Devin Townsend

Krilons Resa · August 27th, 2008, 06:16 PM

Okay, I have owned Terria for forever now and absolutely love it. Sadly though, it;s the only album I have ever checked out from him, besides SYL's City. I am thinking of getting Infinity or Ocean Machine - Biomech. Can I get some discussion por favor?

I still say to this day that that mid part on Deep Peace is one of the greatest pieces of music EVER written. Simply mind-blowingly beautiful.

J. · August 27th, 2008, 06:26 PM

If Terria blows you away, Ocean Machine - Biomech is a must. Very much in the same vein. Monstrous riffs with a very earthy mood, and reflective moments as well.

Infinity is probably his most "quirky", to use your word, with an almost free form feel to it. It's not my favorite, but I do enjoy it.

Ziltoid is just stupid fun. Not essential, but it does have some great moments.

Synchestra, I'm sorry to say, is his worst. Very boring.

Accelerated Evolution is another good one. Take the Terria feel, but just make the songs more basic.

In short, stick with Terria, Ocean Machine, Infinity, and AE.

Carabeu · August 27th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Yeah go with Ocean Machine. Then Infinity. Then Accelerated Evolution. Then Physicist. Then Synchestra. Then Ziltoid. You could skip Synchestra and go directly to Ziltoid.

J. · August 27th, 2008, 08:04 PM

forgot Physicist. That's the heaviest of them all, sorta SYL-lite, but better. I really enjoy that one.

Climb Thar Hill · August 27th, 2008, 09:50 PM

Terria and Ocean Machine are the greatest pieces of music this guy has created. So go with Ocean Machine.

Infinity and Accelerated Evolution come after

Do not even bother with Synchestra...I myself never bothered to check out Ziltoid though

Carabeu · August 27th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Ziltoid is an entertaining listen.

TomAwesome · August 28th, 2008, 04:09 AM

I say get Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution and go from there, though you really can't go wrong with any Devin Townsend or Strapping Young Lad album. The possible exception might be Ziltoid. It's a very fun and humorous album that really does merit giving a full listen, but it didn't stick with me the way that most DT albums or SYL albums like Alien ,City, and The New Black did.

Climb Thar Hill · August 28th, 2008, 04:59 AM

wtf

edit - and you really can go wrong with Devin/SYL albums. Post City and SYL goes rapidly down the drain, same deal with his solo stuff. Post AE and stuff goes down hill.

Chromatose · August 28th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Cooked on Phonics

Agalloch · August 28th, 2008, 11:29 AM

All Devin is worth checking out. I absolutely love Infinity and Terria. My two favorites. Ocean Machine is a close 3rd, and I also really like Ziltoid for some strange reason. Synchestra is the worst but all are worth checking out.

Reign in Acai · August 28th, 2008, 04:33 PM

Meh.

SYL is cool live, but that's as far as my love extends.

Dick Sirloin · August 29th, 2008, 12:07 AM

1. Terria
2. Ocean Machine
3. Ziltoid

J. · October 9th, 2009, 01:01 AM

anyone ever check out Ki? he's got another one coming out next month.

Plastic Nathrakh · October 9th, 2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.

anyone ever check out Ki? he's got another one coming out next month.

Ki's a grower. I disliked it alot at first side for a couple of songs, but after a while I guess it's ok. I can't wait for the next one. Devin Townsend is my favorite musician, and what's up with all the Synchestra hate in here? My second fav definitely.

Dick Sirloin · October 9th, 2009, 02:31 AM

Ki kinda sucks, but it does have some quality tracks such as "Coast" and "Winter." 6/10

Carabeu · October 9th, 2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct_thrash

Yeah go with Ocean Machine. Then Infinity. Then Accelerated Evolution. Then Physicist. Then Synchestra. Then Ziltoid. You could skip Synchestra and go directly to Ziltoid.

Tried to listen to Synchestra again the other day and well, eh. I am putting "Vampolka" and "Vampira" on my Halloween party soundtrack though haha.

Should mention that the Christine EP is worth having as well, because "Sit In The Mountain" is just about the best song ever.

En Vind Av Sorg · October 9th, 2009, 09:13 AM

You people are on crack. Synchestra has amazing songs on it. Mental Tan, Gaia, Pixillate, Judgement....talk about a series of perfect tracks. Basically take out tracks 4-6 and every other track is amazing. I'd still put it behind Ocean Machine, Terria and Infinity (maybe this one) though, but that's not saying much. Ziltoid is pretty lame lame. AE and Physicist are good, but I never find myself reaching for them when in the mood for Devin Townsend.

