Devin Townsend v. Offer Your Posts

[MoraWintersoul]

Artists like Devin are hard to get into if you have very specific criteria for what kind of music you enjoy, as opposed to being along for the ride for anything. I'm not saying any of these approaches are superior to the  other - both can lead you into having a fantastic music library. Just that he wants people to strap in, say "okay!" and just play the whole thing back to back and take in every element of music, randomness, humor etc as it comes, and if something doesn't work for you, there's always the next thing, always many things. There's so much in there and it's so intertwined that someone who says "I like this kind of instrumentation, and these lyrical themes, and this kind of style" might walk away from a full listen of his catalog feeling as if they wasted their time, because there's very few albums they're going to like start to finish.

[The Curious Orange]

I'd suggest a good starting point for Devy would be Empath. When you first listen to it, it really is an unlistenable noise, but stick with it until the melodies and songs reveal themselves through the layers of production. It really is a stunning piece of work. Both Addicted! and Epicloud have great songs on them, and are probably the next best of his more recent albums.

Actually, scratch that - watch either the Orders of Magnitude or Retinal Circus videos - you get the songs without the layers of often alienating studio noise on top. Either of them would be a good place to start.

[Adami]

If he’s not into Devys humor, I think Retinal Circus might throw him off.

[Buddyhunter1]

I'd suggest a good starting point for Devy would be Empath. When you first listen to it, it really is an unlistenable noise

This is why it's not a good starting point.
I mean yeah, he might warm up to it after a few listens like we did, but Empath is kinda the first album I think of when it comes to:

I just don't want to be listening to something that I'm really enjoying only for something annoying (musically or lyrically) to ruin it for me

GOT A LITTLE DOGGIE AND HE'S FULL OF DA WOOF WOOF

[The Curious Orange]

Yeah, but how representative of Devy's work is Ki, for example? Dev is one of those artists that you either have to put the groundwork in as a listener or forget it, and go listen to Coldplay instead.

[Adami]

I think Accelerated Evolution is a good starting point. It’s more straightforward and I don’t remember a lot of complete silliness.

[Buddyhunter1]

Yeah, but how representative of Devy's work is Ki, for example? Dev is one of those artists that you either have to put the groundwork in as a listener or forget it, and go listen to Coldplay instead.

I think of it more as he's got a little something for everyone. No, Ki isn't a good representation of Devin's typical sound (which is why I recommended Accelerated Evolution and Epicloud over it), but it's still a great album and it showcases a different side of his identity that might resonate with people more than the scattershot "everything but the kitchen sink" approach of Empath.

[cramx3]

Actually, scratch that - watch either the Orders of Magnitude or Retinal Circus videos - you get the songs without the layers of often alienating studio noise on top. Either of them would be a good place to start.

Still waiting for my Orders of Magnitude but I kind of think that may not be the best place to start for the reason you stated, that's a raw live performance and those songs (from the clips I saw and live performances I saw) have a different spin to them because of that.  It might throw a new person off with that style that isn't really the way his albums are.  However, I'm sure it's awesome so without even seeing it I can say I'd probably easily recommend, just maybe not to start.... now Retinal Circus actually does have a lot of that Noise, but this is like my all time favorite live concert from anyone.  It's so over the top, it's so Devin but like 10X more  Actually it was what got me into him.  I got Epicloud after watching the concert on youtube and buying the blu-ray afterwards because I was so obsessed with the show.  Epicloud has a real variety of his sound on one album.

[KevShmev]

Thanks for the recommendations!
I don't find goofiness to be inherently bad, it just seems that I don't seem to really like Devin Townsend's sense of humor, based on what I've listened to so far. Like, I've heard about the Ziltoid albums and the concept of it sounds funny, but if it's like Deconstruction lyrically, then yeah, I'm definitely going to skip out on those. Musically, if it's weird in a BTBAM kind of way, I'd be all for that kind of silliness (for instance, I love that part in Augment of Rebirth where out of nowhere there's an accordion with a bunch of animals making noise). I just don't want to be listening to something that I'm really enjoying only for something annoying (musically or lyrically) to ruin it for me, like with Thing Beyond Things. As another example, I really enjoy Planet of the Apes musically, but there's a few instances where I find the lyrics to be... not good, I'll just say.

