Matts CD Recommendation #1: Devin Townsend
I love music to death. So, I think Ill start sharing my favorite albums as recommendations with brief reviews on a somewhat regular basis. Hopefully this will spark discussion, and also encourage people to try out albums they may not have heard before.
I tend to prefer music that is best as a whole album. Most of my favorite albums seem to flow from one song to the next non-stop, or have such a cohesive feel that you feel the need to listen to it as a complete work rather than as songs. Todays pick fits this mold to a "T". I am speaking of Devin Townsends Terria. I must say, this album is pure magic. This review is written after hundreds of listens. Ill post my "one listen" review later (which I wrote up and saved after, you guessed it, one listen when I first got this CD a long time ago). Hopefully this will show people the wonder of music that "grows" on you.
Many people remember Devin as a virtuoso vocalist who sang on a Steve Vai album at only 17 years old. With Terria, you can see how that one exposure is so limiting of Devins vast talent. His talent as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer are equally impressive. As a note, besides listening to this from start to finish in one sitting, I recommend listening with some nice headphones, and then through a nice stereo at a loud volume.
Track 1 sets up a great mood for whats to come. "Olives" puts out both a soothing and tense feel at the same time. It works well for keeping the listener locked in to see where this is going while building the atmosphere with spoken word, keyboards, sound effects, and guitar that has tone to die for. I remember thinking "blah" about this the first time I heard it, but now I can't imagine the album without it.
Next, we get hit full force. "Mountain" screams power and tension. The changing meter (and mostly odd time in 7) helps keep the feeling going. Right up front, you get Devin showing off his killer vocal tone, with melody to match. At about the perfect time, the song shifts to common time and has a much more fluid feel. Here we have some nice building and feeling. After giving us sufficient feel good music, were back into the tension.
This song bleeds into the next song, which is a piece that fans and non-fans of Devin alike typically label his "best": "Earth Day". Here we have Devin showing us what he does best mixing power clean vocals with angry growls, as well as layer upon layer of instrumentation, with strong rhythm, melody, and harmony. The ambience of this song is simply incredible. This song takes you on a whirlwind of emotions and sounds. Words truly cant describe this journey.
While "Earth Day" shows off Devins ability to write an incredible song without the use of guitar solos, "Deep Peace" shows his ability to write an incredible song with not only guitar solos, but solos that run the gambit of speed and emotions. He shreds, he feels, he shows off, he lays low, etc. Anyone who thinks of Devin as only a "singer" must here this. This song is more than a guitar solo though, as it has the feel of something Pink Floyd would do. The passion he pours into this song is amazing. The acoustic guitar coupled with the interesting keyboards really set the stage for his great vocal melodies and harmonies.
Ever wonder what Prog/Metal would sound like with a country feel (aside from Pride & Glory), well here is your answer: "Canada". The intro riff is so catchy, youll be humming it for days while stomping your foot. Also, the vocals are so incredible, that youll find yourself listening intently for what happens next. An interesting note, this song (like many others on this album) has words that arent in the booklet. For some reason they are different from each other. My favorite non-printed lyric is Only the lonely, and maybe John Denver knows, the Canadian freeway.
"Down and Under" is 100% connected to "Canada". The only thing separating them is a track marker. This piece shows some great instrumental work. The acoustic guitar, buildups, and feel really show that a rock instrumental doesnt always have to sound like "Far Beyond the Sun", "Cliffs of Dover", or "Flying in a Blue Dream" to keep your attention.
If youre a Prog Metalhead, then you want your odd meters, constant time changes, and complex rhythms. Here is your answer: "The Fluke". The song starts out in common time and is very captivating. However, about half way through the song, the band goes nuts. Talk about some tight, interesting, constantly shifting playing! Then the real fun starts. There are so many layers upon layers of vocals and keyboards, that you are swimming in a sea of ambience. Pure beauty! Then were back to the beginning sections and out.
