Physicist (album)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Physicist | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Studio album by Devin Townsend | |||||
| Released | June 26, 2000 | ||||
| Recorded | Hipposonic Studios, Vancouver, BC | ||||
| Length | 46:34 | ||||
| Label | HevyDevy Records | ||||
| Producer | Devin Townsend | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
|
|||||
| Devin Townsend chronology | |||||
|
|||||
Physicist is the third solo album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend. The album was released in June 2000 on Townsend's label, HevyDevy Records.
Physicist is distinguished from the rest of Townsend's solo portfolio for the crossing of the style of his work in Strapping Young Lad with elements that had been explored in Ocean Machine: Biomech and Infinity. Notably, the line-up of musicians featured on this album is identical to that of Strapping Young Lad.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Physicist took several years to come to fruition. Townsend had previously played with Metallica's then-bassist Jason Newsted, in a short-lived thrash metal project called IR8. After the creation of an IR8 demo tape, Townsend and Jason Newsted began work on a new project called Fizzicist, which they claimed would be "heavier than Strapping Young Lad". When the IR8 tape was leaked, Newsted's Metallica bandmates James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich learned of the project. Hetfield was "fucking pissed" that Newsted was playing outside the band, and Newsted was prevented by his bandmates from working on any more side projects.[5][6]
Unable to continue working with Newsted, Townsend instead wrote the album himself, entitling it Physicist. Townsend assembled his bandmates from his extreme metal side project Strapping Young Lad. This was the only time this lineup was featured on one of Townsend's solo albums.[5]
[edit] Music
The album combines Townsend's style with a thrash metal influence.[7] David Ballard of Revolver described the album's sound as "a blend of summery melody and breathtaking brutality ... vaulting between Queen-like elegance and Dark Angel–like devastation."[8]
[edit] Release
Physicist was released in June 2000 on Townsend's independent label, HevyDevy Records. It is distributed in Canada by HevyDevy, in Japan by Sony, and in Europe and North America by InsideOut. The album was released on Enhanced CD format, with a commentary on the album by Townsend.
[edit] Critical reception
Physicist received positive reviews, but is generally considered a low point in Townsend's career. Townsend himself considers it his worst album to date.[9] Trey Spencer of Sputnikmusic argued that while Physicist is "a pretty good listen" on its own merit, it is "one of the weakest" albums in Townsend's catalog. He felt the album "comes off as a restrained version of Strapping Young Lad with hints of [Townsend's] other projects thrown in," and that most of the tracks don't "seem to go anywhere."[4]
Much of the criticism of Physicist stems from its poor production. Spencer found the production "a little too reigned in" and "muddy".[4] This was felt by the band as well; drummer Gene Hoglan and the rest were dissatisfied with the way the sound was mixed.[10]
[edit] Track listing
All tracks written by Devin Townsend except where noted.
- "Namaste" – 3:34
- "Victim" – 3:15
- "Material" – 2:47
- "Kingdom" – 5:55
- "Death" – 2:27 (Townsend/Hoglan)
- "Devoid" – 1:28
- "The Complex" – 3:31 (Townsend/Hoglan)
- "Irish Maiden" – 2:45
- "Jupiter" – 3:36
- "Planet Rain" – 11:08
- "Forgotten" – 5:59 (hidden track)
[edit] Bonus tracks
The Japanese release by Sony also contains three bonus tracks.
- "Man" – 5:12
- "Ocean Machines" – 8:24
- "Promise" – 5:26
[edit] Chart performance
| Chart | Weeks | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| Oricon (Japan)[11] | 1 | 80 |
[edit] Personnel
[edit] Music
- Devin Townsend – vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Gene Hoglan – drums
- Byron Stroud – bass
- Jed Simon – guitar
[edit] Background vocals
- Chris Valagao
- Marina Reid
- Sharon Parker
- Teresa Duke
[edit] Production
- Devin Townsend – production, engineering, arrangement
- Mike Plotnikoff – mixing
- Chris Waddell – mastering
- Shaun Thingvold – engineering, digital editing
- Paul Silviera – engineering
- Matteo Caratozzolo – engineering
- Sawami Saito – assistance
- Roger Swan – assistance
- Tracy Turner – assistance, management
- Byron Stroud – assistance
- Seventh Wave Studios – CD enhancement
[edit] Artwork
- Clint Nielsen – layout, artwork, logos
- Gary Hunter – 3-D logo rendering
- Gloria Fraser – photography
- Tania Rudy – photography
[edit] References
- ^ Krgin, Borivoj (December 2001). "Devin Townsend – Physicist." Blabbermouth.net.
- ^ Truong, Kev (July 2000). "Review: Devin Townsend – Physicist." Blistering.
- ^ Wicker, Dan (July 2000). "Review: Devin Townsend – Physicist." Blistering.
- ^ a b c Spencer, Trey (July 27, 2007). "Devin Townsend – Physicist Review." Sputnikmusic.
- ^ a b Turner, Tracy. "Devin Townsend Biography". HevyDevy Records. http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_biography.html. Retrieved on November 25, 2008.
- ^ Fricke, David (June 27, 1996). "Pretty Hate Machine". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/21395550/cover_story_pretty_hate_machine/. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
- ^ G., Mike (September 2003). "The Devin Townsend Band: No Holds Barred." Metal Maniacs.
- ^ Ballard, David (March/April 2003). "A lad insane." Revolver.
- ^ Povarchik, Roy; Vayner, Ofer (July 20, 2006). "Interviews: Devin Townsend from Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band". Alternative-Zine.com. http://www.alternative-zine.com/interviews/en/92. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
- ^ Hawkins, Chris (February 2003). "Interview with Gene Hoglan of Strapping Young Lad". Metal-Rules.com. http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/SYL-2003.htm. Retrieved on November 26, 2008.
- ^ (Japanese) "フィジシスト/デヴィン・タウンゼンド." Oricon. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||||||||||
