Life is all dynamics (Devin Townsend) (LP 4696 - 4699)

Devin Townsend  Infinity (CD, From Keegan, 1998) *** 

Devin Townsend  Ziltoid the Omniscient (CD, InsideOut, 2007) ****   

Devin Townsend Project  Ki (CD, From Keegan, 2009) **** 

Devin Townsend Project  Ghost (CD, From Keegan, 2011) *** 

Genre: Heavy metal, prog metal, dream pop 

Places I remember: Three from Keegan and Ziltoid from Real Groovy Records.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Hyperdrive (Ziltoid)

Gear costume: By Your Command (Ziltoid), Disruptr (Ki)

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8

Active compensatory factors: Keegan is a fan of Canadian musician Devin Townsend, so he gave me three of his albums as CD-Rs.

Affinity was Devin's third solo album (he's very prolific) which came after a stay in a mental health facility where he was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. That explains how all four of these albums are so different in approach - from shredding heavy metal to prog to comedy/satire to dream pop.

Affinity has dated a little in its approach, in that its guitar shredding dynamics haven't lasted as well into the 2020s.  

His concept album, Ziltoid the Omniscient, impressed me enough for me to buy my own copy. I'm a big fan of Captain Kremmen of the Star Corps - an invention of DJ Kenny Everitt, and Zappa's shaggy dog stories (Apostrophe, Billy The Mountain). Ziltoid reminds me a lot of that pastiche approach. Ziltoid travels to Earth in search of the universe's ultimate cup of coffee, which he fails to do so invades Earth. Of course.

The album is pretty much a solo one with everything played by Devin Townsend. He's a talented guy. As AllMusic says: Townsend's work is consistently excellent, but here he fully taps his mad genius for an incredibly compelling experience. All of Townsend's signatures -- bright melodies, heavy guitars, complex composition, clear production, and tongue-in-cheek grandeur.

Ki is the first album from Devin Townsend Project and a change in style from previous releases as it encompasses more ambient rock music along with bursts of heavy metal. It dispenses with the busy in yer face loud approach of the past and has a more restrained, fluid sound. I like it a lot!

Ghost is another departure that builds on Ki. It takes us into a mellow dream pop land. The title Ghost is very appropriate as acoustic guitar, flutes and synths provide a lovely bed for DT's quiet is the new loud vocals. 

Where do they all belong? The wacky wonderful world of Devin Townsend - thanks for the introduction Keegan.