Devin reminds me of Zappa in that he incorporates a lot of sense of humor into his music, and if I am in the right mood, it can be great, but if I am not, it can be a bit oft-putting at the time.  Fortunately, both have tons of "serious" music, so there is always something for me no matter what kind of mood I am in.  I suspect the more you dig and listen, the more you will feel the same way.  If you are already liking his sound and general style, that's 90% of it. 

[Stadler]

Artists like Devin are hard to get into if you have very specific criteria for what kind of music you enjoy, as opposed to being along for the ride for anything. I'm not saying any of these approaches are superior to the  other - both can lead you into having a fantastic music library. Just that he wants people to strap in, say "okay!" and just play the whole thing back to back and take in every element of music, randomness, humor etc as it comes, and if something doesn't work for you, there's always the next thing, always many things. There's so much in there and it's so intertwined that someone who says "I like this kind of instrumentation, and these lyrical themes, and this kind of style" might walk away from a full listen of his catalog feeling as if they wasted their time, because there's very few albums they're going to like start to finish.

This.   Once I got past the hurdle on the guy (my only experience with him was the friggin' wierdo on the Tonight Show or wherever it was with Vai) the next hurdle - that I'm not completely over, to be honest - was that the music isn't easy.  It's kind of like being a Neil Young fan, in that just because you like Harvest, doesn't mean you're going to like Tonight's The Night, or Trans.   

Personally, if anyone asked me "what's Devin sound like?"  I'd give them this:
https://youtu.be/sKEyot1-SVg
Or, if they wanted an album, I'd give them Transcendence.   Totally random, but it's what clicked with me.

[Buddyhunter1]

Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.

[Ben_Jamin]

Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.

I have the boxset. But I bought it so I could get the rest of the project cd's, as I only bought Addicted. So I haven't heard the original to tell you the difference. I think the mix sounds great though.

[Adami]

Out of curiosity, has anyone owned or listened to the remixed version of Deconstruction from the Contain Us boxset? Deconstruction is one of my favorite albums but I'm generally just not into Jens Bogren's mixing style so I'm curious if the remixed version is any better. As far as I can tell all of the streaming services only have the original version.

Haven't listened. I like the original mix, but god damn it seems like a huge project. I'd be terrified if someone asked me to remix that thing.

[Ben_Jamin]

You also made me realize that I have never listened to the commentary on the albums. I found this one of The Mighty Masturbator and it's great, I like when talks about the party section, and the women whom are all "AaahhhAAHHH".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRp4Jdqhtk8

[Buddyhunter1]

The album commentaries were great - just comparing the one for Ki to the recent podcast on it, the commentary gives you so much more info and trivia. They were on youtube a while back but I think they’ve all been taken down now. 

I found a couple threads on Reddit talking about the Deconstruction remix and apparently the differences are extremely subtle, so I guess they wouldn’t really fix my problems. It’s a dense as fuck project, yeah, but my issues are more with the drums and guitars sounding really processed and cushion-y, which is a common complaint I have with basically all Jens Bogren mixes, even on music with way less stuff going on.

[Ben_Jamin]

The album commentaries were great - just comparing the one for Ki to the recent podcast on it, the commentary gives you so much more info and trivia. They were on youtube a while back but I think they’ve all been taken down now. 

I found a couple threads on Reddit talking about the Deconstruction remix and apparently the differences are extremely subtle, so I guess they wouldn’t really fix my problems. It’s a dense as fuck project, yeah, but my issues are more with the drums and guitars sounding really processed and cushion-y, which is a common complaint I have with basically all Jens Bogren mixes, even on music with way less stuff going on.

I had to dig out my Contain Us boxset and transfer the files onto my computer. I also forgot it has the stems too for Bend It Like Becker and Juular.

[MinistroRaven]

DEVIN TOWNSEND – announces “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds”
 
Launches pre-order and ‘Hyperdrive’ video



Devin Townsend is currently working on new material for upcoming albums, and for a current lack of touring possibilities and encounters with fans on the road he decided to do a series of live albums, quarantine albums, and generally interesting projects that keep people entertained while he’s busy on his next larger releases.
 
