Customer Reviews

Accelerated Evolution

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Accelerated Evolution(2003). Devin Townsend's fifth solo album.

Whenever I looked up different underground modern rock music artists, the name Devin Townsend would come up every now and then. I knew of the name before because he was a key member of the band Strapping Young Lad, but I never actually stopped and paid attention to his work until now. So finally I decided to get acquainted with Devin's music and when I saw Accelerated Evolution sitting in the store, I immediately bought it. This was my first introduction to his work, and upon first listen, I was EXTREMELY impressed and I kicked myself for not discovering his music sooner. If this album is any indication, then DEVIN TOWNSEND IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING UNDERRATED MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME. He handles both the lead guitar and the vocals. And what a voice he has! One minute he is singing very melodically soothing, the next he's belting out some intense shouts and Hetfield-esque growls. When the lead guitar comes into play, he can shred out some outstanding lead solos and does so in a manner which sounds incredible. Of course, Devin isn't the only musician who can play well here. There is also Brian Waddell (rhythm guitars), Dave Young (keyboards), Ryan Vanpoederooyen (drums), and Mike Young (bass guitar) who all play their parts with talent. From what I've heard, most fans consider this album to be heavier, shorter, more accessible, and less progressive than his previous albums. This may be true as I've yet to hear the other albums, but if AE is any indication, the heavier and simpler approach works just fine.

Before I talk about the tracks, I'd like to do something different than usual and list several reasons why Devin Townsend's unrecognized new offering is a MUCH better modern rock album than virtually anything by every popular nu-metal act on the planet that gets overplayed in the U.S.:

1) EXCELLENT, ORIGINAL, HIGH QUALITY SONGWRITING BOTH INSTRUMENTALLY AND LYRICALLY. Unlike nu-metal bands such as Linkin Park, Nickelback, Smile Empty Soul, Staind, and countless others, Devin can actually write memorable songs which do not sound identical from track to track. All of the aformentioned bands cover the issues of hating and dealing with life in the lyrics, but NEVER do any of them offer a solution to the problems. Devin Townsend does address life's pressures and downfalls in a few songs, but other tracks actually invoke picking up the pieces and getting life back on track. In other words, the album has its angry spots but ends up leaving you in a positive mood. VARIETY IS THE KEY. Another reviewer stated that AE is the perfect album for those who are tired of hating life and want to fight back to make it better. I couldn't agree more.

2) STELLAR PRODUCTION. A lot of bands nowadays insist on following a "back-to-basics" trend where the album sounds raw and unpolished on purpose. AE is the opposite. Here you will find amazing full crystal clear, wall-of-sound production the way albums are meant to be produced. It brings out the music in a way which entrances the listener.

3) FOR ONCE, AN ACTUAL GOOD USE OF DETUNED GUITARS. If you notice, the rhythm guitars are all detuned, but unlike nu-metal bands, Devin Townsend does it in a way where the guitars actually sound heavy, adding to the quality of the music, and they never end up as just heavy buzzing distortion.

4) TASTEFUL USAGE OF SCREAMING. Nearly every nu-metal band screams their lungs out in a bad way. Devin, on the other hand, can actually sing well and only resorts to the scream at appropriate points during the songs. plus he never overuses it either, and that's definitely a good thing.

5) GUITAR SOLOS ARE PRESENT. Most modern bands use the excuse "No leads for better quality songs" just so that they can make up for their inability to play leads at all. Devin not only writes high quality songs, but delivers leads in spades. They aren't in every song, which is fine, but they are played much better than just distorted buzz sounds.

The amazing thing is, even though AE improves upon many nu-metal qualities, THIS MUSIC ISN'T IN ANY WAY NU-METAL WHATSOEVER. The album's sound is so accessible that I can actually see it appealing to just about any fan of rock from any genre.

As for the songlist, AE starts out with the intensely heavy and fastpaced 'Depth Charge'. It contains quite a hook, and in having that, draws the listener in the way any opener should. Next is the beautiful, yet heavy balladic rocker 'Storm'. One of the best ballads I've heard in a long time. The upbeat 'Traveller' and powerful 'Random Analysis' are the album's heavier and faster numbers, both of which are excellent. 'Deadhead' brings the pace down and is a pounding lengthy rocker with memorable melodies throughout the song. 'Suicide' is a slow-paced melancholic track. 'Away' is mostly instrumental, with INCREDIBLE solos all over the song. The mood begins to lift with 'Sunday Afternoon' before ending the album on a high note with the extremely catchy masterpiece 'Slow Me Down'.

