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1980's FREEDOM OF CHOICE proved to be Devo's big commercial breakthrough. Due to its massive hit single "Whip It" (one of the most memorable and original singles of the year) and a more refined sound, FREEDOM OF CHOICE is Devo's most popular album, easily on par with their classic '78 debut. Along with albums by Blondie, The Cars, The B-52's, and Talking Heads, FREEDOM was one of the first new wave records to break into the mainstream, helping to pave the way for the success of "alternative rock."
Although "Whip It" has been played to death over the years (it's turned up in countless movies and '80s compilations), its sly lyrics, stiff-yet-catchy synthesizer breaks, and hilarious accompanying video still hold up. Also included on FREEDOM are many tracks just as strong as "Whip It"--the defiant title track and the jerky "Girl U Want" are excellent, and deserved to be hits as well (the latter has been covered by both Soundgarden and Robert Palmer). Other highlights abound ("Snowball," "Gates of Steel," "Planet Earth," etc.), making FREEDOM OF CHOICE Devo's third classic album in a row.
DEVOur this CD!!! One of their best. I used to love this album as a kid. I am now 34 and it still sounds awesome from start to finish!! Submitted by a reviewer (North) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
We're Gonna Have A Devolution I bought this album back in 1980. Ahh, the early 80's. Reagan was in office, computers were expensive toys, the Atari 2600 ruled and a you could fill up your car's gas tank for less than $10. Like most high school students, I bought it for the anthem "Whip It". But my musical tastes would be changed forever by the rest of the album.
I remember opening the cellophane and pulling the album out for the first time. It was a heavier vinyl than any record I had ever bought (not sure of the significance, but it struck me at the time). I dropped the needle on the record and waited... I was blown away by the opening guitar riff on "Girl U Want". I was 15 and just discovering girls so I could really relate to the song... "look at you with your mouth open, look at you with your mind spinnin'... why don't you admit it's all over it's just the girl u want"
The over the top synthesizers of "It's Not Right" make it impossible not to bop along to this song. The lyrics are Beatle-esque (circa 1964). I love the synth car tire screech.
"Whip It" is the next track. Saturday night... high school mixer... first significant kiss. That sums up this track for me. This was my generation's "techno"!
The staccato synth at the beginning of "Snowball" is classic. I remember being home from school sick, playing this song over and over, trying to follow along on my Casio keyboard.
"Ton O' Love" marks the album's shift to a markedly more Devo sound. Kind of like shedding the 1970's My Sharona-new wave style of the first 4 tracks for the meaner, colder, darker 1980's new wave.
"Freedom of Choice" explores the bloated excesses of the 70's/80's and the dangers of not learning form humanity's past mistakes. The echoing drum pounding sounds like someone trying to knock down your door. Haunting.
"Gates of Steel" follows "FoC" as an anthem of man's follies. Don't get caught up in technology or else you will become a slave to it... "man is real, not made of steel".
"Cold War" continues the over the top synth layering with a guitar base line. Is it a song equating the ongoing cold war to a boy/girl relationship or vise versa? Hmmm...
"Don't You Know" sounds like a Cheap Trick song that was reprocessed by a TRS-80. Catchy beat and lyrics laden with sexual inuendos (I got a rocket in my pocket/ I don't know what to do/ Like a plug without a socket/ I'm just waitin' 'round for you).
A Devo song with happy upbeat lyrics? "That's Pep"!The theme? Don't give up no matter how life batters you down. In an alternate universe, this could have been a theme song to one of the "Rocky" movies.
"Mr. B's Ballroom" harkens back to the days of spiky pink mohawks and black lipstick. Punk/New Wave's pioneers playing at electric, often violent venues.
The masterpiece album ends with "Planet Earth". Devo, in 2:45, accurately describes what it is like to be a huminoid living on the Earth in 1980. "Where pleasure follows pain/
People go insane/ Fly around in planes/
Pray that it won't rain/ Drive around in cars/ Get drunk in local bars/ Dream of being stars/Well I lived all my life on planet earth" You can't say it any better than that.
I still have the original vinyl copy of this album that I purchased 27(!?) years ago. It has long been retired - worn out from repeated play and replaced by a digital copy. Kind of fitting and ironic all at the same time... Submitted by dewyduster (Planet Earth) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Must Have Freedom of choice is a must have for 80's new wave. This is devos most popular recording. Nostalgia supreme. Submitted by bruce (austin, Tx.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Strong New Wave Release Devo was really one of the first bands to bring about new wave/alternative rock to the forefront.
This is probably their best release.
Would prefer recording to have been digitally remastered, but... Submitted by a reviewer (Dallas, TX, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I Came For "WHIP IT," But Stayed By "Choice." I remember when "Whip It" was the tune that broke the SpudBoyz into the mainstream at last, and MTV virtually became "DEVO TV" for a while. I bought this album for that single alone, but unlike other albums of the day that contained two great songs and about eight more pieces of filler, "Choice" definitely was THAT! From the nearly over-caffeinated rhythms of "Girl-U-Want," to the telegraph-like stutter that buoys "Snowball," this was one of their finest hours. You want to know what your "Duty Now For The Future" is? To BUY THIS CD. Submitted by dcscribe (Arlington, VA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
DEVOur this CD!!!
Must Have
Strong New Wave Release
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