"Shout" is the sixth studio album by the American new wave band Devo. It was released in 1984 and is the last album that included the band's classic lineup, as drummer Alan Myers left the group after its release. Despite reaching the Top 100 on the Billboard 200, the album was not as commercially successful as some of their previous work, leading to a shift in the band's direction to a darker, less humorous approach in their subsequent albums.
The album employs the Fairlight CMI digital sampling synthesizer, which was high-end technology at the turn of the decade, and was influential in shaping the band's sound. "Shout" was also the second Devo album (after their previous album "New Traditionalists") in which Casale sang the majority of the lead vocals, which was usually the role of Mark Mothersbaugh.
Unfortunately, due to unenthusiastic sales, Warner Bros. Records decided to drop Devo from their label after the album's release. The band felt that they were being restrained creatively and were frustrated with the label's refusal to promote their music or fund their videos. In spite of these challenges, the album has become a cult hit among Devo fans and has received more positive reviews in recent years.
It is worth noting that the album contains their cover version of Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced," which was accompanied by one of their most popular videos. Also, notable are a few songs that have become fan favorites including, "Shout," "The Satisfied Mind," and "Jurisdiction of Love."
