Devo – Freedom Of Choice (White vinyl)

Freedom of Choice, released in May 1980 via Warner Bros., represents Devo’s full immersion into synthesizer-driven new wave with a sharpened pop sensibility. The band moved away from their earlier post-punk eccentricity and tightened their compositional approach, integrating Moog synths, punchy rhythms, and a robotic aesthetic. Tracks like “Whip It,” “Gates of Steel,” and the title track exemplify their ability to combine catchy hooks with ironic undercurrents. With Robert Margouleff co-producing, the album emphasized clarity, control, and a seamless blend of electronics and guitars.

As Devo’s most commercially successful release, Freedom of Choice elevated them from cult oddities to charting artists, while retaining their conceptual edge. Its coherence and consistency distinguish it from earlier works, and it has come to be regarded as one of their defining statements—an album that balances satire, musical discipline, and bold identity. Its enduring tracks and thematic focus continue to influence new wave, synthpop, and alt-pop artists.

Reviews

"The music on Freedom of Choice is the sound that defines Devo in the minds of many. In the end, that makes it the band's only other truly necessary album." – AllMusic

“Despite Devo’s ubiquitous name-recognition, the infectiously catchy cut ‘Whip It’ secured the album’s place as more than a novelty act.” – Under the Radar

“With synthesizers now fully integrated into the band’s sound, Freedom of Choice became arguably their most musically cohesive effort.” – Mediasurfer (citing AllMusic)

“The large doses of rough energy, adventurous madness and visceral aggressiveness make it an undisputed classic in the rockier realms of krautrock.” – ProgArchives (on its broader experimental edge)