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Review Summary: One album to rule them all, and in the Devin-ness bind them. Behold! Air to breathe amidst these shiny, invitingly breezy bops. Huge, orchestral, deafening sci-fi metal numbers are lesser than some albums. There lies the charm, the fat is cut somewhat. Grounded to Earth for this release, shades of Epicloud occur, but only so much as a light dressing. Today’s Devin involves a floaty soundscape - dare I say - reminiscent of dream pop, while fervently exploring balmy choruses and typical synth wonkiness. It’s still Devin, but less obnoxious. Alien soundscapes are around, but greatly reduced. His trademark growl singing also shows up for flirts and accenting, but not in a startling way. It’s dramatic metal as usual, but much more radio ready.
The bluster is down, but Devin wears the crown. Riffs may be simple and pale in comparison to Empath, Ziltoid, and Deconstruction, but let’s not compare this release to those. Lightwork is a Heavenly ride through the clouds, a completely distinct entity. This is the kind of Devin album you could show to your grandchildren without having them make fun of your taste in music. When those soothing vocals slide in Equinox you may even think of the band Beach House. On the other hand, the entire album reminded me of the band Genesis. Whatever group you’re reminded of just know it’s thanks to Devin’s creativity in melody work. It’s chilling, mysterious, cinematic, everything you want from the metal mastermind. Come get some.
| other reviews of this album |
Dizchu (4)
An attempt to find order in a time of chaos...
TheCrow (2.5)
After three years of waiting and a couple of experimental albums in between, Devin Townsend returns ...
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Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off
This album is leaps and bounds above anything on Empath. Heartbreaker and Dimensions are my least favorites, but everything else here is really good! Best thing he's done since Casualties honestly.
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I like this a lot so far. I saw someone call it beach metal earlier and I’ve been looking for more beach vibes in music for a long time, so this has been nice
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I do dig what I’m hearing. Devin’s ADD is reigned in here which I like. Solid stuff.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
It’s about time he had some outsider ears come in because whilst the songs might not be the best, this album is easily be best sounding one. Everything is crisp and clean and whilst I love him, some of Devin’s albums can be an exhausting listen production wise.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
good album
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^ where’d that come from?! I didn’t know there was a deluxe 😱😱😱
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Disc 1 is Lightwork, disc 2 is Nightwork, a companion album that features the more eccentric songs, I suppose. 7 songs across both LPs were demos he released back at the start of quarantine era via YouTube. Happy they’ve found a home. Sober is too damn beautiful. Love both discs very much.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
This is really lovely, Its not chaotic or insane its just lovely.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I am a mich bigger fan of the production here instead of e.g. Deconstruction where there are millions of tracks and not a single one hits hard
A lovely record indeed. I predict a 3.5 to 4.0
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Equinox and Dimensions are my faves. nice review, pos
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@Veldin
Thanks for the info!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Great review! Haven't listened to any Devin Townsend outside of SYL, Deadhead (live version) and Kingdom so I need to actually listen to one of his solo projects in full (I did listen to Ziltoid a few years ago once but I remember nothing about it outside the concept). Excited to give this a listen.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
"Reigned in" is a good way to put this album. Just great, solid Devy songwriting. A couple curveballs in there like Heartbreaker and Heavy Burden keep things interesting and proggy. More focused and inspired overall - I think I prefer this to Empath as well.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I thought Heartbreaker was about 21 different ideas in search of a song.
And Children of God just kind of felt flat as the epic final track the first time through.
The record has a really strong first half though. Maybe Devin's best stretch of songs in the past five years.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Last two tracks are great but the rest did very little for me. The production is way too polished in my opinion. It will probably grown on me though.
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I think I'd like this more if he dialed back the zany-ness a bit. Too many random sounds/ideas that don't quite work, and even when they do work, there's too many of them barraged at you.
Don't get me wrong, it's still good, definitely has its high points, and I'm still a devy fanboy. But if you look at an album like Transcendence which, while also good, was probably his safest album, and then this album.. my ideal would be probably right in the middle.
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