Other than Danielle Steel novels, reunion album reviews are just about the most predictably formulaic pieces of writing in the modern age. They start out by saying how incredible the band once was, then praise the release for being an attempted return to form before concluding “they’ve still got it” but that at best the record is just a reminder of how good the band once was.

The problem with Devo is that despite their general recognition as an “experimental” group, they pretty much gave up on experimentation two years into their studio career. Going from new-wave weirdoes to MTV sensations with the crack of a whip seemed good enough reason to stick to synthpop formula. If it ain’t broke blah blah blah.

Something For Everybody is Devo’s first release since 1990 and their first worth listening to in 29 years, which means they’ve had plenty of time to experiment. A look at the album’s title and a listen to its contents make it clear this isn’t what they set out to do.

They set out to remake their most publicly recognized record “Freedom of Choice” (Swiffer! Swiff it good!) for the 21st century. Modern technology gives the album’s best songs, “Please Baby Please” and “Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man),” a glitchy, contemporary electronic feel, but it’s unlikely the album will pull any non-believers into the Devo camp. It’s a fun listen until the novelty of a new Devo release wears off in the album’s shaky final third (note to Devo: Give up on slow songs, please), and won’t earn many replays by anyone without their own energy dome (read: red flower pot hat) sitting in their closet.

Which means that … sigh … this is a successful return to form, but at best is just a reminder of how good the band once was. Damn.