Hello all,

After listening to Synchestra a few times, I've noticed a few similarities with other Devin projects. Tell me what you think about it:

-Notes From Africa: The beginning looks like Led Zep's "immigrant song", but the chorus is the same as in "Love?":
"Oh what a feeling, oh what a feeding, know from where it came..." It's the same vocal melody!

-Babysong: The second part of the song reminds me of "Infinite Waltz" on the Infinity EP, except that it's not as good...

-Judgement: "Sorry...I'm so sorry".....looks like "Planet Rain" off Physicist no?

Does Devin start to lack new ideas? I hope not, but I can't help but think that he should take a few months of holidays just to take the time to create brand new ideas. The last time I heard he had some holidays was before Physicist (!!!)

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Uhh, if you look you'll see a thread already running, here:

http://hevydevyforums.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5114

he links songs to others

Does Devin start to lack new ideas? I hope not, but I can't help but think that he should take a few months of holidays just to take the time to create brand new ideas. The last time I heard he had some holidays was before Physicist (!!!)

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I think that those references are intensional. Dev has said that Synchestra is somekind of "the end of an era".

I've definitely noticed similarities to other Dev projects - mostly Physicist, Inifinity, and Terria. Don't you reckon the intro to Judgement could so easily have been on AE? And all the heavy stuff on Hypergeek is so Physicist. I agree with whoever noted that this stuff represents the end of an era, as said by The Dev. I didn't understand what he meant by that originally, but having gotten pretty familiar with Synchestra over the last few days, I think I know now what he was trying to say.

the beginning of Vampolka sounds like the chocobo music from final fantasy.



well, i was pleased

Yeah, I've noticed those similarities myself, too.
I felt kinda worried but if linking songs is made on purpose, it's cool.

I agree with whoever noted that this stuff represents the end of an era, as said by The Dev. I didn't understand what he meant by that originally, but having gotten pretty familiar with Synchestra over the last few days, I think I know now what he was trying to say.

...Which is?

Verdo, if you think Dev is running short of ideas, then this probably means he has been doing so for his whole career. Consider the following:

-one of the melodies from "All Hail the New Flesh" was directly stolen from an unreleased Ocean Machine song.
-one of the lyrics from "All Hail..." was taken from the first Strapping record ("All you are is all you are)

As you can see, the recycling of themes and melodies is nothing new. You can let it bother you, or take it for what it is.

And I'd have to say that the end of Babysong is better than Infinite Waltz...

[djskrimp]

My .02...


Stephen King is known for bringing elements of previous works to newer books. He's not been accused of "running out of ideas", it's a literary device that some authors imploy to give continuity to certain themes or characters. I think the fact that Dev can do this and each song still stand on its own (And rock like a mothertrucker) is a testament to how well he crafts his music. Running out of ideas? We should all be so lucky as to be as creatively "void".

Every artist uses and reuses ideas and concepts. It's actually a rather creative process, which both djskrimp and danceswithchickens have pointed out.

If I were to pick an album that Synchestra sounds most similar to I'd go for Terria and perhaps Infinity.

Anyone agree?

I would say Terria mixed with AE.

If I were to pick an album that Synchestra sounds most similar to I'd go for Terria and perhaps Infinity.

Anyone agree?

I agree with this assessment. It sounds like AE in the sense that it's the same band playing it, but musically it sounds more like Infinity to me.

If I were to pick an album that Synchestra sounds most similar to I'd go for Terria and perhaps Infinity.

Anyone agree?

Jup, definitely agreed. Those were the two albums that came to my mind when listening to Synchestra for the very first time - and I still see that connection. Especially the first three songs - god, how I love Let It Roll, Hypergeek and Triumph as one big emotional journey - have a Terria vibe, later on, when the record gets really epic (Judgement, A Simple Lullaby) I hear connections to Infinity. Oh well, that's just my opinion of course.

Verdo: If Dev was running out of ideas and it was just about re-using old riffs/melodies/whatever to get things done, I think he would have done it in a much more subtle way, don't you think? I'm thinking of the "Oh what a feeling..." part from Love?/ Notes From Africa right now. That's what I call a "reference".

The riffs that appear in the Baby Song have been mentioned before, right? Then I just might add that I love this song's instrumental section. Awesome!