It does feel familiar but I don't think that's really a bad thing... the only time bands go through drastic changes in their sound 10 years into their career is generally from a line-up change or the like.

http://www.metalreview.com/3654/Devin-Townsend-Ziltoid-The-Omniscient.aspx

Metalreview.com's Review

Production: 5/6
Songwriting: 3/6
Musicianship: 4.5/6

[djskrimp]

http://www.metalreview.com/3654/Devin-Townsend-Ziltoid-The-Omniscient.aspx

Metalreview.com's Review

Production: 5/6
Songwriting: 3/6
Musicianship: 4.5/6

Crappy review. Not because the opinion is less than stellar, but because the rationale behind it show complete and utter lack of understanding. Sometimes, you can't just digest an album in one sitting and then review the damned thing. (Hell, if you really want to review music, you can't listen to it 5 times and give a good review, sometimes.)

My response:
Opinions are based on personal experiences and how those experiences affect the person experiencing them. Some are more informed than others, but in the end, it's all opinion. My opinion is vastly different than the one stated in the review. Whereas the reviewer felt that the album was the least focused and cohesive, I think the album is probably the most focused album, barring Terria, from Devin Townsend. My ears were able to hear the subtle cohesive lines that held the entire album together. Each passage segued quite intuitively from one to the next, and it all served to enhance the entire album. Given that this is NOT merely a "space opera", but as a personal reflection of a man in transition from reluctant "rock star" to father, husband and creative being, to be able to tie ALL of that together and still have an entertaining and logical album is a feat unto itself. Throw in that the music contained serves ONLY the songs, not some archaic idea of whether or not a human could have played the drums or riffs thrown together random. You want random riffs thrown together just for the heck of it? Check out Killswith Engage. You want an engaging album that is lightyears beyond what has been put out thus far...check out "Ziltiod the Omniscient".

You don't like the album? Fine. But review it based on something approaching sense and truth, not some reactionary diabtribe that shows that you really didn't listen to the thing.

I definitely disagree with that review. imo Ziltoid is Devin's most focused and varied album song-wise as far as his "epic" albums go (although it's kind of in between his 40 minute albums and his 60+ minute albums song wise... so I dunno which category it should go in!!!)

Ocean Machine, Terria and Synchestra have much more "fat" than it... not to mention being 15 minutes longer (nothing against them. I'm all about fat in music. I love the interludes in The Mars Volta's Frances the Mute and can sit hypnotized by Reverend Bizarre playing the same riff for 15 minutes straight).

Also I don't get how anyone who has enjoyed any of Devin's previous work can actually listen to Color Your World and The Greys without thinking that the two make a spectacular album ending.

Oh well.

About the MetalReviews review..

Well, there are different kinds of Devin fans, as there are lots of different styles Devin makes music in.
When it comes to a guy who makes a dozen albums of which the musical style varies from polka to extreme metal, you can't expect every fan to be able to get it all, can you?

Ziltoid is BIG, the story with the dialogues is badass, not to mention the badass songs, but I'm still waiting for something as multi-dimensional, humongous and colorful as Synchestra. It was awesome how layered every song was, you could hear roosters in the background etc. Perhaps it was just the happy, euphoric feel to the album that I fell in love with.
But he couldn't make two Synchestras. As part of the Devin discography, Ziltoid is magnificent as it is so different from Dev's previous work. Especially because it's a concept.

The only thing that dissapointed me about this album was the fact that there was no ambient track. I remember a dev post where he stated that there was going to be some devlab/hummer bits. All in all, the album seems like it is too short and I think an ambient track would have fitted quite nicely between N9 and Planet Smasher. It is by no means a bad album though.

\

Ziltoid is BIG, the story with the dialogues is badass, not to mention the badass songs, but I'm still waiting for something as multi-dimensional, humongous and colorful as Synchestra. It was awesome how layered every song was, you could hear roosters in the background etc.

There's a lot of layering stuff in Ziltoid too :O

I stumbled upon a review in Sweden Rock Magazine and will make some quick translation of what it said :

Space creature Ziltoid the Omniscient comes down to earth with his space fleet and demands to get a cup of the best coffee human kind has to offer. Strong, black hot and full of taste. When the humans fail to satisfy the intergalactic traveller he makes up his mind to blow the poor planet and its inhabitants to pieces. They do hide the perfect bean for him after all. This is the introduction to Devind Townsends first solo record since SYL has been put to rest. As usual, the lunatic with the beautiful hair/fairhaired lunatic has tried to tie himself in a knot in his hunt for the perfect weirdness. And he succeeds to the point where it gets really entertaining. We're dragged along on a speedfilled journey with laser guns, light speed engines, crazy monologues about world domination (and coffee) as well as crazy choirs, wrapped in a comical space opera whose kitschiness makes Doctor Who appear as the ultimate in tastefull modernity.

As usual in Townsends case it is hard to find a central point/theme/goal since SYL's focussed material and chaotic playing is missed, except the obvious goal to create quality comedy. And sure, funny it is, just as it is well made, witty and different. Instead the flaws become apparent when it's time to find a track that stands firmly on its own without a hippie space saga.

5/10

My apologies if there are some weird English sentences since this is a very quick translation. Plus the fact that I couldn't literally translate stuff like "since SYL has been put in the moth protection bag", hehe So I had to find something close to it in the translation.

Anyway, kind of a ridiculous review. As usual they don't get the fact that the songs shouldn't really be "on their own". It is an "opera" after all. And I don't like the type of personal crap some reviewers write. You know, about the hair etc. I don't really think it's professional when they make sarcastic remarks about people's looks etc when they don't like a record.

[djskrimp]

My apologies if there are some weird English sentences since this is a very quick translation. Plus the fact that I couldn't literally translate stuff like "since SYL has been put in the moth protection bag", hehe So I had to find something close to it in the translation.

In America, we have a similar saying. When we put something away for a long time, we say we it has been "mothballed".

Ah, I had no idea. Well, I guess/hope the review from that magazine is kind of readable at least

Allmusic.com finally posted a review of Ziltoid on their website.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gvfqxzy5ldte

4/5 stars