Devo - Freedom Of Choice (USA 1980)

Off The Shelf.

Here's one from the archive. The CD version of the 3rd album I ever owned, bought for me by my mother for Xmas as "Whip It" was the big hit off this disc and I was right into it. I loved this album then and 33 years later, I am still digging it and still can sing along with most of the lyrics. I am quite suprised to the recording quality, this being probably the first time I have dusted this off since I bought the Cyrus about 9 Years ago. This early example of electro pop was firmly rooted in 60 pop but seeded with disco influences to produce a collection of outstanding catchy 3 minute pop songs but with Devo's quirky offbeat style. Side one was always the side that got hammered when I was a teen, it definitely had the best songs,and side two was a little more offbeat and so didn't quite gel with this 14 year old. Listening now, I still prefer side one but can appreciate the technicalities of the songs on side two.  It's so great to dust off something like this and just totally re-connect with the music in the moment and this just fitted so well tonight. If you have never heard this then get it Now. Rating 5/5. 

Devo - Q. Are We Not Men? A. We Are Devo! (USA 1978)

An Uncle Roddus Album Review

Classic albums from my past.

I am having much trouble trying to write this as I listen to this complete Masterpiece of post punk, new wave oddball rockin' music, as my body wants to move violently to these tunes I know so bloody well and the emotions of pure joy at hearing this stuff and finding that I still love it as much now as I did back over 30 years

 ago.  Another extremely unique collection of songs from this idiosyncratic outfit, who first came to my attention in 1980 with their third album "freedom Of Choice" and the hit "Whip It". This album I purchased off a friend of mine who knew I liked it much more than he did and it is probably the most played album I ever owned and was pretty worn by the time I was departed from it, of course I am listening to my CD copy now.

 The album starts off at a frenetic pace with the brilliant punky "Uncontrollable Urge" before hitting the stratosphere with an unbeleivable cover of the Rolling Stones "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", fucking blows the Stones off the planet. The album weirdly rocks along brilliantly until we get shot into the stratosphere again with the utterly fantastic "Joko Homo, which is kinda the title track and starts of kinda jerky in its rhythm before settling down to blow our minds with the indescribable sounds of the finale. Side two is chocked full of   very cool music with its highlights being the two almost conventional sounding tracks in "Gut Feeling..." and "Come Back Jonee" before it gets weird again to finish the album. Quite possibly my no.2 all time favourite album and of course gets a rating of 5+/5