"Nobody Here" is another heavily Pink Floyd influenced song. There is some great vocal magic here. Again, the harmonies are killer. And the emotions that Devin is able to pour out through your speakers is haunting. How does he do it? You can really feel what he must have been feeling when he wrote this, and what is more powerful than an artist who can manage this feat?
Nearing the end of the album, we come to "Tiny Tears". The intro is different, but something that grows on you to a point where you cant think of it any other way. And it builds the song such that I wouldnt change a thing. The most memorable portion of this song is about halfway through or so. We get to a point where the drums, keys, and bass lay down a nice, slow groove. The Devin breaks into a heartfelt guitar solo. Right when you think it couldnt pull at your feelings anymore, the vocal section starts. Each go around, a new layer comes in, each just as brilliant as the previous. Devin has a way (much like David Gilmour with guitar solos) of knowing just where to place each note, what tone to use, etc. This vocal section displays this perfectly.
Now were at the last track. Weve been on a rollercoaster of emotions, including several slower and more "down" songs at the end. No matter, Devin wants to take you home in a happy way. Have you ever heard Major Key metal that wasnt silly? Well here you go! Major key rock, with a feel good happy vibe, that makes you smile and say, Heck yeah! Today is a great day! and not find it cheesy. Ive noticed that many times, in all art forms, the artist will magically build things up and take you all over the spectrum of feelings, but the ending just doesnt do justice to the whole body of work. Here is the antithesis of that Devin brings one of the best albums Ive ever heard to a close in a way that most can only dream of.
So, I would recommend this album to anyone whether a fan of heavy metal, prog, rock, new age, or anything else. Devin blends all the "best" aspects of different genres together in a way only he (and few others) know how. The production on this album is near the top of all rock albums made, and I place it behind only one great mind/band: Waters and Pink Floyd. If you do decide to purchase this album, try and get a hold of the special edition 2 disc set. The second CD contains bonus tracks, as well as video footage of Devin in concert. I personally have 2 copies of this CD, the Special Edition and another edition with a different bonus song.
10 out of 10
I love music to death. So, I think Ill start sharing my favorite albums as recommendations with brief reviews on a somewhat regular basis. Hopefully this will spark discussion, and also encourage people to try out albums they may not have heard before.
I tend to prefer music that is best as a whole album. Most of my favorite albums seem to flow from one song to the next non-stop, or have such a cohesive feel that you feel the need to listen to it as a complete work rather than as songs. Todays pick fits this mold to a "T". I am speaking of Devin Townsends Terria. I must say, this album is pure magic. This review is written after hundreds of listens. Ill post my "one listen" review later (which I wrote up and saved after, you guessed it, one listen when I first got this CD a long time ago). Hopefully this will show people the wonder of music that "grows" on you.
Many people remember Devin as a virtuoso vocalist who sang on a Steve Vai album at only 17 years old. With Terria, you can see how that one exposure is so limiting of Devins vast talent. His talent as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer are equally impressive. As a note, besides listening to this from start to finish in one sitting, I recommend listening with some nice headphones, and then through a nice stereo at a loud volume.
Track 1 sets up a great mood for whats to come. "Olives" puts out both a soothing and tense feel at the same time. It works well for keeping the listener locked in to see where this is going while building the atmosphere with spoken word, keyboards, sound effects, and guitar that has tone to die for. I remember thinking "blah" about this the first time I heard it, but now I can't imagine the album without it.
Next, we get hit full force. "Mountain" screams power and tension. The changing meter (and mostly odd time in 7) helps keep the feeling going. Right up front, you get Devin showing off his killer vocal tone, with melody to match. At about the perfect time, the song shifts to common time and has a much more fluid feel. Here we have some nice building and feeling. After giving us sufficient feel good music, were back into the tension.
This song bleeds into the next song, which is a piece that fans and non-fans of Devin alike typically label his "best": "Earth Day". Here we have Devin showing us what he does best mixing power clean vocals with angry growls, as well as layer upon layer of instrumentation, with strong rhythm, melody, and harmony. The ambience of this song is simply incredible. This song takes you on a whirlwind of emotions and sounds. Words truly cant describe this journey.
