Devo, one of the most innovative and iconic bands of the '80s, has partnered with Disney Sound to bring their hits to a new generation with Devo 2.0, a combination CD/DVD package. The original members of Devo rerecorded te... more »n of their old songs (some with revamped lyrics) and two brand new ones with Devo 2.0, a group of five talented kids aged 10 to 13."The concept is about the energy and aesthetic of Devo being passed like an Olympic torch to a new generation," said Devo frontman Gerald V. Casale, who directed all 11 newly created music videos on the DVD. The platinum-selling band handpicked kids Nicole, Jackie, Nathan, Michael, and Kane to don the famous "energy domes" and become Devo 2.0; unlike the original Devo, Devo 2.0 is a co-ed affair, with lead singer Nicole and keyboardist Jackie lending diversity to the Devo chemistry. "I'm honored to be the new Mark Mothersbaugh!" declared Nicole.Devo is one of my favorite bands," Buena Vista Music Group EVP & GM David Agnew said in a recent interview. "I think their music was years ahead of its time--and is timeless... it's playful and great to dance to, which is the key to any good kids' music. When you consider that Disney has been responsible for some of the most popular children's music of all time, and that most people trust Disney to bring them music that is appropriate for their kids, it seemed like a winning combination to me."In addition to shots of Devo 2.0 performing the songs, the DVD features frenzied, surreal animations, including neon dinosaurs, pandas in sombreros, and anthropomorphic potatoes; special features include an extensive photo gallery and interviews of the original Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale by the members of Devo 2.0. Devo's most famous songs all make appearances, including "Freedom of Choice," "Girl U Want" (both in original form and rewritten as "Boy U Want" to more appropriately accommodate lead singer Nicole) and the platinum-certified hit "Whip It," a music video staple for a fledgling MTV network in the early 1980s. The band also offers up their first original songs in 15 years, "Cyclops" and "The Winner."Founded at Kent State University in 1972 by art students Gerald V. Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, Devo took their name and ideology from the concept of "de-evolution," the idea that mankind has regressed rather than evolved. Sharp social satire was the driving force behind their songs. Devo's obsession with technology, pioneering use of synthesizers and highly stylized music videos made it a seminal band. The band is Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Gerald V. Casale (vocals, bass, keyboards), Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar, vocals), and Bob Casale (guitar, keyboards, vocals).« less
Devo, one of the most innovative and iconic bands of the '80s, has partnered with Disney Sound to bring their hits to a new generation with Devo 2.0, a combination CD/DVD package. The original members of Devo rerecorded ten of their old songs (some with revamped lyrics) and two brand new ones with Devo 2.0, a group of five talented kids aged 10 to 13."The concept is about the energy and aesthetic of Devo being passed like an Olympic torch to a new generation," said Devo frontman Gerald V. Casale, who directed all 11 newly created music videos on the DVD. The platinum-selling band handpicked kids Nicole, Jackie, Nathan, Michael, and Kane to don the famous "energy domes" and become Devo 2.0; unlike the original Devo, Devo 2.0 is a co-ed affair, with lead singer Nicole and keyboardist Jackie lending diversity to the Devo chemistry. "I'm honored to be the new Mark Mothersbaugh!" declared Nicole.Devo is one of my favorite bands," Buena Vista Music Group EVP & GM David Agnew said in a recent interview. "I think their music was years ahead of its time--and is timeless... it's playful and great to dance to, which is the key to any good kids' music. When you consider that Disney has been responsible for some of the most popular children's music of all time, and that most people trust Disney to bring them music that is appropriate for their kids, it seemed like a winning combination to me."In addition to shots of Devo 2.0 performing the songs, the DVD features frenzied, surreal animations, including neon dinosaurs, pandas in sombreros, and anthropomorphic potatoes; special features include an extensive photo gallery and interviews of the original Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald V. Casale by the members of Devo 2.0. Devo's most famous songs all make appearances, including "Freedom of Choice," "Girl U Want" (both in original form and rewritten as "Boy U Want" to more appropriately accommodate lead singer Nicole) and the platinum-certified hit "Whip It," a music video staple for a fledgling MTV network in the early 1980s. The band also offers up their first original songs in 15 years, "Cyclops" and "The Winner."Founded at Kent State University in 1972 by art students Gerald V. Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, Devo took their name and ideology from the concept of "de-evolution," the idea that mankind has regressed rather than evolved. Sharp social satire was the driving force behind their songs. Devo's obsession with technology, pioneering use of synthesizers and highly stylized music videos made it a seminal band. The band is Mark Mothersbaugh (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Gerald V. Casale (vocals, bass, keyboards), Bob Mothersbaugh (guitar, vocals), and Bob Casale (guitar, keyboards, vocals).