Devin comments:
“So we bring to you the ‘Devolution Series’: a grouping of oddities and interesting material that I would like people to hear, but don’t necessarily want to present as a ‘major release’.
The series will include all the quarantine songs and concerts, as well as various live shows from the past few years.
 
The first release is a remixed and remastered version of the ‘Live in Leeds’ show that was originally on the ‘Empath’ Ultimate Edition. It was a cool acoustic show that deserves to be heard I think, so we can use this as an introduction to the series.
 
I’m am currently deep in the writing of my new projects and am very excited to be doing so. Thanks for facilitating my ability to do that, and I hope you enjoy the ‘Devolution Series’.”
 
The ‘Live in Leeds’ show has previously only been released in video format, and “Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” now marks the audio release of said show. It will be released on March 19th 2021.
 
As a warm-up to this release, check out the ‘Hyperdrive (Live in Leeds 2019)’ video here:
https://youtu.be/H45yG8FzpkQ

“Devolution Series #1 - Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” will be available as Ltd. CD Digipak, 180g Gatefold 2LP (incl. the album on CD) and as Digital Album and as of now it is up for pre-order, so make sure to grab a copy here:
https://devin-townsend.lnk.to/DevolutionSeriesOne-LiveInLeedsQR
 
DEVIN TOWNSEND “Devolution Series #1 –
Acoustically Inclined, Live in Leeds” track listing:
1. Intro (06:30)
2. Let it Roll (03:48)
3. Funeral (08:17)
4. Deadhead (07:51)
5. Ih-Ah! (04:44)
6. Love? (08:06)
7. Hyperdrive (04:27)
8. Terminal (04:58)
9. Coast (04:37)
10. Solar Winds (03:25)
11. Thing Beyond Things (04:34)
DEVIN TOWNSEND online:
http://www.hevydevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend
http://www.omerch.com
 https://twitter.com/dvntownsend
https://www.instagram.com/dvntownsend/
https://www.youtube.com/user/poopynuggeteer/featured http://twitch.tv/devin_townsend
 
Keep the music coming with the Devin Townsend Support Team!
Click here: http://gf.me/u/xra8an

[cramx3]

That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it 

[Buddyhunter1]

I guess this is how he's going to be releasing the quarantine songs? Looking forward to having good quality versions of Honeybunch and Call Of The Void.

[Stadler]

That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it 

Is that basically the show you saw (I know not the EXACT show, but the basic idea)?    If so, I'm going to pick that up, I think.

[cramx3]

That acoustic tour was pretty cool, didn't expect a live album from it 

Is that basically the show you saw (I know not the EXACT show, but the basic idea)?    If so, I'm going to pick that up, I think.

The euro leg of the acoustic tour Devin headlined so he played a longer set than what I saw, as he was the opener for Avatar on the NA leg:

Let It Roll
Solar Winds
Deadhead
Love?
Ih-Ah!
Why? (here's my video: https://youtu.be/-zd9F3Vx_Vs?t=148)
Life

So not exactly the same, but similar it seems.

But what made this show so damn cool was how he kind of just talked through the songs and did his own thing really, typical Devin.  Makes the performances so unique and interesting.  Not sure if that will be displayed on the live album or maybe he just kept it more straightforward.

[Buddyhunter1]

Sorry if this has been posted here already (I'm just finding this out now) but apparently Duris Maxwell, the drummer who played on Ki, passed away in November. I really liked his drumming on that record, rest in peace.

[DoctorAction]

Sad news. I never heard of him before Ki came out but that's one of my favourite Dev records and love the drum work on it.

[DoctorAction]

Just been listening to the last couple of Dev podcasts. The man sounds robo-busy currently.

A pair of new opposing albums, the weirder one having a film, comic, etc, with it. And then he's going to be releasing an album working with a producer for the first time. And he's doing the sound of a children's BBC series.

Been listening to Empath recently (never stopped since getting it, tbh) and am now going back to Deconstruction which I wasn't that into when it was released.

