Customer Reviews

Smooth Noodle Maps

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

DEVO had one more album in them before Mark Mothersbaugh decided there was more to be done scoring "Rugrats" cartoons, Disney cable shows and movie soundtrack work. "Smooth Noodle Maps" (the title refers to the patterns on the surface of a human brain) plays to all the strengths of their "Freedom Of Choice" salad days. The guitars are back among the electronics, and the compositions are hooky and dance floor smart. The one-two punch of "Stuck In A Loop Again" and "Post Post Modern Man" reinvigorate the theory of de-evolution in a powerful fashion, with a great deal of zip. They even throw in a DEVO-esque cover of the ancient "Morning Dew" (probably best known as a Grateful Dead favorite) to prove they still have what it takes to twist an oldie. They may have lost most of their sense of societal irony, but with the nasty "Jimmy" and the burned out relationship blues of "Dawghaus," DEVO at least could claim they closed up shop with a solid recording.

This album was the perfect way for them to call it a day. Only a prententious artsy-late-on-the-bandwagon newb would not at least enjoy this album if not downright love it.

I've been a spudfan since before there was an MTV, and even before *shudder* there was any Freedom of Choice.

The only thing Devo can be said to be guilty of is in miscalculating just how fast the music industry would go straight to hell.

Listen to anything by most current "artists" and you'll probably agree with me.

Unlike the crappers/boybands/tramped out gansta chicks etc who've been out there for the last few years, DEVO never took themselves at all seriously.

There's something to be said for that...

I bought this album the week it came out. After Total Devo, this was a step forward. Definately a must have, and one of Devo's last studio albums.

This is the only Devo album I have yet heard, but it is incredible. There are no bad songs, and aside from the Big Picture (which is merely ok), they're all great. Morning Dew is amazing. Smooth Noodle Maps is very pop and accessible, but still edgy and weird enough to be interesting. Get this one now, you won't be sorry.

DEVO had one more album in them before Mark Mothersbaugh decided there was more to be done scoring "Rugrats" cartoons, Disney cable shows and movie soundtrack work. "Smooth Noodle Maps" (the title refers to the patterns on the surface of a human brain) plays to all the strengths of their "Freedom Of Choice" salad days. The guitars are back among the electronics, and the compositions are hooky and dance floor smart. The one-two punch of "Stuck In A Loop Again" and "Post Post Modern Man" reinvigorate the theory of de-evolution in a powerful fashion, with a great deal of zip. They even throw in a DEVO-esque cover of the ancient "Morning Dew" (probably best known as a Grateful Dead favorite) to prove they still have what it takes to twist an oldie. They may have lost most of their sense of societal irony, but with the nasty "Jimmy" and the burned out relationship blues of "Dawghaus," DEVO at least could claim they closed up shop with a solid recording.

Great CD, Wish I had the LP. Mastered a bit too loud however, had to turn it way down compared to most other CDs. Wonder Why? New CD from them in the Fall, can't wait!

DEVO's CD 'Smooth Noodle Maps' is a great departure from their early recordings of the 1980's. The Big hit on the CD is a song Called 'Post,Post Modern Man'.Even thought the CD cost a few extra bucks, it was truly worth every Pennie.For you see,it is out of print and none of the music stores yet carry this out of print product.The songs are very creative.DEVO even covered Elvis's 'Don't Be Cruel'.If you want to hear how the band has progressed and matured,it's truly worth picking up.

This album is a huge step up from Total Devo. I like Total Devo, but it's easily the band's worst album. This one has better songs, better flow, and better production. It actually feels like a Devo album. If you think Devo went downhill after Freedom of Choice, you may not like this CD much, but the rest of you will find something to like here. Devo Has Feelings Too is actually one of my favorite Devo songs, so I recommend this for that song alone, but the rest of it is pretty good too.

If you are a fan of early Devo, it would be understandable why you wouldn't like this album too much. But if you are a fan of New Wave bands such as Blancmange, the B-52s or Visage, you will probably like SmoothNoodleMaps more than Devo's early work.

Devo definitely matured on this album, but at what price? They lost much of their "punkness" that made them the electronic Ramones. Is that a bad thing? Well, it depends on your tastes. If you have a broad liking to New Wave music, then despite the fact that SmoothNoodleMaps is definitely a change of pace for the band, you will probably still like it. It is much more polished than their early work. To me that's a good thing, but I still miss the "rawness" of their first albums.

So that's probably the most vague review you'll read. This album is Devo and it is not Devo, but overall it is a well produced and smooth work. Whether that suites your Devo tastes is up to you!

I got this album to complete my Devo collection. I had the original 1990 release and thought when I got this one I would go back over & give it a listen. Well, this version from 1994 on the Restless Records label (out of print and EXTREMELY hard to find)is still just "OK" with me. The other thing that you should know is that many sellers SAY they have the 14 track version but you order it, you get the 11 track version. So beware and ask the seller first or get multiple copies that are wrong. So if your looking to complete a Devo collection, then get this one but the album is far from a great record. Stick with the first four Devo albums. Search Judemac Forever on msn, Yahoo or Google.