty. The punchy beats, the endlessly
inventive sonics, and the synth wash layered upon all that, just gel into a sublime
electronic alchemy. As for the lyrics, when I was 14 and I heard "little girl with the four
red lips," I thought Mothersbaugh was singing about romancing an alien. Now... well, I
like my current interpretation just as much.
Race of Doom - It's exactly what the title suggests; a song about a death race. No
other band of that era had the nads to get this wacky and it likely wouldn't have
succeeded if anyone else had tried. This succeeds. There are about half a dozen
distinct motifs in the arrangement that flow together seamlessly; they're never banging
into each other at cross purposes. And that blazing conga rhythm at the bridge is just
so, so sweet. If a song like this can't bring a smile to your face, I really feel bad for you.
Love Without Anger - Strictly pedestrian. This coulda been one of The Human
League's lesser efforts, for Chrissake. Plus, that braying synth that anchors the tune is a
migraine inducing annoyance.
The Super Thing - This one didn't come off very well, either. The lyrics are really
nifty and so's that stinging, twanging guitar lead on the bridge. The overall sound is
really murky and lethargic, though. It just doesn't work. I'd bet that this would be really
prime source material for a kickass remix, though.
Beautiful World - Their greatest song ever and one of my all time favorite tunes. It's
just so sweet, lilting, and wistful... right up until that sucker punch in the final 30
seconds. The band's humor and irony have never been so savage. Just perfect.
Enough Said - This puncy arrangement woulda benefited from a faster tempo and
some serious moxie, but it's still fairly decent. Moderately catchy with some wryly funny
lyrics. And yeah, I'm damning it with faint praise because it has the raw material for a
great song and the band didn't give it the energy it needed to really catch fire.
Working in the Coal Mine - Really cool cover of the Allen Toussaint original; the
song that was recorded for the Heavy Metal soundtrack and included with the original
album as a bonus 45". Even with the robotic, psuedo-futuristic synth sounds, it works
and it's faithful to Toussaint's original vibe, right down to the harmonies and country
twang guitar.
If nothing else, the record demonstrates that drummer Alan Myers just doesn't get
enough love. The man's the most underrated player even to sit behind a kit and he was
integral to the magic Devo was able to pull off. It's short of their best work, but it's still a
damn good album. If you've only listened to a couple of their songs and you're not sure
what all the fuss was about, try this out. You may well be surprised by the chops these
guys had.
-Maneating Lemur (11/12/08).