Classical Composer Reacts to Singularity (Devin Townsend) | The Daily Doug (Episode 201)
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- Опубліковано 12 сер 2021
- #DevinTownsend #Singularity #DevinTownsendReaction
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm listening to Singularity by Devin Townsend, the last track off of his 2019 album Empath. There were parts of this piece that were quite difficult for me to endure...as it is SO heavy. But, I find the whole piece fascinating and a great addition to the repertoire.
Reference Video: • Singularity
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Devin is usually up for interviews, try hitting him up and asking him if he'd join you to talk about the song. Would be amazing to hear you both discuss it.
Omg yes please!
Ditto.
talk about this song, no one ever talks about Singularity with him
This is true. He did an interview with The Charismatic Voice reaction channel earlier this year, in fact. Devin loves to talk about his music with people. And he's always open, funny, and insightful when he does so. You wouldn't know it from the theatricality and grandiosity of the music he makes, but he's actually a very, very down-to-earth guy. Self-deprecating humor is one of his trademarks.
Devin is currently touring Europe. Likely a little busy.
The "savage messiah" into "try the papaya" transition it's probably the most Devin thing he ever composed.
Reminds me of the wordplay in the 20-minute Genesis epic "Supper's Ready", which is based on a combination of the book of revelations and Peter Gabriel's silly dad jokes.
"Uplifting... Heavy, but uplifting" yeah, that's Devin in a nutshell.
Other bands play Death Metal. Devin plays Life Metal.
This!!
I've always felt Devin was his own genre - and you just nailed it !
beautiful name for a music genre! i really like it.
I love that! I am going to be using that quite a bit I think. Well done Sir and thank you.
And also death metal
Crazy blast beats and screaming.
Doug: *softly moans in discomfort*
desired effect :)
I can't wait till somebody convinces Doug to listen to some Darkspace.
Samus is SO SO SO nice. I'll bet if Doug chatted with him he might change his opinion slightly on the blasts. Maybe a little. ;)
@@ThomasTallant it's not the blasts, it's the double kicks that are his weak spot 🙂
@@ThomasTallant I dont think Doug would able to take Samus' sense of humor :D.
Devin Townsend literally covers EVERY genre. He's the single greatest music creator in my lifetime, in my opinion.
People: So what kind of music does Devin play?
Devin fans: Yes
I wouldn't go as far as to say EVERY genre yet (luckily for us there's still time), but I 100% agree with your 2nd statement. I would add that Empath is the greatest/most complete album of the millennia so far.
I think when someone has done an album defined as "Space country", one has done nearly everything haha. I would like to see Doug react to some of the casualties of cool stuff that Devin did.
Next to Buckethead.
@@patrickvangelder8088 Dying for a Devin x Buckethead collab
That last line of the song gets me every time, "If you can't shine for you friend, please shine for me!" Given the overall theme of the album being about coping with depression, and suppose to be an anti-suicide message, there is just something so genuine and emotive about that last line. It's the acknowledgement that an individual can feel so much mental and emotional pain that they can't even live for themselves, and Devin asking, not demanding, almost pleading to them as a friend to hold on for him. The message means so much because it comes from a place of empathy. Dev knows that feeling himself, he knows what you are going through and knows how hard it can be. He has makes this deal, that he will keep going, he will hold on and help you through the hard times if you stay the course and help him through darkness so that at the end of it all, we can all see the light. Absolutely beautiful.
It's genuinely one of my favourite albums of all time.
"Almost to the point of overwhelming" and "difficult to listen to" appears to be exactly what Devin is aiming for.
Exactly! 😂
I cried when I first heard this track. It’s like a communication directly from his soul to yours - utterly breathtaking.
Exceptional reaction sir! By the way, I’m Zac, the bloke who requested this one on Patreon. I’m so thrilled and honored that you responded and picked this piece for the week. Every year for the last 16 years I’ve picked a song that encapsulates the emotional journey I’ve had over the course of the year’s events for me. This one has made song of the year twice in a row for me. I’ve listened to it at my absolute highest and lowest many times, shared its wonder with others, and had goosebumps every time. Devin has a way of elucidating the multifaceted nature of human experience like none other. The album is called Empath for a reason. Much love, Zac
Thanks again 💜
This came out the year I lost my dearest friend of 45 years. You describe exactly what I got from this entire album, and especially this track. Glad you suggested it to Doug.
