Pioneers Who Got Scalped: The Anthology

Devo

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00004SUYJ
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,555 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. We're All Devo!

2. Jocko Homo [Booji Boy Version]

3. Mongoloid [Booji Boy Version]

4. Be Stiff [Stiff Version]

5. Uncontrollable Urge

6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

7. Too Much Paranoias

8. Come Back Jonee

9. Triumph of the Will

10. Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. General Boy Visits Apocalypse Now - Devo,

2. Peekaboo!

3. That's Good

4. Big Mess

5. One Dumb Thing

6. Theme from Doctor Detroit [Dance Mix]

7. Shout

8. Here to Go [Go Mix Version]

9. Are You Experienced?

10. I Wouldn't Do That to You

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is it? Just two CDs devoted (snicker) to one of the great American bands? With the one-two punch of their mission statements "Jocko Homo" and "Mongoloid" from the early 70's, it's clear that Devo had it all figured out from the beginning. Theirs was a fight against the increasingly alienating modern world, a sort of "if you can't beat it, join it" idea. Devo would find more honest humanity by becoming less human. "Are we not men? We are Devo!" was their declaration, echoing the man-beast experiments in H.G. Wells's Island of Dr. Moreau. Devo were not just academic philosophers, or simple clowns. They could rock! Disjointed beats, Beefheart-worthy rhythms, and strange sounds combined with general outrageousness resulted in a great rock & roll band, and even a hit or two on the pop charts like 1980's "Whip It."

The first of the two CDs on the Rhino compilation Pioneers Who Got Scalped goes down like butter, every song a classic. Two or three more CDs could have easily been culled from these same fertile years between their debut album and 1981's New Traditionalists. The second CD starts to lose the plot a bit as the members of Devo started going in different directions, primarily Mark Mothersbaugh's developing interest in movie soundtracks and scoring. But it does still paint the picture of Devo and where they were during what Jerry Casale, Mothersbaugh's writing partner, refers to as "the enigmatic years."

Until someone steps up and releases the entire Devo recordings and videos together in one big box, this will have to do. And too many great things cannot be said about the 52-page booklet filled to the gills with info and photos. While completists will still be left wanting, this'll keep most spud boys and girls pogo-ing contentedly. --Steve Turner

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Hits... and Misses, May 24, 2000

By	M. J KILLEEN (Collingdale, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have mixed feelings about this double CD"Anthology" from Devo. On the one hand, its a very goodcollection of Devo's essential recordings. They even included difficult to find gems like 'It Takes a Worried Man' and 'Doctor Detroit' -- two of Devo's best you won't find on any of their previous albums. This disc also contains some early pre-Warners versions of 'Jocko Homo' (terrific), 'Mongoloid' and 'Be Stiff'. You'll also hear under-rated gems like 'The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize' (which should've been a hit). However -- you can already get most of Devo's best work (for less money) on their 'Greatest Hits' and 'Greatest Misses' CDs. A lot of Devo's post-Warners work is contained here. Devo changed its sound significantly following their last Warners LP (1984's 'Shout'). Songs like 'Baby Doll' have a definite dance music feel -- with heavy synthesizers and drum machine. In fact, much of Devo's soundtrack work -- which dominates Disc Two is sadly uninspired. (Although their version of NIN's 'Head Like A Hole' is worth a listen). I was also disappointed that too many dance-mix versions of popular songs were included here. The version of 'Doctor Detroit' is the longer, over-produced "dance mix" version. You will also hear re-mixes of 'Snowball', 'Here To Go' (The latter of which has already been re-released on 'Greatest Hits' and the Infinite Zero version of 'New Traditionalists'), 'Baby Doll' and 'Disco Dancer'. Also be forewarned that the new song (recorded in 2000) -- 'The Words Get Stuck in My Throat' is actually a joke. It is Booji Boy (aka Mark Mothersbaugh) singing off-key and in a ridiculously high-pitched voice. As silly as it is, it is actually more like "traditional Devo" than most of the rest of Disc Two. It is even poignant in its own a twisted (devolved) way. There is a 52-page booklet which is a great source for Devo photos and illustrations.(Unfortunately the text in the booklet gives little insight to the band itself (Exactly WHY did drummer Alan Myers leave the group in 1988?) -- and the author seems to have never met a Devo song he didn't LOVE. By the way -- the CD cover --one of Devo's best ever -- is in 3-D. It depicts record company executives tossing hatchets at Devo-inspired action figures. Very clever. Devo was great. You will definitely realize that by listening to this collection (Disc Two not withstanding). Howver, if you're looking to just enjoy some classic Devo songs you haven't heard in years (like 'Whip It' and 'Satisfaction')-- get 'Greatest Hits' instead.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DEVO-tees Rejoice! (Not perfect.....but fun!), May 16, 2000

By	Harvey J.Satan "Harvey J.Satan" (Among The Garden Gnome,Friar Park) - See all my reviews

FIRST,the BAD NEWS: Since The Beatles "Anthology" was released,every music company feels the title "Anthology" can be used to unleash yet another collection of "Greatest Hits". Did they all miss the boat? The idea was to release,"Alternate" and "Unreleased" material. That's why it sold.(And is it just a co-incidence that the very company who took the big reamer to DEVO,are the people embracing DEVO,now? Is Rod Rooter,now in control at Warner Brothers?) If you are a DEVOnian who bought all the classic Devo stuff as it was released,or have purchased the Infinite Zero versions on C.D....you have about 80% of the material on this album. However...if you like the classic stuff,and don't mind it between the rarities....

The GOOD NEWS is....there really is some obscure stuff,and hard to find tracks! Among the previously unreleased tracks,are segments of General Boy & Booji Boy....from "The Men Who make The Music",as well as the inspirational "Duty Now For The Future" and "General Boy Visits Apocalypse Now",in which the good General waxes on things Devo. A great inclusion is the cool song "Worried Man",which if you never saw the little-seen film "Human Highway" you missed.(This version does not have Booji Boy's monologue).Most of the "unrerelased stuff" is from the "Oh No It's Devo" era to the present.

And speaking of presents! A BRAND NEW TRACK! (recorded Jan.2000), Booji Boy sings,his classic tune: "The Words Get Stuck In My Throat"...making this a must have set! The booklet,has a nice selection of photos as well.

A lot of rare stuff is absent...tracks like "Bush Whacked","Hey Hey My My"(with Neil Young),"Somewhere With Devo (Studio Version)","Witch Doctor",not to mention,numerous B-sides and Demos. But thems the breaks...you'll pay for 2 CDs,to get 1 cd worth of new stuff. Perhaps its the fans getting "scalped"? Here's hoping for "Anthology 2: More Wampum For The Buck". DUTY NOW SPUDS!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Other comp cds may be better bargain, May 26, 2000

By	Vincent Layton (Austin,Tx) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Disc one really shows Devo at their peak while disc 2 shows why I stopped buying their albums from "Shout" on. I had hoped that there might be some hidden jems that I missed the first time around, but disc 2 is full of unimspired dance tunes and cover songs. I wonder what they were thinking when they re-made "Bread and Butter"?

New fans will appreciate some of the pre-label versions of their songs(Jocko Homo, Mongoloid) though hardcore fans have certainly heard these before on vinyl(or on the Hardcore cd). It's nice to have "Worried Man" on cd. Where's "Pink Pussycat", by the way.

New spudboys might be better served by buying the first 3 albums and skipping the later stuff. I see Amazon has an import of "Duty Now for the Future/New Traditionalists". Not a bad deal

Now, how about a DVD of all the Devo videos!