DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: KI

This moody, atmospheric release treads new territory for Devin Townsend, emphasizing a mellow-- almost stripped down feel to many of the songs concealing his trademark depth as a producer. This alone makes it a unique entry into his already excellent catalogue of albums.

Things start with a melancholic guitar strumming, transitioning into first softly driving "Coast". Although there is a dynamic build near the song's bridge, this one will come as a satisfying surprise to many DT fans; it shows an interesting level of Devin's minimalism (which, it should be noted, is not minimalist at all, since this guy crams a ton of sounds into his albums). "Coast", the elegant "Terminal", spacy "Winter", lush "Lady Helen", and dynamic "Ki" all place emphasis on melodic singing and mood, and will appeal to most listeners immediately. They stand out to me as the best part of this album, and show a new level of artistry on Devin's part.

Although the first thing one will remember about "Ki" is its excellent mellow sections, there is still quite a range of intensity. "Disruptr" and "Gato", for example, menace the listener with slow-paced and savage vocals; there is still Townsend's metal sound throughout, but it won't knock you off your feet here. It takes its time to appear, building and exploding at a slow tempo.

The downside of "Ki" is that-- even when compared to other DT albums-- it is a tough listen to explore. There are few truly memorable moments: no big choruses or guitar solos to catch one's attention. I am sure that's the point, since it helps give the album its moody feel, but it forces many listens to appreciate the depth going on through the multiple layers of production.

Although not as immediately gratifying or entertaining as most of his other albums, the artistry and variety in "Ki" make it a must buy for Townsend fans (who are probably in to artistry and variety in the first place). "Ki" has enough mood and subtle class to please newcomers as well, perhaps even those who were turned off by Devin's noisier albums. If you're a fan of metal music and haven't already investigated him-- do yourself a favor and explore "Ki" and his stellar catalogue.

Songwriting: 4 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 4 Style/Emotion/Replay: 4