Wow, shit is getting deep in here.

Gave Ki to my bro to listen when he went in for an MRI scan, unfortunately he couldn't hear it too well over the powering of the magnets, and they kept repeating Ki and Quiet Riot! But still, its even reached the hospitals, score!

Wait, you can request music during such examinations? I'll have to remember that for next time...

Well every time he's had one they've let him bring in a CD to put on, just to pass the time a little bit quicker

Holy shit guys, can we jerk Devin off some more? Everyone here has been talking about how I said the production was a bit thin, and how I found the album a bit repetitive, and in 4 pages that turned into me saying the album was shit, and how Devin writes beautiful music and shouldn't listen to criticism.

Allow me to clarify. Again.

I think this is a fucking great album. I still listen to it probably 4-5 times a week, and it hasn't left my CD player since it came in the mail. The main point I wanted to make was that this album has boring stretches, a similar problem that Biomech had, along with Synchestra (I am NOT comparing these albums to Ki, just noting that they suffered from a similar problem). The sound for me, was meh. The end of Ki was great, but the rest of the album didn't have the kind of dynamics I'd expect. ONCE AGAIN, I understand that it is supposed to be like that, it's supposed to be the anger 'bubbling beneath the surface', but I really feel that songs like Disruptr and Coast would have benefited from being a bit more dynamic. Heaven Send was too bloody long, with that repetitive part at the end, and Winter was just straight boring.

Should I come here and stroke Devin's fragile ego, and tell him how beautiful the album is? Or should I come to the "Ki discussion forums", and discuss what I did and did not like about the album. How's this: Ki, Terminal, Lady Helen, and Quiet Riot are all some of my favorite Townsend songs ever. They have melodies that stick in your head for ever, and Devin clearly put a ton of emotion into singing them. The small part in Disruptr where he starts to do a bit louder vocals has an AWESOME groove to it, and the "be a goddamn man BOY" scream/growl gives me fucking shivers every time I hear it.

Now, one note to Devin. Why are you still so insecure about your music? I've read most reviews of most of your albums, and almost every review is glowing. I've heard words like 'genius' thrown around, 'beautiful', 'thought-provoking', 'perfect', etc. etc. You're obviously quite humble not to turn into a self-obsessed dick after all this praise, but shit man. Have some self confidence in yourself and your music. Your music has been a constant for me in the last year or so. Other artists come and go for me, but your music seems to stay timeless. Are you going to pull out masterpieces like Ziltoid, Terria, or City every time? If you did, I think you might be the second coming of Jesus. As is, your discography is one that ANY MUSICIAN IN THE HISTORY OF TIME should be incredibly proud of. I just hate it when you say garbage like "I'm so insecure about my music", when people LOVE your heavy shit, and people LOVE your chill shit. Have some pride dude, you're the best there is these days.

Sure, I'll grab and yank some more:

Great work, Dev. At a time when I'm increasingly disappointed with music generally, this album is bloody beautiful. Early days but I think it might be my favourite of yours already. Thanks, man. Keep 'em comin'!

Holy shit guys, can we jerk Devin off some more? Everyone here has been talking about how I said the production was a bit thin, and how I found the album a bit repetitive, and in 4 pages that turned into me saying the album was shit, and how Devin writes beautiful music and shouldn't listen to criticism.

Allow me to clarify. Again.

I think this is a fucking great album. I still listen to it probably 4-5 times a week, and it hasn't left my CD player since it came in the mail. The main point I wanted to make was that this album has boring stretches, a similar problem that Biomech had, along with Synchestra (I am NOT comparing these albums to Ki, just noting that they suffered from a similar problem). The sound for me, was meh. The end of Ki was great, but the rest of the album didn't have the kind of dynamics I'd expect. ONCE AGAIN, I understand that it is supposed to be like that, it's supposed to be the anger 'bubbling beneath the surface', but I really feel that songs like Disruptr and Coast would have benefited from being a bit more dynamic. Heaven Send was too bloody long, with that repetitive part at the end, and Winter was just straight boring.

