Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (Rhino High Fidelity)
No need to set the stage. This new Devo reissue from Rhino High Fidelity is spectacular! As good as the 1978 original pressing sounds, there is no comparison. And the OG does sound excellent! With this release, Rhino continues to set the standard for $40 audiophile quality reissues. Other labels are paying attention and following Rhino's lead. We are all winners as new and unexpected titles are being rolled out across the market place, and with excellent value and sound quality. Thank you Rhino!
Cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, this reissue was pressed at Optimal Media on super quiet 180 gram vinyl. As always with the Rhino High Fidelity Series, we get a first class tip-on heavy weight gatefold jacket and OBI. We also get a fascinating high gloss insert with some fantastic pictures and liner notes by Gerald Casale. George is the co-founder, bassist, lead songwriter, and mastermind behind Devo. Bottom line. The overall presentation and production is simply outstanding! This will be a limited numbered edition of 5000.
When my Audio Buds heard that I was going to write this review, I was overwhelmed by the many recommendations to first watch the new 2025 Grammy Award nominated documentary DEVO. I found it to be quite riveting with many wonderful pictures and videos from that era, several revealing interviews with many of the band members, and also interviews with various important artists and industry heavy hitters of the time. I highly recommend that you check it out. Very enlightening and very entertaining!
Some Backstory
The band Devo was formed in Akron, Ohio in 1973, and they are still performing today. Devo is considered one of the most influential New Wave Bands of the 1970s along with The Talking Heads, The Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith and many more. They were also known to play at the original CBGB's in New York City, and received much attention and notice from the likes of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and John Lennon.
Released in 1978 on the Warner Brothers label in the USA and on the Virgin Records label in Europe, We Are Devo was the band's first album. Though there were several lineup changes over the years and for many different reasons, during this time the band members included the following:
- Gerald Casale – vocals, bass guitar, keyboards
- Bob Casale – rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Bob Mothersbaugh – lead guitar, vocals
- Mark Mothersbaugh – vocals, keyboards, guitar
- Alan Meyers – drums
The album was originally supposed to be produced by David Bowie, who was an avid admirer. After several delays, Bowie eventually handed the production responsibilities off to Brian Eno. Studio time with Eno and the band was said to be quite contentious. After the recording sessions were completed, Bowie returned to the project and did all the final mixing.
There was also some interesting shenanigans going on during the initial negotiations between Warner Brothers and Virgin for ownership and revenue rights. However, it did not seem to hamper the success of the title when it was finally released. The album was reasonably successful as it did turn "Gold" in the USA and "Silver" in Europe for total sales.
You might also note that a rendering of the famous golf professional Chi-Chi Rodríguez is included on the record jacket. As the story goes, Band members discovered the image on various golf products and saw it as "a perfect symbol for their theory of human de-evolution and the absurdity of consumer culture." There was considerable complications with making this all happen with and without his approval as the album cover was in production. Eventually Chi-Chi gave his approval, and the rest is history.
Bottom line, this is one incredible debut album and many consider it Devo's best. It is so much fun and so different! I am very pleased that Rhino decided to produce a reissue as part of their High Fidelity series. The results speak for themselves - please read on.
Sound
From an audio perspective, Kevin Gray has produced one of his best sounding reissues ever, and that says a bunch! The music and lyrics from all of the Devo albums can be somewhat quirky and misunderstood. This reissue manages to differentiate the instruments and vocals in a way that somehow makes it all easier to understand and experience. The level of clarity and separation is amazing. Compared to the 1978 OG, the soundstage has expanded in all directions. There is a midrange and mid-bass level of weight and solidity that will get you out of your listening seat and pogoing in all directions. The excitement and energy just feels like it has tripled with this new cut!
The classic "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is a perfect example. What a unique if not compelling cover of the Rolling Stones hit! As Alan Meyers on drums and Gerald Casale on guitar introduce the track, there is now a definition, timbre and depth to each instrument that was never there before. Gerald on vocals is so much easier to understand and appreciate, as his level of anxiety and frustration seems to soar as the song moves forward, even if the results might seem somewhat tongue in cheek. When all the instruments kick in on the OG, the sound becomes slightly smeared and edgy. Not true with the Rhino High Fidelity. Again, all is nicely laid out for you with a warm, natural, and high level of detail. All you can do is sit back and absorb, appreciate and smile!
Final Thoughts
In 2024, Rhino also reissued Devo's third album Freedom of Choice (1980) as part of the High Fidelity Series. I found that reissue to be just as remarkable as this reissue of their debut album. Maybe we will see the their second album Duty Now For The Future (1979) down the road. These three titles are a must have for any collector who loves the band and that era of music in the late 1970s. We shall see. I am rooting for the Rhino High Fidelity Series! I am hoping that the momentum continues in 2026 as Rhino seems to be making some extraordinary choices for this series!
