DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: KI

So this is Devin Townsend's new album, the first of four, you know the story. Anyways, the first time I heard Coast I knew it was something different, but continuing with the other tracks I was fooled into thinking that this was nothing but an over-hyped and slightly repetitive rock album. I was wrong, this is different. And I know two things for sure. First, I like this album a lot. And second, Devin Townsend is an honest dude.

This is on the whole a relaxed album. The relentlessness and anger that's characterized much of his music in the past is basically absent, in other words, Devin doesn't seem to be pissed off anymore. Yeah you still get some screaming and bludgeoning metal sections, but the way they suddenly disappear into thin air only heightens the feeling that it's all under control. Pay attention to these metalish songs, for they're probably the most original aspect of this record. Nowadays the trend in metal is to produce albums so that they sound as loud, and therefore, supposedly as " heavy" as possible. Devin reverse the trend and not only produces the metal as if it were laid-back rock, but also plays theoretically metal riffs in a kind of grungy, relaxed way that's extremely captivating and fun. Like I said, I like it.

Other tracks range from slightly trippy at times to mellow and introspective. Not all songs are as strong as others. "Terminal", for example, is enjoyable, but I really feel like the melodies aren't very original, and a few of them remind me of the Wasteland part of Dream Theater's "Trial of Tears". A nice song, but it could be stronger. "Trainfire" and "Ki" are two songs that are noteworthy. Why? Listen to the record and you'll find out. "Entre broma y broma, la verdad se asoma".

Like I said, what I like about this album is that you can feel it's an honest one, and that the creator is doing what he wants to do. One thing I deeply admire are people, especially musicians, who do their own thing, and don't give a shit about the definitions. In the end this isn't stereotypical music, and it's not just another rock album. It may not be the most amazing record on earth or in Devin Townsend's catalogue either, but it's a highly enjoyable and honest one, with more depth and detail than is apparent at first listen.

When a musician you thought you knew surprises you in this way, then it's a good thing, unless what they surprise you with is a piece of crap, which this isn't; it's a good album, and it's a good surprise.

SR

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