Infinity Studio album by Devin Townsend Released October 21, 1998 Recorded April 1997 – August 1998 at Red Stripe Studios, Burnaby, BC Genre Progressive metal, progressive rock, jazz fusion Length 46:41 Label HevyDevy Records Producer Devin Townsend Infinity is the third solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the first released under his real name. The album was released in October 1998 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records. After the completion of Strapping Young Lad's extreme metal album City and his solo progressive rock release Ocean Machine: Biomech, Townsend began to approach a mental breakdown. "I started to see human beings as little lonesome, water based, pink meat," he explained, "life forms pushing air through themselves and making noises that the other little pieces of meat seemed to understand." In 1997, he checked himself into a mental-health hospital, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The diagnosis helped him understand where the two sides of his music were coming from; he felt his disorder "gave birth to the two extremes that are Strapping's City record and Ocean Machine's Biomech."[3] After being discharged from the hospital, Townsend found that "everything just clicked" and he was able to write his third solo album, Infinity, which he described as "the parent project" of City and Biomech.[3] Townsend returned to the studio, accompanied by drummer Gene Hoglan, to work on the album, on which Townsend played most of the instruments. During the recording sessions, Devin slept on the studio floor.[4] Devin has claimed Infinity was partly inspired by experimentation with LSD and other psychedelic drugs ----------------------- Another great release and definitely worth a listen. Although Townsend in these early days of his solo career was still mainly delivering more heavy rock/prog metal music, we start to here some minor pop elements creeping in. For example Christeen with a different mix could easily be a chart type song. There are as always some unusual things going on, but for me at least these keep this in there as another interesting listen. I love these early albums, but for me some of the real gold is down the track. I hope that the few folks that are taking a look at this thread pop in for a listen at different intervals, because i would be very surprised if there isn't something in his collection that would spark you. Please share any stories, thoughts, criticisms or reviews as we go along here. Threads are much more interesting when folks put their two cents worth in. We'll hit the first couple of songs tomorrow.
Infinity is... an odd beast. Dev's love of musicals definitely shows through. Sometimes I wish the originally intended tracklist had been used, but the songs on the final album are all so good that I'm fine with it as is. If you were ever wondering why the mix is so weird, Dev says in his autobiography that his headstate at the time had him convinced of some strange method/equation needed that led to him making two different mixes of the songs and then layering them atop one another to achieve something or another. I think all it achieved in the end is anemic bass guitar, but it's all we've got! Tops: Truth, Bad Devil, War, Soul Driven (Cadillac), (Life is All) Dynamics
Infinity was basically the album that got me into Devin. It was so odd to me at first, yet there was something about it that I couldn't get enough of. The wall of sound is maxed out on this record, almost giving the album that "Broadway musical on crack" feel to it. So many layers, and yet despite being heavy as hell, the bottom end is still very warm and organic, giving the album a very unique feel. I was literally obsessed with the song Truth for years (and find the new version on Transcendence both unnecessary and limp), and still consider it one of my favorite Devin songs ever. This is arguably a top 3 Devin album in my book. And it has to be said: BODY WASH
Truth This is a sensational instrumental that was redone for Transcendence. I think the reasoning was to clean the track up a little. As I have said previously, the density on some of these early albums is so thick that some detail can be lost. Having said that though, it does not mean tat these are not worth hearing. They are great, but incredibly dense.. This, essentially instrumental, doesn't have any lead breaks or anything like that, but purely through the writing and scope of the music manages to keep the listener interested. Great way to open an album. Lyrics I warned you Hallelujah Hello It's back
Christeen This track is a quick tempo, rock/pop song and works very well. Calling it a rock/pop song is simplifying it somewhat but essentially that is what it turns out to be. Very well paced, with good use of melody and rhythm this song is very easy to listen to and could well have been a hit single with a less hard rock approach, although I', thankful that the song is exactly as it is. Lyrics Running, beyond the speed of sound Calling, beyond the speed of sound Say you love me, say you love yourself Say you need me, say you care Say you want me, say you want yourself Say you want to be with me well Christeen, that's all I ask of you Falling, into the open doorway Loving, what anyone else would loathe here... Say you're with me, say you're with yourself Say you're lonely, say you care Say you warned me, say you warned yourself Say you want to be with me well Christeen, that's all I ask of you Are you feeling okay? Are you feeling so much pain That never goes away Oh, we know, and we're feeling so much better than before What's more, is that feeling isn't failing anymore...
