TERRIA

Devin Townsends "Terria" was my introduction to the world of prog. i wont bore u with the story but basically i stumbled upon it and my narrow rotation of Tool, Cradle of filth, Radiohead and Pink Floyd etc was expanded evermore.

Never before had you felt such understanding of a single person after listening to the album throughout. I would liken it to a walk through a national park on acid... with a glass city and tiny flying cars dominating the adjoining skyline... and no thats not for the lack of better words.

"olives" that is the powerful avalanche coming in a decendant on top of a lazy canadian bar..... the gradual building of layers is a unique experience for anyone prog savvy or not.

It can be said alot of the songs are literal in their naming, and "mountain" is no exception. It has the climbing, it has the base camp.... it has the metaphor of a lifes journey in a drueling stepping riff. If you are patient this has an emotional scale from soprano to baratone. The perfect prequel for the following.

"Earth day" is voted most likely to be a top 40 hit..... but this is simply the nature* of devins work..... so enjoy its hook..... and eat your beets.. recycle..... its the track that led me down the path to prog heaven. I know that sounds disgusting to those older proggers who went to kindy with jimmy page, peter gabriel and roger waters... but we all find a way... and either way - "it's a way, it's a way........ its awaaaaaaaayy!" it really is just entertainment folks.

Ill finish with a few of the many many highlights in the journey that is Terria.

"deep peace" an accoustic heart felt ballad... with crazy schitz effects track running background. Tinny ethereal mid song solo... that really develops into a full hearty rock composition.

I feel like im in "Canada" when i tune into the track of the same name... which is it's intention. It swings like a mountain man's axe on the prarie freeway. The slow Hoglan double kickers in the layered vocal mid section will please most if not all. reference to john denver..... bloddy bonza mate.

"The Fluke" is an upbeat drum driven track... with an unusual structure... which i think makes it classic prog in the style of Pendragon and IQ. You truly do have to "wade through the bullshit" .....but when you do it seems all worthwhile.... it rolls in with a truely memorable section of layed and mixed vocals... and then brings in those rusty screams and climatic synthesisor drains.... just hypnotic.

For me "Nobodys here" and "tiny tears" are warm ups for the finale of "Stagnant". They are both beautiful songs which have interesting mid section and delicious building climaxes but who will read all this anyway. Stagnant will melt the hearts of dixie cigar smokers and bring a goth chick to tears.

Honestly i have good basic prog knoweldge....... but it must seem like i have never gotten over my virgintiy breaker. Hopefully this will be posted for all to see how music can change one life. If you relate see also Spocks Beard - Snow. Cheers mate!.

Share this DEVIN TOWNSEND review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to
• Report this review (#18035)
• Buy DEVIN TOWNSEND music online with PA partners
• Show all DEVIN TOWNSEND MP3/Stream
• Go to DEVIN TOWNSEND page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Terria page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEVIN TOWNSEND related discussions