Devo Albums Ranked

Devo (/ˈdiːvoʊ/, originally /diːˈvoʊ/)  is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. Their classic line-up consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaugh’s (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single “Whip It”, the song that gave the band mainstream popularity. Devo is known for their music and stage shows mingling kitsch science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humor, and mordantly satirical social commentary. Their early, pre-Warner Bros. dissonant songs use synthetic instrumentation and time signatures have proven influential on subsequent popular music, particularly new wave, industrial, and alternative rock artists. Devo (most enthusiastically Gerald Casale) was also a pioneer of the music video, creating clips for the LaserDisc format, with “Whip It” getting heavy airplay in the early days of MTV. Here are all of Devo albums ranked.

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10. Hot Potatoes: The Best Of Devo (1993)

“This is a well put together compendium of Devo songs, including the brave (and incredibly odd) reworking of the Rolling Stones song, “Satisfaction.” Whether this version of the song is appealing may well be determined by a person’s age. Someone who never lived in the late 1970s through the entire 1980s or are very familiar with the milieu of those times would likely *not* appreciate this version of the song. The album is a nice retrospective of an innovative band that de-constructed the overblown-ness of the 1970s music scene.”

9. Hardcore Devo: Volume Two (1991)

“These recordings were made from 1974 to 1977, and they are the early tracks. The feature a lot of electronic music but also some good guitar tracks and base lines. I flavor electronic music, but the guitars here are also very good, and so with this cd you can not go wrong. The music does not sound like the hit song “Whip It”, which I can not stand. This is experimental underground sort of music.”

. 8. Something For Everybody (2010)

“This is a very good album! The band’s previous two albums have always struck me as fairly lackluster compared to the energetic and highly creative output of the band in their heyday. Well, a 20 year break from making albums seems to be exactly what they needed, because Something for Everybody is loud, fun, exciting, and very high energy! DEVO manages to retain their quirky approach while sounding fresh and new. They are in top form here, and although the boys are now in their 60s, you’d never guess it listening to this brilliant album.”

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7. Shout (1984)

“t was inventive, completely electronic, and as others have said, that was the point. Music was like this then. And they always set out to make futuristic music that defied boundaries with a political slant. That is what makes them good. No one else does that anymore. Music and “artists” are just shampoo bottles on a shelf that get paid. It ends there. There is no art or originality where they are concerned. The music is all the same. Bland.”

6. Hardcore Devo: Volume One (1990)

“It’s really cool hearing early versions of Be Stiff and Jocko Homo as well as the old tracks that were new to me. I love the bouncy outer space sounds combined with classic punk rock that create Devo’s unique sound. Most tracks on this album either made me want to get up and dance, or make me mellow out and want to listen. There are tracks that shocked me, made me laugh, or play on repeat because I never heard anything like it before. I think any Devo fan should be able to have fun with this album.”

5. Oh, No! It’s Devo (1982)

“This is an excellent album consisting as it does of observations on the human condition and how far we have fallen from our peak. Speaking to which, this is Devo in full stride. Painfully aware of their role [Peekaboo] as outside-inners, offering us a commercially accessible perspective on life in the trickle-down world – where all good things are kept at the top, where they belong! and the great festering mass of what’s left is advised to take some “Time out for fun!”.

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4. New Traditionalists (1981)

“In my opinion “New Traditionalist” stands out as a record that not only perfectly defines the sound of the pop revolution of the early 80s, but it brings out all of Devo’s qualities like no other Devo record. To me this is “serious” Devo, no other Devo record has as much emotional impact. It can be heard for sheer musical pleasure – and That’s Good.”

3. Freedom Of Choice (1980)

“This album is probably Devo’s finest release in my opinion. Truly a timeless classic that sounds incredible on vinyl record or any given medium. Devo is probably one of the most underrated bands of the 80s or any time. TonO’Love for Devo.”

2. Duty Now For The Future (1979)

“This is also the home of one of DEVO’s best statement-of-purpose songs, the concert fave “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA.” Declaring themselves to be “suburban robots to monitor reality,” DEVO make the claim that they are here to protect both man and mutant, only to discover that Mr. DNA deems them fit to “sacrifice themselves so many others may live!” It also rocks harder than anything else DEVO ever recorded for the first part of their career. After this, the slick success of “Whip It” kind of tamed them…if you ever considered DEVO tamable.”

1. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

“This is quite simply one of the best albums you’ll ever hear. It makes you laugh. It makes you think. It makes you dance like a spaz. It’s got everything from punk-influenced rockers (Uncontrollable Urge, Too Much Paranoias) to herky-jerky New Wave insanity (Sloppy, Satisfaction), and it’s even got a straight up 1950s death-pop number (Come Back Jonee), which seems like it could be the brother of “Leader of the Pack.”