"I found an old Devo's Greatest Misses cassette in my garage recently and had been playing it in my car while taking my elementary-aged daughters to school. While the tape brought back great memories for me, my kids hated Devo. Then on a trip to Wal-Mart I found DEV2.0, noticed it was produced by the folks from Devo, bought it, and have been playing it for the last two weeks in the car--and my daughters like it!
Although I can't bring myself to sing "Boy" U Want and I shake my head in disbelief when I hear the focus of "Uncontrollable Urge" changed to a passion for snack foods, I consider this CD a gateway to the harder Devo recordings I plan to introduce as the months progress.
Now, if only I can get the kids interested in Zappa, too...."
We ARE all DEVO
Michael Osborn | Seattle, WA USA | 07/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"DEVO 2.0 is a project by DEVO. There are two disks, a CD and a DVD. They claim in the interview on the DVD that DEVO has always yearned to be more than just a band and the idea of them being the "puppet masters" behind other artists fronting as DEVO is not new. Indeed as mentioned in the other reviews here, DEVO released two albums of genuine and earnest MUZAK versions of a collection of their songs. Also they played as the musicians on TONI BASIL's debut album in 1982 `Word of Mouth" while she covered four of their songs (Space Girl Blues, Be Stiff, Pity You and Love's Little Red Book).
While they claim that the members of DEVO 2.0 will be capable of playing their own instruments by the time of their summer 2006 tour, DEVO does in fact play all the instruments on the CD. The DVD has both the DEVO 2.0 music videos with colorful new DEVO cartoons playing on monitors in the background, and the option of watching those cartoons by themselves with only the DEVO soundtrack. They compliment each other and I found both enjoyable to watch. And if that weren't enough, DEVO 2.0 covers two new DEVO songs, Cyclops, and The Winner."
Lil' DEVO
D2 | OK USA | 02/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
DEVO - The Next Generation.
While the release date is listed as March 14th, 06 it is actually now available at Target. Also worth noting, the Target version includes a 2 bonus videos and 1 bonus song.
The music was produced by DEVO with the vocals by DEV2.O. Word is, that the kids now know how to play and when on tour will do their own music (other than some complex synth patterns). Having grown up a DEVO fan, I am very happy with the slick product that is being presented here. I like the idea of my children being able to enjoy the music I grew up with.
Some lyrics are changed, and this does impact some of the irony of DEVO. But DEVO did the re-writing, and while the changes do cause me to stumble when I sing along, children won't know or care.
The music is fun, energetic and meant to be played LOUD! Nichole does a great job on vocals. I don't care for her in the videos, she hams it up a little more than needed. Then again, I am not the target audience, so what do I know?
Maybe we will get another CD from DEV2.O, but something tells me this is a one-shot deal. Hope I'm wrong, I'd like to hear them tackle: Time Out For Fun, Jocko Homo, Mongoloid and Speed Racer. We'll see....
CD
01 That's Good
02 Peek A Boo
03 Whip It
04 Boy U Want
05 Uncontrollable Urge
06 Cyclops
07 The Winner
08 Big Mess
09 Jerkin Back N Forth
10 Through Being Cool
11 Freedom of Choice
12 Beautiful World
*13 Girl U Want (Target Exclusive)
DVD
01 That's Good
02 Big Mess
03 Whip It
04 Freedom of Choice
05 Uncontrollable Urge
06 Cyclops
07 Peek A Boo
08 Beautiful World
09 Boy U Want
*10 The Winner (Target Exclusive)
*11 Girl U Want (Target Exclusive)
The DVD also includes: a segment where DEVO 2.0 interviews 3 of the 5 members of DEVO 1.0, DEVO 2.0 video profiles, background animations seen in the videos for all the songs (also the songs are instrumentals here - would have made a good karaoke section but no lyrics are shown), and a "Play All" option for the videos.
