With their first new material set to surface next week since the Gulf War was happening, Devo continue to revisit their older catalog to bring into the digital age the recordings in all their futuristic glory and dust off some older gems and live cuts in the process. Freedom Of Choice and Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! are tough acts to follow, but New Traditionalists and Duty Now For The Future do their best to step out from behind the shadow of the gloriousness of their companion pieces.

Lacking both the career defining tracks that are forever associated with DEVO and a little light on bonus material, most are probably less inclined to give notice to these two releases. There was not as much fanfare as these re-issues quietly landed on shelves within the past few weeks, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be heard. Those who can instantly recognize tracks like “Whip It” and “Girl U Want” will be well served in partaking in some crisp sounding musical history and follow the development of a band that would become legendary. The albums may not possess as many “greats”, but they do contain many “solids” and can still take you back to a time when people still listened to a full record from to back. “Beautiful World” a lone makes it worth it.

While full live sets and other treats found on the first two issues are in shorter supply this time around, the extra tracks tagged onto the end are an added bonus for those that have missed out on their appearances on other DEVO releases. Demo, Mixes and EZ Listening cuts do just fine in continuing to highlight the groups enduring weirdness.

And once you are done breathing in the fresh air these releases provide, check out Something For Everybody (in stores June 15th).

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