Band: Devo
Release: 6/2010
Label: Warner Bros.

1. “Fresh” – A+
2. “What We Do” – B
3. “Please Baby Please” – B
4. “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” – A-
5. “Mind Games” – B+
6. “Human Rocket” – A-
7. “Sumthin” – A
8. “Step Up” – B
9.”Cameo” – B
10. “Later Is Now” – A+
11. “No Place Like Home” – A-
12. “March On” – B+

Comments: Twenty years later Devo is still “Fresh.” They do what they do. It’s still the same. They still have (now) retro ’80s electro-dance beats going for them. For a somewhat modern reference point, I’d pinpoint you towards the Lost Sounds. There are tons of sci-fi noises, synths, and the kinds of vocal styles that Alicja Trout and the late Jay Reatard mastered. Why compare such a prolific New Wave band to a short lived one? I don’t know! I just did. Of course, Devo is full of more pop hooks and a continually fast rhythm. I would be lying if I said the album through-and-through was constantly catchy. There are some songs that really hit you immediately, others have some lulls. By lulls, I don’t mean bad parts, but rather mild spoilers that bring a song down from memorable to a tad forgettable. Growers like “No Place Like Home” are utterly impressive. The Bob Marley “Buffalo Soldier” esque closer “March On” does its job. It reminds me of some of the dance mixes of Legend. I’m not sure if that is what the band was going for, but it sure sounds like it. Conclusion? This album is awesome. Not awesome in one of the best of the year, but as I’ve said a number of times (about other albums), the great songs on here are just worth listening to over and over. That said, there couldn’t possibly be twelve “Fresh” a-likes. That wouldn’t…be…fresh.

Grade: B+ (89)