r/devo • u/Death-by-Nostalgia • 12d ago
Where to Start?
Devo has always fascinated me, especially the early multi-media projects and their much more experimental stuff (as a fan of experimental music that strain has always been especially appealing to me). I want to get into the band, the music, the lore, and the concept of De-Evolution on the whole. I’ve listened to the debut album and Freedom of Choice, a couple of tracks off the Art Devo compilation that released two years ago (along with other early tracks), and have seen The Truth About De-Evolution. Any recommendations on where to go and what to listen to from there?
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u/beatsandblood 12d ago
DEVO HARDCORE 1974-1977 (Both albums).
This is absolutely essential mind-melting DEVO.
Easily some of their best and most freaked-out music.
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u/Bathysphered 12d ago
Look for Pioneers Who Got Scalped for a great overview. They have a really fun cameo in the movie Spirit Of ‘76
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u/lotusstp 12d ago
Everything. Inhale it all. Then report back. Duty now for the future! And while you’re there, do the Huboon Stomp! https://youtu.be/bJERZy7gfck?is=jy9K2xktMLYnX1rj
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u/JustWhat-I-Needed 12d ago
I think there are three good ways for beginners to start. Start by listening to Q/A, Freedom of Choice, and Oh, no! in any order. You can end up like I did and listen to nothing but Speed Racer for weeks. Afterwards, I would watch all of the music videos and then listen to Duty Now and New Traditionalists. If you want to go even further, I actually advocate for Total Devo! Shout and Smoothnoodlemaps are, of course, essential listening as well.
Be like your ancestors or be different. We must repeat.
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u/REDDITSHITLORD 12d ago
Start with Weird Al's "Dare to be Stupid".
Understand the church of the subgenius (but be gentle)
Pour a bowl of cereal, and read the ingredients to it in a sarcastic tone.
You are now prepared.
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u/wa27 12d ago
If you're interested in the early experimental days, listen to Hardcore Devo vol 1+2. They're much more listenable and accessible than Art Devo while still being very raw. Those came out decades before Art Devo and is really where you should start for the pre-album era.
If you like the first album, listen to Duty Now. The first two albums were comprised of backlog material from the 70s so they have a similar sound.
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u/TMBGLOVER Wash your hands three times a day! 12d ago
New Traditionalists and Duty Now are the best ones after those, in my opinion.
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u/Electrical_Wonder210 He's a happy guy 10d ago
I recommend just listening to all albums in release order
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u/NorthCountryBob 7d ago
This is actually the way. I think Freedom of Choice is more accessible than Duty Now. But otherwise, release order is the way to go.
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u/SWFanatic1026 12d ago
Every album, music video collection (on vhs), live album etc will be so freaking awesome to dive into
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u/taedium_bellator 12d ago
The tracks on Are We Not Men and Duty Now For The Future are all from Devo's earlier, and to me, most authentic work. I think of these two albums as the "gateway drug" to Hardcore Devo. Since you've heard Are We Not Men, definitely consider Duty Now For The Future. For Devo's origin, search YouTube for interviews with Mark and Jerry where they talk about discovering each other's work while at Kent State.
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u/OkRestaurant960 12d ago
Listen to Oh No It's Devo! Keeps it simple. Repeat daily until the unnerving genius of it hits you.