Top tracks — play these first
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Devo Corporate Anthem — This track introduces the album's themes of corporate satire and consumer culture through its jarring soundscape and concise structure, setting the stage for what follows.
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Blockhead — With its infectious beat and playful lyrics, 'Blockhead' exemplifies Devo's knack for blending absurdity with catchy melodies, making it a standout track.
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Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA — 'Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA' showcases the band's experimental edge while addressing themes of technology and identity, representing the album's overall innovative spirit.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's innovative sound and satirical lyrics mark it as a distinctive entry in the new wave genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental track that sets a mechanical tone, followed by a series of songs that maintain a rapid tempo throughout the first half.
- The lyrics frequently employ satire and absurdity, with vocal delivery that ranges from spoken word to melodic lines, enhancing the quirky nature of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quirky rhythms for playful energy
- dynamic progression with peaks
- short bursts of frenetic fun
- satirical commentary on society
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, steady pacing
- dislike playful, irreverent tones
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1979, Duty Now for the Future is Devo's second studio album, following their debut Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! from 1978. At this point in their career, Devo was solidifying their reputation as avant-garde pioneers, intertwining punk ethos with experimental sounds and visual art.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Talking Heads· Wire· The B-52's
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Devo Corporate Anthem 1:15
- 2 Clockout 2:47
- 3 Timing X 1:11
- 4 Wiggly World 2:44
- 5 Blockhead 3:00
- 6 Strange Pursuit 2:46
- 7 S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain) 4:30
- 8 Triumph of the Will 2:18
- 9 The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize 2:42
- 10 Pink Pussycat 3:12
- 11 Secret Agent Man 3:37
- 12 Smart Patrol / Mr. DNA 6:06
- 13 Red Eye 2:54
- 14 Soo Bawlz 2:23
- 15 Penetration in the Centrefold 2:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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