[Blazingmonga]

I have decided to share with you guys a few things I have been thinking about recently. I often think of things and then do nothing about them, so here I go doing something with my thoughts.

Thought No. 1)

Every DT(B) album has a song on it that is very 'immediate', even if the rest of the album takes a few more listens to enjoy. By immediate I guess I mean 'catchy' but I mean it in a completely positive way.

Ocean Machine - Life
Infinity - Christeen
Physicist - Material
Terria - Earth Day (I have always seen this as a 'rock' song, just on steroids)
Synchestra - Vampolka/Vampira

In this respect, AE is unique because there are definately more than one such songs. Perhaps 'Storm' is the most immediate but there are a few other valid candinates (Traveller, Slow Me Down, Sunday Afternoon).

The same is true to some extent with SYL, though in a different, and SYL-ish kind of way.

Thought No. 2)

On the subject of similarities between Alien and Synchestra, I feel that there are few. The one thing that does strike me as similar between these two albums is the production. Every time I hear a 'bass-bomb' in Synchestra, I think of Alien. The level of detail and ambience is also very similar. However, I do not feel that they totally oppose or mirror each other. Alien is cold, brutal and apocalyptic. Synchestra is warm, soothing and reflective, yet the tone of the songs is not so different.

Thought No. 3)

Strapping Young Lad places you on a road before accelerating a bulldozer straight towards you. It hits you smack in the face! And it hurts. The Devin Townsend Band puts on its sandals, hops in the Cadillac with the open top and takes the scenic route to get to you. But they both get to you, and the intensity can be the same.

Thought No. 4)

Where on earth does Devlab come in to all this? We can no longer rationalise these things as polar opposites. When Hummer comes along we will be even more confused. Are you confused? I am.

-Davidmonga

My brain feels better now...

Terria - Earth Day (I have always seen this as a 'rock' song, just on steroids)

Weird, I receive "Earth Day" as rather epic, large, prog-like thing. My pick for instant Terria's hit is "The Fluke".

Thought No. 3)

Strapping Young Lad places you on a road before accelerating a bulldozer straight towards you. It hits you smack in the face! And it hurts. The Devin Townsend Band puts on its sandals, hops in the Cadillac with the open top and takes the scenic route to get to you. But they both get to you, and the intensity can be the same.

Nicely put

[Blazingmonga]

Terria - Earth Day (I have always seen this as a 'rock' song, just on steroids)

Weird, I receive "Earth Day" as rather epic, large, prog-like thing. My pick for instant Terria's hit is "The Fluke".

Well, it is, but I see it as having the format of a rock song. As in having a chorus and various verses and whatnot. Like you could condense it down to 3-4minutes without changing it much. For me, this is kind of what makes the song so cool....that it is a huge, monster of a song. Like a more traditional rock or metal song, but with much bigger balls.

Though I definately agree that "The Fluke" is more catchy, but the format is so bizarre that it takes a bit of getting used to. A much more progressive thing.

I'd pick The Fluke as well, although I can see where Earth Day comes from. But calling Earth Day traditional rock? I'm not sure about that.

[Blazingmonga]

I'd pick The Fluke as well, although I can see where Earth Day comes from. But calling Earth Day traditional rock? I'm not sure about that.

No, thats not what I mean. It is definately metal, but it has this sort of 'pop' or 'rock' structure to it. Does that make sense?

I would have picked The Fluke too, just as the immediate catch song

Thought No. 2)

On the subject of similarities between Alien and Synchestra, I feel that there are few. The one thing that does strike me as similar between these two albums is the production. Every time I hear a 'bass-bomb' in Synchestra, I think of Alien. The level of detail and ambience is also very similar. However, I do not feel that they totally oppose or mirror each other. Alien is cold, brutal and apocalyptic. Synchestra is warm, soothing and reflective, yet the tone of the songs is not so different.

You may be placing too much of an emphasis on the mirroring idea. I don't think it's a "point/counterpoint" kind of thing, except in a few cases like Possessions vs. Babysong ("in a deathmatch to the end!"). I think that Devin sees the two projects as just having different, mostly polar tones to them. I mean, clearly Alien breathes fire and alienation through its nostrils. I'm not sure what you mean by the "tone of the songs is not so different" because I think they are very different. Synchestra has a very organic feel. It reminds me of a person searching for meaning, searching for their place in the world and finding that they are not as important as they had thought, but there is, ultimately, a peace and contentment (Sunshine and Happiness). Alien, though, seems to run in circles, screaming and raging but finding, ultimately, nothing (Infodump).

I'm looking at tone as being the purpose of the artist along with the feeling of the music and lyrics. So, to me, the tone of Synchestra is life-affirming, warm, thoughtful. The tone of Alien is brutal, lost, angry, terrified and terrifying.

