Two CDs. Digitally remastered and expanded 30th anniversary deluxe edition of Devo's 1988 album. Over the years this totally underrated album has become a true fan favorite, as well as a prediction of these unsettling times we live in. So, it seems only fitting it's right now that Total Devo gets it's first time reissue for all to hear. Back in 1988, when the airwaves were being homogenized by vapid pop, Devo set about creating their first album in four years. The result was this slice of overt irony, a dance orientated, back to basics, emotionally arch selection - including now classics 'Baby Doll' and 'Disco Dancer' - that twisted pop on it's head by imitating in part the very music it mocked. Despite it's industrial edge and unusual trademark quirk, the joke was so honest at the time that it was inevitably lost, but in the years since hindsight has this serving as a true testament to another of Devo's misunderstood works of art.
T**2
Better than its reputation
Given the absence of Devo between "Shout" and "Total Devo", with new record label as well, there would obviously be some stylistical changes.With all the negativity accorded Devo's final two albums (prior to 2009), I was hesitant... but there are some good tracks on this album."Baby Doll" really should have been the single instead of "Disco Dancer" for having a catchier and trendsetting beat while being mainstream enough with the lyrics to reel in audiences."Happy Guy" and "Some Things Never Change" are simply classic Devo.I figured out what "Disco Dancer" was trying to say, but the song and video are so lackluster compared to the previously mentioned tracks."Man Turned Inside Out" is another well-orchestrated piece (for late-80s musical style, which influenced other bands of the day), given the Devo twist. "Plain Truth" is decent.But for a band that rocked the world in one of the most original covers of any song ever - "Satisfaction" - a decade earlier, and also elevated the 1967 song "R U Experienced" into something far better, the cover of "Don't Be Cruel" - which is technically solid with some great vocals that mimic the style of the 1950s and Elvis - somehow manages to be the least appealing track on this album by far, given Devo's track record on covers. "Cruel" just feels all wrong despite capturing the feel of the 1950s - which might be the problem, it just wasn't given the sort of finesse Devo was known for with other covers, trying only to mimic the past. Again, the vocals are sublime but it doesn't feel like a proper Devo song.
A**S
a good collection of songs
It's not that this is a bad album. It isn't. All of the songs on the album are pretty good. The trouble is that the whole affair is so straightforward and low key.. both lyrically and musically... that it doesn't feel like a Devo album.There really isn't a bad song here though. Most of them feel like they belong in an 80s John Hughes movie, meaning that all they need is iconic imagery to make the emotion of the song come alive.Maybe that's the problem with this album. Devo has always been a very visual band. Part of the fun of discovering Devo is seeing the videos and the costumes. There isn't much to visualize in this music, and the rather bland approach to most of it doesn't help.Still. I can't knock it. My rating is - 3 stars as an album by Devo, 4 stars as an album by anyone else.
N**E
a GOOD, FUN ALBUM
But Buyer beware...there are several editions floating about,,,,this listing is actually the 13 song edition, not 16 song as noted by Amazon.The best tracks, in my opinion, are "Some Things Never Change", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Blow Up"Most of the other songs are good, but I prefer these three, especially the longer version of "Some Things Never Change". It has a great bass line, a mild industrial feel, and good vocals."Don't be Cruel" is an Elvis cover. It's fun to hear DEVO impersonate Elvis in their own "Uh-Whu aWhu-ay"It's a good beat and you can dance to it!
P**S
Really fine
In good shape and on time. Great album from my favorite non-conformists
J**N
Shipped fast, even during the holidays.
Arrived earlier than expected! Great condition. Definitely happy with my purchase.
M**L
What Happened??
No longer the most bizarre, and intellectually stimulating band on the block. This is tepid synthpop with no soul or emotion. Computer programed everything. Tame, and domesticated DEVO.
L**K
Great packaging for a terrible album. :)
Great packaging by Futurismo. 'Good' content on disc 2. Now having said that, this album is terrible and only Devo nerds should buy it. It's a somewhat guilty pleasure for me. Worst album they did.
S**T
Great Album
Great album.
A**.
Best vinyl I've bought in years.....
Especially compared with Sony's re-issue of the Star Wars albums ,this Devo album is wonderfully presented with a top quality gatefold sleeve,a few extra bits and bobs,and really top quality heavy vinyl. Sound quality is pretty damn good and the album has a few extra tracks that weren't on my Enigma issue cd,or compact cassette. Like "Oh no,it's Devo" , "Shout"and "Smooth Noodle Maps" this was/is an underrated album and like those mentioned contains some great catchy tunes (amongst a few I've never been keen on) . Hopefully Futurismo will do more sets like this and maintain their friendship with whichever pressing plant did such a great job on the vinyl.
T**M
Underrated, and that's the plain truth
Total DEVO marked the beginning of an new era for the group. It came after a 4 year hiatus, featured a new drummer (David Kendrick - long time drummer for Sparks) and was released on a new record label (Enigma). Their lyrical approach is noticably different too, focusing more on human emotional themes as opposed to the cryptic social satire of their early work. The music is the most dance-orientated of their career and sounds quite dated now but that adds a certain '80s charm. Highlights include the funk guitar in Disco Dancer, the catchy should-have-been-a-single Happy Guy, the 'femmes DEVO' vocals of Plain Truth and the breakdown in the beautiful ballad (seriously!) I'd Cry If You Died. This might not be the sound most associate with DEVO and it's certainly not a good place to start if you're a newbie but it's still worth a listen.
T**J
My favourite Devo Album
I know it was neither a commercial nor critical success, but this is my favourite Devo album. Hardcore spuds will disagree but the tunes and variety of song give this record something over and above some other offerings. Not a bad track on it . Would recommend this along with 'Something for Everybody' as albums for the unconverted to try. Accessible but none the worse for that.A gem
M**T
Five Stars
Great!
M**
Grande disco
Disco eccezionaleConsegnato nei tempiPackaging eccezionale : Futurismo si conferma una grande etichetta.Il mastering è perfetto eil secondo disco contiene versioni alternative molto buone.
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