DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: DECONSTRUCTION

I don't regret getting DECONSTRUCTION as my first Devin Townsend album despite the vast amount of music he's done over the years and the prospect that there are potentially better albums out there. It's a nice little introduction to Devin's oddball little world laced with operatic vocals, Meshuggah influenced guitars and quite the sense of humour.

The music is very aggressive, layered and thick. We're very bottom heavy on the guitars and drums in an attempt to blow the bass off your car's stereo, yet the operatic moments and airy keyboards create a high-end contrast to the extreme metal without sounding like there's a middle ground being sacrificed. There is the occasional moment where a perfect fusion is in order, and even a little bit of technical dabbling in the second definable section of ''The Mighty Masturbator''. That epic is something else as it is a hodgepodge of all things over-the-top (Broadway-esque swing, technical prog metal, carnival music, multiple sections, techno interludes), yet it strangely manages to come across as cohesive enough not to lose the listener's attention.

I must say recent adventures with this album have been more fruitful on my end to the point where I am finally coming around to understanding the album's plaudits. Townsend himself adds to the charm of DECONSTRUCTION with his vocal performances fluidly going from comedy hour to agonizing growling without sounding too forced. The music of this is what I would call gleefully chaotic; in spite of the pounding metal, Townsend still finds room for a memorable melody beit a searing vocal line or a simple repetitive chant. It ice-skates through many dynamic and emotional levels at tolerable fluidity; no theme sounds too short or overstayed.

In midst of all of this musical mastery, there is the humourous tone which works in Townsend's favour. I believe Townsend is self-aware of the goofy ideas behind the album when the big showcase number is titled, ''The Mighty Masturbator''. There's still other goofy moments that may not make you fall on the floor laughing, but give a little chuckle in understanding; take the mesmerizing chanting of ''Cheeseburger'' in the title track, or the choir leading off ''Sumeria'', or just the overall contrast of opera vocals and extreme metal, it all works to an extent.

DECONSTRUCTION can run long, and a few tracks can blend into each other sound-wise, but the end result is surprisingly beautiful?for metal, anyway. I must admit that many of the albums' traits would normally annoy me, yet Townsend seems to make over-the-top humour, self-aware prog music and a potpourri of influences really work and really gel. Unless extreme heavy metal isn't your bag of tricks, there's plenty to enjoy on a sesame seed bun.