Thought No. 4)

Where on earth does Devlab come in to all this? We can no longer rationalise these things as polar opposites. When Hummer comes along we will be even more confused. Are you confused? I am.

I think what you're seeing is that Devin, like many intelligent human beings, has many interests and facets to his personality. One of the things I really like about Devin as an artist is that he makes the music that interesting to him. I'm sure it's cool to have fans and he likes that we like his music and everything. I'm sure he want to sell albums and concert tickets and swag so he can make a living. But, I think that he's doing it by putting out music that he likes and wants to make, which is rare. I think most other artists are trying to make hits

I don't think that Devin is trying to follow a unified plan such that each album he works on (Devlab, SYL, DTB) fits into some grand scheme that will become apparent one day. He's just laying down the music that he wants to hear. Each of the works is of course united by the individual creating them. But, I don't think it's possible to come up with a thematic scheme that encompasses them.

Here's an example. When I was in school, I remember it being said that a film director often spends his career making the same film over and over. I think this is true for many artists. This is because artists tend to explore similar ideas and themes in their works. Devin clearly is doing this. There are very obvious similarities in the themes on Synchestra with Infinity and Terria. But, there are also similar themes on Synchestra with City and Alien as well.

I keep going back to how Devin said that Synchestra is closing a chapter in his life. I think that he's bringing things together on this album and that may be why you are hearing this unification. But, I don't think it can be extended to DevLab and Hummer. In fact, I think those albums are, purposely, seperate. They are free from the "constraints" that his career has placed on his ideas.

[Blazingmonga]

Wow, thanks for the reply Gurp! I'm glad I was able to get some response to these strange thoughts. How to reply to such an extensive post? Shit, who knows. Here I go:

You may be placing too much of an emphasis on the mirroring idea. I don't think it's a "point/counterpoint" kind of thing, except in a few cases like Possessions vs. Babysong ("in a deathmatch to the end!"). I think that Devin sees the two projects as just having different, mostly polar tones to them. I mean, clearly Alien breathes fire and alienation through its nostrils. I'm not sure what you mean by the "tone of the songs is not so different" because I think they are very different. Synchestra has a very organic feel. It reminds me of a person searching for meaning, searching for their place in the world and finding that they are not as important as they had thought, but there is, ultimately, a peace and contentment (Sunshine and Happiness). Alien, though, seems to run in circles, screaming and raging but finding, ultimately, nothing (Infodump).

I'm looking at tone as being the purpose of the artist along with the feeling of the music and lyrics. So, to me, the tone of Synchestra is life-affirming, warm, thoughtful. The tone of Alien is brutal, lost, angry, terrified and terrifying.

I think you are right here. What I was trying to communicate was that I think Devin was right to rename the album from 'Human' to 'Synchestra'. Although a fun thought to have this Alien Vs. Human duality, the music doesn't seem so totally polar to me. Not in an explicit sense anyway. There are progressive and epic elements in Alien, same as there are extreme moments to Synchestra.

So it is more that the two albums are good friends and hold hands, rather than exact opposites that glare at each other from the other side of the room and refuse to co-operate.

When I said "The tone of the songs is not so different" I think I was referring to this 'happy metal' phrase that has been used, and how I dont think that is appropriate. In particular that poor Amazon review that was posted. I disagree because although I do find it to be an uplifting album and with many joyous moments, the tone of the songs is still a little sinister at parts (the end of Babysong, Pixillate). In general though you are right and the two albums are quite different.

I think what you're seeing is that Devin, like many intelligent human beings, has many interests and facets to his personality. One of the things I really like about Devin as an artist is that he makes the music that interesting to him. I'm sure it's cool to have fans and he likes that we like his music and everything. I'm sure he want to sell albums and concert tickets and swag so he can make a living. But, I think that he's doing it by putting out music that he likes and wants to make, which is rare. I think most other artists are trying to make hits

I don't think that Devin is trying to follow a unified plan such that each album he works on (Devlab, SYL, DTB) fits into some grand scheme that will become apparent one day. He's just laying down the music that he wants to hear. Each of the works is of course united by the individual creating them. But, I don't think it's possible to come up with a thematic scheme that encompasses them.

Here's an example. When I was in school, I remember it being said that a film director often spends his career making the same film over and over. I think this is true for many artists. This is because artists tend to explore similar ideas and themes in their works. Devin clearly is doing this. There are very obvious similarities in the themes on Synchestra with Infinity and Terria. But, there are also similar themes on Synchestra with City and Alien as well.

I keep going back to how Devin said that Synchestra is closing a chapter in his life. I think that he's bringing things together on this album and that may be why you are hearing this unification. But, I don't think it can be extended to DevLab and Hummer. In fact, I think those albums are, purposely, seperate. They are free from the "constraints" that his career has placed on his ideas.

