DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: ADDICTED

There was a sense of that when I first listened to this, but then I realized that this is just so much better than the rubbish pop that floats around the radio and settles like a grim fog over the general public's ears. Wow, I really am a snob.

Anyway, onto the tracks.

The first few tracks are fairly similar. Addicted is very heavy, with an incredibly strong beat and a simple riff. Universe in a Ball doesn't do much for me, but Bend It Like Bender is a lot more dynamic. If the whole album was like this it would only get 3 stars, but they improve later. What keeps these tracks interesting is their almost seamless flow. Addicted to Universe in a Ball is basically just a drum solo, retaining a lot of energy making the tracks a much more rewarding experience. They set the tone of the album very well.

Onto something with a bit more substance, though. Supercrush is awesome - one of Devin's best choruses. I assume this track was a bit of an odd track for the album. It's not particularly poppy, with a long instrumental section and a rather dynamic verse chorus structure, but it fits well. Reminds me of Numbered, later on, but this track is definitely in the top 3 on this album.

The new cover of Hyperdrive restores my faith in the female gender (in terms of singing, of course, I will forever have faith in them in every other way). This version is easily fresh enough, really lively, powerful, and oddly happy. The next track is a bit silly, but Resolve keeps the catch chorus way of doing things, with a cool intro to boot. Possibly my least favourite here, though.

In-Ah is the oddly named ballad, a very romantic piece with a fantastic riff. The choruses are particularly awesome, and it's a very subtle song - best played very loudly to pick out all the fine details, particularly the vocals at the start. In the top 3. The Way Home is a fast paced, reserved song, which shows us Devin's amazing vocal ability, whist referencing Deadhead (I believe). Guitars are pretty cool here too. It's a very odd song - with a great little instrumental section, retaining the same style beat. It's not one of the best, though.

Numbered has very satisfying guitars and vocals throughout. There's a brilliant arpeggio section in the middle which reminds me of parts of Ziltoid. This one's not really poppy either, just heavy, really. I suppose the female vocals stand out a lot more here. The end just leaves them going, which is great. I think the last track is a hidden track, and it has to be one of my favourite Devin Townsend songs yet. The length is misleading, the song kinda peters out into ambiance, which is quite nice. Really, the focus is on vocals, and the crushing guitar, which is a fantastic riff as well as other chorus parts and a heavy, growly bit. It keeps the pop-esque keyboards and some of the stronger beats from the pop element of the album. Devin also displays his fantastic vocal range here, as well, as a tenor opera singer, screaming "I'm free!!!" in the verses, and then going into a twisted growl for the heavier sections. There's even a reference to the next one in the set - "Deconstruct!" is given a good few growls at the end. Is this an overture to Deconstruction? It would be a great one.

So overall, best ones are Awake, In-Ah and Supercrush. You'd be misled if you thought it was all pop, but even when it is, a narrow minded prog fan can still enjoy it, so take a dive, and grin and bear some electronic drums.

But no, it doesn't really go "Unst, Unst, Unst". Thank God.

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