That was epic Zac, and so much wisdom in it. Thank you for recommending it.
Hey Zac, thanks for suggesting it. :)
FYI, Devin used 3 different drummers for the recording of the album. 66Samus did the speed metal drumming for the album, and it is real drums, not samples. Sam is a monster on the drums.
And Morgan Ågren is amazing on the drums aswell.
I watch 66Samus's every stream on Twitch, the dude's a genius, and hilarious too.
"there are still monsters"
And Anup Sastry who plays the drums at the end, Just massive. He uploaded a playthrough of his part in this song on his UA-camchannel
Anup Sastry's part is my personal favorite....surrealistically technical
Devin Townsend is one of the best musicians of all time. Whether it's singing or musical instruments he's such a genius.
I hope this is a sign of many more Devin Townsend listens. Dude is an enigma and his repertoire is immense.
My favorite part is the "There Be Monsters" most brutal fast heavy bit. I explode of joy and god knows what else at that part.
The last time I was excited about an album as Empath was with Hand. Cannot. Erase. Rare occasions. Devin totally nailed it.
This is so accurate
Devin was the future of music in the late 90's. Also now.
And let's be perfectly frank: there are no non-solo Devin Townsend albums. He wrote just about everything from Strapping Young Lad through Empath. Different players, different vibes (extremely so), but it's all Devin.
For this album he didn't call friends...he called STRANGERS. He didn't know Samus, Mike Keneally, Nathan Navarro, but he knew they were capable of pulling off everything he really needed.
Also, YES, the mega-intense onslaught of sonic emotion is the entire point. We're going all in. Grab your fucking beer. LET'S GO! The drummer is very real. He's a UA-cam celebrity himself. 66Samus is the drummer for the intense parts. He does a playthrough of the song Genesis that opens this album and it's an incredible watch. Extremely highly recommended.
As difficult as it may have been for you to get through the really heavy stuff, just understand that you have not heard Strapping Young Lad yet. That's four albums of this sort of stuff. He's refined it to a dagger and stabbed himself with it many times over. As many of us have. And many of us find genuine enjoyment of it even when noticing the shift to a flat 6. It can be frustrating to hear someone scoff so harshly at the sonic excess. There really is a point to it. Might take some time for it to stab you as well, but...get this...
I'm older than you! :D
The Curious Gods section is my favorite. I love that sort of esoteric approach to composition. So interesting. It's not at all anything like something you'd ever hear on the radio. It's more important than that stuff.
But man does Here Comes The Sun just SATISFY. I think you totally nailed your interpretation of the meaning of the song. Spot on. As you elaborated RIGHT THROUGH Steve Vai's solo lol
Devin is Metal Stravinsky. Favorite artist ever. Zappa is #2 but he's the sardonic dickhead I see in myself and am always trying to fix. Devin's equally gifted, but really, genuinely wants to help.
Favorite artist ever. Nobody has ever come even close.
Maybe Maiden.
Very good post, mister. I would also add that one of the points Devin is making is that you cannot escape who you are, or your past. But you can embrace it and learn from your mistakes and failures, and through that improve as a human being. And in the end we can all hope for and strive for a better future, and reconsile in the fact that our best is all we can do, but our best is good enough.
Maiden and Devy. Also my two fave artists of all time.
I couldn't agree more re zappa. Much respect to his memory as a writer and his social commentary but in all ive seen of him, he came across as - well sardinic, as you said, and like he thought he was just that much better than every other person.
Thanks for let me know this amazing piece of art. Damn, so deep, sad, angry and happy...incredible.
Some of it is beautiful, some is ugly, some lays somewhere in between, all very intentional, such a journey! Never heard any Devin Townsend before, I'm intrigued.
