Devo 2.0

erik · Post by **erik** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:28 pm

So Devo got together, rerecorded a bunch of their old hits, and got a bunch of kids to sing the vocals. The kids made some videos where they sing and pretty much look like they're playing their instruments, and Disney is releasing the whole shebang as a kid's record. The songs are changed in ways that you would expect, like the kicker at the end of "Beautiful World" which used to be "It's a beautiful world for you/But not for me" becomes "It's a beautiful world for you/I guess me too". "Freedom of choice is what you got/Freedom from choice is what you want" becomes "Freedom of choice is what you got/Freedom of choice is what you got".

If any other group did this, I would just hang my head and cry. Somehow with DEVO it halfway makes sense. I remember when Mothersbaugh sold Whip It to the Swiffer people, on the stipulation that he would rerecord it for them with their corny lyrics. (Swiff it! Swiff it good!) Their whole shtick is about never quite being sure to what degree they take themselves and their music seriously.

Is this CD/DVD a good thing? A bad thing? Is turning kids on to DEVO by making it seem like kids' music devious, cool, or just a ploy to get money? Is this so ridiculous it's cool? Is it so ridiculous it's ridiculous? What other bands could get away with this? Wait, can DEVO get away with this?

j$ · Post by j$ » Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:54 pm

Is this post-modern or retro? Isn't it frightening how much like Devo at least one of the singers sounds, especially 'Good Thing'? I simultaneously find this sacriligeous and actually quite entertaining.

I wish they hadn't done 'Uncontrollable Urge' mind. That's just creepy.

I am confused. I love the fact that all those kids look like they have absolutely no idea what's going on, while simultaneously thinking I probably don't either. Devo win again?

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:15 pm

Tough call. If you're in the Devo camp you're probably going through everything Erik did at the end of his post. Trying to come to grips with how one of your musical heros has sold themselves out while simultaneously questioning if it wasn't inevitable or the next evolution of one of the greatest P.T. Barnum acts of all time.

My main objection is Disney being involved. Make no doubt, if Disney's involved it's all about the money. They're churning out kid stars like the Matrix does human batteries. This isn't about turning kids onto cool music. It's about spurring the emotions of the right demographic Mom and Dad. Part 2 is getting the kids to recognize the Disney label as "good" so when they have their own kids they buy the Disney product for them as well.

It's Marketing 101.

sausage boy · Post by **sausage boy** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:44 pm

I love the way the kids looks so excited to be singing songs from a band that they probably never heard of.

I don't know if this is very Devo, but it certainly seems very Mothersbaugh. He has been chipping away at the commercial music scene for years, slipping in odd ditties here and there.

Post by jb » Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:49 pm

Hey, if Disney wants to make a gigantic hit out of Devo, why would anybody have a problem with it?

Like them buying Pixar-- no more Chicken Little bullshit from them. They want to make money, and they're going to put out whatever they can to do so in their niche. If good talent can get in there and help them, then so much the better for everyone.

fodroy · Post by **fodroy** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:56 pm

that singer looks sarcastic in the video. i think she can tell that she's part of a lame footnote in devo history that most people will have to strain to forget.

and the other band members look like squeeky clean pre-stoners.

Post by **Lunkhead** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:44 pm

I vote "awesome". The songs are still really good, and some of the kids who get into it will find out what the real lyrics are some day and appreciate the etxra edge.

Lyricburglar · Post by **Lyricburglar** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:43 am

Well - I've just discovered Caravan Harriets next birthday present!

Beats the crap out of The Wiggles

j$ · Post by j$ » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:12 am

Dan-O from Five-O wrote:Trying to come to grips with how one of your musical heros has sold themselves out while simultaneously questioning if it wasn't inevitable or the next evolution of one of the greatest P.T. Barnum acts of all time.

I am not sure they are selling out - or rather they have always made an act of 'selling out' [E-Z Listening for instance]. Doesn't neccessarily make it any more palatable, mind.

It's about spurring the emotions of the right demographic Mom and Dad. Part 2 is getting the kids to recognize the Disney label as "good" so when they have their own kids they buy the Disney product for them as well.

I agree that it seems like there is a large amount of this thinking involved in Disney's thinking.

I think my major problem is, having listened to the sound clips, it just sounds like Devo Jr Karaoke. It's bringing nothing new musically to the table. Personally I love the sound, but I see no reason for doing this, beyond Devo not being young enough to resell the Greatest Hits off their own backs.

frankie big face · Post by **frankie big face** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:32 am

I like it. It's silly and fun. I don't know one Middle School kid who would like this, but that's probably the first prerequisite for something catching fire with MSers.

I think the fact that Devo is involved makes it less of a "sellout," but even if it is, why not? Right before "Stacy's Mom" hit, I heard the lead singer of Fountains of Wayne had returned to fixing computers for a living. Not all the Devo guys are writing indy soundtracks, so I'm sure a little Disney money can't hurt right about now.

I agree with j$ that it brings "nothing new musically to the table." But I'm also pretty certain this is the wrong occasion for a reimagining of the songs. That would make little sense in this context and would leave us all scratching our heads, saying "why did they take out the synth line in Whip It?" or "I hate how slow they made Uncontrollable Urge." Major changes would detract from the main gimmick, which is kids playing Devo.

Jim of Seattle · Post by **Jim of Seattle** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:53 pm

I've always loved Devo. But my friend Berton who was a guitarist on the Knack ran into Devo at a recording studio in 1980 when both bands were at their respective heights more or less, and he was really disappointed that they were all such dicks to him. Ever since I heard that story my impression of Devo has been sadly tainted.

Niveous · Post by **Niveous** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 9:34 am

Now that Sonofsupercar has broken up, can we get a Sonsofsonofsupercar, in the Devo 2.0 vein?