Track Listing
1. Olives 2. Mountain 3. Earth day 4. Deep peace 5. Canada 6. Down and under 7. The fluke 8. Nobody's here 9. Tiny tears 10. Stagnant Year: 2001 Label: Inside Out - Official Site |
Devin Townsend - 'Terria' - By M. Freeman
From the downright strange intro, to the equally abnormal outro, this album takes you on a journey like no other. If experimental, yet extremely well polished music is what you're looking for, then I suggest you read on. 'Olive' is the afore-mentioned strange intro which more or less invites the listener into the record itself, to make yourself comfortable, and prepare to be taken into the rollercoaster ride that is 'Terria'. The first track proper, 'Mountain', has many a different sound waiting to flood through each and every bodily synapse. This track sums up nicely a common occurrence of the album, music that is heavy, yet not in an un-accessable way, it's more of a pleasant sound that branches out with each listen. 'Earth Day' is the longest piece from the disc, weighing in at over nine and a half minutes this track is a work of art which fits remarkably well with all that is to follow. Vocals by Townsend are stretched to many points of the spectrum and are accompanied mind-blowingly well with the bass and drumming by Craig McFarland and Gene Hoglan, respectively. This track is probably the pick of the bunch, with lyrical talent visible as always with Townsend's material, it is faultless. With the first listen, 'Deep Peace' was the first track to really reach out to me, with it's gentle melodic sequences combined with dreamy guitar movements fading in and out continuously. Townsend's voice floats calmly like water as each and every sound trickles through the ears of the listener. 'Canada' is a track which everyone should listen to, and should they fail to be drawn in by it's sheer magnitude and majesty, there is simply no acceptable excuse. 'The road, it's home, at least for now, the river's low' is the powerfully in depth beginning to a track which resembles life, gradually budding into something larger, and more beautiful. An almost French feel is present for the sixth track from the album, 'Down And Under' is just about an instrumental track, all but for the choir-sounding vocal chants nearing the end of yet another magical moment in time. Tempo is restored with 'The Fluke' which has all of the ingredients necessary for a great piece, and it fulfils this wish dramatically. The drums are ever-present and Hoglan is already a prominent figure in Townsend's material as far as the sticksman duty goes. This piece may have been kept down to four minutes long as one wonders if the feel is going to be at all blemished, but when the second half of 'The Fluke' breaks through you will remember that Townsend doesn't make faltered music. This track is yet more proof of that, more magic to bless the ears. The point has come now for the album to delve deeper into the emotions, this is one of the most serene pieces available here. 'Nobody's Here' is a perfect example to show off Townsend's vocal versatality, with gentle moods entwined into power-strung surges of energy this is written proof that this album is an essential for any mood one experiences. 'Tiny Tears' maintains the slow and reflective pace that 'Nobody's Here' introduced and again does not disappoint. It is hard to listen and take notice of this particular track whilst not paying complete attention, a requirement which begs for the whole of the album. With Strapping Young Lad, Townsend may have proven his worth as being able to write angry, fast-paced and brutal music, but he has now proven he can visit the other extreme with all-out emotive beauty. The final listed track is the closest this album comes to chart music, 'Stagnant' is catchy, and at around five minutes in length, one of the shorter tracks on the album. The lyrics aren't just carefully suited to the music, but they are also meaningful. Another avenue of vocal expression is visited and churned out remarkably well as is expected of the talented musicians involved. From start to finish, there are no slip-ups or lapses in volume or importance that the album carries with it. Limited edition versions of the record contain a bonus disc with an extra song 'Universal' which is also true quality, commentary from Townsend himself, along with live videos from various Townsend material. If beauty could be placed onto a CD, this would be it. Metal Obsessive Grade: 99% |