Well there's a WEALTH of material of his already, going back to when he sang for Steve Vai in 1993. Lots and lots of different stuff to dive into, he's a very prolific artist. Never stops putting stuff out. He has a couple of things he's about to release, another he just finished recording I think.
You are in for a treat! Devin is amazing.
Welcome to the rabbit hole. Try Ocean Machine
@@johnmorgan7262 the deepest of rabbit holes.🤘
None of it is 'ugly'. It's all one big, beautiful listening experience.
Doug: Sounds like "le-sol"
Music: immediately switches to "la-sol"
Devin is music. This masterpiece is such an emotional rollercoaster for me, it just makes me break in tears with no apparent reason. His music just resonates with me like no other. And I've been hooked since the "City". Now that I went through your whole commentary, your interpretation is exactly how I experienced it- to me this is a path to enlightenment, acceptance, realization, transcendence of human consciousness. It is the most "spiritual" piece of music I have ever heard.
Devin's vocals are out of this world, one of the best vocalists
#metoo
Devin is THE most gifted composer currently working.
@@ulfingvar1 indeed, couldn’t agree more. I said it elsewhere- kids will learn about him in music schools. Lucky to be his contemporary 😎
Only 2 music artists have made me cry just from the emotions they convey with their voice. Dev & Floor.
Someone called this album Therapy Metal - and it really is! Look up Devin's Track-by-Track for Empath, it's so illuminating and heart-warming in its painfulness.
Incredible song review. One of the best videos on UA-cam overall. Thanks for all you do Doug
Thank you for your incredibly kind message, glad that you enjoyed.
This song gets me crazy emotional. That last part is just so damn uplifting and optimistic. I love it.
I love these videos, too. :D
Edit: "Through the storm, may you become a rainbow" - that line crushes me, every time.
The video "Devin Townsend “Empath” - The Choir" over on Elektra Women's Choir channel is worth watching for some of the more technical aspects of how the choir fitted on Empath. It's a conversation between Elektra Women’s Choir’s Artistic Director Morna Edmundson and arranger Erik Severinson, who's done other choral parts for Devin.
I'm sure someone else explained it but if not, I just wanted to quickly explain what's going on in the Curious Gods section, with the interview that's hard to hear. It's an interview with an MIT Professor explaining why AI is actually destructive and dangerous for society and will result in mass death for humanity. If you listen back closely, and turn it up, you can hear the interviewer say "Please explain why you're calling for a global ban on killer robots, in specific details, if you would." And in the context of the concept of the song, the humming that you hear from Devin is meant to represent a scientist / machinist humming as they are noodling away at a project. So the scientist inadvertently ends up creating AI, even though it will spell doom for humanity. And then in Silicon Scientists, AI awakens and starts speaking to the character (that's the non-Devin voice). You nailed that part though, even without the context for Curious Gods!! Great reaction - a real joy to hear and see one of my favorite Devin songs broken down! Thank you!
What you said about "Everything's crazy out there, but don't let the craziness overwhelm you" is ABSOLUTELY what Devin is all about! You described it perfectly...also with how you described the heavy part being an equal companion to the light in the ending.
Well, if it does happen, we can’t say we haven’t been warned. So much sci-fi books, music, film, tv, is based on this premise. Anyone can see that man is the biggest threat to mankind. An AI meant to protect us would easily see it too.
"... this took a heavy turn ..." 🤣
I think I almost take for granted how accustomed I've become to blast beats and fast aggressive drumming. I feel like I've seen a few reaction videos recently across a few channels where people seem to get a bit overwhelmed by what I would call a really satisfying blast beat.
Devin is a funny one for me in that I've never come across another artist that I've found as hit and miss. To the point that something like Epicloud ranks amongst my favourite albums, but then there are other albums I just can't take to at all.
I enjoy most of Devin's work, but I have to be in the right mood for a bunch of it haha. Empath as a whole is like that. It has some hard to listen to songs that are not for everybody and not for everyday !
That's Devin's message Doug! You got it. Devin takes you on a incredible ride that put you through so many emotions, but you come out feeling good. He's a genius!
There's something different and special about Devin... Something tell all of us there's some... I can't find the words, but we all know what I'm talking about, he's the real deal, it's real art, soul, deep... A real artist.
