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Oh, No! It's Devo | 
 enlarge | Artist: Devo
Label: Collectables
Category: Music
Buy New: $12.97
New (15) Used (6) from $7.97
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 86715
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 6552
UPC: 090431655221
EAN: 0090431655221
ASIN: B0009HLD2S
Release Date: June 28, 2005
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Time Out for Fun | | • | Peek-a-boo! | | • | Out of Sync | | • | Explosions | | • | That's Good | | • | Patterns | | • | Big Mess | | • | Speed Racer | | • | What I Must Do | | • | I Desire | | • | Deep Sleep |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Very underrated, but not their best material. 3.75/5 stars January 4, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is an underrated album, and much criticized at the time. Mostly because, by now, they turned 100% synth (they started as a hybrid of organic and synth instruments, and by the time this album came out, all synth.)
20+ years later, it's fun to re-evaluate how the songs in this album held up... or if they held up.
"Time Out For Fun" is a reminder to be human... The music is a bit "meh" at times, but the lyrics hit home.
I still have no clue what "Peek-a-Boo" is about (spying, spending, wanking, what?), but the digital synth sound has an organic, very cool feel to it. Watching the video helps the "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha" verses make sense; it's as if this one was meant as a video, with the idea of it being a song was an afterthought...
"Out of Sync" grew on me too. Again, for "pre-techno" it does have that organic feel that grows... but it does sound more "trite new wave" (more being the machine than raging against it) I'll agree...
"Explosions" has all the makings of a good song, but for some reason it just fails to impress.
"That's Good" is an all time Devo classic. Not much else to say. Except to go and watch the video, which utilizes visuals such as credit cards and quaint sexual euphemisms -- it's spot on in its attitude as well.
"Patterns" is another throwaway; on par with "Explosions".
"Big Mess" does seem to be a bit angry as two synth twangs are meant to be censor bleeps for unspoken words, but it's it's at least on par with "Out of Sync" regarding the music. The lyrics clearly mean something, but I'm not sure. Something about a man with a mission, some guy named "Cowboy Kim", being a loser who's a boy with a big gun and being mixed up. Okey dokey.
"Speed Racer" can only be described as "funky". Odd given it's from early 80s synth, but it's another Devo revamp of a dug-up 60s tune. Definitely worth the listen-to given its awkward yet engaging sound.
"What I Must Do" - on par with "Time out for Fun" with its music; the lyrics are a bit creepy... "for he might regret it." Regret what? Asking the girl out? Signing up for service? Becoming a hit man?!
"I Desire" - more proof that every groundbreaking group ultimately gets caught up with the rest of the world that has caught up and ends up doing the same song and dance. By 1982, too many groups went to synth and Devo's attempt here is another flat piece. In the right mood it's fun, but for me that mood is just before I hit rush hour traffic...
"Deep Sleep" is a fair song to go out. Another "I sound like everyone else did in 1982" track, it's almost better than the 3 songs that immediately preceded it. But it's still flat and is inclined TO put you to sleep. Definitely not recommended to listen to while driving...
All in all, the good tracks blow the mediocre ones out of the water. But this was the beginning of their end for DEVO. They originally broke ground, but when the wave came they couldn't keep up. :(
 Before the Dawn of the De-Evolution September 9, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
"Oh, No! It's Devo!" for me represented the apotheosis of the Spudboys from Akron, O-hi-o. I know that for most people. this was the beginning of the end, but for me the proof is in the grooves: I played this one so much (LP vinyl) I had to buy a replacement. Within a year the grooves were turning white from dust and the cheapo "Soundesign" needle on my turntable. And, don't forget, the album cover had a cameo appearance on "Diff'rent Strokes," in the ownership of Willis Drummond, as played by the venerable Todd Bridges.
The reason this album works, is because it works as an album. Devo was best when they put their tunes in the hands of accomplished producers, as with their debut (Brian Eno) and "Freedom of Choice" (Robert Margouleff).
This one was put to the mix by Roy Thomas Baker, who produced so many great albums for The Cars, as well as AC/DC's "Back in Black." While "Oh No" bears zero resemblance to the latter, it is produced much like The Cars' second album, "Candy-O": All the songs, in a constant 4/4 tempo, fit with the previous and the subsequent like a dovetail joint. Let your ears and your mind follow the beat as "Out of Sync," "Explosions," "That's Good," "Patterns," and "Big Mess" weave and flow seamlessly into one another.
It wouldn't mean a thang if these were lackluster tunes, but every single one is SOLID.
While contemplating the lyrics of "What I Must Do," I thought that the line -- as sung by Mark -- "To Bring You Happiness / Could Become a Lifetime Goal / A Smile I Might Bring You / Is More Important Than World Peace," is simple and beautifully expressed. Only years later did I find out that Devo lifted many lines (including that one) from love letters crazed (attempted) assassin John Hinckley sent to actress Jody Foster.
By themselves, the words aren't earth shatteringly profound. But when sung with conviction in Mothersbaugh's warbling tones and when backed up by Devo's instrumentals, they rise to the level of profundity.
Frightening, but the very essence of "Devolution" just the same.
DEVO did it again... but January 4, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
First and foremost: I LOVE THIS ALBUM... although is not as good as "New Traditionalist". DEVO went straight into mainstream pop without even notice it. This album is filled with very good songs like "Time Out for Fun", "Out of Sinc" and "Patterns", but one must wonder what went on their heads when they created such blunders like "Speed Racer" or "Explosions". However, this is an album for, well... TIME OUT FOR FUN, so don't waste your time analizing it. Buy this album ASAP if you like 80s pop.
 be warned February 1, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
These devo reissues are bland , no inner artwork to speak of and missing all the bonus tracks that the infinate zero issues had . Please Mr. Henry Rollins bring back the goods . Infinate zero did a great job and these just dont live up .
A forgotten and ignored classic January 3, 2006
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Devo was my first concert, just a couple of months after the release of this album. I saw them in December, 1982. It seemed like a great show at the time, but of course I had nothing to compare it to. Regardless, I went on to enjoy this album more and more until I completely forgot about Devo a few years later.
Fast forward to a few years ago. I bought the import CD that has this album and Freedom of Choice on it. I figured it was a great attempt to recapture something I had forgotten. Unfortunately, I think the sound on this CD is sub-par, and when I recently listened to it again, I decided I had no choice but to go out and find it in its original form... vinyl. Much better. (Don't waste your money on that import like I did!)
Now, I've heard all Devo up to this point. Beyond this, I've heard nothing of theirs. As everybody knows, Mark Mothersbaugh has gone on to write music primarily for kids shows (Rugrats, etc.) If you've ever heard these tunes, you can definitely hear the same sort of slight weirdness that Devo was so well known for.
I like older Devo as much as the next guy. Yes, it was edgy and different at first. Sure, Devo began catering to a more pop-oriented audience with this album, but don't let that fool you. These guys were master song writers by this time. The key to enjoying Devo is to not read too much into what they're saying and just take it for the entertainment value it provides. Don't be mistaken. "Oh, No! It's Devo" fulfills that promise of entertainment. Try not to listen to this album and tap your feet the entire way through. It's hard, and That's Good.
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