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Topic ClosedGhost vs. Deconstruction

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Poll Question: About that Devin Townsend Project last year...
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7 [38.89%]
9 [50.00%]
2 [11.11%]
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The Whistler View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ghost vs. Deconstruction
    Posted: February 18 2012 at 23:55

Well, given the once-over I gave the reviews on this very site, it looks like I can guess as to the response I'm probably going to see up there...but for sake of argument, I'm curious to know how people'll respond when asked to compare them directly to each other. And why not? I mean, I purchased them together. They came in this cute little two-for-the-price-of-one-and-a-half package... 

Basically, in case it wasn't quite clear, 2011 Devin Townsend release which do you prefer: the comical metal one or the acoustical ambient one? I THINK I'm supposed to prefer the comical metal one, but I don't somehow...which genuinely surprised me, since I loved the big-headed pants off of Ziltoid. I have a suspicion that Deconstruction is, first, a bit too chaotic and a bit too uniform for my tastes; that is, the madcap metal riffage was not AS grounded in plot (oh! Like Ziltoid was!), and it was not quite diverse enough for these ears, to keep things consistently interesting. Unsurprisingly, my favorite tracks were the ones that were either consciously funny ("Deconstruction"), internally diverse ("Praise to the Lowered") or both (the dance metal of "The Mighty Masturbator"). I also thought it was long. Twenty minutes longer than Ziltoid to be precise (why must I keep bringing that poor green chap up?). There must have been something in there to nip...

So why am I stuck with Ghost? It's just as long, and ultimately, just as hooky (that is, more "professionally pleasant" than "truly memorable" in some significant way). I mean, well produced. And it's definitely pretty. But if you strum an acoustic guitar and toss some synths in the background and you're not, you know, trying to suck, it's hard to not be pretty... And yet, there's this marvelous run of "Feather" to "Kawaii" to "Ghost" to "Blackberry" that, while it's not perfect, it sort of transcends pretty-and-pleasant. For a moment. Don't put too much thought into that. Maybe. 

Basically, it's not that I dislike either album. In fact, they're both above the average, in their own ways. It's just that I don't know if either one is GREAT, and I definitely don't know which is better...

"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 00:45
Decontruction is catchier and also heavy as f**k.  Gets my vote.

I found I liked the music on Ghost, but not the guitar tones
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 00:46
I generally go to Ghost more often than Decon, but both are enjoyable.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 04:23
Ghost for me. I dont know, I feel that Decon is missing something pretty substantial in the low end, I can here the bass, put there's no power to it. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 17:59
Ghost for me. Magic, mystic, well crafted. I have always wanted a pure, atmospheric/acoustic work from Devin Townsend. A sincere record that reminds me of past personal trips.
I am still encountering some problems to like "Deconstruction". I still have to listen to it again and again, although I am a bit discouraged and puzzled. I just like 'Juular', the introduction of 'Stand' and a middle section of 'Planet of the Apes'.To be continued, although I do not think it could become a favourite one for me.
Exil progressif (my blog - in french)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 18:24
Hm.... Deconstruction is wild and crazy. Sometimes when I'm in the mood for it, it's heaviness, epic flavors, and humor appeal to me in a big way. But not always. Ghost, on the other hand, is a soft, lush album, full of ambiance, acoustic and soft electric guitar, and flute. It's amazing for relaxing. Ghost would have to be my favorite of the two. With Ghost likely being 4 stars and Deconstruction around 3.5 or something.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 22:30
I have yet to be able to listen to Decon in a single sitting.  It's just too much.
Of course I don't even have Ghost, so I can't comment on that.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2012 at 22:34
Ghost is good for a bit, but drags on after not long.

Decon it is.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2012 at 00:47
Ghost by far.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2012 at 08:31
I LOOOOVE Decon. It contains some of the most complex work Devin has ever done. The long tracks are amazing, and "Juular" is one of my favorite straight metal songs in Dev's collection. Sure, some of the songs like "Sumeria" and "Poltergeist" aren't as strong, but "The Might Masturbator" is just amazing. I never think the song is getting too long, and how can you beat the boots?
 
Ghost is good. But a bit meandering. The songs needed to be tightened a little IMO.
 
Decon was my #1 album of 2011 by far. Ghost didn't make the top 10 (would have made top 25 though)
You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2012 at 11:35
Decon


http://www.lastfm.se/user/JonteJH
http://soundcloud.com/jontejh
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2012 at 11:41
Decon- stronger start to finish. 



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 08 2016 at 23:14
Decon
Sonorous Meal show every Sunday at 20:00 (greek time) on http://www.justincaseradio.com
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 09 2016 at 00:21
Deconstruction
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 09 2016 at 01:08
Ghost tonight.
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