DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: ADDICTED

Devin Townsend's eleventh solo album or the second Devin Townsend Project presents an interesting starting point for me. Among my friends and family I'm known as a fierce opposer of pop music. On the other hand I'm a huge fan of Townsend. So now I'll let the cat out of the bag: Addicted isn't exactly a pop album, and I'd suspect it is much too progressive and heavy for "the average listener" (gasp!). I'd be happy to be wrong, though, for this album is definitely of the highest quality!

There are two tracks that could possibly have mainstream appeal, "Bend It Like Bender!" and "Ih-Ah!". Incidentally these very same tracks will most likely annoy every progger and metalhead on planet! The former is a weird and humorous dance song with Anneke van Giersbergen on second lead vocals. Anyone who's familiar with The Gathering would know she has a strong and clear voice, enough to produce a female counterpoint for Devin. No metal vocals from her, though. "Ih-Ah!" is the "your own special way" of the album, with plenty of honey on top! I have to give it extra points for the passionate performances from the two vocalists, but really to me the song is quite funny. I think these are the weakest tracks here, but I don't hate either.

The title track opens the album with absolutely crushing guitar chords and a slow build-up. Devy kicks the door in with an incredible "Ohhh, YEEEEAAAAHH!" when the rhythm section comes in. And speaking of the rhythm section: the beats are pounding! Townsend once again mastered a new style of drum teching and Ryan van Poederooyen's performance throughout the album is beyond words. Powerful beats and catchy choruses were promised, and from the first track alone it becomes clear that this promise was kept. We are also given the first progressive touch in the shape of a crazy guitar solo.

"Supercrush!" is a definite highlight. The chorus sounds a bit familiar and is as massive and emotional as anything Townsend has ever recorded, but the verses are completely fresh. Anneke sings with a nasal voice over an electric backround until it explodes into Devy's manifesto. Though Poederooyen is a monster behind the set, he adds these delicate Gavin Harrison-like touches on Addicted, which are here on full display.

Like any great release, Addicted is magnificent from beginning to end. In fact, it keeps getting better in the ending with "The Way Home!" leading us. The song sounds strangely like something I've heard before, but I can't put my finger on it. Mew's second lp? Townsend's singing is absolutely beautiful as usual. And then we get heavy with "Numbered!"...

"Awake!"! If you ask me this is one of Devy's greatest achievements to date! It seems this piece predicts the direction we're going next with DTP number three. It's getting progressively disturbing and complicated with layers and layers and layers... well, you get the idea. By now the sound is booming with fullness and the music is really heavy. Townsend is screaming: "Now DECONSTRUCT!!!" Then one by one the layers begin to disappear... until the only thing left is Ghost.

On top of everything we are treated with the larger than life "Universe In A Ball!" which sounds like the Infinity-album more than anything else, "Hyperdrive!" which is a great version of the track from Ziltoid The Omniscient with Anneke on vocals, and "Resolve!" which sounds a lot like The Devin Townsend Band.

Highly recommended especially for Devin diehards. Extreme fans of Strapping Young Lad are in deep trouble, and I'm hungry for Deconstruction!