I made so many references to DEVO in my reviews. Ive loved DEVO since their beginning... and Only a Lad really picks a lot from a few Devo releases, but not a carbon copy. It was more like, "Hey Devo is whacky.. so are we...we can do this stuff". Interestingly enough both Devo and Oingo Boingo both started in the early 70s as experimental musicians. Devo got the first big break, but Oingo Boingo followed suit a few years later. This is a B+ for me.
Coming in super late this week! So funny - I was listening to Dead Man's Party last weekend. Also timely with Danny Elfman collaborating with ASAP Rocky on his new album. Going to try to get a spin in before this one's done.
I. Loved. This. Album. A lot. Like...a lot, alot. The songwriting was complex. The compositions were thoughtful. The interplay between instruments, vocals, rhythm sections made the sum greater than the parts. It's everything I love about classical, prog rock, etc. The instrumentation was well curated, especially for the time. The synths weren't cheesy. The horns weren't stupid sensual. Everything had a place and fit like a glove. The aesthetic was 80s, but more so it was Elfman. Adult skepticism meets child-like wonder. I've heard Oingo Boingo before, but I've never listened to an album. I'm a little blown away. I f'n love this.
