''E-Z Listening Disc'' is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several Performing arts#Performers, performers. If by one artist, then generally the tr ...

by the American new wave band

Devo Devo (, originally ) is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973. Their classic line-up consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs (Mark and Bob) and the Casales (Gerald and Bob), along with Alan Myers. The band had a ...

, originally released in 1987 by

Rykodisc Rykodisc is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, operating as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance. History Claiming to be the first Compact Disc, CD-only independ ...

. The album is a compilation of all but one of the tracks from Devo's two ''E-Z Listening Muzak Cassettes'', which had been available only through Club Devo in 1981 and 1984, respectively, consisting of instrumental versions of Devo songs performed in the style of easy listening

Muzak Muzak is an American brand of background music played in retail stores and other public establishments. The name has been in use since 1934, and has been owned by a division or subsidiary of one or another company ever since. In 1981, Westingh ...

New-age music New-age is a genre of music intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation technique, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management to bring about a state of ecs ...

Release History

The first 'EZ Listening' Devo release was the 1981 ''EZ Listening Muzak Cassette,'' which was available to purchase through mail order slips included with Devo's fourth studio album, ''

New Traditionalists ''New Traditionalists'' is the fourth studio album by the American new wave band Devo, released on August 26, 1981, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was recorded over a period of four months between December 1980 and April 1981, at the Power ...

''. It featured 10 tracks. In 1984 they followed this up with ''EZ Listening Muzak Cassette Volume 2,'' which included 10 more new tracks. In 1987 Rkyodisc released the more widely available ''E-Z Listening Disc,'' which included every track from the two cassette album minus the standard version of "Shout". The "

Hello Kitty , also known by her full name , is a fictional Character (arts), character created by Yuko Shimizu, currently designed by Yuko Yamaguchi, and owned by the Japanese company Sanrio. Sanrio depicts Hello Kitty as an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphi ...

" version, featuring synthesizers and an electric guitar, was included on the CD, whereas the other is a

lounge music Lounge music is a type of easy listening music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It may be meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place, usually with a tranquil theme, such as a jungle, an island paradise or outer space. The rang ...

version featuring electronic piano, synth bass and drums. Additionally, the CD does not replicate the original cassette running order. The album was re-released in March 2016, and was available as either a double album or two CD box set. Along with the twenty tracks originally found on the ''E-Z Listening Cassettes'', the re-release also contains a newly recorded easy listening version of the song "Human Rocket" from Devo's 2010 album ''

Something For Everybody ''Something for Everybody'' is the sixth studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2370, in June 17, 1961. Recording sessions took place on November 8, 1960, at Radio Recorder ...

''.

Track listing

All songs by

Mark Mothersbaugh Mark Allen Mothersbaugh (; born May 18, 1950) is an American composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as co-founder, lead singer and keyboardist of the new wave band Devo, whose " Whip It" was a top 2 ...

and

Gerald V. Casale Gerald Vincent "Jerry" Casale ( ) (Birth name, ''né'' Pizzute; born July 28, 1948) is an American musician. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and bass player of the New wave music, new wave band Devo, whic ...

, except where otherwise indicated.

EZ Listening Cassette

EZ Listening Cassette Volume 2

1987 Rykodisc CD

2016 Futurismo double CD/LP

Personnel

;Devo *

Bob Mothersbaugh Robert Leroy Mothersbaugh, Jr. (; born August 11, 1952), or by his stage name "Bob 1", is an American songwriter, composer, musician and singer. Mothersbaugh's music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as lead ...

Bob Casale Robert Edward Casale Jr. (born Robert Edward Pizzute Jr.; July 14, 1952 – February 17, 2014), or "Bob 2", was an American musician, composer and record producer. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as the keyboardist and rhythm guitari ...

* Alan Myers ;Technical *Hank Waring (FDS Labs) – digital processing *Dr. Toby Mountain – digital consultant *EXIT – graphic concepts and execution *Devo – arrangements *Gerald V. Casale – liner notes (2016 reissue)

References

{{Authority control 1987 compilation albums Devo albums