Bad Devil Well i may well be completely wrong, but this appears to be a song about the desires of his *****. This is a fantastic metal rockabilly number that has everything in it, including the kitchen sink. Lyrics I wanna know what you all Had for dinner I wanna watch the rodeo I wanna big city boy Be a man, not a boy I'm gonna meet you on down Beside the bayou I wanna be in your little friend I wanna live in your underpants I wanna big city boy Be a man, not a boy I'm gonna meet you on down beside the bayou And we'll see how it feels when it's over And we'll see how it feels when I'm older 'Cause it's all just a waste of time So enjoy what's on my mind (Someone should have said) Train won't stop Never gonna stop And it's coming back to carry me back home Leave me alone With no where to go And ride that wind back home... Bad devil Bad double-decker devil Cry for me ba Lie for me ba Lay down before me ba And ride that wind back home Bad devil And I've seen how I'll feel when it's over And I've seen how I'll feel when I'm older And it's not just a waste of time So enjoy what's on my mind
War This is one of my favourites of this album. It bounces along with quite a long intro, but it has enough going on to keep it interesting. When the vocals kick in, we have a great rock melody, with some great rhythmic support. It's a corker of a song. And I love the way it finishes ... Lyrics In the morning 'bout three or so Can't stop thinking about what I know In the morning 'bout three or so Can't stop thinking of the universe I keep rocking, I keep rolling Trade in the minute for a minute that isn't there Keep dropping, keep rolling Put out the fire with the water Thinking creosote I the morning with a beat up bud I know I can't fight a war without losing blood In the morning 'bout three or so Can't stop seeking what I need to know God is in the mountain as is in the rock And god is not concerned about keeping stock So keep rocking, keep rolling Trade in the minute for a minute that isn't there Keep dropping, keep rolling Put out the fire with the water Thinking creosote All he ever wanted was to be alone But you can't feel love without being loved All we ever wanted was love Love! We can see the enemy, they say Hey! we don't want your war It's quite nice, white light, it's quite, it's quite extraordinary! Window! It's a window! It's white! It's quiet, quiet God, quiet! Just a little bit of quiet please Just stop the noise for once, please
Easy song and album guide Devin Townsend, Who? Devin Townsend Album thread Ocean Machine: Biomech 1997 - Devin Townsend Album thread track 1 Seventh wave Devin Townsend Album thread track 2 Life Devin Townsend Album thread track 3 Night Devin Townsend Album thread track 4 Hide nowhere Devin Townsend Album thread track 5 Sister Devin Townsend Album thread track 6 3AM Devin Townsend Album thread track 7 Voices in the fan Devin Townsend Album thread track 8 Greetings Devin Townsend Album thread track 9 Regulator Devin Townsend Album thread track 10 Funeral Devin Townsend Album thread track 11 Bastard Devin Townsend Album thread track 12 The death of music Devin Townsend Album thread Funeral/Bastard/The death of music live 2015 Devin Townsend Album thread track 13 Things beyond things Devin Townsend Album thread Infinity 1998 - Devin Townsend Album thread track 1 Truth Devin Townsend Album thread track 2 Christeen Devin Townsend Album thread track 4 Bad devil Devin Townsend Album thread track 5 War Devin Townsend Album thread
Soul Driven (Cadillac) This song is like a form of movie soundtrack. It starts like a song and moves through a series of sections that give the song the feel of some form of anti-ambient piece ... or perhaps aggressive ambient piece. I guess it could be considered filler, but it does keep the listener interested with so much going on in it. To some degree it is as if there are no lyrics, but there are plenty. Lyrics Now that the love is gone What's still holding on? If all that was said was true... What's still holding you? If ever, you need someone there Who's been there for ever And ever, will waken the dawn Awaken the dawn for you... Please don't hesitate to call Please don't hesitate at all... Please don't hesitate to call Please don't hesitate at all (So many words, which ones do you say?) Sing maute dingas! (Everyone who knows and everyone who noticed... Anyone who noticed anyone who knows it...) Soul driven! -- Devil -- Nature -- Cadillac -- Jesus -- Allah -- Krishna -- Buddha -- God The birth has occurred and the time has begun, it's the end of this age and the Preparations must begin for a new time that takes so much work and will hurt in the Beginning, change always does, and know strength is not something you buy or sell Through aggression and fear. Only love and acceptance of faith will convince you That you're not alone and exist among friends so have patience... Don't give in... Don't give in... Have patience... -- It's time (Is this what you want? Are you happy with what we've Become? Is this the way you want to live?) ...You have a decision to make Bodywash! Home everybody e-a Everybody knows, it's very good now... home... home..
