DEVO: The Brand / DEVO: Unmasked:

by Gerald Casale

At Last the Truth is in Print! This sumptuously illustrated two-in-one book tells the remarkable story of Devo's astounding career. DEVO: The Brand is illustrated throughout with classic Devo iconography and music press interviews with major British and US publications; when finished flip it over and read DEVO: Unmasked, which is packed with rare and unseen photos of the band as children, Mark and Jerry at Kent State University, and every stage of Devo's career from the early 1970s to the present day. Commentary on the photos and Devo history is provided by Jerry Casle and Mark Mothersbaugh in first-person testimony throughout both DEVO: The Brand and DEVO: Unmasked. Presented in a two-color rubberised cover, this 320-page book presents Devo as you know and love them, and as you've never seen them before. Devo: The Brand / Devo: Unmasked is an original Devo product, and the only book that is never-ending.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 13, 2018

Reviews

[Rich Rosell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This giant (and heavy) book is crammed with a complete collection of Devo history/photos/artifacts, with insight from Gerry Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh. If you're a fan, this is the real deal.

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d read Unmasked before The Brand, because although clearly Jerry and Mark are “having issues” on some aspects of their career with each other, they both seem more energised by talking about the early days and the more theoretical Devo stuff. By the time you get to Oh No! and onwards in The Brand, nobody seems particularly happy about anything and Smooth Noodle Maps feels lucky to get two pages. Some of the commentary is particularly loaded as well. Which is a shame because otherwise it’s a perfect companion to the band’s music. I am not as huge a fan as my wife is, but I very much have begun to appreciate their whole career now and one of the reasons they’re fascinating is their two creative leaders both have their own forms of autistic obsessions that when united really do work to create some astonishing art. And this book is full of example of that art

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book with lots of tid bits that are like gold to any ol' spud.

It's not perfect though, the 'Brand' section is pretty much everything we've seen a million times and some of the album art is shown sealed which gets in the way of the actual artwork. There is also very little shown or talked about with regards to 'Oh No, It's Devo!' and beyond. The 'Unmasked' section is much more involved and interesting a read by a mile too.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to live with DEVO for a while, if you want to breathe DEVO for a while, if you’re a spud and need some new eyes-read this book. It’s really a perfect history and art piece by and about the band and the artists who are the band. It’s great. Thank you DEVO!

[Japoople · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning book(s). A MUST-HAVE for any spud.

[Shawn Persinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want this book to be better. A bit of insight but, overall, unsatisfying.