Freedom of Choice Reviews

Devo’s third album, Freedom of Choice, is still a hyper-caffeinated, jittery, nerdy art-punk sci-fi shlock party, but it’s got more pop song craft grafted on. It works and creates an exciting and highly influential New Wave document. Freedom of Choice effectively works as a second volume greatest hits selection after their debut, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!.

Everyone knows the big singles: “Whip It,” “Gates of Steel,” “Girl U Want,” and the title song, but every cut on this record is aces. I love the keyboard-and-synthesizer stomp intro on “It’s Not Right” as much as the video game noises of “Snowball” and the riotous punk drum-and-keyboard loop of “Ton O’ Luv.” If the first album was all about devolutionary theories and yellow jumpsuits then this album is all about red flowerpot hats and disconnected sexual relationships and Cold War paranoia. “Cold War” summarizes the entire theory behind the album in a robotic dance party. But let’s talk about the singles for a minute. “Freedom of Choice” is steeped in irony and social angst. “Whip It” can be read in a few different lights, but I’ll always think of it as an android’s S&M tryst (much of that has to do with the video). And, of course, my favorite Devo song: “Girl U Want.” A giddy account of teenage love which sounds like it has been processed by a Mac. Next to their cover of “Satisfaction,” I can think of no more perfect a synthesis of their human desires/robotic delivery dynamic.

I thought that they sounded like robots who just wanted to dance and sneer like punks on their debut, but this takes into an entirely new level of computer programmed, machine made futurism that makes the debut seem like singer-songwriter confessionalism. That’s not a swipe at the band, it’s why I adore their music and nerdy glory.

I firmly believe that Devo is an underrated and underappreciated band. Their ironic detachment and angular approach to music has always interested and inspired me. This is probably the album that formed the casual listener’s ideas about the band, their music and ideology. And that is not a bad thing. This is a great album. DOWNLOAD: “Girl U Want”