Climb Thar Hill · October 9th, 2009, 09:55 AM

Listen to everything up to Accelerated Evolution. Then consider yourself done.

En Vind Av Sorg · October 9th, 2009, 10:12 AM

Addicted sounds like it will be pretty cool. And you'd be doing yourself a disservice skipping Synchestra. Also, you probably want to avoid Devlab and Hummer- long, drawn out ambient material.

WhiteBeastofWotan · October 9th, 2009, 10:13 AM

I'm super looking forward to Addicted.

Dick Sirloin · October 9th, 2009, 01:58 PM

People who don't like Ziltoid are probably the ones who choose to watch Modern Marvels instead of re-runs of Rocko's Modern Life. It's pretty much my third favorite.

I've never really understood the love for Infinity. Like most of his projects it's laughably over-produced, but jeebus.

Synchestra and AE I listened to for about a week when they came out, but pretty much forgot about after that. Though I think AE made my official top 10 Royal Carnage list of 2003, back when such a thing existed. Terrible.

Though I don't listen to Ocean Machine or Terria much anymore, they were definitely bigtime for me back in the day and will always have a "special place" in my heart, somewhere between the left ventricle and the wide gaping hole that was left from the first time I heard Physicist.

J. · October 9th, 2009, 07:47 PM

Ziltoid had a few good songs, but waaaaayyy too much narrating. leave that to bal sagoth.

Terria and Ocean Machine are irrefutable classics. I enjoy AE and Physicist. I agree about Infinity. Some goods songs, though. I didn't like Synchestra, but I really think I wasn't in the mood for Hevy Devy at the time.

I probably need to hear City again.

Dick Sirloin · October 9th, 2009, 07:51 PM

City is easily the third best Townsend-related work f'sho

"Hyperdrive" = top 3 of his best songs. isnt' there a new version of it on the new one sung by a chick?

J. · October 11th, 2009, 12:25 PM

are the ass-sordid demos worth grabbing?

Chromatose · October 11th, 2009, 12:49 PM

The first one is really good.

The second one is terrible, don't bother. It's so bad the CD even comes with a warning sticker on the front telling you how terrible it is.

August 27th, 2008, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Krilons Resa High Infidelity Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shadynasty's Posts: 27,640	Devin Townsend Okay, I have owned Terria for forever now and absolutely love it. Sadly though, it;s the only album I have ever checked out from him, besides SYL's City. I am thinking of getting Infinity or Ocean Machine - Biomech. Can I get some discussion por favor? I still say to this day that that mid part on Deep Peace is one of the greatest pieces of music EVER written. Simply mind-blowingly beautiful. __________________ *With mind distracted, never thinking death is coming... To slave away on the pointless business of mundane life, and then to come out empty is a tragic error..*

August 27th, 2008, 06:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
J. Old Fart Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Woodlands Posts: 22,714	If Terria blows you away, Ocean Machine - Biomech is a must. Very much in the same vein. Monstrous riffs with a very earthy mood, and reflective moments as well. Infinity is probably his most "quirky", to use your word, with an almost free form feel to it. It's not my favorite, but I do enjoy it. Ziltoid is just stupid fun. Not essential, but it does have some great moments. Synchestra, I'm sorry to say, is his worst. Very boring. Accelerated Evolution is another good one. Take the Terria feel, but just make the songs more basic. In short, stick with Terria, Ocean Machine, Infinity, and AE. __________________

August 27th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Carabeu Part Two Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tejas Posts: 23,567	Yeah go with Ocean Machine. Then Infinity. Then Accelerated Evolution. Then Physicist. Then Synchestra. Then Ziltoid. You could skip Synchestra and go directly to Ziltoid. __________________ Originally Posted by lizard: "...but if toilets were actually jack in the boxes, a clown would be thrust violently upward into your colon."

August 27th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
J. Old Fart Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Woodlands Posts: 22,714	forgot Physicist. That's the heaviest of them all, sorta SYL-lite, but better. I really enjoy that one. __________________

August 27th, 2008, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Climb Thar Hill not family oriented Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tomb of the Giants Posts: 2,853	Terria and Ocean Machine are the greatest pieces of music this guy has created. So go with Ocean Machine. Infinity and Accelerated Evolution come after Do not even bother with Synchestra...I myself never bothered to check out Ziltoid though __________________ Holy Jesus! What are these god damn animals!?

