Disappointingly Devin
The Arctic Monkey's album maybe the media's most anticipated release, however Devin Townsend's new opus, Synchestra, was the album I was most looking forward to. For those who don't his background, Devin sang on Steve Vai's 1993 album 'Sex and Religion.' Since then he has channelled his aggression into Strapping Young Lad as well as satisfying his more emotive and progressive side through his solo releases. With producing such bands as Lamb of God and Soilwork, you could argue that Dev is one of music's most prolific writers.
Synchestra, his 6th solo album, is the 2nd CD masquerading as 'The Devin Townsend Band, however one look at the credits you realise that it is Devin's band, and he alone will determine its output, and rightly so. Up until now his solo efforts have done little wrong, his first album, Ocean Machine, is this writer's favourite album, Infinity made me smile, Physicist blew me away, Terria is beauty in musical form and The Devin Townsend band album just made me want to sing. Every release has offered something different from the last, with Devin dazzling listeners with, not only sheer brutality, but also progressive bliss, however Synchestra, without being a bad album, offers nothing that Devin fans haven't heard before.
One characteristic of Dev's music is the multi-layered production, the echoed guitars, the warm samples and sweeping keyboards. Synchestra is certainly all these things and sounds magnificent, it is obvious that Devin has painstakingly sat for hours, wearing a pair of headphones, adding a frog croak here and a bird tweet there, making sure that everything is in its rightful place. A commendable achievement but the basic production and overall aura are almost exactly the same as his previous five albums. After several listens I couldn't help wondering if Devin will ever be willing to use a different guitar sound, or perhaps de-clutter his music and opt for a more simpler, drier feel similar in vein to Coheed and Cambria.
It's a slow start, 'Let it Roll' is a pleasant acoustic number which draws the listener in, setting a pensive mood, almost toying with the audience as they wait for the album to kick in. The kick never comes however, the pointless 'Hypergeek' is neither catchy or memorable in any way, 'Triumph' which follows is a half decent song but is far too choppy and is, quite frankly, a little flat. 'Babysong' sounds like it was left over from the Terria sessions, and it's only when the quirky yet unnecessary 'Vampolka' arrives does Synchestra get going. 'Vampira' is one hell of a catchy number and would sit nicely on the Infinity album, but it also suggests that Dev hasn't really spread his wings too much, relying on the formulas of the past albums to see him through this new venture. 'Mental Tan' is just ambience, yet 'Gaia', perhaps the albums highlight, is an upbeat number, which relies on an unoriginal generic guitar riff finding new life in the thick production.
'Pixillate' is another hookless song that just meanders rather than having any specific point. 'Judgement' is another wandering tune that seems to be on the road to nowhere, as is 'A simple Lullaby' which again could be a left over from Terria. After life was injected in the middle of the album by 'Vampira' and 'Gaia,' the plodding nature of the three aforementioned tracks just sends you into a catatonic state. 'Notes from Africa' is a great way to finish the album however, it's upbeat feel and simple melody reminded me of 'Noisy Pink Bubbles,' and the final two minutes of woodland noises was a nice twist.
There is nothing on Synchestra which can't be found on any other his previous solo efforts, perhaps the simple answer is that the ideas on his previous works were just better, catchier even. Those new to the insane world of Devin may find this the most diverse, original, thought-provoking album they've ever heard. It certainly has all of Devin's traits on it and for all of my bashing it has some good moments and I'd rather have a Devin album than not have one, it's just a pity that this disc is, dare I say it, a little dull.