As not someone that has listened to much Devin since Strapping Young Lad I'm really enjoying this album, possibly because I've got the advantage of not being that familiar with a lot of his other work so can't see those similarities. It's fun, powerful but also moving. Love the title track, Jainism and Ubelia & the closing track (despite not drinking coffee lol) For a Devin newb, I'd say it's an 8/10 imo :)
That's a hell yeah!! I'm super glad this is hitting better for you, I do agree that not being as familiar with his recent works would definitely help in the enjoyment of PowerNerd :)
@@RhymeSignatures thanks man! New to your channel too but loving your vids & reviews so far! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the new Opeth record when it finally drops!! 🤘
Honestly, I think this is a really strong album. It shines more through its atmosphere than through progressive flourishes or new sounds, which is exactly what Devin hinted at when he said it would be a relatively 'simple' rock record. I'm positively surprised though. It has moments that remind me of 'Terria' in a great way, and I personally love the nods to older melodies (as long as it's not overdone). But I think we can agree that Ruby Quaker is the standout track here! Now, let's look forward to The Moth! P.S. Deconstruction forever 🍔 ;)
Haven't listened yet. I *loved* Transcendence and Empath, and I liked Lightwork but it didn't really stay with me like the previous two main albums did. Sounds like this is another Lightwork, but I'll still give it an honest shake.
The songs do tend to blend a bit but I thought it was a easy listen. I thought similar about Lightwork. Still though, if you can see this guy live, do it, he is amazing.
I've seen him live about 8 times 🤣 Love Devy to the moon and back, I will always support him, I've even ordered the vinyl of this despite my review, as I want him to keep making music!!
Hi Rhyme! New subscriber here. I’m just starting to dive into the prog metal genre, and Devin is someone I haven't listened to yet. I’d like to start collecting vinyl records, do you have any recommendations for apps or websites to check prices?
Oh man!! You've got such an experience ahead of you with the Heaviest of Devvies!! I'd start with Epicloud, it's his most accessible album, whilst still showing off some of his weirder side If you dig that, try Addicted, want heavier and weirder? Go Deconstruction Want weirder and proggier? Empath!! As for checking prices of vinyl and whatnot? Discogs is the "de-facto" vinyl marketplace, think of it as an eBay that specialises in vinyl and CDs :)
Mostly agree with your review. There are enjoyable moments on the album but it does feel a like a mashup of his earlier work. I juts wish he'd make a less orchestrated and overproduced album for once...the last few albums all sound very much alike which didn't use to be the case at all with this earlier work.
As a massive Devin fan since I first heard him on Vai's Sex and Religion, I have to 100% agree with your review. It's a decent album, but not life changing.
I'm a bit underwhelmed by this. Favorites: Title track Gratitude I felt that this was underwhelming Honestly, this feels kinda disappointing I felt myself skipping most tracks Once the second track of the album hit, I felt a shift in my feelings for the album. I felt that fun should be loud in the moment, never quiet. In the end, it's the disappointment of the year, to the point where I had to listen to other music to rid of the disappointing taste after the album
@bryanwaller8681 yeah i was pretty underwhelmed from the first listen. Then listened to the commentary version of the album and listened again, and I mean it's not like it's suddenly my favorite dev output of all time, but it helped putting in into context even more. I still don't think I will be coming back to it often, but otoh I didn't really expect much from this output tbh. Still I like it more now for what it is :)
Devin's last 5 or so records have been misses for me. I'm sick of being disappointed so I probably just need to accept that he has changed so much that I'm probably not going to enjoy anything he comes out with. I don't like the mixing, I don't like the song structure, it's all so soulless compared to his old work. Like a forced smile. I'm glad if he's enjoying what he's doing, but I feel he has lost what made him great (at least to me). I'm still holding out hope for Casualties 2, though.
Yeah, I keep hoping he does something a bit more "organic" and raw sounding, if that makes sense....also wish he'd let someone else mix. He can still come up with great riffs and melodies and sing his ass off but a lot of the new stuff just sounds very overproduced, orchestrated and disjointed at times. But I guess this is just where is at these days and I'm happy just to get new music from him regardless.
As not someone that has listened to much Devin since Strapping Young Lad I'm really enjoying this album, possibly because I've got the advantage of not being that familiar with a lot of his other work so can't see those similarities. It's fun, powerful but also moving. Love the title track, Jainism and Ubelia & the closing track (despite not drinking coffee lol) For a Devin newb, I'd say it's an 8/10 imo :)
That's a hell yeah!! I'm super glad this is hitting better for you, I do agree that not being as familiar with his recent works would definitely help in the enjoyment of PowerNerd :)
@@RhymeSignatures thanks man! New to your channel too but loving your vids & reviews so far! Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the new Opeth record when it finally drops!! 🤘
100% agree
Honestly, I think this is a really strong album. It shines more through its atmosphere than through progressive flourishes or new sounds, which is exactly what Devin hinted at when he said it would be a relatively 'simple' rock record. I'm positively surprised though. It has moments that remind me of 'Terria' in a great way, and I personally love the nods to older melodies (as long as it's not overdone).
