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Townsend, Devin, Project: Addicted
 The Devin Townsend Project is back, and this guy seemingly does not mess around, as it seems like we just witnessed the release of Ki not long ago. The next chapter, or part two in this four parter is titled Addicted, and I'll tell you what, it's got me hooked. If this is "Pop" music, then what are those other songs we hear? I'll take Devin's version any time.
Unlike the much lighter Ki, Addicted has its portion of Hevy Devy that's for sure, or should I say Rocking Heavy Devy, and the delightful voice of Anneke Van Giersbergen is very refreshing. It's not that ballistic Strapping Young Lad heavy but Addicted has its heavy moments with modern sounding down tuned metal and some added rock. If these Devin Townsend Project albums are indeed supposed to get heavier as they go, with talk of Devin's heaviest ever release, then we could very well be in for a metal album that on a destructive scale, makes the movie 2012 look like a walk in the park.
Devin shows great versatility here with his vocals, some of his best yet, and when he and Anneke combine, well let me just say, you have to hear it to appreciate the outcome. "Addicted!" is a moving heavy number to start with, and Devin sounds angry, like he's about to scream up a lung, which he continues into the groovier "Universe In A Ball"!. Then we have the guitar propelled rocker "Bend It Like Bender!" with additional vocals from Anneke, who also sings on "Supercrush!" which is a simply fantastic song, the first time you hear the introduction you know it's going to be something special, and the chorus is magic. I was surprised to hear a striking version of "Hyperdrive!", originally from that other Devin CD about a coffee loving alien called Ziltoid the Omniscient, well this time Anneke is the singer. "Resolve!" maintains the heaviness, but the very cool uplifting "Ih-Ah" has a lighter change, Devin's fetching clean vocals take centre stage on "The Way Home!". Track nine on Addicted is "Numbered!" which has Devin pooling different elements and coming up with a great captivating track. "Awake!" closes Addicted, not that you would be sleeping with this CD blaring.
Addicted is a stimulating CD, and a fine follow -up to Ki, but I have a feeling the best it yet to be unleashed from The Devin Townsend Project, and if so, well bring on the next chapter Deconstruction I say, bring it on. If you are a Devin Townsend fan or just someone who loves well crafted music, then you do need this CD.
Track list:
1.Addicted!
2.Universe In A Ball!
3.Bend It Like Bender!
4.Supercrush!
5.Hyperdrive!
6.Resolve!
7.Ih-Ah!
8.The Way Home!
9.Numbered!
10.Awake
Added: December 12th 2009
Reviewer: Scott Jessup
Score:  
Related Link: Artists MySpace Page
Hits: 2873
Language: english
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| » SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews: |
Townsend, Devin, Project: Addicted
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-12-12 08:39:08
My Score:
OK, Ki was quite good, but I'm not sure I expected the sheer brilliance of this quick follow up, titled Addicted.
Heavy, catchy, lush, majestic...just a few words to describe this thoroughly 'addictive' album from the Devin Townsend Project. Bringing on board ex-The Gathering vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen was a stroke of genius-Anneke quite frankly hasn't sounded this fired up in years, and Townsend is at his best vocally throughout Addicted, delivering plenty of clean vocals, screams, and even some poignant crooning. The music is a mix of riff-heavy metal, lots of spacey electronics, plenty of groove, and lush prog. Most importantly, each song here is extremely memorable, the melodies sticking in your head for hours after each listen, and though the music is quite heavy at times, there's so much groove going on that you are torn between wanting to headbang or just get up and dance.
It's almost hard to pick favorites or highlights here, as it's a CD full of stellar numbers, but the first ones to mention are certainly the groove-laden cruncher "Awake!!", or the sing-along pop/metal anthem "Bend It Like Bender!", which, in a perfect world would be a massive hit, complete with Devin's manic vocals and Anneke's soaring, addictive delivery on the chorus. Again, brilliant stuff.
Other hot tracks include the plodding, industrial metal of "Addicted!", the raging, SYL-meets Fear Factory number "Universe in a Ball!", the gorgeous "Supercrush" (which contains some of the strongest vocals on the CD from both singers), Anneke's take on the classic "Hyperdrive!", the wild progressive metal of "Resolve!", and the lush ballad "Ih-Ah!", which again, in a perfect world, has hit single written all over it.
OK, so I've mentioned nearly every song here...that should tell you the absolute brilliance of Addicted. There are times, like on "Numbered!" , where Townsend & Co. approach Terria territory, perhaps even surpass it. I'll actually go out on a limb and say that Addicted could very well be the best thing this talented musician has ever put together, and he's got a discography of gems under his belt already.
Once again I repeat, Addicted is thoroughly addictive, and gets better with each listen. This late year release is quickly climbing up my Best of 2009 list, and hopefully Devin brings Anneke out on the road with him for the early 2010 tour. Now that would be something to see.
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