Devo

Something for Everybody (Warner Bros.)

By Alison Baitz
Published: June 15th, 2010 | 1:00pm

“What we do / Is what we do / It’s all the same / There’s nothing new” is the most striking line on Something for Everybody, Devo’s first album in 20 years. Whether it’s meant as a self-aware jab at the repetitive nature of music or a would-be motivational anthem, this latest effort from the legendary band is feeling pretty familiar. The album plays like a collection of songs plucked from the ‘80s polished to fit in with its shinier contemporaries.

The album starts with power on “Fresh,” soon layering that familiar new wave guitar. Still present in the lyrics is Devo’s trademark playfulness and repetitiveness, which helps make the songs incredibly catchy. The problem with Everybody is its hyperawareness of current musical trends—or production values for that matter—which feel so forced they detract from focusing on innovative music.

“Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man)” is a strange critique of 21st century popular culture. With cheeky references to environmentally friendly vehicles and certain Internet memes—they literally sing “don’t tase me, bro”—the song is at once both current and behind the times. The beginning of “Mind Games” is nice with video game-like blips, but the core lyrics about the confusing nature of love are just lame.

Of course, there are some nice moments on Everybody. “Please Baby Please” has some great Doo-Wop-esque harmonizing, which unfortunately is left in the background. “Sumthin’” has familiar whip sounds, and “Later Is Now” feels like a nice return to form. “No Place Like Home” begins as a piano ballad, before layering signature Devo sounds, resulting in a really nice mix.

Something for Everybody is a 38-minute testament that the old Devo is still around, but their sound has been diminished by a focus on contemporary gloss.

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Warner Bros. Records