Disco de Devo: “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo”

Devo stormed onto the music scene with their 1978 debut; the CD starts perfectly with the "yeah yeah yeah yeah" rumble of "Uncontrollable Urge." They build on this auspicious beginning with their remake of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," which always sounds to me as though the music consists solely of a synthesizer backed with garage tools being banged together. I love the irony of these rather contained and arty "rockers" opening their debut CD with two such completely hedonistic songs.

Some of the songs are peculiar - including "Space Junk" and its protagonist, Sally, who is always being hit with, well, space junk. A few songs might also be a little offensive in this age of political correctness, especially "Mongoloid" and "Sloppy (I Say My Baby Getting'); however, the lyrics are so absurd that it's clear that they shouldn't be taken seriously. The masterpiece here, arguably, is "Jocko Homo" - which contains the unforgettable chorus for which this CD was named - Are we not men? We are Devo! The group even calls themselves pinheads in this song.

Devo has always been uncategorizable. Are they punk? Are they new wave? Are they rock? Nowadays of course, a number of bands successfully blend musical styles (e.g., Flaming Lips), so it's not as revolutionary. However, I can only imagine what people thought of this CD in 1978. I was only 8 when this CD was released, and other than "Whip It," I wasn't very familiar with their work until recently. I bought this CD about a year ago because I was impressed by Mark Mothersbaugh's film score work, including the delightfully whimsical "Rushmore." Needless to say, I think this CD is remarkable, and I plan on buying more Devo music. Many people are also apparently still discovering this defunct group, as this CD didn't go gold until 2001. It's about time!

Ok let me play the race card.I am black and so were 95% of my friends when this Lp came out.I remember buying it just because of the album cover. When I took it home and played it I knew right away that Devo would hang.I remember playing it at a house party[I Can't Get No Satisfaction]My homies never forgot and this was months before they even got airplay.I would still be jamming this joint but it came up mysteriously missing thanks to my brother Johnnie.Oh well This is a cut above anything else similar that was out at the time.[groundbreakingly unpopular]

I bought this album with a friend one day, in one of those huge corporate electronics stores. I picked it up immedietely, having heard the greatness of "Jocko Homo" and "Satisfaction" before. My friend looked at the album in my hands, and said the following thing:

"Hah, they had that song 'Whip It,' didn't they?" Immediately afterwards he rolled his eyes. Hmph.

Why Devo is so dismissed as an eighties novelty band is lost on me. Heck, I even like "Whip It" for it's musical qualities. But would you catch me saying that to anyone anymore? No way. I'd get the same response every time.

Sad that those idiots will never listen to this amazing, one-of-a-kind album. "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!" is musically flawless, a combonation of the aggressive post-punk feel with a little (but thankfully, not too much) new wave mixed in. The result is pleasing to the ears and very danceable. Just my kind of music.

I love every single song on this album; I fear that if I began to name off my favorites, I'd list the whole album.

So, I'll just list my top favorites as of right now: there's the wonderful, sort of creepy masterpiece "Shrivel Up," a song with a catchy melody (the kind that will stick in your head for a long time) and odd, kooky lyrics. There's also the near-instrumental "Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy," featuring almost two and a half minutes of nothing but amazing music (with a piano thrown in for good measure). "Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')" has one of the weirdest and catchiest choruses anywhere.

Oh, if only I had the time to name of the merits of each song on here. Seriously, every single song counts. You'll be liking "Come Back Jonee" as much as the classic "Jocko Homo." Although it may take a couple listens to truly get into the vibe of this album, it's well worth it.

Stunning 1978 debut effort by these new wave mutants.I remember seeing the guys play two numbers on the old Saturday Night Live tv show,including their weird cover of the Stone's "Satisfaction" and I just didn't know what to think.I never expected these guys to last as long as they have.All I know is that whenever I listen to this CD,I let it play all the way through.Other squirmable/dancable tunes are "Uncontrollable Urge","Mongoloid",the space age misfit song "Jocko Homo" and "Shrivel Up".A new wave classic.Highly recommended.

This is the album that re-defined music and is considered one of the most ground-breaking albums in music history. Damn straight. Released in 1978, when everyone was shaking their hairy butts to disco fever, geeks and misfits everywere were rocking out to the robotic riffs of 5 spudboys from Akron, O-hi-O. However, lots of people say this the only good album Devo ever made.... It's not my favorite Devo album (that honor would go to Duty Now For The Future) but it still kicks major rump. The synth was not yet made a necessity and as a result, plenty of guitars abound. Every single track rocks the house down, especially the underrated masterpiece "Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mammy". "(Sloppy)I Saw My Baby Gettin" is hilarious and you just can't resist chanting along to the classic Jocko Homo. The album ends perfectly with the ominous and creepy Shrivel Up. A great pastiche of Devo at their prime and one of the most acessable, too. The hideous rendition of Chi Chi Rodriguez on the cover is guaranteed to freak out your parents. Buy it buy it buy it!