Collectables Classics

After Whip It everyone wrote Devo off as a one hit wonder novelty act, however, they performed some of the most artistically accomplished and influential music of the new wave era. Included in this package are four of Devo's best but lesser known albums.

Duty Now for the Future (1979) is much more synth based than its immediate predecessor Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! and its material is not up to the same standard but despite its differences it is still a competent album showcasing the songs Devo had been performing live before the times of their record contract. 4/5

New Traditionalists (1981) is a hard album to get into. It has the standout track Beautiful World, a Devo classic but the other tracks are much less tuneful and more sterile and lifeless. After repeated listenings, however, it grows on you. This record is far to underrated. 4/5

Oh, No! It's Devo (1982) is one of Devo's masterpieces even if no one seems to agree with me. On most songs they drop their philosophical messages and just have fun on this album making catchy synthpop but still remaining unique enough to be interesting. 5/5

Shout (1984) is a step down after the great Oh, No! It's Devo. It is even more synth based but that is not the main problem, the songs are just not as charming and catchy as they could have been. This mark's the beginning of Devo's decline but is still markedly superior to the follow up effort Total Devo (1988), a true piece of trash. The best song here is R U Experienced? the latest in a series of superbly devolved Devo covers. The video for it is just tacky, but entertaining; look it up. Overall this is not as bad as some will tell you but still not up to the usual standard. 3/5.

The collection overall is a convenient way to acquire some lesser known Devo albums and it well deserving of a 4.5/5 rating.

Now we just need the Hardcore Devo collections rereleased. Get on that OLDIES.com!