Since September 2010, this blog has recorded the journey of this music junkie as I attempt to listen to all the music in my CD collection. CDs revisited in their entirety from start to finish - no skipping tracks, no shuffle. Compact Discs only - no vinyl, no tapes, no files.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Devo - Greatest Hits (1990)


Sometimes described as synth-pop, New Wave, art rock, or post-punk, Devo only had one Top 40 hit (Whip It), so it may be a stretch to put together a 16 track greatest hits CD, but, in true Devo fashion, they not only put out this CD, but simultaneously released another 16 track CD titled Greatest Misses. They had quite a following and recorded many songs in their own spastic, quirky, very electronic, industrial style. Devo is an acquired taste and, for me, can only be taken in small doses. If you only need one Devo CD, this wouldn't be a bad choice.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:
SongAlbumYearHot 100
Here To Go (Go Mix Version)Shout1984-
Through Being CoolNew Traditionalists1981107
Big MessOh No! It's Devo!1982-
That's GoodOh No! It's Devo!1982104
Jerkin' Back 'N' ForthNew Traditionalists1981-
Peek-A-Boo!Oh No! It's Devo!1982106
Beautiful WorldNew Traditionalists1981102
(I Can't Get No) SatisfactionQ: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!1978-
Whip ItFreedom Of Choice198014
Girl U WantFreedom Of Choice1980-
Freedom Of ChoiceFreedom Of Choice1980103
Smart Patrol/Mr. DNADuty Now For The Future1979-
Gut FeelingQ: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!1978-
Gates Of SteelFreedom Of Choice1980-
Working In The CoalmineNew Traditionalists198143
Jocko HomoQ: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!1978-

None are unlistenable, but my favorite tracks are Here To Go (Go Mix Version), Through Being Cool, Beautiful World, Working In The Coalmine and Jocko Homo. Not as good are Jerkin' Back and Forth, Peek-A-Boo!, and Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA. The song That's Good is so derivative of Gimme Some Lovin' that Devo should pay Steve Winwood some royalties. The highlight of the disc is the cover of The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. The neurotic arrangement perfectly suits the lyrics.


Personal Memory Associated with this CD: My friend Richard bought the Greatest Misses shortly before I bought this Greatest Hits CD. Also, the song Through Being Cool reminds me of church camp in the summer of 1984.

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