I hear you. When I first got into Devy, my first impression was not sure exactly what he is getting at,. but I feel every word and i believe him. Now I hear it as musical painting. More like colors than anything else. I heard him say something similar once.
@@johnmorgan7262 He's talked about having synesthesia, where he strongly associates different sounds with unique colors in his mind.
Apart from being a stellar composer/musician Devin is an incredible engaging and thoroughly decent human being, not sure if you’re thinking of doing some coffee time interviews but getting Devin on your channel for a chat I’m sure would be a very special Episode Doug 👍🏻😎
This song got me through my cancer treatment in 2019, if all goes well in my next scan in may this year I will have beat it! the rarest of rarest of all cancers I got and I'm still here. and ontop of that had 2 heart attacks between hand.. Fuck I love dev saw him in Melbourne last year. cant wait for the next ride.
Hey, quick comment on the drums, there are three drummers that were brought in for this album. Morgan Ågren (Of Progressive rock legends Kaipa fame), Anup Sastry (Of the progressive/math metal band Intervals) and Sam Paulicelli (Drummer of Decrepit Birth, noted to show the extreme swing of play styles). So yes, the insanely fast drum parts are actually played. Sam Paulicelli is kind of a specialist in that realm and was brought in for the robotic hyper accuracy of his playing. If those drum parts interest you, check out the song "Hear me", which I think was the best extreme metal drum track of 2019. To extend this thought, all three drummers murder on this album, Morgan Ågren has some incredible prog parts, Anup really kills most of the albums Math rock/metal elements and Sam lets Devin go a new level of crazy.
Or he could’ve just called Gene again.
@LESTERAMA 👍
From Metropolis to Singularity, this is all my favorite stuff right up my alley! So much fun seeing you react to all this prog greatness. :)
"Kinda sounds like me during the pandemic" The fact that this album, which is all about mental health and self-care, came out just before covid, is one of those the-stars-aligned moments that blows my mind. Honestly this album got me through the last 18 months like nothing else :)
Devin really learned to use Lydian mode with Vai, who learned from Zappa and Webber. He also uses Vai‘s typical sounds and of course Steve‘s playing some guitar here, too.
Exactly! Zappa & Vai are sweating through out the pores of this one.
@@Dave_Shredder all over the place, no question
This song is absolutely incredible. Empath is one for the record books. It's amazing how fresh and new he was able to make everything sound when you consider just how many albums the man has under his belt.
I was going to suggest this for you as I feel you, out of all the "reactors" would truly be able to process what you are hearing.
I've been a Devin fan since the 90's and I feel he summed up every aspect of his career in one song.
This song is mindblowing yet.... so simple.....
yet mind blowing.....
Enjoyed your reaction and especially your analysis
This song is simple,???
Man what are you smoking if this song is simple? :DDD
"Try the papaya" is only outdone by "got a little doggy and he's full of the woof-woof"
12:20 is the "There Be Monsters" section, which is far and away my favorite of this song. I left my playlist on while going to bed one night and woke up right at the first "war" part that arrives in this video at 15:06. It shook me in a way a song had not done in a long time.
I feel those goosebumps you got at 6:50, because the first time I listened to it, I had the same reaction. This is what sets Dev apart from all the other metalheads.
I love how Doug is trying to endure the intensity and many of us are just here basking in it
I think the key is to bask in the intensity, let it wash over you and embrace it. Don't fight it
@@SuperSGFreak49 Yep! That intensity is just a form of power. I was think of The Rite of Spring as an orchestral parallel to metal's intensity in that respect.
But I think the ability to do that takes practise for many people. I know it did for me when I was introduced to bands like Nile and Emperor. For those of us with a background in metal it's become natural.
@@subpatterns7297 yeah it definitely took practice for me. I used to have similar opinions to Doug about double kick and screams
@@SuperSGFreak49 The choice of Devin's music isn't the best way to introduce somebody into double kick and gutturals: the "wall of sound" which Devin features doesn't allow the listener to easily cling onto something else, like a guitar melody line, keyboard, etc. That's the best way to "force" the focus away from the blast beats, screams, etc.
