Devo scored a top-20 hit with the song "Whip It" in 1980, from their third album, Freedom of Choice.  Unfortunately, it meant that even though the band had worked hard on its concept and identity through music, touring and visuals, it was now known as a novelty act by most people.  They followed it up by upping the synthesizers in their sound, as well as the cynicism, for 1981's New Traditionalists, forging ahead rather than consciously trying to repeat the success of "Whip It".