Overall, I am very pleased with AE. It gets my full five stars. Thanks to AE, I am now a fan and I'll certainly be buying more of Devin's solo albums in the future. To me, a good band can play great music, but it takes an incredible band to do it with such energy, originality, and dynamic edge. This band falls under the latter category. With AE, I've finally found a new rock/heavy metal album with a modern style that contains all the good qualities about songwriting that nu-metal bands lack, while still being accessible enough to draw nearly anyone in. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Other albums which sound like 'Accelerated Evolution':
-'Terria' by Devin Townsend
-'Train Of Thought' by Dream Theater
-'Burn The Sun' by Ark
-'Extension Of The Wish' by Andromeda

Strange as it sounds, that's actually the case; where the man's previous albums might have usually had one or two (or no) major-keyed songs surrounded by an overwhelming dose of depressing gloom, Devin Townsend seems to be in a more peppy mood than normal through his latest project. About half of Accelerated Evolution can only be described as (gasp) upbeat. What's the world coming to?

Not to worry, the other DT trademarks that have rightly earned him the description of "the mad scientist of heavy metal" - I didn't come up with the phrase, although I wish I knew who did - are all still here. The disc's sound & engineering have a marvelous blend of enveloping atmospherics and head-thrashing crunch. The setup's the usual blend of filtered guitars, bass, drums and keys, and they're somehow woven and built into an enormous wall of sound that verges on becoming smothering (but never entirely gets there).

The writing is classic Devy, although maybe not as layered and finely honed as what we heard on Biomech and Infinity. It might sound more simplistic, for lack of a better word, although that's not really accurate. With their relentless thrash, the twistedly catchy "Depth Charge" and "Random Analysis" could almost fit on either of those albums without much trouble. "Deadhead" and "Sunday Afternoon" languish on a bed of slow-burning noise that can get outright fierce all the same. "Traveller" and "Slow Me Down" are the most happy and straightforward tunes ever to be heard on a Townsend album yet, and the pseudo-power-ballad "Storm" proves that he's just as capable at being emotional. The overall result is almost a summary of every facet of Devin's songwriting, touching on the widest variety of moods that's been represented on a single album in his career. And yet it's probably the most easily accessible work of them all; it's certainly the most immediately addicting and singable one. The overt rage & anger is toned down for the most part as well (apart from some soul-wrenching screaming throughout "Suicide," but I suppose it's obligatory to some degree).

Where Accelerated Evolution stands in the Townsend catalogue depends on one's taste; if your taste runs to the extreme side of metal, look into Strapping Young Lad. Anyone looking for something more subtle with vast far-reaching scope will probably be better served with Biomech, Infinity or Terria first. Those who want something not quite so deep, but just as strong and well-crafted all the same, might be happier with A-E or Physicist. In the long run they're all well worth picking up anyway, quirks and all, for anyone who wants something beyond the ordinary. Be sure to crank it up loud.

I have found "Accelerated Evolution" to be a difficult album to review. I really do find Devin's work in general to be highly enjoyable and wonderfully creative at times. I can also struggle somewhat with his tendencies towards the bizarre, with the "Infinity" album in particular going one step too far from the conservative for me to follow. "Accelerated Evolution" is certainly one of his more accessible releases, concentrating more on progressive rock and emotional epics rather than musical head-trips or Strapping Young Lad type barrages as were found on albums such as "Physicist". But then this holding back of creative juices also leaves me a tiny bit under whelmed. I think the problem I have these days is that I don't feel Devin has ever matched the variety, passion and quality of the "Ocean Machine - Biomech" release nearly ten years ago. Each album since has taken a chosen direction and run with it, whether it be out and out industrial brutality, progressive metal or circus cabaret without combining all of Devin's personas into one wholesome magnificence like that debut album managed. Yes, I'm a fussy fan!

But there's a lot to like about "Accelerated Evolution". Firstly, there's not a bad track on the album. Every song is solid both musically and lyrically and there are no awkward moments at all. "Depth Charge" and "Suicide" are both fantastic with heavy guitars and crushing drums backing up Devin's vocal attacks. Once again Devin utilizes both cleanly sung vocals and his trademark screaming. He never fails to be engaging and his emotional range is consistently awe-inspiring. But it's the moving lead guitar on "Deadhead" and "Away" that really impresses me the most even if the movements overstay their welcome a little. Combining such beautiful stirring melodies with Devin's personal and at times touching lyrics guarantees an affecting experience.

So why don't I absolutely love this album? Well, I guess some of the other sections on "Accelerated Evolution", while being completely solid as mentioned earlier, just don't grip me the way his work normally does. They pass by and I have no real inclination to listen to them again. None of it is annoying or bad, but then none of it is really inspiring or amazing either. It's all just a bit pedestrian, which is not something I would normally associate with this band. I will certainly listen to this album occasionally and recommend fans of his work give it a shot, but in my opinion it's just not the ultimate Devin release that some out there seem to suggest. Dare I say it's a little overrated.