[cramx3]

I've been meaning to write a review of his recent live album, Order of Magniture Empath Volume 1 Live so todays bump has ignited that flame....

It's very good.

I got the artbook which is very nice, physical quality is very good and has some nice pictures in it.  I must have watched the blu-ray 15 times now.  I absolutely love it.  However, I didn't on my first watch.  Actually was slightly dissapointed on my first watch.  Reason being, I didn't love the set list.  It's hardly a metal album, it's actually kind of pure prog.  Which I guess I should have expected, but it really didn't hit me until I watched.  It might also be because I was never a huge fan of Ki.  So let me explain myself further... I'm not a huge fan of starting the show with Borderlands.  I think it's a decent song, but it has no real juice or energy as an opener.  I still believe this.  However, I've come to really enjoy the performance of the song over time.  it's quirky, and doesn't come off very heavy, but it's actually really fun in it's own unique way.  Then we get Evermore which also doesn't come off as heavy live IMO, but it's pretty damn awesome to see the band play it.  It's also a pretty fun and quirky song.

Then we get War and this is a very cool version of the song.  This band brings their own flavor, it's not that it's different per say but with different people like Che, it feels very different.  It's an awesome addition to his catalog to have this version of one of his older songs that have already been captured live. 

Now we get to what I have come to find as maybe the best part of the live album. These chunks of songs:

4. Sprite
5. Gigpig Jam
6. Coast
7. Gato
8. Heavens End
9. Ain’t Never Gonna Win

While Sprite is from Empath, I kind of feel like it belongs with this grouping of songs.  Che's vocals are AWESOME on it.  The guitar playing is so intricate that you don't always notice while listening, but when you see it, it really sticks out.  The jam is one of the most unique drum solos I've ever seen.  It's not "the best" but when a drum solo keeps my attention, you know it's good.  Then the four Ki songs.  This album had never really clicked for me, but these live performances have me coming back to Ki now. It took a few watches before I kept waiting for this part of the set to come up.  I'm so happy we got these performances on a live album because they definitely belong in the DT catalog of music that represents him.  BURN BURN!! I'm not sure which song I like the most out of this bunch.  Also all the backing band solos are really cool.

Maybe the best performance of Dead Head we have.  Devin's vocals are perfect on this track. 

Why is one weird song and the live version is even more weird. The interaction with the crowd is fantastic.

Lucky Animals may be the least interesting song on the set, but he gets the crowd going and it makes it fun.  I'd have to watch the RAH video to compare, but I think the Retinal Circus version is probably my favorite.  It doesn't sound as different as War does to make it very unique to me. 

Genesis is maybe my favorite song off Empath and the performance is awesome.  I love how they are actually able to pull this song off live. I feel this song is everything that Empath is in one song.

Spirits will Collide is beautiful.  The female backing vocals really make this song great.  It's an acoustic version so not that huge bombastic album track, but a beautiful version here.  Show me someone who doesn't like it, they probably don't exist.

Disco Inferno is a fun cover.  I've always enjoyed the song as like a stupid song to dance and sing along too so when I saw Devin was covering it, I thought he'd do it justice.  He did.  It also looks like the band is having a blast with Deigo making and handing out drinks during it.  Really cool encore song.

And it ends with Kingdom.  Another awesome performance of this song, and maybe the most energetic the audience gets the entire night.  It seems the room really comes alive for this one. I think I like the Retinal Circus live version better, but this one is really solid.  Can't say anything bad about it.

So to end, I just want to say the sound and picture quality are also fantastic. I love how this sounds more raw than his other live albums.  It feels legit.  It looks like they are all having fun and it rubs off when you watch it.  I highly recommend it. 

Right now, I'd say it's not better than the Retinal Circus just because that video is so over the top, but it may be my second favorite over RAH and Provdov.

[twosuitsluke]

So I just found out that Devin has written the soundtrack for a kids TV show here in the UK. It's for really little kids and it's called Colours. It introduces kids to all the different colours and what they are sometimes used to signify in modern life.

