Lost/Forgotten Album #33

[Jon]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I continue with album #3 on my self-imposed Hevy Devy month.

 

Now, I noticed that everyone hated last week's album. Guess it was too "heavy". Too "aggressive". One of those haters had a birthday last week so I can understand where the dislike came from since he is that much older. The other one doesn't like Utah so I guess I can understand why he didn't like it either.

 

What was missing was Niels? Did he like it? He never said. I'm going to go with him liking it but afraid to admit he liked it because he was worried a couple folks would make fun of him or something. It's ok Niels....I liked the last album, you can like it too. Forget what other people think!!!!

 

Now, this week's is a bit different, a bit more accessible for the oldsters here. Released in 2006, it's not really a lost or forgotten album (yet) but it's my column so I can post what I want, when I want.

 

Ahh yes...album title is "Synchestra" from The Devin Townsend Band, but you already knew that since there's a big picture above. However, for those with the eyesight and mind failing (yep, you know who you are), it's better if it's mentioned a couple times so it sinks in. 

 

(Guys, I kid)

 

Anyway, total departure from last album (very little screaming, Scott) but you can still feel the heaviness, but in a lighter way. Progressive metal it is, not the wall to wall thrashing I forced you to listen to last week. This will be kind of like listening to Slayer followed by The Carpenters.

 

 

 

Synchestra

1. Let It Roll
2. Hypergeek
3. Triumph
4. Babysong
5. Vampolka
6. Vampira
7. Mental Tan
8. Gaia
9. Pixillate
10. Judgement
11. A Simple Lullaby
12. Sunset
13. Notes From Africa
14. [Untitled Track]   

 

 

 

MSoTW--Scott guessed correctly last week but still never told me how he came up with The Knack. I'm still curious, thought it was a little tough. This week everyone but Niels and Scott can guess first. What I need it the singer (easy) and also the band (hard).

 

Availability: Around $9.

 

 

COMING NEXT: The final in the series! Ain't you happy?

 

 

 

[Niels (Mod)]

Yeah, that's mé allright, ha ha ha. 

[Jon]

Cool. I knew you were on my side! :-)

[Scott]

Dude, I told you how I got last weeks.  It was a 100% pure lucky guess based on a hunch from the vocal style and drum beat. 

 

I know the Singer, that was very easy, and Ive heard the track before but cant recall the band ....

[Jon]

Well...bite my head off. Seriously though, I missed how you guessed. 

[Scott]

For this weeks LAOTW, Im commentng as I go through this...

 

this thought comes to mind right away...  Much better than last week!  MUCH MUCH Better...

 

The acoustic stuff started to feel a lot like Blackmores Night, which is ok, but I really enjoyed all the tracks until Babysong which I found quite strange.  But then Vampolka/Vampira/Mental Tan came on and it made Babysong sound normal. Had my mouse pointer over the skip button for a minute there, but I made it through  :-)

 

OK, were back on track with Gaia and Pixilate, the screaming vocal style in the latter tune isn't great but he doesnt over use it and it seems to fit the song, so I think Im ok with it in this context.  Surprised?

 

I didnt like Judgement...  at all...  kinda felt like it would never end, and then came A Simple Lullaby which was even longer and actually ended...  and came back on and on and on.  Just being honest..  Didnt like those two, they seemed out of place to me and threw the album off its good pace.

 

Liked Notes From Africa.  The music is enjoyable on this track, the screaming was quite annoying though.

 

Where did the Unitiled Track come from?  So unexpected to hear a riff and piano playing in that style on this record.  Must be a bonus track cause its the oddball of the bunch.  Now you wanna hear somethign weird? Its the best track on the album!

 

Im 50/50 on this one ...  I dont like it by any stretch, but I dont hate it like the last one.  Make the Grand Finale will be the homerun?

[Niels (Mod)]

Hmmmm, not really my style. In the beginning, I thought it was okay, but after a while, I got tired of listening to it. To me, this is "wierder" than Tom Waits. It reminded me a bit of Helloween, sometimes.

 

MSoTW is a forbidden land for me, I guess?! 

[Jon]

Gotta give Rjhog and others a chance first...just to be even steven.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I've listened to the mystery song and the singer is very familiar, I first thought Christopher Cross, but I don't think that's him.  I'll listen again tomorrow and to the whole LAOTW.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I still can't quite put my finger on the singer for the mystery song (sounds kinda like a song lyric).  So the guessing is open 'cause I don't know it.

 

As far as Synchestra goes, I just can't get into it.  And I did listen to the complete album.  I do think is was moderately easier to listen to than last week's choice, but I still don't really care for it.  I do completely agree with Scott that the Untitled Track is by far the best on the album.  And it does seem quite out of place.  I got a very strong Cheap Trick vibe with that song, and that is almost always a good thing.

 

Jon, didn't you have some Devin Townsend on your music player back on CRR?  It seems to me like you did and it seems like I thought it was very decent.  If that's the case, I'm gonna say we haven't seen that particular album yet.  And finally, although I haven't particularly been a fan of the Devin Townsend that you have posted so far (the Steve Vai album is the best of the 3 in my opinion), I do like the idea of running a full month of a particular artist.  I might try it myself soon.

[Jon]

Yeah, it was "Addicted" from a couple years ago. Sadly though, it won't be the one I post next week.  

[Scott]

I got the MSoTW.  It is in fact Christopher Cross (should've trusted your hunch RJ ).  That voice is too easily recognizable to me, probably because I own most of his catalog.  The catch was the band because its not a Christopher Cross album cut.  And you wont find it mentioned on Cross' website either.  The guitar sound at the beginning was a clue, but I coudlnt place my finger on it until I stumbled on to an old album and heard that guitar sound.  Then wiki did the rest for me.  (will post the album, track and artist when Jon gives us the go ahead)

 

I dont own the album but I woudl love to see it posted as a LAOTW soon.  Just a request ...

[RJhog (Admin)]

At least I was finally on the right track...