Search - Devin Townsend :: Accelerated Evolution

Devin Townsend = Underappreciated living god of modern rock

M. B. Link | USA | 04/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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"