Really, it's the weirdest way considering there's Ne Obliviscaris, Persefone, Into Eternity, etc... My goodness, I'm the only fool here who suggested Draconian, Virgin Black, Swallow The Sun, as a way (the smoothest) of introducing the purpose of harsh vocals, and even outlining the sense of relentlessness or anguish that percussion alone can bring when so slow, which in turn would set the understanding of the fast drumming :(
@@yibril17 All things considered I think Singularity was pretty good in that regard. Devin really eases you in and out of the most intense sections and there's a thematic purpose to their presence which I think Doug appreciates. There's a very clear reason why the drums are so intense in singularity as opposed to in other metal where the presence of double kicks and blasts has more to do with genre tropes than theming (not to diss other artists, or say those things don't still drive intensity, singularity just very clearly establishes the context for them). The wall of sound is a lot though and it definitely takes a few listens to focus your ears on the right elements, so I hope Doug has another few listens through this to really appreciate what's going on in the heavier sections
It's fun to see a professional and such person getting emotional at Devin's music. Pure joy
So glad you got to Devy . . . such a varied journey with his discography.
On the subject of this song and what it feels like to listen to.
I first discovered Devin at the start of the pandemic in my country, around April 2020. I found this album shortly after. Listening to the album end-to-end for the first time was very emotional for me. With everything that came with the pandemic, as well as personal losses that occured leading up to it, the Empath album was the one I connected with most strongly that year.
This song by itself is such an emotional rollercoaster that I often find myself weeping by the end.
Devin's next album is expected to release in October this year, and I am so ready for that to really drive home everything that this period has been for me.
Please listen to Il Giardino del Mago by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, the greatest italian song you'll ever hear in your life
I second this
Incredible song, simply a masterpiece
He should absolutely listen to it, he would love it.
An incredibile composition
Before you stated sharing with us DT I never had heard of him - I'm glad you made me aware of his music
DT is unfortunately dream theater for most ppl
Devin townsend, dream theater, dark tranquility, all 3 with great merits
Welcome to the rabbit hole. 25 albums of varying styles
@@sgtbigballs666 I usually go with DTP or just Devy.
Total masterpiece. I rediscovered Devin in late 2019 after seeing him in the early 90s with Vai. I had absolutely no idea of the work he had been doing in the interim. I managed to get to see him again in one of his acoustic shows in Bristol before the world went to shit. Fantastic performer and all round nice guy. Thanks Doug.👍
Same here, I rediscovered Devin about 3 years ago after only previous knowing him from that Vai album. I was at the same show in Bristol with my son who’s also a fan
I've been waiting for someone to break this down. Beauty.
Devin is true soul.
So glad you did this one. Devin is amazing . The heavy middle is sonically overwhelming....as life itself is at times. Love this interpretation! Cheers!
Oh, when I saw "Singularity" in the title I hoped it would be the TEXTURES (NL) track. Well, one can always hope.
I think you would like "Why" always from him, or also Deadhead (The vocale are insane) live at Royal Albert Hall.
He already reacted to Why?
Deadsoul Tribe - "Goodbye City Life"
Chris Squire - "Silently Falling"
Marillion - "Ocean Cloud"
This is a stellar reaction - you nailed a takeaway I share, and struck WHY Devin's music is so profound, uplifting and extraordinary without being patronizing. He celebrates hardship and celebrates our forward pace despite it. Accepting our darkness and our light. Your analysis of the methods he achieved this are delightful and informative, but your summary of the message is likely why every time I listen to it, I feel so... whole afterward. The heavy bits are almost an assault on the senses, but as you noted, deliberately so. Thank you!
The opening and closing of the Empath album capture the album as a whole very well. They both contain elements of every song in the album. The closing song captures everything that the album is, while the opener does better to capture the soundscape the album represents.
You've heard a couple of songs from this album now, Why? was also on this album. The heavy section of this song is represented in the song, Hear Me, which is even more intense to listen to than this song's heavy section.
