TERRIA

I knew nothing about Devin Townsend but the rave reviews at this site kept me wondering about the music of Devin Townsend. When I saw this CD, I referred to people's reviews at this site and I decided to purchase it at local music store here. When I spun the CD for the first time I really did not understand the music at all. I pushed myself very hard in order to understand it. I failed to do it well as every time I spun it I did not understand the music. I did try it many times but still I could not digest the music very well. Based on my perception, the music is totally blended where each instrument does not seem obvious musically. Yes, I can hear there are riffs and some guitar fills at the very back of the music but the overall sounds are clutrtered together which make me hard to understand and digest.

I always try to review an album based on composition, musicianship and production. On composition, I put emphasize on melody and I don't think this album has good melody - in fact most of the music I hear do not sound like having a melody - they all sound like riffs and rhythm section. Another thing on composition is on arrangement, that is how each instrument used in the music delivers its contribution and how obvious its sounds. Again, I can hardly differentiate each instrument contribution so that I don't grab the whole music, overall. The other elements on composition are harmonies and structural integrity of each song which I think are lacking also with this album. So, on composition, I do not rate quite high.

On musicianship, it's also hard for me to justify as the composition has made me very hard to understand. I then come to a conclusion, why bother listening music that I do not understand? So I stop listening to it. My friends from metal scene down here mention that Devin Townsend Band and Devin Townsend himself are totally different music. Oh then my memory brings me to Manfred Mann and Manfred Mann's Earth Band while I mostly do not understand the first but I love the latter. Is it the same case with Devin Townsend?

Overall, I know that I do not favor this music but I do not say this is poor because if so, why so many people like the album? That's why I categorize this album under "For Collectors / Fans Only" because for sure I am NOT the fan of Mr. Devin. If the music is categorized under progressive metal, I do not understand also why I cannot digest it even after one year I have owned the CD with many times I try to push myself very hard to digest it. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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