Devo - Freedom of Choice (1980) 3.5/5

When I was on the bus today, I made a quick scroll through what I’ve got on my iPod, which hasn’t been updated with recent acquisitions in quite some time, and decided on Devo’s Freedom of Choice (1980). I’ve found myself revisiting albums and particular that I first heard when I was a kid that not only instill a sense of nostalgia in me now - a strange and new concept to me! - but that I think I can appreciate more now, making an effort to unscramble the lyrics that were just part of a catchy tune before.

“Information access” is one of my personal buzzwords and Freedom of Choice is just humming with the availability and restriction of it, not only in the title track but in “Gates of Steel” and “Cold War”. Yes there are the fun, poppy tracks that are Devo’s signature, such as “Girl U Want” as well, but, in general Devo’s then-futuristic-aesthetics seem apt for information-overload, info-conscious 2011. Plus, “Whip It” is here too. A new wave, literally post-punk classic.