Ants This is an extremely eccentric song. A series of fast paced sections that probably in some way replicate musically the hive of activity in an ants nest. This seems to actually refer to humans in the context put forth in the sparse lyrics though. Lyrics Alive, but so alone... Live, so alive... All we need is money just a little bit of money, and that's all That we've been searching for (Make the money! Do the laundry!) Just a little bit of money makes the world go round
Awesome thread...Devin is my favorite artist right now not only due to his vocals and wall of sound but also for mixing genres from album to album and not afraid to take chances. ...cannot wait for what he has in store next.
it should be a great year for devin fans. there are several albums close on the horizon. the plovdiv concert comes out on bluray, cd/dvd, and a special cd/dvd/bluray book edition in the coming weeks. one of the things that grabbed me about townsend was the diversity. to me diversity for most of my favourite artists is essential. glad you're enjoying it. if you have any bits of info, stuff i've missed that is related, please post and make this a good reference point for interested people and fans. cheers mate
(Wild) Colonial Boy Interestingly enough this song kind of reminds me of Muse. This is a good song and takes the form of a ballad of sorts. Of course it moves through a series of musical changes as Townsend's music does, and is very effective in leading us on a little musical journey. Lyrics If you ever need a friend in me ...ever need a friendly deed Please don't ever let me Slip away What I'll miss in the travesty Is easier than it needs to be Please don't ever let me slip away Because it's cold in the fantasy I'd do or say anything Sell me, tell me, I'm wild (I'm wild) As I am in the fantasy I'll do or say anything I dance for thee 'cause we All enjoy a wild colonial boy -Cats- Time! Time! Paddington, Paddington That's the saviour Awe saw sale ya! Watch the boy he feels it all Watch the boy he heals it all
(Life Is All) Dynamics This song takes the form of another ballad that builds nicely. The song morphs into a powerful assault on the senses. This is a very grand piece that after its slow build drives us all the way home. Lyrics Winter hides the dead Just like summer ends too soon Springing forth the new knowing Autumn is the tomb And I'll wait for you 'Cause it's waiting for you Living hides the dead just like Suns and earth and moon Springing forth the new knowing Flowers need to bloom And I'll wait for you 'Cause it's waiting for you Unsure? Well, here's help with the wait The heavens move and the earth will quake And now god has failed as a metaphor There's only awe forever more Life is all dynamics Life is all... dynamics There's life in all dynamics Life is all dynamic Unsure? Well, here's help with the weight There's only "god" for "heaven's" sake There's only one key to unlock the door You must get the metaphor (God help our mother... love one another!)
Whatever it is, I am sure it will be great. Devin rarely disappoints (I say rarely, because Z2 and Physicist exist).
Well, neither is bad, but I rarely revisit either, and when I do, it is only for the 2-3 songs from each that I like. I think most Devin fans agree that Physicist is weak, and Z2 was pretty divisive (and it seems like even the fans who liked it a lot didn't think it was one of his best).
i really liked the ziltoid thing lol it was a fun distraction and i thought sky blue was really good ... but i think it has been ascertained that i am quite easily pleased lol
