Devin Townsend Infinity Rar
Sep 7, 2016 - Devin Townsend - Vocals, Guitar, Synths and Ambience. By opener 'Truth', a reworking of the same track that opened 1998's Infinity.
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I'm sure this has been done on this subreddit before, but with the release of Z2 and Casualties having occurred this year, as well as it being more than a month after the release of Z2 (thus giving us time to digest it), I'd like to hear what YOUR favorites and not-favorites are of Devin's discography. I'll begin. These are ranked from WORST to BEST.
23-15
Strapping Young Lad (self-titled): A rather boring and uninspired release from one the most brilliant minds in music today. This was easily the lowest point in his discography for me.
Punky Bruster: A fun album, but that's about it. The humor is there, but Devin writing punk music just doesn't seem right.
Physicist: A decent album ruined by horrible production. At least fans got what would be the instant classic 'Kingdom' from this release. Not much else to write home about, though.
Devlab: While I'm not a fan of noise/ambient/whateveryouwanttocallthis music, I can understand why some appreciate it. That being said, this album, even as a piece of art, is not great. It was an underwhelming album from an overwhelming artist. The Hummer was a fantastic improvement.
Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing: A decent album that was marred by subpar production. Still relevant for what it started: Strapping Young Lad itself.
Accelerated Evolution: This may be seen as an unpopular opinion, but accelerated Evolution did absolutely nothing for me. While the production and some of the song structures are solid; this album is weak in the variety department. Each song feels as if it meshes into the next; and not in a good way.
The Hummer: An improvement over the abysmal Devlab. This record was much more interesting and thoughtful, although it did not grab me as much as the rest of the albums that are forthcoming.
Terria: What a nice, fun album! Although I do not return to it often, it really paints a beautiful picture and some of the songs are really good, too.
Alien: A good release that is marred with filler. The good songs are good (Love, Shitstorm, Thalamus, etc.), while the bad detract.
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14-11
Ki: This album is fantastic, but cannot hold a candle to anything that follows it on this list. Breathtaking at some points; breathless at others.
Addicted: There is not a bad song on this album. That being said; it doesn't capture the grandeur and scope of some of Devin's other projects.
Ghost: A thought-provoking, rest inducing record that fills me with joy every time I hear it, even if it may seem a little long winded at over 70 minutes.
Z2: I think number 11 is a great place for Z2 to be featured. It grabs your attention, focuses your ears, and sends you on a musical journey like none that you've heard before. And that's about it. It's right on the cusp of being in the top 10. While it should be considered a culmination of his work over the past five years, we cannot sugar coat the album as being perfect. But, if we can get over the excruciating 3-4 listens to get into and understand the album, it really is something special.
TOP 10 (AKA where the going gets tough)
Infinity: This album contains the best 'songs' Devin has written, and that's why it breaks the top 10. If I could give one critique: it lacks the scope and proggy-nature of some of his best records.
Synchestra: One of the best Devin Townsend records. It flows incredibly well (the first three songs are high up on the 'best of' Devin list). It seems to lose some steam further on, though.
Ziltoid and Omnisicent: This record would be much higher on this list if it wasn't so unfortunately marred by awkward production. An incredible, bold, funny, and well-paced record that brings together the SYL aspects of Devin's personality with his proggy/songwriter aspects.
The New Black: This record is incredible. Incredibly heavy. Incredibly catchy. Incredibly funny. Incredibly consistent. There is not a bad song on this bad boy. A great way to end SYL.
Sky Blue: One of the most focused, well written, and surprisingly somber records Devin has ever released. When you get past the first two listens, you realize the majesty that this record presents. Songs like Universal Flame and Before We Die bring a man-tear to my eye. The only hiccup is Rain City, which overstays it's welcome a bit.
TOP 5 (The masterpieces)
Casualties of Cool: This album is my personal Album of the Year. Every song makes me emotional. Every song is majestic. Devin's performance is beautiful, so is Che's. It was released during a time where I was experiencing intense insomnia, and it helped me to fall asleep. The effects of Devin's music are not just on the mind, but also on the physical body. What a record.
Deconstruction: Easily Devin's most 'out-there' release. This album is a masterpiece of heavy, disjointed and bizarre music. It is not for everyone, and requires quite a few listens to understand, appreciate, and fall in love with. But fall in love with I did. It's one of his best records.
Ocean Machine: Dude, this record is so perfect. Every song is brilliant. Every song inflects a different emotion. The production could be better, but that will not take away from it's masterpiece status. I don't have much to say about this album; just listen to it.
City: What can be said about the heaviest album ever that has not already been said? It's a masterpiece. A masterpiece.
Epicloud: I had a difficult time choosing between these last five albums, but Epicloud took the cake at number one. This album is Devin's most complete, finalized, and epic record. It's not just a masterpiece in scope, but it is also a masterpiece in pacing. I've never listened to an album that flowed more perfectly than Epicloud. The lyrics present a reality that many metal musicians seek to avoid and putting a 'happy' spin on metal has never worked better. A positive record, a brilliant record, and a record that came at the right point in his career. Epicloud is not only Devin's most complete in theme and pacing, but contains the most complete production and song structures out of ANY of his releases.
So there you have it. There's my top 23. What's yours?
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