While "Earth Day" shows off Devins ability to write an incredible song without the use of guitar solos, "Deep Peace" shows his ability to write an incredible song with not only guitar solos, but solos that run the gambit of speed and emotions. He shreds, he feels, he shows off, he lays low, etc. Anyone who thinks of Devin as only a "singer" must here this. This song is more than a guitar solo though, as it has the feel of something Pink Floyd would do. The passion he pours into this song is amazing. The acoustic guitar coupled with the interesting keyboards really set the stage for his great vocal melodies and harmonies.
Ever wonder what Prog/Metal would sound like with a country feel (aside from Pride & Glory
), well here is your answer: "Canada". The intro riff is so catchy, youll be humming it for days while stomping your foot. Also, the vocals are so incredible, that youll find yourself listening intently for what happens next. An interesting note, this song (like many others on this album) has words that arent in the booklet. For some reason they are different from each other. My favorite non-printed lyric is Only the lonely, and maybe John Denver knows, the Canadian freeway."Down and Under" is 100% connected to "Canada". The only thing separating them is a track marker. This piece shows some great instrumental work. The acoustic guitar, buildups, and feel really show that a rock instrumental doesnt always have to sound like "Far Beyond the Sun", "Cliffs of Dover", or "Flying in a Blue Dream" to keep your attention.
If youre a Prog Metalhead, then you want your odd meters, constant time changes, and complex rhythms. Here is your answer: "The Fluke". The song starts out in common time and is very captivating. However, about half way through the song, the band goes nuts. Talk about some tight, interesting, constantly shifting playing! Then the real fun starts. There are so many layers upon layers of vocals and keyboards, that you are swimming in a sea of ambience. Pure beauty! Then were back to the beginning sections and out.
"Nobody Here" is another heavily Pink Floyd influenced song. There is some great vocal magic here. Again, the harmonies are killer. And the emotions that Devin is able to pour out through your speakers is haunting. How does he do it? You can really feel what he must have been feeling when he wrote this, and what is more powerful than an artist who can manage this feat?
Nearing the end of the album, we come to "Tiny Tears". The intro is different, but something that grows on you to a point where you cant think of it any other way. And it builds the song such that I wouldnt change a thing. The most memorable portion of this song is about halfway through or so. We get to a point where the drums, keys, and bass lay down a nice, slow groove. The Devin breaks into a heartfelt guitar solo. Right when you think it couldnt pull at your feelings anymore, the vocal section starts. Each go around, a new layer comes in, each just as brilliant as the previous. Devin has a way (much like David Gilmour with guitar solos) of knowing just where to place each note, what tone to use, etc. This vocal section displays this perfectly.
Now were at the last track. Weve been on a rollercoaster of emotions, including several slower and more "down" songs at the end. No matter, Devin wants to take you home in a happy way. Have you ever heard Major Key metal that wasnt silly? Well here you go! Major key rock, with a feel good happy vibe, that makes you smile and say, Heck yeah! Today is a great day! and not find it cheesy. Ive noticed that many times, in all art forms, the artist will magically build things up and take you all over the spectrum of feelings, but the ending just doesnt do justice to the whole body of work. Here is the antithesis of that Devin brings one of the best albums Ive ever heard to a close in a way that most can only dream of.
So, I would recommend this album to anyone whether a fan of heavy metal, prog, rock, new age, or anything else. Devin blends all the "best" aspects of different genres together in a way only he (and few others) know how. The production on this album is near the top of all rock albums made, and I place it behind only one great mind/band: Waters and Pink Floyd. If you do decide to purchase this album, try and get a hold of the special edition 2 disc set. The second CD contains bonus tracks, as well as video footage of Devin in concert. I personally have 2 copies of this CD, the Special Edition and another edition with a different bonus song.
10 out of 10
