Devo “Something For Everybody”

Devo’s ninth release, “Something for Everybody,” marks the band’s first full-length release in more than 20 years.

For those new to Devo, “Something for Everybody” may sound like another over-produced, up-tempo pop album, but for those familiar with the history and philosophy of Devo, it is the sad fulfillment of the bands own prophecy.

“Devolution,” for which the band is named, is Devo’s theory of the dumbing-down process that occurs as a result of technology and pop culture. Unfortunately, “Something for Everybody” is evidence to support their theory.

The innovative musical style and ironic social commentary that put Devo on the pop culture map has been in steady decline since the 80s and continues to wane with their new album.

Despite its infectious chant-like singing and its catchy beat, “Something for Everybody” fails to live up to its ambitious title. The lyrical topics are positive and straightforward but seem contrived among its dance-laden beats.

“Something for Everybody” can be summed up by the lyrics in the song “What We Do.” “What we do is what we do, it’s the same. There is nothing new.”

Grade C+

Ratatat “LP4”

Recorded during the same time as 2008’s “LP3,” Ratatat’s new album “LP4” may sound awfully similar to their previous endeavors.

The album is entirely instrumental except for a few short samples of people talking in German and English. The opening song, “Bilar,” starts the album off with a slow, dark, electronic beat. The album veers in a much more light and upbeat mood thereafter.

Taken individually the songs on “LP4” are lush and dynamic. Ratatat incorporates a wide variety of instrumentation with Didgeridoos, strings, percussion, organs and bird noises, giving “LP4” a slight world music sensibility.

The layers of programmed drums are enough to keep your head bobbing throughout the futuristic 42-minute album. At times, a dreamy guitar evokes an island feel that seems appropriate for summer. If King Crimson and Daft Punk had an illegitimate child, it would be Ratatat.

Although the individual songs on “LP4” are interesting on their own, as a collection, the songs have little to do with each other. There is no narrative arc, and LP4, sounding too much like its predecessor, is lacking in concept.

Grade: B

Against Me “White Crosses”

If you ever listened to Against Me! prior to “White Crosses,” you will probably hate this album.

Against Me!, who have now been on major record label Sire Records for their past two releases, continue to slough off their anarchist punk roots to The Man with their latest release.

With his songwriting ability still in tact, Tom Gabel’s lyrics acknowledge this change and address it head-on in the song “I Was a Teenage Anarchist.”

“The scene got too rigid/ it was mob mentality…/You want me to surrender my identity/ I was a teenage anarchist/ The revolution was a lie.”

Though honest, Gabel’s lyrics are upsetting and unfortunate, marking the end of the band’s punk mentality. Matched with over-produced melodies and cheesy alt-rock chord progressions, songs like “Suffocation” and “We’re Breaking Up” are ready for the radio but will continue to alienate longtime fans. Punks who longed for Against Me!’s to return to form after “New Wave” will sadly not find it here.

Grade: C

Gaslight Anthem “American Slang”

“American Slang” reinforces The Gaslight Anthem’s Americana sound but doesn’t compare to their last two albums.

The Gaslight Anthem came onto the scene in 2007 with a fusion of Bruce Springsteen rock n’ roll and New Jersey punk, paying homage to their east coast origins. The band stays true to their distinctive sound, but something is missing among the ten tracks. “Stay Lucky” is the only song that really stands out, with the others falling short.

“The Diamond Church Street Choir” starts out promising, but Brian Fallon’s off-key wooing and screeching is confusing and unnecessary. “American Slang” sounds more like a compilation of boring tracks that never made it onto the band’s older albums. Save your money and listen to “Sink or Swim” and 2008’s well-received “The ’59 Sound” instead.

Grade: B-