THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND: SYNCHESTRA

Guys,it's true he continually breaking conventions and setting the bar higher.... this album is definitely noteworthy within the boundaries of the broader definitions of our Progressive music. For the critics i would agree with many of your arguments, in addition it's worth aknowledging that the computer age has cheapened the our favourite musical art form. However, if this particular strain of prog.. namely metal (this could be further refined to industial sunshine metal in my mind) then you should not offer your critcims in favour of the classic styles.... things move on and change.... ironically this is the essence of the progressive genre. At the end of the day Devin is a genius producer and just happens to be a little bonkers, subsequently we would all be the poorer to never had experienced his rare stylings. I recommend you hear Terria (atleast 3 times) as it is as a whole and concept a true musical epiphony (for metal routed folk that is).

Enough of that though... we're all here for the music.

I wont give a blow by blow.... but i will say that Synchestra is an amzing second effort for a band in it's infancy ..theoretically. Ironically Devin himself has said that Accelrated Evolution was just a practice run to get DTB to a level of cohesiveness that will allow for more experimentation. The fact is he isn't rushing the process and this means higher expectations for the third offering, and if he delivers ... .....just imagine it people :)

As much as elements of SYNCH were very impressing, i don't think it came together as a whole album like Terria or Ocean Machine. The beginning is so promising, it reminds me of Tools Aenima with it's flowing intricacy interwoven with sheer bludgeoning and beligerent metal riffing. However i think after a few listens the novelty wears off and the 'epic' offerings arent quite effective enough. My favourite would be "Pixilate" amongst the obvious favourites 'triumph' and 'Gaia'. I must say i'm a little disappointed, but all in all i'd much rather be listening to Devin than revisiting some old Jethro Tull to up my prog "status". But again each to their own.. i obviously wont offer my opinion on things i haven't taken time to appreciate fully