DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT: KI

The first notes of this albums opener Coast(after a track of some guitar plucking and strumming) really appealed to me instantly. Unlike most Devin Townsend productions there weren't a hundred guitars and layers upon layers of sound, a very clean sound with tons of space in the mix had taken its place. This alone made me initially very positive to "Ki", I thought it might be a major turning point in Townsend's already remarkably widespread career.

I have never cared much for the music of Townsend which to me either seemed to full of it self, too preachy or downright overworked. But with "Ki" he is taking a step away from all of this and starts moving towards something that might even attract people who've previously overlooked(even disliked) Townsend.

The sound is somewhere in between grunge, stoner-metal and of course Devin Townsend. His sound is something well worth mentioning, and a reason for people unfamiliar with his work to at least grab one of his records for a taste of. It is very unique and unmistakable, even with all the clones crawling around. In my book this is what makes a band great and in that sense Devin Townsend deserves all the praise and respect he has in the industry.

The problem for me with this album is in the complete lack of diversity. "Ki" follows a very slim line all the way through, never straying too far from its inherent sound, this makes it either repetitive or meditative, depending on who you are and how you feel about Townsend and his sound. In my case I thought it became repetitive and ultimately boring after a few listens, and I rarely listen to it now just a few months after release.

A good album for fans of the Devin Townsend sound.

3/5