Time Out for Fun

I think it's fair to say that my general fixation with all things Devo, was upgraded to full-blown geekspud spaz-out the moment I purchased a ticket for their upcoming concert stop in Seattle...

So, while I take some time to recollect my thoughts from the overwhelming spectacle I'm about to talk about, please consider the following: It took less than 30 years to go from this, to this (click on "Video" once you get to the site).

Wow. Wowowow.

I, uh...I'm at a total loss for words.

And yet, would it be right to call Mr. Mothersbaugh and Mr. Casale sell outs?

I don't know...Yes, we can point out the fact that both "Whip It" and "Beautiful World" were both recently co-opted to sell the Swiffer and GM products, respectively (though, it's not the first time "Whip It" has been sullied). And while we can take comfort in the fact that "Too Much Paranoias" hasn't been sold to Burger King, we should also note that Devo's 8th album (nine years after their debut) was comprised entirely of easy-listening muzak versions of their hits, arranged and performed by Mark Mothersbaugh himself.

An elaborate in-joke or a sign of things to come? Both? And if we're to accept the co-option of some of the most subversive and catchy music out there by one of the more influential Mr. Hinkydink outfits in the world; how can we avoid feeling as depressed and angered as when we first heard Iggy Pop used to sell Caribbean cruises?

That last is a particular tough sell, but it's possible. Take for granted that this collaboration would constitute a major paycheck for Booji Boy and co., and that Mr. Mothersbaugh has been well-established as a film composer since Devo hung up their collective energy domes, thereby making it easier to see this catalogue of material as having surpassed its usefulness beyond the odd buck here and there.

Let's start with this Disney-branded abomination called Dev2.0. Never mind the musicality (which is close enough to the original as to be a mindless copy), because the intended audience won't give a shit about that. In fact, the intended audience will only care about the energetic tunes provided, however spirit-less. I can see how Dev2.0 could be considered a slam dunk for the big eared corporation, seeing as it is made up of catchy tunes that are vaguely familiar for the adults, who won't mind having to listen to it over and over and over again.

After some consideration, it seems humorously fitting that the former Church of the SubGenius pioneers are now having their message and music spread by prepubescent sprats who have no idea what the songs they're singing are really about; this is partly due to the slightly altered lyrics provided by Mothersbaugh/Casale. Not sure why they seemed necessary, but it's likely that Disney wasn't comfortable with some of the messages the songs originally espoused.

Which is why a song about masturbation becomes a song about compulsive snacking ("Uncontrollable Urge"). The song that used to be anti-consumerism now celebrates it ("Freedom of Choice"). And the slam on Reaganite Republicans' worldview is now a gentle shrug ("Beautiful World").

My question is, who are these parents who'd object to having their kids listen to the unexpurgated versions? Do they exist? Are these the same people who missed the inherent irony behind "Future's So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)?" I mean, I just don't see the necessity for the cleaned up versions of the song. My mother may have had reservations about having me listen to the Beatles' "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," but it didn't stop her from playing Sgt. Pepper's. Same applies to the Krishna song in the Hair soundtrack. This is why I don't work for marketers...

The more I think about it, the more I start to believe that this may be Devo's finest act of subversion yet, because sooner or later the kids that have listened to Dev2.0 faithfully will find out about the difference, and probably at a point where they'll be able to grok the original intent behind the songs. Imagine deciphering the lyrics correctly for the first time, imagine the doors of thought suddenly open to a new generation. Imagine Devo regaining relevance more than four decades after their initial break up.

This way Devo gets to have their cake and eat it too.

Either that, or they simply needed the money, and all of the above are just beneficial side effects. Who can say?