If I had to suggest one more song from this album in particular, besides the opening track (Genesis), it would be Sprite. A very etherial piece. Be aware that it transitions directly into Hear Me on the album, so there's a lead-in at the end of Sprite that gets dark. If you want to use that as an excuse to experience Hear Me, by all means. The drummer on that song was also responsible for the crazy drumming in the heavy section of this song.
If you want to see some obsurd drumming, the drummer has a full-playthrough of the song on their UA-cam channel, 66Samus. The drums are up in the mix on that version though, so a lesser recommendation there unless that's what you want to hear.
I always love watching people experience the technical brilliance that is Devin Townsend 😁
It's been 3 months, I think, that Daily Doug became my weekly song discovery. Holy shit, that's amazing.
Keep up the good work!
Seriously one of the best reactions to this song I’ve heard. I especially love your understanding of the last movement having heavy and light elements working as equal partners to exemplify life. Truly a transcendental work of art.
Doug at the end of every song ever: "Is that how it's gonna end?"
This is my favourite piece, and I found you randomly while looking for it. Delighted I listened to your take on it. Brilliant, well done, I'll be checking out more of your vids!
Great reaction Doug. Devin has this way of emoting through music the feelings we all feel like no one I have ever known. When I was at my angriest I was listening to him in strapping young lad which is very aggressive and at my lowest I was listening to the album Ki and coming out of it i was listening to addicted! I haven't listen to his stuff in awhile until this and its made me think about my current mindframe. Its very much like this song . Thank you for reminding me to listen more!
so happy you did this one! and what a great surprise to end the week - such a good reaction and analysis - thank you :)
Congrats. You have fully experienced Devin's "wall of sound" production techniques.
Thing is... the sound that I like the most... I mean the sound and the music that my brain is always happy to listen to is made by Devin Townsend since I've discovered Him in the early '90s...
27:15 what you said there is exactly what I feel Devin is trying to transmit with all his music in general, also that there is a kind of beauty in those "heavy/loud" and not so "harmonious" parts of live, "it is an equal companion to the light" well said Doug!
Dude. Your channel has been such a blessing this year. The best part of this video might be what you said in the last couple of minutes. You are great...as is Devin!
My first in depth listening to Devin and I have been wowed by this composition. Doug you have entertained and educated me again.
Fantastic video Doug! Keep it going!
I love your positivity, exuberance and generous spirit. I love DT. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for highlighting this great work of Devi’s, Doug! Great message delivered beautifully by Devi and yourself.
Oh Doug just embrace the blast beats there is a time and place for everything!!!
Been sitting here checking your channel every few minutes waiting for this!!!! My guy HevyDevy!
Same! 😅
Your analysis of the lyrics and themes is on point. Having listened to Devin's own explanations online, he says time and time again every album is about expressing truth and getting through whatever he is experiencing. The whole selfish messiah is quite literally about a "messiah complex" phase he had earlier on.
Speaking of which, now I would love to see Doug listen to Haken's 'Messiah Complex' series
@@sarcastictacos3129 oh man this made me laugh so hard.
Yes Haken is incredible, it just made laugh how two excellent artists can tread similar ground to the point where their individual uncoordinated efforts somehow result in a web of complimentary works. Like a strange puzzle where the pieces may not fit exactly into each other but still form part of a collective image.
Steve Vai made a perfect guitar solo for that section he plays it in. Just instantly recognizable.
Thanks!!!! Was waiting for this!
Thank you for sharing this Doug.
This really is the reflection of life is how I see it. Slow and relaxed at the start. Goes through every kind of emotion from the highest high to the lowest low, good and evil, and then it all comes into a happy and faithful send-off letting you know everything will be ok in the end.
Never before have I heard a song that gives you whiplash in literally every direction possible, and it still works as a whole story with its ups and downs.
amazing piece of music and great analysis! great channel!
appreciate your interpretation, reaction, honesty and openness. well done!
He's probably always in C since he tunes his guitar CGCGCE (low to high)
Oh man you finally did it! Awesome stuff.
Another fine reaction, Doug. Devin is one of my favourite artists. Absolutely phenomenal voice and someone not afraid to explore and have fun while he’s doing it. Had the pleasure of seeing the DTP in Glasgow a few years back.
