Search - Devo :: New Traditionalists

Eliminate the ninnies and the twits

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 02/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"New Traditionalists" found DEVO in a precarious state. Their arty irony and brainy pop smarts had made them a flavor of the moment via the "F.O.C." hit single and video, and suddenly the whole world was chanting "are we not men?" It both emboldened them and deepened their cynicism. "Through Being Cool" rallied the alienated to rise against the ninnies and the twits at the same time "Beautiful World" wearily declared that it might have been a beautiful world for you, but "it's not for me." After all, how could you rail against the lemming/jock mentality when they were the ones donning energy domes at the football games and singing "Whip It" at corporate synergy rallies?



But having been touched by the gold finger of hit making, DEVO did their best to fill an album with enthusiastic pogo anthems about their favorite topics, love sex and the willful decline of the human condition. "Jerking Back and Forth" and "Love Without Anger" are typical visions of human relationships ala DEVO. (The stop motion doll video for "L.W.A." is among the band's best.) "Going Under" had them tinkering with their sound a little, and "Working In A Coal Mine" was given the DEVO oldie treatment. Sonically, this is probably the band's best next to what Eno gave their debut. All in all, a solid album."

A strange (but excelent) twist for DEVO

Osmel | Caracas, Venezuela | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1989 I bought this record on LP format, mostly because I loved the song "Going Under", wich was included in the soundtrack of the TV series "Miami Vice". However,when I listened the whole album I was totally amazed for it's extraordinary quality. Songs like "Super Thing", "Love...without Anger" and "Through Being Cool" were not really what you could call DEVO classics, but they were the living proof of the quality of a too-often not taken seriously band. Though I love DEVO's songs like "Whip It" or "Time Out for Fun", "New Traditionalists" was one step forward in the band's search for respect. If you are into 80s electronic pop, this CD is a must have."

What Am I Doing With a Devo Album!?!

Jeffrey G. Stevenson | F.W.B.,FL | 08/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I must confess that I am not a fan of New Wave. I can certainly "stomach"...and in some cases really enjoy certain bands from the genre such as The Cars, Talking Heads and The Fixx, but I absolutely adore "New Traditionalists". I actually "unshelved" this CD recently after many years of not listening to it...and it brought it all back for me and prompted me to write the one and only review I'll likely write for a New Wave release. It also got me wondering exactly how (and why) I ended up with this recording---- usually I can remember who, how and where I was "turned-on" to a new artist or band...but for the life of me, I can't remember how "NT" found its way into my collection? I don't own any other Devo albums, and probably never will---- I grew up with Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and a small portion of Pop Rock and Singer/Songwriter music....so I KNOW I didn't purchase this (besides, the mention of a band like Devo would have gotten me laughed right out of the Rock/Metal band I was playing in at the time I "aquired" this album). Anyway...enough of my ramblings. Without going into individual songs, I can say that I really enjoy every track on the original release....though I can do without the extra tracks here on the remastered CD. If pressed to name favorites, I would pick "Pity You", "Going Under", "Through Being Cool", "LWA" and "Beautiful World". Other reviews here mention how the band was trying to "say" something within the individual songs on "NT"---- I guess I can see (hear) that, however, if I want a listening experience with a "message" and social commentary, I'm not going to grab for this to get that "fix". On the other hand, if I'm in the mood for some cool, quirky and fun music that doesn't take too much "brain power" to enjoy, this exceptional release is always on 'stand-by' for me. If your looking for an 'initiation' into this band, I would (and can only) recommend looking no further than "New Traditionalists....4.5 stars"