Am I the Only Person Who Likes TOTAL DEVO?
Wilson and Alroy I can understand, since they have extremely high (?) standards. Here's what they said:

Bizarrely, breath-takingly, brain-batteringly bad. Well, "The Shadow" isn't that bad...but the rest is: lifeless, hermetic dance-pop that you won't want to dance to ("Disco Dancer," my butt). Every tune is based on relentlessly repetitive drum programming ("Some Things Never Change") with equally unsubtle keyboards. "Disco Dancer" sports funk-style rhythm guitar, but it's as dry as the rest....

Here's the All Music Guide entry:

No longer innovative and not incredibly compelling....Diehards may want this album for the "Disco Dancer" single, but overall, the album doesn't really approach past Devo successes.

Excerpts from some customers reviews at Amazon:

Devo is great but as far as recordings go this is about as fun as watching paint dry.

1988 found DEVO getting belated recognition as the pioneers that they are, but you wouldn't know it from "Total Devo." There are exactly two great songs here, and they are "Baby Doll" and "Disco Dancer." Both are available on "Pioneers That Got Scalped," if you must. But after that, only "Sexi-luv" gets it devo-tee right.

Most of the songs are just not so memorable. Most of it is bland synth-pop.

OK, here's MY take on the album:

1. Baby Doll

Here's your clue that things aren't going to be that subtle - whether because of David Kendrick or something else, you can see that this album has a BEAT. "Baby Doll" itself is an entertaining Eastern rock pop dance thingy whatever.

2. Disco Dancer

For me, just the very fact of some thirty-somethings talking about disco 10-15 years after the fact is entertaining. I prefer the album mix to some of the dance mixes, but they're all entertaining.

3. Some Things Never Change

I recommend the cassette version, with the spoken portion in the middle - reminds me of "Smart Patrol" in some way. In fact, all of the lyrics have the de-evolutionary feel (well, except for the Beatles quote from "A Day in the Life"). Pre-processed "Hang your head"s rule.

4. Plain Truth

One of three disposable songs.

5. Happy Guy

Again, this lyrically reminds one of "Freedom of Choice." Generally, they've taken the older philosophies and updated them with a new sound.

6. Don't Be Cruel

Second of the disposables. What happened? Devo's covers often offer a different take on the original - "Satisfaction," "Secret Agent Man," "Worried Man," "Working in the Coal Mine," "Are You Experienced?" - but this one could have been recorded by any schlock cover band.

7. Shadow

Devo and St. Paul? Now THAT'S new. In between comments on TV preachers, Devo nearly verbatim lifts Paul's comment from the New Testament that he doesn't do what he should do, but does what he shouldn't.

8. I'd Cry If You Died

Third of the disposables.

9. Agitated

First of the essentials. Praise to whoever sequenced this album, which wraps up with some very strong songs. I'll grant that if you don't like Devo, you'll run screaming. The backing vocals (hoo haa hoo) are sophmoric, the lyricist is obviously STILL traumatized by the National Guard shootings at Kent State, and you have that pounding BEAT. I love it.

10. Man Turned Inside Out

Second of the essentials. The boys who like to play dress-up sing about putting on a fiberglass helmet with some goggles to match. Another guy with messed up emotions, accompanied by synth squeaks. I love this one too.

11. Sexi Luv

Third of the essentials. I never heard DOVE until a few days ago, and I always imagined that if Dove and Devo were the same band (yes, I know they are, but you know what I mean), the result would sound like this - love, peace, lust, and sophomoric inanity. A love song for our times.

12. Blow Up

Someday I would like to construct a Devo medley consisting of "S.I.B. (Swelling Itching Brain)," "Going Under," and this song. This spudboy's declaration of love ends the album on just the right note. Incidentally, today is my anniversary (no foolin'), but I don't think I'll sing this to the wife.