Should I come here and stroke Devin's fragile ego, and tell him how beautiful the album is? Or should I come to the "Ki discussion forums", and discuss what I did and did not like about the album. How's this: Ki, Terminal, Lady Helen, and Quiet Riot are all some of my favorite Townsend songs ever. They have melodies that stick in your head for ever, and Devin clearly put a ton of emotion into singing them. The small part in Disruptr where he starts to do a bit louder vocals has an AWESOME groove to it, and the "be a goddamn man BOY" scream/growl gives me fucking shivers every time I hear it.

Now, one note to Devin. Why are you still so insecure about your music? I've read most reviews of most of your albums, and almost every review is glowing. I've heard words like 'genius' thrown around, 'beautiful', 'thought-provoking', 'perfect', etc. etc. You're obviously quite humble not to turn into a self-obsessed dick after all this praise, but shit man. Have some self confidence in yourself and your music. Your music has been a constant for me in the last year or so. Other artists come and go for me, but your music seems to stay timeless. Are you going to pull out masterpieces like Ziltoid, Terria, or City every time? If you did, I think you might be the second coming of Jesus. As is, your discography is one that ANY MUSICIAN IN THE HISTORY OF TIME should be incredibly proud of. I just hate it when you say garbage like "I'm so insecure about my music", when people LOVE your heavy shit, and people LOVE your chill shit. Have some pride dude, you're the best there is these days.

I gotta say...I can completely get behind what you are saying...not because I agree with all of it, but because you are being honest. There are things I don't like about SOME of Devin's music, but I dunno. I don't have the balls to say it amongst Dev fans. I often treat Dev's music and word as gospel, and I am still trying to figure out if that is a good or bad thing because the majority of the time it HELPS my life immensely. You are right, this is a discussion....praise should be welcome, but not at the expense of personal opinion.

As far as Dev being insecure about his music, I can totally relate to him because I am a musician. However, there are no reviews or press for my stuff so I can't say I relate on that level. Expectations suck....If I made masterpieces like some of the albums stated above, I too would worry about living up to them. You are right though, Dev shouldn't beat himself up about ANYTHING.

Dan

Well now, this reminds me of the ancient saying:
"Being on the internet and having a child are the same, everybody can do it - but far from everyone should have the privilege"

Holy shit guys, can we jerk Devin off some more? Everyone here has been talking about how I said the production was a bit thin, and how I found the album a bit repetitive, and in 4 pages that turned into me saying the album was shit, and how Devin writes beautiful music and shouldn't listen to criticism.

Don't generalize so much.

Otherwise good post. I'm surprised about Devin's "insecureness" too, but that being said I am very insecure person myself, so I guess I can understand.

Why are you still so insecure about your music?

Because it's his music. Don't forget what he puts into his work, himself. If you were to put all of your feelings and emotions right out for other people to see wouldn't you feel a bit insecure? Even though he's been making music for years he's still being completely honest, and being honest isn't always an easy thing to be when you're baring your soul for everyone to see, warts and all.

Well, that's how I see it at least

It's a totally solid release, 'nuff said. I'm almost wondering what more could be said about it that hasn't been done already. All i wanna hear about now is about when/if any of the production vids to be released and what comments people have on what they thought of the album, good or bad. I appreciate a few people having the balls to come on here and make a few honest and objective points - even if they're negative.

If I were Devin I'd feel (and i do just reading) somewhat uncomfortable with some of this conversation - about how "good or not good" he is. At the end of the day, its just a down-to-earth dude playing some tunes that make us nod our head, tap our foot and immerse ourselves in a moment - don't fool yourselves that its anything else. I think people are getting very emotionally embroiled in this and its not healthy.

[The Dev]

Yup, in lots of ways you're right. 1) It isn't healthy, 2) I need to edit some thoughts before making them public.

All good, I'm confident, multiple thoughts on the web break some of that confidence down, but ultimately it comes down to feeling sorry for myself.

...back to work!

Yeehaw!

