Album Review // 2020-07-30
Strapping Young Lad
Alien
Released: 2005-03-21
My introduction to Devin Townsend was from a Devin Townsend Project release called “Evermore”. It really left me confused about what I had just watched and heard. From there I heard a few Strapping Young Lad songs and some more DTP. I decided to look into what Devin had been a part of and found he has many many albums!
I also discovered he is a fellow Canadian and a bit of a comedian when performing. The names of songs allude to this as well. I grew up around a lot of humour so this was something I could understand.
I chose to listen to Alien mostly because I had heard this was created during a time when Devin was at his worst in his life. He was struggling with mental health issues. The song name “Shitstorm” for instance just seems to bluntly tell me how Devin was feeling. I wanted to see what he came up with in his darkest moments. I respect people for being honest whether they are doing well or sinking. On further investigation I saw Devin’s own words describing this album to be just that. A time when he was in a state of mania. I have a cousin that is bipolar and when you are in a state of mania you think you can do anything! That is how he went into this record.
I know I am going on about Devin and Strapping Young Lad. I don’t want to take away from the group effort. I found out SYL actually began as a solo project in the 90s but permanent members were added a few years after it began.
The name of this album is a little confusing to me. I am guessing it is hinting to a feeling of not belonging or being an alien.
Album Art
The words seem like they are floating around in space. I am not familiar with the writing used in the middle but it appears to be a part of their logo as a band. To me it isn’t too exciting considering the level of untamed energy that is contained in the album.
Mood
I really felt a sense of anger in this album. A bit of a sense of disorientation. There was some weight bearing down on it causing it to feel almost rebellious or tyrannical.
Vocals
In all honesty the vocals are really varied. Devin sings, screams, yell/talks (such as heard on a warning in the news) and growls. The most impressive part for me was the very high screams. Not easy!
Music
A lot of songs seem to have a melody playing on the keyboard with a sad tone. The other instruments provide more of a chaos element. There are some good riffs and some catchiness. For me personally, a lot of the songs started off catching my attention. It felt like the moment I got into them they had a drastic change. The change was the kind of weird that I don't get, such as children's voices yelling words over and over, or moments when I wondered what exactly I was hearing. Was it a child, a woman, Devin? Many weird happy sounds mixed in, as well as clips. Some songs made me think of a twisted kid's show that you question when you are older what the heck you watched. There were some that didn't take such a detour.
Imperial
WEHAVE RETURNED
FOREVER'S INVENTION
THE TWO BECAME ONE
TILL WE COLLIDE
TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
These words made me think of when there are two alpha types that really want to be the boss. You know it will be a constant battle. I think the title indicates that there will be a “winner”.
Skeksis
I haven’t seen the movie “The Dark Crystal”. I wasn’t familiar with the term Skeksis. Apparently they are the bird-reptiles and villains in this film from the 80s.
Makes me think of the good and evil fights we see in many shows. I imagine this one is one of those shows. Maybe it is indicating an internal struggle.
I'DLIKE TO TAKE IT EASY
...I'D LIKE TO THINK I TRY
I'D LIKE TO THINK FOREVER...
I WOULD NOT QUESTION WHY!?!
I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M SORRY,
I DO NOT KNOW THE WORDS
All I can say right now is
EVERYTHING HAPPENS WHEN NO ONES AROUND!!!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
FUCKINGFIGHT!!!
FIGHT!!!!
FIGHT!!!!
FIGHT!!!!
FUCKINGFIGHT!!!
These words make me think of when you are misunderstood. Maybe a person is accusing you of having bad intentions when you really don’t. Or maybe a person is having a hard time working through a character trait that hurts others and he/she doesn’t understand himself. He/she can’t understand why there is always conflict around. Regardless, the struggle seems to lead to conflict/fighting.
Shitstorm
This song seems indicative of an internal struggle, where in a sense you have given up on understanding. You just want people to leave you alone. Escape the chaos by embracing it. It almost feels like a warning to others to stay away.
