Devin Townsend Project
Addicted


4.0
excellent

Review

by Dakota West Foss STAFF
November 17th, 2009 | 933 replies


Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Devin Townsend lets loose on the semi-technical progressive pop Addicted, creating some of his best material in years in the process. It's also more fun than a pillow fight.

Devin Townsend is a goofy man. The dude stomped around for years with his trademark "skullet" hairstyle, wrote a concept album about an alien that threatened to destroy the earth lest he get the universe's greatest cup of coffee, and has made a career of out of being a pretty crazy guy in general. When we last saw HevyDevy, he released the first in an ambitious four album project claiming that he wanted to be taken seriously as an artist after ridding himself of many of the things that made him the crazy guy that he is. The result, KI, was a surprisingly restrained effort that was a nice change of pace from the usual craziness that Mr. Townsend produces. The only major fault that Ki had, was that it never fully went all the way. Sure, this was intentional but it seemed hellbent on trying to prove that Devin is not the artist you think he is and it would have been nice if it let loose. Enter "Addicted", the second part in the four part series. Addicted is not only a major departure from Ki and Devin's earlier work in general, but it's also fun as hell.

For a man that wants to be taken seriously, Devin sure knows how to make things hard for himself. In his own words, he described "Addicted" as being heavily inspried by Meshuggah and the Venga Boys as well as having a song title based off an alcoholic cartoon robot. All this is hit home by the fact that every song title is eager to be played judging by the exclamation mark each one has. The strange truth is that it all somehow works. There's parts on addicted that sound like they would be at home on a Meshuggah cd and the horribly catchy dance anthems of the Venga Boys.

All this just goes to further show how musically adaptable Devin Townsend can really be. One moment, you can be headbanging to heavy songs like "Universe in a ball!", the next you could be dancing along to catchy anthems like the aforementioned "Bend it like Bender!", which happens to be one of the most criminally catchy songs of the year. Townsend never really brings the shred on "Addicted", instead opting for a more fun, and laid back approach. Don't think that these songs are not somewhat technical though as the drums and background keyboards are frequently astounding.

However, the instrumentation, while great, pales in comparison to the absolutely jaw dropping vocal work found all over the album. Guest singer Anneke van Giersbergen goes a long way into putting the final polish on all the songs with her powerful, energetic voice. She truly shines on the more energetic songs like "Bend it like Bender!" and "Hyperdrive!" While "Hyperdrive!" was originally found on Ziltoid the Omniscient, Anneke's vocals really give the song the electric shock that it needed, beating Devy's old vocals to a bloody pulp. That's not to discount Townsend's vocals found on here. In fact, Townsend's vocal performance found on here is nothing short of breathtaking. Ranging from an angry scowl to soaring operatic vocals, he truly is a musical chameleon blending into whatever he sees fit.

Which brings me to a song that needs special mention. "The way home!" honestly makes me feel like I can fly. An inspiring pop song that starts off as a whisper and gradually builds up to the grandest of choruses. "The way home!" certainly embodies the sort of mood that Townsend seems to be in lately and the lyrics, while simple, reflect his newfound sobriety in an epic way with his flawless and theatric execution.

"So hollow now... Show's over now... And I've wasted time on daylight...
I won't be shown the way home. "

While "Addicted" has many strengths, it is not without its weaknesses. Some of the heavier parts like "Universe in a ball!" and other riffs throughout seem to drag on a bit and lack some of the punch that was intended. Actually, come to think of it, that's it's only weakness. Other than that, the songs mesh extremely well and the experience is over for what feels like all too soon. Album closer "Awake!" does an excellent job of putting the rest in summation all while giving a taste of what is to come in the upcoming third installment, "Deconstruction."

"Addicted" is an excellent release and succeeds in the many different regards that Devin set out to do. The heavy parts are a little taxing, but the carefree, techno, poppy parts more than make for it in sheer fun. Sure, it's not for everyone and there will always be those who will feel betrayed at the drastic change in sound, but "Addicted" too much fun to ignore. Serious or not, Devin Townsend proves time and time again that he is capable of writing great music, addicted or not.



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user ratings (1271)
4
excellent
other reviews of this album
EStreetFan (4.5)
The Dev's sobriety informs the upbeat nature of his finest album since Accelerated Evolution...

vanderb0b (4.5)
The perfect mix of Cannibal Corpse and Britney Spears....

AndrewDanso (3)
There’s not meant to be any undertones, it’s not meant to have a heavy handed metaphor, it’s j...

thatdudeud0ntknow (4)
Screw the technicalities-Addicted is just plain fun....



Comments:Add a Comment 
Odal
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2009


2355 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Wrote this last night rather quickly so I'm sure there's some errors. Comments, thoughts, suggestions are welcome. Album is awesome and yes, that is a Sock 'Em Boppers reference in the summary.

Willie
Moderator
November 17th 2009


20295 Comments

Album Rating: 3.2

Nice review. I was looking forward to this when I found out that Anneke was collaborating on this album, and I wasn't disappointed.

Odal
Staff Reviewer
November 17th 2009


2355 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks! I'll admit that I'm kind of a stranger to most of Devin's work, but as soon as I heard "Bend it Like Bender!" I was a fan.

KILL
November 17th 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

nice review man my fav album of the year

qwe3
November 17th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah this is so good

Metalstyles
November 17th 2009


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

nice review, will get next week cuz I've been (and still am) too busy listening other stuff

Meatplow
November 17th 2009


5523 Comments


I might give this a shot.

I've been enjoying SYL quite a bit haven't heard any of his solo work yet.

qwe3
November 17th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"Supercrush!" is one of his best songs imo

jingledeath
November 17th 2009


7100 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I DON'T WANNA SAVE MY SOUL NOWWW

KILL
November 17th 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

supercrush is my fav off here

qwe3
November 17th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

wtf when you guys try to rate something does it take you to the login screen sometimes? annoying as hell.



oh yeah and the reviews good dude, posd

KILL
November 17th 2009


81580 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

yer wtf does that to me as well fuckin shit fuck

Meatplow
November 17th 2009


5523 Comments


it always does that to me

i try and avoid it by just rating off the artist page

bloc
November 17th 2009


70670 Comments


very nice review guy.

yeah, top song is a tie between Supercrush and Addicted. i still find Bender to be the weirdest song ever. i mean, it has a sample from Futurama for cryin out loud.

Lunarfall
November 17th 2009


3178 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

It's also more fun than a pillow fight.
There isn't a more accurate description of the album than this one.

Bullitt
November 17th 2009


1666 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Such a great album, nice review as well.

qwe3
November 17th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i'd like to recognize the fact right here that bullitt and I actually agree on something for once. A startling achievement



that will be all

Bullitt
November 17th 2009


1666 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Maybe this event is what the Mayans were predicting and it just came a little earlier than 2012.

qwe3
November 17th 2009


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

omg that movies gonna be so crap.



on topic: album rules, female vocals make me want to do unnatural things etc pleasedontbanmedave

Meatplow
November 17th 2009


5523 Comments


that movie is out

everyone is rating it 6/10 in the movie subforum



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