My Amazon Reviews: Devo "Something For Everybody"

Men on a Mission
4 out of 5 Stars

Sounding more invigorated and fresh than we should have expected at this point in time, Devo deliver "Something For Everybody," their market tested, fan voted and 80% focus group approved first disc in two decades. Given the state of the world and the state of the musical art, it sounds like they haven't aged a day.

From the pomp blare that blows open "Fresh" to the sythed-shouted call to arms of "March On," this is the irony drenched and jittery synth-rock these guys all but perfected in the 70's and 80's. There's even a snotty political broadside via the title track. And as they say on "Later Is Now," eventually everyone gets it right. The future really has caught up to Devo. There's plenty of humor, snark (both at once in "Don't Shoot, I'm a Man") and irresistible dance beats, even if you think you've heard it all before.

Well, you have. As they call their publishing "Recombinant Music;" you'll still dig it. At the same time, there's one song here that marks a high-water mark for Devo. "No Place Like Home" is, of all things, a piano ballad at its heart. Not just a piano ballad, but an honest to spud-pete "Save The World" song. While "Beautiful World" and "Freedom of Choice" were topical in a more underhanded way, "No Place Like Home" goes straight for the jugular, arguing that the pure devolution's endgame is extinction. It's also the song I heard didn't make the Song Study cut, but the band put it on the disc anyway.

Pretty potent stuff, but the irony of all ironies is that Devo has grown up. "Something For Everybody" may have a few duds ("Cameo" is my pick for most replaceable song), yet I am still in awe that this album is as strikingly good as it turned out. "On with the show," they bellow at the close of "March On." And I couldn't agree more.