Really interesting thoughts, and I totally agree. I am certainly guilty of attempting to find some 'grand scheme' in these situations, at least to give me some idea of where Devin may head in the future or better understand what brought about these pieces of music. Ultimately, it doesnt matter. What matters is that we are here to hear it.

Good stuff, though my brain hurts now.

Earth Day is the immediate catchy song from Terria? Not for me, it wasn't. I hated it the first time I heard it. It took quite a few listenings for it to sink in. I would say Stagnant and Deep Peace are the most instantly likeable songs from Terria.

Great. Now that we agree, I have nothing else to say. That's one way to shut me up. You must be married, Monga, to be so adept at the ways of ending a perfectly good discussion!

As for where Devlab fits in, I think it's a very logical side to Devin's music. To me, I can see a very definate line of progression through Devin's work...things which are constant elements, things which have developed and changed (mostly, I can see how these have developed over time) For example, I think there's definately a more ambient side to synchestra, which through Devlab etc, it's been obvious has become a bigger and bigger part of Devin's interests...

I really need to listen to synchestra after listening to alien, or vice versa, to really make my final judgement on the relationship

[Blazingmonga]

Great. Now that we agree, I have nothing else to say. That's one way to shut me up. You must be married, Monga, to be so adept at the ways of ending a perfectly good discussion!

Haha, it is a skill for sure. If it makes you any happier, I could admit that I don't totally agree...but that your arguments are very sensible.

Maybe I could get angry and we could have a 'bit of a blabbermouth', if you like?

As for the Devlab thing, I think you are right fragility. I think Devin has always used these ambient moments and it is only natural that he take them further. I think it was on the Physicist commentary that he said something along the lines of "I never get credit for the ambient bits"...so hopefully he will get more credit in the future!

Great. Now that we agree, I have nothing else to say. That's one way to shut me up. You must be married, Monga, to be so adept at the ways of ending a perfectly good discussion!

Haha, it is a skill for sure. If it makes you any happier, I could admit that I don't totally agree...but that your arguments are very sensible.

Maybe I could get angry and we could have a 'bit of a blabbermouth', if you like?

As for the Devlab thing, I think you are right fragility. I think Devin has always used these ambient moments and it is only natural that he take them further. I think it was on the Physicist commentary that he said something along the lines of "I never get credit for the ambient bits"...so hopefully he will get more credit in the future!

Nah, Blabbermouthism is retarded.

I thought you might make a further argument for the interconnectedness and Grand Unifying Theory of Hevy Devy. Something like that.

One of the things I love about Synchestra (and all of Dev's albums for that matter) is the ambience that lies beneath the music. I love when the ambience flows to the surface on songs like Triumph and Pixillate, when the music drops away for a moment and you can hear the ambience clearly.

I know Dev said he did DevLab because it was so freeing, but I always wondered a little bit if he didn't make it also in part because he wanted people to hear his ambience more clearly.

[Blazingmonga]

I thought you might make a further argument for the interconnectedness and Grand Unifying Theory of Hevy Devy. Something like that.

One of the things I love about Synchestra (and all of Dev's albums for that matter) is the ambience that lies beneath the music. I love when the ambience flows to the surface on songs like Triumph and Pixillate, when the music drops away for a moment and you can hear the ambience clearly.

I know Dev said he did DevLab because it was so freeing, but I always wondered a little bit if he didn't make it also in part because he wanted people to hear his ambience more clearly.

I like the physics analogy there, quite fitting too. I think I understand what you mean when you talk about making the same film or album your whole life. I think to an extent Devin's music has this quality, or it feels this way when you listen.

I can certainly understand this idea with respect to what I do with drawing. Every drawing I finish is put to the side, and when I start the next one I think "Now, how can I do it better this time?". Some elements are retained and expanded, some are discarded. I suppose the same is true of making music.

I guess at the end of the day we will never know what all this is about. We can only interpret what we are given, and we can only do that in our own special way. Certainly we can see that Devin is using many layers, both sonically and lyrically, in order to create a world of sound (it's bigger than just a wall!) for the listener. I think that world expands beyond each individual album.

It is up to us how we piece that world together and to decide why it exists. Personally, I think it exists because it sounds cool. And it really does, doesn't it?

Interesting thoughts you guys have. I would agree that Synchestra and Alien aren't the total opposties of each other. To me it's more like two different feelings with similarities in some ways. When I listen to them I feel strong and uplifted by both, a feeling of total awesomeness. The difference is that when Infodump ends I need a brake to recover from it. When Sunshine & happiness ends I wanna give the record another spin.