Search - Devo :: E-Z Listening Disc

Amateur Spuds Need Not Apply

W. White | Knoxville, TN | 12/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, this album is kitschy and trite--but that's the whold point! The casual Devo listner will not understand this album... it's an inside joke from the now-Mutato Muzika boys to their fans. From the bluegrass version of "Beautiful World" (who'da thought it possible!), to the power lounge-lizard "Whip It," this shows Mark Mothersbaugh and the boys to be the true geniuses they were and are today. I suppose the casual Devo listener might enjoy it, if they knew the songs on the album in their original forms. If you thought "Whip It" was the best (or only) thing Devo ever put out, DON'T BUY THIS RECORDING! If you bought "Smooth Noodle Maps" just because you have the courage to be a Devo fan--even into the new millenium, then this album is for you."

Anything but E-Z

Darthjal | North America | 03/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was expecting elevator music. I wanted to find out how far Devo would go in transforming their wonderful, unique work into bland pap. Call it morbid curiosity.I was disappointed, but it was the happy kind of disappointment. It wasn't elevator-like at all. Fulfilling their genetic imperative, Devo deconstructed their own songs, but they stopped far short of destroying them. (I am grateful.)(Theoretically, you *could* pipe this sort of music into an elevator, but then no one would want to leave; proper elevator music makes people want to get out as soon as possible.)Some of the tracks are watered-down versions of the originals, and not especially interesting, although it's true enough that they're easy to listen to. But many of them do hold to the Muzak tradition of subverting the impression of a song from, say, ironic and upbeat to maudlin: "Mongoloid" is a good example. The tune's the same, you can even sing along, but if you weren't familiar with the original you'd never suspect what the song is about. It's a gentle yet haunting rendition of a fun, punkish song.The E-Z "Jocko Homo" isn't quite as radically different from the original, but it is pretty funny. If you really want to hear something that would frighten people out of the elevators, try "Peekaboo"! You think Devo's first interpretation of "Satisfaction" was bizarre? Listen to this one. Proof again that even the most straightforward song can be bent in many directions while still maintaining its identity.Maybe just knowing it's really Devo is what makes it fun. I don't think this disk would make much sense to someone who isn't a fan; even if they liked the sound of it, they'd miss out on a lot by not being in on the joke. It's a must-have for Devotees, though, and fascinating if you're interested in the different ways a song can be put together, taken apart, and rearranged."

It's a Beautiful World

thebigoh | Up Above the World | 11/06/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"How great is this? You can play Devo for Mom and Dad and they will probably like it or at the very least, they won't complain and they will listen to it. It IS a beautiful world. For you... I'm the Big Oh and I'm Devo. Bye"