44. Devo: Mongoloid

PF500 says that this song "embraces the eternal nerd fantasy of simply seeming normal," which suggests that Devo is identifying with the Mongoloids. This take is idiotic. As a former nerd, I can attest that no nerd would have any part of any story in which they are, secretly, a moron.

Devo is famously short for "Devolution," the idea that modern society is actually regressing. I've never seen it written what Devo themselves exactly meant by this, but, to most nerds, it means that (a) moron football players are getting to have all the sex and creating all the babies, (b) the smart nerds are getting no action whatsoever and, therefore (c) the babies of the new generation are dumber, on average, than the existing generation. In fact, devolution has progressed so far that idiotic Mongoloids can now function as normal members of society (so says the song)!

Dropping into the song how the Mongoloid is secretly happy is the nice touch. And that's the eternal nerd fantasy, PF500 (i.e., "If only I could just be dumber, if I wasn't burdened with this great brain. I could then be happy.").

The harmonics, with all the overdubs, in the chorus, are very very nice.

PF500 does rightly notice how the vocals slowly recede and become overwhelmed by the music as the song goes on. Nice touch, Devo.

Rating: 84

OK with it: Y

Mongoloid - Devo