One note about the music videos, they look like video. By this, I mean they don't look like film, which is how we are used to seeing most music videos today. These are shot on video, and they look like it. Your children probably won't mind, but it is a little unexpected. Would processing it to look like film have cost that much?
Overall this is a fun, vibrant and very suprising experiment. I can't believe it came from the House of Mouse! Disney Sound did a great job, and I am really looking forward to the Go-Gos version of this experiment that is coming soon."
Oh No! It's Devo!...For the Kids!
Mal Rorrer | 10/10/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"One of the stranger, more subtly subversive DEVO products ever unleashed on an unsuspecting public.
Like the long-out-of-print RYKODISC " DEVO-E-Z listening" CD, which contained Devo's self-produced muzak versions of their own songs, performed in various styles and genres, DEVO 2.0, is another experiment of exposing Devo to society at large...Or at least, more specifically this time --- your kids.
Given that Mark And Bob Mothersbaugh and Bob Casale write and produce music for some chidren's programming and movies nowadays, it oddly seems appropiate. The difference here is, that this album is not subversive Devo background music but a sort of greatest hits of DEVO, re-interpreted, along with 2 new tracks and with pre-teens making up this "band": 3 boys, 2 girls. The girl lead singer has a Gwen Stefani vibe in her performance.
Not to be missed with this CD package, is the DVD that comes with it. Full of videos for most of the songs on the CD, it shows the kids performing in front of computer animations, shown on plasma TV's, which sync up and go along with the music...reminscent of what was done by the actual Devo back with the "oh no! it's Devo!" album tour in concert back in the 80's. Also, on the DVD...a big Bonus for Devo fans...Interviews with Gerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh, the braintrust of the REAL DEVO, conducted by the Dev2.0 band members itself. Worth a few chuckles, is the apparently Disney-produced "history" of Devo, a commercial included on the DVD as an extra that attempts to explain DEVO to the younger generation. funny...
You may not agree that Dev2.0 as Gerry Casale says, is the next generation of DEVO, much like Star Trek with its assorted off-shoots, but if you have previous knowledge of Devo from the older eras, it is highly ironic and funny to know that this product is being sold, as we speak, in some Disney stores and Targets...and corporate irony and humor are 2 things that Devo does with a sense of style like no other band. If you look at this album as a "sellout", you have missed the point, in my opinion. I was originally appalled, but after seeing a commercial air in the Disney store for it and how kids reacted, I totally get it.
If you are a big longtime Devo fan with kids, and can appreciate the irony of a Disney + DEVO collaboration and already have all of the real Devo releases, you should check this out. As expected, in the typical "Kid's bop" fashion, lyrics to most of the songs are rewritten to be more appropiate for the younger/pre-teen set. A few songs, have some subtle tweaking here and there musically as well."
Fun for the 'lil spuds and perhaps ma and pops spud as well
C. Williams | santa ana, california United States | 04/21/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Nothing replaces the original but this gives the old songs a new twist. With Devo's approval, guidence, musical backing, hand picked performers, how could you go wrong? Nay sayers just don't get it. Refer back to your old Laserdisc copy of the video "Through being cool". Young DEVO-tees doing Devo's bidding as the band looks on in approval. Just think, this may lead the radio disney generation to seek out the original recordings and find out what the boys were really singing about. My advice, Buy the CD/DVD at Target.com and get 2 extra songs not found anywhere else. Besides these kids inspired DEVO to write 2 new songs just for this set.
I'm really into Cyclops with it's black sabbath, iron man type riff. I didn't even have to lie about it being for my niece when I bought it because I too am through being cool.