Artist: The Devin Townsend Project
Album: Addicted!
Genre: Industrial, Metal, Rock, Pop
Vocal Style: Distorted, Clean, Melodic, Male and Female.
Label: Inside Out Music, 11/17/09
Parental Advisory: Yes
Recommended if You Like: Strapping Young Lad, The Gathering, Nine Inch Nails, Hard Rock
The Devin Townsend Project - Addicted!
It’s probably fair to say I’m a Devin Townsend fan boy, from his work as the main man in Strapping Young Lad to his production work with bands like Stuck Mojo and his guitar playing on a couple of Front Line Assembly records. I’ve pretty much dug everything he’s done. Devin is working on a new project here, he is writing four albums under the moniker The Devin Townsend Project. Each album has a different feel, a different theme and different musicians hand picked by Devin in the studio. The first in the series was Ki. I’ve heard it once and I like it, but it’s a lot different than what most people are used to with Devin who predominantly works in the hard rock and metal genres. With Addicted! Devin returns to his roots, and even deeper than that. In his press release Devin says “It is a very direct and ‘to the point’ album with an emphasis on groove and the chorus”, and folks that would be an understatement in my opinion. This album is focused on great songwriting with an ear for the big hook and the catchy melody. Devin enlisted vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen formerly of the band The Gathering to co-handle the vocal duties with Devin. It’s an amazing change up for those of you used to Devin’s \M/etal vocals, in fact Anneke’s beautiful melodies push Devin to work on his own.
The Devin Townsend Project
Not only has Devin shed the dread skullet (look it up and you’ll see what I mean) but he’s also shed the need to pummel the listener into submission and hide his uncanny ability to create a huge melodic hook in the disguise of a metal song. Addicted! is undeniably a pop album, with huge beats, melodic vocals and electronic blips and beeps that keep you engaged and listening to the entire record from beginning to end.
Devin’s work as a producer pays off here again too. His sounds are crisp and infinitely listenable. Even his “wall of sound” production style is enjoyable to listen too. The record has a deep warmth that bubbles just under the surface and according to Devin himself that is what he was going for; “I wanted to make a record that was heavy, without being dark or depressing. When I got into metal it was for the energy behind it, but somewhere along the way that energy started getting really negative. I wanted to make a record that sounds good, has a good beat, and a positive feeling”. Believe me when I tell you this record is exactly what Devin was going for. It’s really quite good and it’s a ton of fun to listen too. With the release of Addicted! I’m now eagerly awaiting what Devin has next in store for me and the other listeners. And do yourself a favor, run out and buy this record today, it’s worth it and quite honestly this album should make Devin a household name.
4.5 out of 5 Stars.
Devin Townsend
The Devin Townsend Project – Addicted! was provided to me courtesy of Inside Out Music.
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