Nowhere is this comment more relevant than with the 16-plus minute “The Mighty Masturbator.” Indulgent to the point it almost stops the album’s momentum, the track is just bizarre enough to work. With allusions to Addicted’s “Numbered!” and the courage to have a techno-dance sequence, the gargantuan undertaking will entice fans who enjoy the crazy side of Townsend.
The other tracks aren’t as out-there as “The Mighty Masturbator,” though they still have their moments. The title track has a sick technical section featuring the stellar guitar stylings of Meshuggah’s Fredrik Thordendal. “Juular” and “Pandemic” are fast numbers for those who long for the Strapping Young Lad days again. “Planet Of The Apes” has a shocking amount of tenderness near the end, as Townsend croons, “I’m sorry baby, I’m sworn to miles and miles of love.”
The list of vocalists brought in by Townsend is too big to fit into a paragraph. Townsend makes sure not to overuse them to distract from the music. Cynic’s Paul Masvidal drops the vocoder and delivers a stirring performance on “Sumeria.” Oderus Urungus (Gwar) rants like a madman on the title track and Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan) screams like a lunatic on “The Mighty Masturbator.” It’s amazing that Townsend was able to get all these vocalists to add positive contributions to Deconstruction.
This is one of Townsend’s most aggressive album in years, yet his odd sense of humor has not diminished. Extended fart and poop samples, goofy voice-overs and vaudeville breakdowns seem out of place, but that’s just part of Townsend’s personality. He doesn’t take himself or the music too seriously on Deconstruction. Some close-minded metal folks won’t take to Townsend’s musings over a cheeseburger, but Ziltoid The Omniscient and Cooked On Phonics were much stranger than this record.
With all the guest musicians, a full orchestra and choir at his disposal, Townsend made sure to go all out with the third part of his four-part Devin Townsend Project series. Deconstruction is not just Townsend trying to relive the days of the mullet. This is from the mind of a sober, clear-headed musician proving he doesn’t needed substances to let out his inner rage. Deconstruction is a difficult record to indulge in, but subsequent listens prove to be invaluable.
(released June 21, 2011 on InsideOut Music)