I know Devin has been vocal about the condition he has, in which he can effectively see colours through different sounds. He has often talked about how certain songs or albums are linked to colours in his mind. I can only assume that is why he wrote the soundtrack to this show. I'd be interested to know who approached who, to get this off the ground.

Anyway, I have a 14 month old boy, so guess what we were watching this morning. It's classic Devy chill music. My little one seemed to enjoy it and seemed captivated at certain parts. I took great pleasure in telling my wife who wrote the soundtrack, which brought on great eye rolling from her. She wouldn't admit she likes anything by Devin Townsend but this is just one more step in shaping my kiddos musical taste 

[DoctorAction]

Heard about this. Great that you got to enjoy it with your small person.  Slightly miffed my kids are much too big for this! Would also love to know how it came about.

[Stadler]

So I just found out that Devin has written the soundtrack for a kids TV show here in the UK. It's for really little kids and it's called Colours. It introduces kids to all the different colours and what they are sometimes used to signify in modern life.

I know Devin has been vocal about the condition he has, in which he can effectively see colours through different sounds. He has often talked about how certain songs or albums are linked to colours in his mind. I can only assume that is why he wrote the soundtrack to this show. I'd be interested to know who approached who, to get this off the ground.

Anyway, I have a 14 month old boy, so guess what we were watching this morning. It's classic Devy chill music. My little one seemed to enjoy it and seemed captivated at certain parts. I took great pleasure in telling my wife who wrote the soundtrack, which brought on great eye rolling from her. She wouldn't admit she likes anything by Devin Townsend but this is just one more step in shaping my kiddos musical taste 

There's a name for that: it's a form of synethesia.

[Buddyhunter1]

Looks like Devin Townsend released a new two song EP on Spotify this morning. Totally him and not someone else who uploaded some generic easy-listening muzak under his name.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1lOomQtz2zpxtrYrn7zaI2?si=uI0g3mYySh2wHsORP4XfEA

[MinistroRaven]

Devin Townsend announces new quarantine project livestream

Ocean Machine: Biomech in its entirety

We’re very pleased to announce yet another Devin Townsend ‘Quarantine Project’ live stream, this time Dev will perform his icon album ‘Ocean Machine: Biomech’ in its entirety via Single Music’s live stream platform.
 
The show will be live on May 1st, 12 noon PDT, 3pm EDST, 20:00 GST, 21:00 CEST, 5am AEST. All ticket buyers will have access to replays for up to 48 hours.
 
Tickets are $20 USD each and can be purchased here along with a limited edition show exclusive t-shirt: www.devintownsendshop.com/pages/performance-of-ocean-machine-biomech
 
More information explained by Devin in this show trailer: https://youtu.be/BUnS0meXyww

[KevShmev]

That is cool that he is doing that, but considering how many albums he has done combined with the fact that he recently released a live Blu-ray of a concert where he played all of Ocean Machine/Biomech already, it would have been a lot better if he had chosen a different album this time.

[Ben_Jamin]

Yeah...Like Accelerated Evolution. I'd pay for that.

I also, thought the same exact thing too. How could this version be any better than Ocean Machine live from Plovdiv. I am guessing he's going to have some awesome visuals to go along with the album. That alone should be cool to see, as his Crappy Halloween Show was actually pretty neat visually with backgrounds.

If he does that and adds a bit more movement to the visuals, it could be worth the price and to see the album done again.

[KevShmev]

All true.  Granted, since he is largely able to make a living off of touring and is likely taking a hit cause of COVID, he probably figures Ocean Machine is the album guaranteed to bring it the most buyers of the stream, so I am sure it was a pragmatic decision.  As a selfish music fan , I just wish he would embrace the greatness of Terria as a whole and find a way to play all of that.

[Ben_Jamin]

I wouldn't mind that album either....

Now that I think about it. You know what album in full would really draw the fans...

ZILTOID...THE OMNISCIENT!!!

[cramx3]

Yeah, I really don't have the desire to spend $20 on this when I have the beautiful blu ray. Now if he announces something special about this to make it more unique I may be intrigued. Also, this is more expensive than his other streams which seems a bit odd as the other ones were way more unique and interesting.