It's a totally solid release, 'nuff said. I'm almost wondering what more could be said about it that hasn't been done already. All i wanna hear about now is about when/if any of the production vids to be released and what comments people have on what they thought of the album, good or bad. I appreciate a few people having the balls to come on here and make a few honest and objective points - even if they're negative.

If I were Devin I'd feel (and i do just reading) somewhat uncomfortable with some of this conversation - about how "good or not good" he is. At the end of the day, its just a down-to-earth dude playing some tunes that make us nod our head, tap our foot and immerse ourselves in a moment - don't fool yourselves that its anything else. I think people are getting very emotionally embroiled in this and its not healthy.

Agreed, take from Devy's music what you will, I pretty much find his whole back catalogue beautifully entrancing and it truly mellows me out when I listen to his material, Ki has been fully chilling me out and I think thats an awesome thing. At the same time I can fully understand that people will have mixed feelings with this album compared to others, personally I think Dev had cojones of steel for doing something out of the norm of Devin Townsend 'the mad man' that people are used to.

At the end of the day, like its been said before, I feel hes just a dude with a guitar that knows enough in his respective areas of playing the guitar/production to get by and make his ideas a lush reality. Nothing more, nothing less imo. Just wanted to take this moment to say Ki has had a huge positive impact on me and I believe it to be a solid release also. I don't think anyone should overanalyse or get too obsessive because like Neveah said it could become unhealthy. But meh, each to their own and all that jazz, cheers Devin!

Is insecurity really so bad if it drives and motivates you to better your work?

I've been listening to this every night in bed since I got the signed album. I don't know what to say.

I never thought a 'reserved' Devy could be as powerful as he is, but he is. The songs literally bring me butterflies, they're that powerful. This is just as good as the best stuff Dev's ever done. It seems like a big exercise in self-control for Dev, but he pulled it off amazingly well. I'm so glad he did this album.

When Dev starts singing with that amazing operatic voice at the end of Ki, it's like the world reveals to me what music is really all about. I can't get over that ending. I have no words.

Dev, you're a legend, keep doing what you do. Nobody does it better.

We are all just very passionate, emotionally driven people aren't we?

The more I see Dev's posts on here and on Twitter, and read interviews and such....the more I am losing the rabid overly dramatic fanboy thing. I think this realization is a good thing, and you are right Nevaeh...it is indeed unhealthy. I wigged out with happiness the first time I ever got a response from him I will admit. Now his thoughts just let me know he is just another person, like me, making music and trying to share it with people who are willing to listen. The Twitter posts are cool because now I realize he is a normal human who eats breakfast, works, has pets and sometimes stresses out.

I remember back in the mid-late '90s how enigmatic Dev was to me.....like he wasn't real, and totally otherworldly. Granted that was back in the internet stone ages...I had no way to feel connected, and I think that is what most of us want here.

Dan

I think everyone needs a good cup of tea, (or other beverage of choice.) and to chill, haha.

I come to my proper conclusion on Ki... It's the intro to the four albums he's to release hopefully within this year, that lets us know hes alive and kicking.

We are all just very passionate, emotionally driven people aren't we?

The more I see Dev's posts on here and on Twitter, and read interviews and such....the more I am losing the rabid overly dramatic fanboy thing. I think this realization is a good thing, and you are right Nevaeh...it is indeed unhealthy. I wigged out with happiness the first time I ever got a response from him I will admit. Now his thoughts just let me know he is just another person, like me, making music and trying to share it with people who are willing to listen. The Twitter posts are cool because now I realize he is a normal human who eats breakfast, works, has pets and sometimes stresses out.

I remember back in the mid-late '90s how enigmatic Dev was to me.....like he wasn't real, and totally otherworldly. Granted that was back in the internet stone ages...I had no way to feel connected, and I think that is what most of us want here.

Dan

I used to feel like that, the first time i met Dev was just after Terria came out and he was playing with the Wildhearts in the UK and i was acting like he was some sort of God im sure he was like "dude, calm down" i know now he hated people acting like that, he's just a normal guy and just wants to be treated like a normal guy... i can see how some internet coverage might make you feel less than confident though.