Devin Townsend Project Ki
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Disbanding the chaotic extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad has given Devin Townsend time to break free from various addictions, get his head together and regroup musically. The result is Ki, the first album in a planned four album series under the moniker Devin Townsend Project that will feature a new lineup with each release. For Ki, Townsend recruited longtime collaborator Dave Young on keyboards, Duris Maxwell (ex-Heart, Jefferson Airplane) on Drums, and bassist Jean Savoie.
The overarching theme of Ki is controlled anger, so with few exceptions (like the gloriously furious “Heaven Send”) the album bears little resemblance to Townsend’s previous work in Strapping Young Lad. Actually, other than a sense of “Devin being Devin” there’s not much about Ki that brings to mind any of Townsend’s previous solo material either. Yes it’s progressive…deeply, weirdly progressive. And yes it has some of the same “organic” vibe Terria and Ocean Machine hinted at. Still, it’s safe to say Townsend has come up with something unique and very memorable here.
For the most part, Ki is a very quiet, laid-back album that rarely edges into metal territory. It seems almost free form and improvisational at times, and has moments where you’d swear you were listening to some trippy Pink Floyd b-sides. Townsend almost seems to be daring his fans to stay with this album, as it is not very accessible or instantly memorable. It plants a seed, and with each successive spin the seed grows and unfolds so you can better experience Townsend’s vision and better appreciate just what this layered, complex, often bizarre and oh so subtle album has to offer.
Overall, Ki is a promising start to Townsend’s latest evolution. Most Devin Townsend fans should respond well to the man’s latest offering, as long as you understand that it’s not Strapping Young Lad with a new name. Open minded progressive rock fans in general should also get a lot out of Ki, but be warned that it will take a lot of listens before the true beauty of this album really resonates.
Label: InsideOut Music
Lineup
Devin Townsend – Vocals, Guitars
Duris Maxwell – Drums
Jean Savoie – Bass
Dave Young – Keyboards
Track Listing:
1. A Monday
2. Coast
3. Disruptr
4. Gato
5. Terminal
6. Heaven Send
7. Ain’t Never Gonna Win…
8. Winter
9. Trainfire
10. Lady Helen
11. Ki
12. Quiet Riot
13. Demon League
Online: On MySpace
HRH Rating: 8/10