August 27th, 2008, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Carabeu Part Two Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tejas Posts: 23,567	Ziltoid is an entertaining listen. __________________ Originally Posted by lizard: "...but if toilets were actually jack in the boxes, a clown would be thrust violently upward into your colon."

August 28th, 2008, 04:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
TomAwesome I LIKE JUICE! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 985	I say get Ocean Machine and Accelerated Evolution and go from there, though you really can't go wrong with any Devin Townsend or Strapping Young Lad album. The possible exception might be Ziltoid. It's a very fun and humorous album that really does merit giving a full listen, but it didn't stick with me the way that most DT albums or SYL albums like Alien ,City, and The New Black did. __________________ \m/

August 28th, 2008, 04:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
Climb Thar Hill not family oriented Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tomb of the Giants Posts: 2,853	wtf edit - and you really can go wrong with Devin/SYL albums. Post City and SYL goes rapidly down the drain, same deal with his solo stuff. Post AE and stuff goes down hill. __________________ Holy Jesus! What are these god damn animals!?

August 28th, 2008, 07:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Chromatose tofurky warlock Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 20,888	Cooked on Phonics

August 28th, 2008, 11:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
Agalloch The Purest of Doom Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: AZ Posts: 1,017	All Devin is worth checking out. I absolutely love Infinity and Terria. My two favorites. Ocean Machine is a close 3rd, and I also really like Ziltoid for some strange reason. Synchestra is the worst but all are worth checking out.

August 28th, 2008, 04:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Reign in Acai Gnats before thy gums Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kneel Before the Altar of Ali Posts: 16,807	Meh. SYL is cool live, but that's as far as my love extends. __________________ A star has risen on northern skies And on that star we'll be crucified

August 29th, 2008, 12:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dick Sirloin please... stay safe Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6,610	1. Terria 2. Ocean Machine 3. Ziltoid

October 9th, 2009, 01:01 AM	#13 (permalink)
J. Old Fart Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Woodlands Posts: 22,714	anyone ever check out Ki? he's got another one coming out next month. __________________

October 9th, 2009, 09:13 AM	#17 (permalink)
En Vind Av Sorg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 6,082	You people are on crack. Synchestra has amazing songs on it. Mental Tan, Gaia, Pixillate, Judgement....talk about a series of perfect tracks. Basically take out tracks 4-6 and every other track is amazing. I'd still put it behind Ocean Machine, Terria and Infinity (maybe this one) though, but that's not saying much. Ziltoid is pretty lame lame. AE and Physicist are good, but I never find myself reaching for them when in the mood for Devin Townsend. __________________

October 9th, 2009, 09:55 AM	#18 (permalink)
Climb Thar Hill not family oriented Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tomb of the Giants Posts: 2,853	Listen to everything up to Accelerated Evolution. Then consider yourself done. __________________ Holy Jesus! What are these god damn animals!?

October 9th, 2009, 10:12 AM	#19 (permalink)
En Vind Av Sorg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Washington D.C. Posts: 6,082	Addicted sounds like it will be pretty cool. And you'd be doing yourself a disservice skipping Synchestra. Also, you probably want to avoid Devlab and Hummer- long, drawn out ambient material. __________________

October 9th, 2009, 10:13 AM	#20 (permalink)
WhiteBeastofWotan Apostitutes! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 30,819	I'm super looking forward to Addicted. __________________

October 9th, 2009, 07:47 PM	#22 (permalink)
J. Old Fart Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Woodlands Posts: 22,714	Ziltoid had a few good songs, but waaaaayyy too much narrating. leave that to bal sagoth. Terria and Ocean Machine are irrefutable classics. I enjoy AE and Physicist. I agree about Infinity. Some goods songs, though. I didn't like Synchestra, but I really think I wasn't in the mood for Hevy Devy at the time. I probably need to hear City again. __________________ Last edited by J. : October 9th, 2009 at 07:54 PM.

October 11th, 2009, 12:25 PM	#24 (permalink)
J. Old Fart Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Woodlands Posts: 22,714	are the ass-sordid demos worth grabbing? __________________

October 11th, 2009, 12:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
Chromatose tofurky warlock Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 20,888	The first one is really good. The second one is terrible, don't bother. It's so bad the CD even comes with a warning sticker on the front telling you how terrible it is.