But I think we can agree that Ruby Quaker is the standout track here! Now, let's look forward to The Moth!
P.S. Deconstruction forever 🍔 ;)
Ruby Quaker is my wake-up anthem 🤟🤟🤟
Haven't listened yet. I *loved* Transcendence and Empath, and I liked Lightwork but it didn't really stay with me like the previous two main albums did. Sounds like this is another Lightwork, but I'll still give it an honest shake.
Mmm, this is a fine enough album, but after review purposes I just don't see myself coming back to it much!
I'm relatively new to Devvy, but I really like this album. The more I listen to it the better it gets.
The songs do tend to blend a bit but I thought it was a easy listen. I thought similar about Lightwork. Still though, if you can see this guy live, do it, he is amazing.
I've seen him live about 8 times 🤣
Love Devy to the moon and back, I will always support him, I've even ordered the vinyl of this despite my review, as I want him to keep making music!!
Hi Rhyme! New subscriber here. I’m just starting to dive into the prog metal genre, and Devin is someone I haven't listened to yet. I’d like to start collecting vinyl records, do you have any recommendations for apps or websites to check prices?
Oh man!! You've got such an experience ahead of you with the Heaviest of Devvies!!
I'd start with Epicloud, it's his most accessible album, whilst still showing off some of his weirder side
If you dig that, try Addicted, want heavier and weirder? Go Deconstruction
Want weirder and proggier? Empath!!
As for checking prices of vinyl and whatnot? Discogs is the "de-facto" vinyl marketplace, think of it as an eBay that specialises in vinyl and CDs :)
@@RhymeSignatures Thank you very much! I’ll follow your recommendations. But first, I’ll listen to BTBAM, then I’ll move on to Devin. 🤘🤘
@@GotaArgento BTBAM LET'S GOOOOOO
one of my all-time favourite bands with my all time favourite album, Colors!
I'll second the recommendation of Epicloud. The songs "Grace" and "Kingdom" are just incredible.
Mostly agree with your review. There are enjoyable moments on the album but it does feel a like a mashup of his earlier work. I juts wish he'd make a less orchestrated and overproduced album for once...the last few albums all sound very much alike which didn't use to be the case at all with this earlier work.
Yeah, I'm hoping and looking forward to whatever comes next sounding like it has more of its own identity 🤞🤞🤞
As a massive Devin fan since I first heard him on Vai's Sex and Religion, I have to 100% agree with your review. It's a decent album, but not life changing.
Yeah, Dev's my absolute Dude, but this is just another brick in the wall
The Moth should set things right, I hope :)
I'm a bit underwhelmed by this.
Favorites:
Title track
Gratitude
I felt that this was underwhelming
Honestly, this feels kinda disappointing
I felt myself skipping most tracks
Once the second track of the album hit, I felt a shift in my feelings for the album.
I felt that fun should be loud in the moment, never quiet. In the end, it's the disappointment of the year, to the point where I had to listen to other music to rid of the disappointing taste after the album
I'm not sure about my own disappointment of the year yet, but this is in contention for it!
just out of curiosity, what was your expectation?
@@budspanka2221 I expected to at least enjoy the record, considering I liked two of the three singles.
@bryanwaller8681 yeah i was pretty underwhelmed from the first listen.
Then listened to the commentary version of the album and listened again, and I mean it's not like it's suddenly my favorite dev output of all time, but it helped putting in into context even more.
I still don't think I will be coming back to it often, but otoh I didn't really expect much from this output tbh. Still I like it more now for what it is :)
Absolutely agree.
Since the amazing Empath, Devin's creativity seems to vanish a little bit...
Mmm, nothing has hit the same way since then!
It’s wedgie time
🤣
Is it fair to expect so much from him after 30 plus albums.
Its kinda boring and all the songs sound the same.
It's frustrating, a couple of standout tracks but like you say, so much sounds so much like each other
@@RhymeSignatures and we know he is talented, maybe this is Devin on cruise control. In the future we need to collaborate.
Devin's last 5 or so records have been misses for me. I'm sick of being disappointed so I probably just need to accept that he has changed so much that I'm probably not going to enjoy anything he comes out with. I don't like the mixing, I don't like the song structure, it's all so soulless compared to his old work. Like a forced smile.
I'm glad if he's enjoying what he's doing, but I feel he has lost what made him great (at least to me).
I'm still holding out hope for Casualties 2, though.
Casualties 2 will either be amazing, or the sequel we didn't need
I'm hoping for the former!!
Yeah, I keep hoping he does something a bit more "organic" and raw sounding, if that makes sense....also wish he'd let someone else mix. He can still come up with great riffs and melodies and sing his ass off but a lot of the new stuff just sounds very overproduced, orchestrated and disjointed at times. But I guess this is just where is at these days and I'm happy just to get new music from him regardless.