Everything...everything,everything..
is WRONG!!
And I don't want to fight..
Because I don't know what's
WRONG or RIGHT
But I'll do ANYTHING just to get some
FUCKING sleep tonight..
NOW
You'll fucking listen to me..Everybody in my
MOTHERFUCKING LIFE;
All I've been looking for is an excuse to
feel this way..
..and now I know..
HA!
I KNOW!
I'm in control of the infinite mind,
And I control infinite Power,
When?!
EVERY BLACK MINUTE
Love?
I feel like this song is embracing the fact that love is not easy. A lot of times we are too self focused to think of others. Love is just about how we can benefit, what a person can do for us.
LOVE...isa way of feeling
LOVE is a way of feeling less alone
So what's all the fuss about?!?
LOVE: the paradox of needing
OH LOVE,
MAKE WAY FOR BREEDING
I know what I stand for;
I STAND FOR ME!!!
Shine
This may be about feeling jealous about other people’s successes. Or maybe like you are missing the mark and frustrated comparing yourself to others. Or maybe about being sick of being around someone who is over confident.
I'veseen your shine
Itseems divine
Butby the way...
...you'reclouded...
I'MCLOUDED???
WeRide
I think this song speaks to the struggle of trying to be nice to other humans. We are by nature self focused and imperfect.
Whydon't you ever think
aboutthese things that you say?!
Yourwords are there for us
todeconstruct anyway
YESyou ARE a product of that environment...
butCHANGE is ALWAYS THERE...
IFYOU WANT IT!!!
WHATTHE FUCK WAS THAT???!!!
I'M BEING COMPLETELY RATIONAL...
I'M NOT YELLING!!!!!!!
IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP
THERE HAS TO BE COMPROMISE
AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS BAGGAGE...
I KNOW I HAVE MY ISSUES...
AND WE! KNOW! YOU! HAVE! YOURS!!!!
Possessions
This song really seems to give the feeling of pressure to do or be something your not feeling. It speaks to the idea some people have that people in relationships are their possession. You own them. You can’t be you.
Iwant your HEART
YourSOUL...
...andyour MIND
You'llgive me TRUST
...Yourbody,
Thenyou're mine!
...Andbeing HUMAN
...isFUCKED as it is.
Withall these questions
OfFAITH, and of...KIDS!!!
Sowhat do you wanna do now baby???
...Doyou wanna have a fucking BABY!?
TwoWeeks
These lyrics seem to be reaching for having a good day with your significant other. It almost sounds apologetic. Like there were some really bad days and so let’s have a great day today.
Shouldwe take the day...
...maybe go to the beach?
What do you want me to say now baby,
I may be gone... but never out of reach.
Ooh, baby blue.
Thalamus
Seems to be about trying to send the message that you don’t need people in your business. You don’t want to have to answer to anyone.
Closeyour eyes and believe
Believe that the garden is all that you need
Believe you must bow to your knees
Believe what you want to believe
...Just believe
I'M FREE!!!
...ALIVE!!!
I'm MASTER!!!
...AND COMMANDER!!!
...OF MY LIFE!!!
...OF MY FATE!!!
...OF MY FAITH
...IN US!!!
Zen
Maybe this song is supposed to be settling down and feeling more secure such as you might associate with the word zen.
MUSTREMEMBER TO KEEP BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND
EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE IS TURNING ROUND
Then... we're the only ones
We're GODS, not demons
ZEN
ZEN
Zen...on the way I'm feeling
Zen...on the way we're feeling
InfoDump
Instrumental
Playlist Pick
I liked half of the songs on this album. The other half... not so much.
Love? was the only song I came into this hearing. If it wasn't already on Playlist 1.0 I would have put it on this one.
I chose Imperial and Thalamus to go on my playlist because they stayed in a place I like.
Readers' Average Rating
