I have been a fan since just after heavy as came out and have converted about 10 friends. Of course they were stubborn at first. Now they are devy metalheads!
Most of my friends liked City when it came out. It was the big album of the time amongst my friends. When Ocean Machine came out, it split everybody's opinion. Some hated it, others thought it was amazing (like me!). Infinity lost Dev everyone I know bar two people (even me for a while). I don't see those guys at all nowadays.
I let my best friend hear Alien the other week. He's into all kinds of metal - no matter how extreme - and yet he called it "a big bag of cocks", which I presume is not a positive thing.
I guess Devin Towsend's a bit like Dr Pepper, or Marmite, or BDSM... some love that shit, others hate it with a passion
i find i can only really listen to infinity if it takes up 100% of my attention so i dont really listen to it that much. Otherwise its just explosive confusing sound.