The booklet I received when purchasing a different artist on the InsideOut label described Devin's `Accelerated Evolution' as `extraordinary and innovative'. Descriptions such as innovative, experimental, `pushing-the-border' etc are unfortunately thrown at anything Devin produces now due to his previous works (Terria, Infinity), which thoroughly deserve such credentials, quite simply AE is a rather simplistic, dare I say straightforward progressive metal/rock album.

Don't get me wrong though, the album still has its fine moments, but really lacks the coherence and consistency in artistic approach Devin has become renowned for. Songs such as `Depth Charge', `Random Analysis' and `Suicide' are all solid, with typical Devin sounding guitar riffs and the wonderful mixture of melodic and shouting/screaming vocals that lace every Townsend record. `Deadhead' is probably the most progressive piece and certainly has some creative moments, the guitar playing especially shines, which leads me onto `Away'. I've read some reviewers slating this as a poor Vai rip-off, personally this is one of my favourite moments on the album, the main guitar theme is fresh and the variations of it are equally compelling.

The rest of the album is rather forgetful to be brutally harsh. The problem is I have to come to expect so much diversity and innovation from Devin's work, and tracks such as `Storm', `Traveller' and `Sunday Afternoon' are just too simplistic and become old quick.

This album will no doubt attract some new fans with its more accessible material, if you are new and you find yourself agreeing with me on the better tracks on the album (dare that happens), I seriously recommend purchasing Devin's earlier solo efforts, most notably his masterpiece Terria.

"Wow what a vocalist!" is what i was thinking about a minute and a half through the first track "Depth Charge". I was without a doubt very amazed by this because i never knew Devin had it in him. I mean on Strapping Young Lad the band, i always thought he was a great screamer with a powerful voice, however when I heard about this album and how Devin sings on it, i was beyond the least bit suprised. I thought the album would be cheesy, however I wished i never thought after listening to this album, however atleast by thinking this i was suprised.

I don't really know what kinda music you would categorise this album in, i guess thats some of the reason why this album rocks! If anything this album is probably just a mix of Industrial(electronics/effects), Rock, Progressive Rock and Metal. Overall i would just say this is just Atmospheric Metal, although its not fast and depressing like a lot of Metal these days, its actually somewhat positive and leaves you with a good feeling. Know that i have analysed the which category this album best fits in i will move onto how incredible Devin really is.

Devin Townsend is most definitely the best vocalist i have ever heard, and I've heard lots! What makes Devin so special is he is the most perfect rock vocalist out there. He is a very versatile vocalist with his own style, and he's screams can really send shivers down your spine. Not only can he scream so perfectly, but his clean vocals are beyond great(in a good way), he's singing is very calm, in tune all the time, very soothing, moving, and he is one of the best lyrics interpreters I've ever heard. He is also one of the very few vocalists around with a very(emphasis on very) wide range of vocals, along with Serj Tankian, Mike Patton, Mikael Akerfeldt(think thats how you spell it). His songwriting is also great with cryptic lyrics that will confuse you, and he plays guitar on this album which he is actually quite good at.

As for the band, they are quite talented however there are not many solo's or creative bits in this album. The album in my opinion is more an album you would by because of the vocalist rather than the instrument players. All in all this is a very emotional, catchy, memorable, excellent album which should be in your collection, and if there had to be a flaw, it would be that the the drummer, bassist, and keyboardist don't live up to Devins performance, otherwise they're great.

yes, this is it, the alpha and the omega, the center of his genius, this is definetly his best work yet. It is very very very produced(not in a linkin park, nu-metal way although) thanks to devin himself. It is an absoulutley etheral album best listened to through a sound system in a small room or headphones. The riffs on the album are simple yet extremely catchy(i.e. "AWAY" or "SUICIDE") and the singing is just amazing, this guy has lungs to spare, he can scream too(check out his other project Strapping Young Lad for proof) and the music is overall very textured.
Go out and buy this now, it is the best purchase you will ever have.
songs+
Depthcharge= Catchy groovy verse fast riff, intro maybe too long, catchy chorus and intresting lyrics
Storm= Slow and spacious very good as well, about his wife
Random Analysis= Good steady snare beat on this one, kinda a rocker but very good
Deadhead= Very long with great intro riff, minor, and just great
Suicide=favourite song on the album, great chorus, really cool intro, simple, yet provactive
Traveller= Big happy arena rock anthem
Sunday afternoon = Big sadish arena rock anthem
Slow me down = Great song, clasic devy

Overwrought vocals bring this would-be-impressive radio ready hard rocker a little lower, making an only ok thing even worse, with a few helpful surprises of unpretentious energy along the way.