Physicist [Import]

Devin Townsend | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005HQCA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,948 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Namanste

2. Victim

3. Material

4. Kingdom

5. Death

6. Devoid

7. Complex

8. Irish Maiden

9. Jupiter

10. Planet Rain

11. Forgotten*

12. Man*

13. Ocean Machine*

14. Promise

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strapping Young Lad on a diet, April 22, 2004

By 

Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physicist (Audio CD)

Physicist has always been voted the least favourite Devin Townsend solo album among the fans on both the official DT and SYL boards. Although very strong in its own right, I guess I can see why it is not right up there with the likes of Ocean Machine, Terria and Infinity. The core SYL fans, however, seem to lean towards this disc more than any other solo material from Devin.

Basically on Physicist Devin, for the first time, did not experiment with as many new ideas and push his music in more unexplored directions. This album kind of sounds like a lighter version of Strapping Young Lad but still has the ambient and classic Townsend vibe to it. Overall it's very speed metal oriented with slight modern touches thrown in. Devin himself agrees that Physicist is a stripped down version of something that was already there, but for someone who's never heard any SYL before, it is safe to say he's in for a treat because in the end Physicist does sound different from Devin's other albums. It's faster, angrier and more in your face.

This was also the first album where Devin was able to reach a wider fanbase due to the widespread distro support. The album still presents Devin's body of work with more accessible sensibilities. It's like if someone has never heard any Devin Townsend stuff before and picks up Infinity or Terria they may be shocked. Physicist isn't that way. That's what sets it apart from the rest of Devin's catalog. It has the potential to click with you right from the start.

To be honest I listen to this album the least often because every other solo album from Devin is more appealing to me. They're more experimental, more progressive and offer more depth. When I'm in the mood for some heavier stuff, I usually prefer SYL's City or their last one. Also of note is that Devin was going through a very hard time writing this album. It got to the point that releasing the disc turned into a real big mess. And I believe all of this has reflected on the record. I'm not putting Physicist down or anything because it's still 100% Devin Townsend and a very deep album, just not on the same level as Terria and Ocean Machine to me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff, December 23, 2000

By 

Adam (happy strapping land) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physicist (Audio CD)

However, this isn't his best CD. It's a terrific listen, with Dev's trademark chords, humour, intensity and general epicness, but it isn't "special" in the way Biomech and Infinity were. He put an ungodly amount of work into making those albums; here he is more relaxed (so to speak). Devin has described it as an "in-between record", and this seem appropriate. Buy the Ocean Machine disc before getting this one if you are new to the Devin catalogue.

This is a very consistent, no-nonsense sort of album. All the songs are great, the standouts being Kingdom, The Complex, and in particular the towering Planet Rain. Jupiter is the weakest track, but it's still catchy and highly listenable (nice "clean" guitar sound). A definite must-have for fans.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Fizzicist"; what a trip, August 1, 2001

By 

"sdjustinr" (Corpus Christi, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physicist (Audio CD)

After listening to this album in full less than an hour ago, I can safely say that this is one of those albums that is so under-appreciated that it almost makes my stomach turn (that, and a whole lot more). I hear even Devin himself doesn't hold this album up too high, or as high as his other monsters, Biomech and Infinity, and I think that's a shame. I figure when Dev said that this record would be a cross between SYL and Ocean Machine, people expected something like "City" mixed with "Biomech" (obviously). This is way too different, I can't even begin to compare it to any of Dev's past projects. That being said, this album just plain rules.

1. Namaste: This is an interesting introduction to the insanity you will experience in the next 40+ minutes. Devin screams into the verse with, "follow the way, follow the way, holding mother..". Although I can imagine this track anywhere on the album (It lacks that "first song on the album" feeling for me), and It's inability to stand alone as an incredible track, I give it a 3.5/5

2. Victim: another absolutely insane track. Not an especially memorable track, except for that verse riff. 4/5

3. Material: this is where the phrase "pop-speed metal" starts to make sense; this is single 'material', indeed. "Material" is drowned in synths, so for all you solid metalheads out there, it will probably take some time to grow into. The chorus is a nice treat. 4.5/5

4. Kingdom: Great track, you'll notice this is where the shredding starts to take over ;). The pre-chorus and chorus are incredible. 5/5

5. Death: The first real SYL-ish track. Starts off sounding like something out of a sci-fi, futuristic horror flick. Gene really shines on this track. One word can describe the verse: Brutal 5/5

6. Devoid: Short, nice little treat. Fun to listen to, and although no lyrics are posted anywhere, i swear i can hear Dev saying "No one left no one behind.." (Centipede, anyone?). 5/5

7. The Complex: Awesome track, Starts quickly, progresses quickly, shows no mercy, great guitarwork and the chorus make it one of the best and most memorable tracks on the album. 5+/5

8. Irish Maiden: Fun to listen to, fun to play, and I can't help but headbang in the intro, even though this isn't your typical heavy metal track (same can be said about the rest of the album). 5/5

9. Jupiter: Another track that's (surprise) fun to listen to. Devin really shows off some vocal ability on this track, and there is quite a lot of melody in the guitar department. 4.5/5

10. Planet Rain: Nice album closer. It's a slow-paced, 'space-man' type song. It's only flaw is that it might be a little too long and slow for me. 4/5

There you have it, Physicist in all it's glory. If you're a devy fan who's been reluctant to buy this (as i was), just give in and give it a shot. I can almost guarantee you'll be punching yourself for almost letting this one go.