Drummer is 66Samus on youtube, and he's very much playing that fast. A master of extreme drumming, and his blast beats are insane!
It isn't. I believe its Anup Sastry on this one. There are 3 different drummers on this record.
@@erikoisasiantuntija It is though, check the credits. Anup can't play blast beats nearly as well as Samus, so he was brought in for that section of the song, Anup for the closing section, and Morgan Agren for the section just after the blast beats. They all play on this song.
Artists like Devin will often purposefully have their vocals blend into the mix to help create a wall of sound and it really helps push the atmosphere forward. This happens alot in shoegaze music too where the vocals, guitars, and bass are drenched in reverb and distortion so it all blends together.
I haven't had a drink in a long while, but I got my second dose of Pfizer today (Pfizer II: This Time, It's Personal!), and decided to celebrate with a single Kronenbourg 1664 beer. Couldn't think of a better video to pair it with than one of my favourite Devin Townsend songs reviewed by one of my favourite people on UA-cam! Cheers!
doug should now listen to periphery
What a ride... great do rediscover this song with your analysis, both music and lyrics 👍 thank you so much!
The drumming you are referring to at and around 14:00 is absolutely live recorded! And played by fellow UA-cam personality and drummer extraordinaire 66Samus. He has playthroughs on his channel. Highly recommend having a look!
Thank you so much Doug for doing this piece. Such a masterpiece. Sometimes it takes a master to break it down.
Great analysis as always
Three different drummers played on this song. The final bit Here Comes The Sun was played by Anup Sastry and you can find a video of him performing it on his channel. Some of the best drumming I've seen in a long time. I have no idea what time signatures the song uses but it's impressive at any rate.
The last part is entirely 4/4, the syncopations are just so insane that we might think it's not that.
what amazing insights and observations.
Wonderful review - thanks!
You're my favourite react channel on UA-cam. So much musical knowledge and such a laid back, relaxed viewing experience, + you listen to my favourite artists. What more is there to want?
Doug, the way you eloquently explain almost every detail of this song really strikes a chord with me (pun definitely intended). I bought the LP of Empath a few weeks after it released, but have not given it much listen as much. I'm a metalhead through and through and seeing you wince at the heavier sections really made me chuckle, props on making it through. The manner how you explained that the heavy ostinato (the chugs) can be the 'light' which Devin conceptualizes is something I didn't realize until you brought it up, but I love this sentiment and must agree. Specially during these continously trying times; a record like this shines like a light in the darkness to me. And you have done an excellent job of framing that.
The first video of you I watched was #199 because of my undying love for everything Zappa related, the second was #200 because, well, Snarky Puppy, and this one is the game winner. I look forward to whatever you choose to listen to and dissect next!
That was awesome! Still waiting for the studio version of Rush’s Natural Science!
Thanks for sharing Doug and the advice 😁 also what a track!! First Devin track I heard was stormbending, Id never heard anything so thick and vast sonically
I actually noticed this too, in basically everything he does, his voice is not really that high up in the mix! Even the live performances. I guess he sees himself as another instrument, not wanting to take away from the others. But I would definitely love to hear him a little more clearly sometimes, because his voice is just so beautiful
You must check Ayreon (Anthony Arjen Lucassen), you'll be amazed, anything by him rocks, but you can pick whatever song from the Human Equation album and prepare to loose your socks! Check him out...greetings from Monterrey, Mexico Doug, great reactions, keep it going!
He reacted to The Day That The World Breaks Down. Check it out!
The thing with Ayreon, is that you almost make yourself a disservice of listening to only one song instead of a full album !
The variation between the heavy and mellow and the proggy parts are so satisfying.
Love you Doug - Even in his heaviest of songs, he can send those chills and interject true messages of love and inspiration. He used 3 different drummers on Empath - each a specialist in their own styles to get exactly what he wanted. Thanks for really giving an expert insight into our favorite bands. You should send out an ask for a 15-20 minute interview. He wants to share his knowledge and "tricks" with everyone, so I'm sure he appreciates how you explain structure and composition with us.