Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists

Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists

by Devo
Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists

Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists

by Devo

CD(Dutch Import)

$16.99 
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Overview

Virgin combined two of Devo's early albums, Duty Now for the Future and New Tradtionalists, on one disc in 1994. Most of the aural weirdness on Duty Now for the Future comes from the band's experiments with homemade synthesizer technology. As a result, both the guitars and jerky rhythms play a lesser role in their sound. Although it isn't quite as interesting, it's still appropriately strange, and Devo still doesn't sound quite like anyone else. Duty is loosely structured around the theme of everyday corporate drudgery and its effects on individuals. Pegged as a novelty act after the mainstream success of "Whip It" and "Freedom of Choice," Devo apparently decided to emphasize their underlying ideas about American culture as an antidote. From the opening statement of purpose, "Through Being Cool," New Traditionalists presents those views in a more straightforward way, with the unfortunate result that Devo is not nearly as absurdly amusing or interesting. The band often comes off as heavy-handed (pointing out on the otherwise terrific "Beautiful World" that the lyrics are intended to be ironic, just in case you didn't get the rather obvious point), as though they want to make Serious Artistic Statements -- but this isn't how Devo's best music works. Furthermore, the band's tendencies toward minimalistic, synth-centered arrangements and melodic deficiencies are much more pronounced here, making the music itself less interesting. New Traditionalists does have some very worthwhile moments, but it is disappointing, and it marks the beginning of the band's decline. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date: 04/04/2025
Label: Music On Cd
UPC: 0602488515320

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Devo   Primary Artist
Alan Myers   Drums
Gerald V. Casale   Keyboards,Vocals
Mark Mothersbaugh   Keyboards,Vocals,Guitar
Bob Casale   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Bob Mothersbaugh   Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Lee Dorsey   Composer
Phil Jost   Assistant Engineer,Mastering Assistant
Chuck Statler   Producer
Allen Toussaint   Composer
Janet Perr   Artwork
Ken Scott   Producer,Engineer
Brian Eno   Producer
Gerald V. Casale   Composer
P.F. Sloan   Composer
Mark Mothersbaugh   Composer
Steve Barri   Composer
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Bob Mothersbaugh   Composer
Devo   Composer,Producer
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