1980 - May: Devo “Freedom of Choice”

What the Riff?!?

While Devo is known as an early 80's new wave synth pop band, their history goes back to 1973. The classic lineup of Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Bob Casale, and Alan Myers developed the name Devo from "De-evolution," the idea that mankind is regressing to a herd mentality. This was a bit of a joke idea that Gerald Casale and co-founder Bob Lewis formed while at Kent State University. The band gained some local fame in 1976, and were signed to Warner Brothers in 1978 with recommendations from David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

Freedom of Choice is Devo's third studio album and their breakout commercial success. While their first two albums had generated some following, the commercial success was not at the level Warner Brothers sought, and the third album was considered a "make or break," one with the studio ready to drop the group. Success did follow this album, with Devo exploiting the upcoming popularity of new wave while drifting a little bit towards R&B and funk sensibilities within their synth-pop framework.

The album was recorded and mixed in six weeks, with bass, guitars, and drums being recorded together live, and with synthesizers and vocals being overdubbed later. The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200, and the big single, "Whip It," reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Rob brings us this synthisizer-driven new wave album for this week's foray into the early 80's.

Freedom of Choice
Thie post-punk title song initially sounds like it is about freedom of choice. However, it is really about people not really having freedom of choice. Consumerism - choosing between green sneakers and blue sneakers for example - isn't really choice at all. "Freedom of choice is what you got. Freedom from choice is what you want."

Whip It
Everyone knows this signature Devo song. Mark Mothersbaugh has stated that the song was written as a subtle Dale Carnegie-esque message to Jimmy Carter, saying "you can do it." The song benefitted greatly from airplay on the fledgling cable channel MTV, where their strange video involving a guy knocking the clothes off a girl with a bullwhip received continual play.

Gates of Steel
The lead song from side 2 is a bit of a commentary on the mechanization of humanity. No matter how much we believe mankind has accomplished, we're not far removed from the ape. "A man is real, not made of steel."

Girl U Want
This was the first single released from the album, though it did not chart well. The song was supposedly inspired by The Knack, though the track reminds us more of The Cars. "She's just the girl, she's just the girl, the girl you want."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Fame by Irene Cara (from the motion picture “Fame”)
Irene Cara sings the theme song and stars in this teen musical drama about students auditioning to study at the High School of Performing Arts.

STAFF PICKS:

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
Lynch's staff pick is a song inspired by Elvis Presley. Freddie Mercury wrote the song lyrics in about 10 minutes, and the band created the song in about 30 minutes. Mercury played lead guitar for the original stuido recording. It was the first number 1 hit that Queen had on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Cars by Gary Numan
Wayne brings us the signature song from Gary Numan. It was inspired by an incident of road rage Numan experienced in London, where he had to lock his doors and drive on the sidewalk to avoid getting attacked. He was safe in his car, and inspired to write a song in about 30 minutes. It is a signature song of the New Wave genre, and there are no guitars in this track.

Two Headed Dog (Red Temple Prayer) by Roky Erickson
Bruce features a strange hard rock song with lyrics inspired by Soviet scientist Vladimir Demikhov. Demikhov's research focusted on organ transplants, and he conducted dog head transplants in the 1950's. This song is off Erickson's debut album with his band the Aliens, and is considered a cult classic.

Call Me by Blondie
Rob finishes the staff picks with a hit that feaured in the film "American Gigolo." It went to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, the biggest hit of Blondie's career. Lead vocalist Debbie Harry wrote the lyrics from the perspective of the main character in the film, a male prostitute.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Airlane by Gary Numan
We close out with a double dip on new wave synth artist Gary Numan this week.

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