Disco de Devo: “Shout”

Ok, that was KISS...but it really does apply to DEVO's final album for the WB. There were a few problems for the band in the three year lapse between "Shout" and "Oh No," not the least of which was that DEVO was feuding with their record company. It seems that, in the almost 5 years since "Whip It" had made them a household name, DEVO's lack of hits had made WB look at them as an anachronism. So when "Shout" came along, complete with a hilarious video/cover of Jimi Hendrix' "Are You Experienced," there was no-one left to champion the band.

Darn shame, that! This album is as good as "Freedom Of Choice" or "New Traditionalists," and much better than "Oh No." First off, the band drops the gimmick-per-album stance that marred "Oh No" for more straight-forward playing. It gives the album a significantly edgier sound, especially the call to arms of the title track. There are a few interesting additions to the always present de-evolution themes in "The Fourth Dimension" (the girl gets tired of the 3-d world and leaves Mark behind), and in "Puppet Boy's" narrative of non-conformity.

Since the climate for DEVO had shifted considerably, these great songs had to wait for "Pioneers Who Got Scalped" to get more visibility. But now that "Shout" is once again loose in CD racks everywhere (I was lucky enough to find a Japanese import over 10 years ago), I highly recommend grabbing it.

Ok, that was Tears For Fears...but it really does apply to DEVO's final album for the WB. There were a few problems for the band in the three year lapse between "Shout" and "Oh No," not the least of which was that DEVO was feuding with their record company. It seems that, in the almost 5 years since "Whip It" had made them a household name, DEVO's lack of hits had made WB look at them as an anachronism. So when "Shout" came along, complete with a hilarious video/cover of Jimi Hendrix' "Are You Experienced," there was no-one left to champion the band.

Darn shame, that! This album is as good as "Freedom Of Choice" or "New Traditionalists," and much better than "Oh No." First off, the band drops the gimmick-per-album stance that marred "Oh No" for more straight-forward playing. It gives the album a significantly edgier sound, especially the call to arms of the title track. There are a few interesting additions to the always present de-evolution themes in "The Fourth Dimension" (the girl gets tired of the 3-d world and leaves Mark behind), and in "Puppet Boy's" narrative of non-conformity.

Since the climate for DEVO had shifted considerably, these great songs had to wait for "Pioneers Who Got Scalped" to get more visibility. But if you spot a copy of "Shout" loose in a used rack sometime (I was lucky enough to find a Japanese import over 10 years ago), I highly recommend grabbing it.

In some ways, I enjoy these recordings better than DEVO's Freedom of Choice album. While Freedom has a few really great songs on it, this album seems more...free-spirited and Fun. DEVO really did seem to twist away the gates of steel on this album and shout to the ninnies and the twits that enough is enough. The songs on here are upbeat, optimistic, zany, and also very danceable. I find my toes tapping throughout a lot of this album. Shout also features a mutated cover of Jimi Hendrix's song, Are You Experienced, and, it is quite awesome.

Standout tracks are, Shout, The 4th Dimension, Here To Go, Puppet Boy, and Are U Experienced?

I have been a devo fan since their first album and have always liked bands similar to them (talking heads, oingo boingo, gary numan, etc.) but I have always considered devo as my favorite. Their first album is a classic must own. The second one not as good but decent. Every album after that was to me classic material and I liked the way each album changed in style and lyrics. I don't know why critics and devo fans have hammered the shout album as weak. I thought that they finally hit the mark with excellent production values and new wave beats and catchy tunes. I did not even know this album was out till I heard "shout" playing on the radio on a top 40 station!! after I heard it I high tailed it to my favorite store to buy it! I was in college at the time and every one of my dorm friends wanted to borrow it! They all liked it! I wish it had more radio play so it could have been a hit. If only "here to go" were played I think they would have had a hit like "whip it" for the modern age!! In my opinion, this album deserves five stars!!!! If you are new to devo, give it a listen!!!!

I really can't recommend this beyond to those who are already big Devo fans, such as myself. It really is a corny, mid-80s synth pop album. It's completely dated and has maybe three entirely good songs on it. I would only buy a CD remastering on it if had any bonus tracks.