So, I got really depressed. Immensely. It seemed to come out of nowhere, I questioned everything. My priorities, my tendency toward procrastination, where I'm going in life, noticed all the flaws in what I do and how I act, I'm scared of change, etc... But then I listened to "Nobody's Here", and my mind started moving... I started sorting things out... then I listened to "The Fluke"... Suddenly I was able to think straight, I felt better. And I kept letting songs from Terria and various other Devin albums be the soundtrack to my mental work... And I'm good again.

So, my point and question is; anybody else done this or do this? What Devin songs are cathartic/therapeutic for you?

My playlist included:
"Nobody's Here"
"The Fluke"
"Bastard"
"Night"
"Life"
"Stagnant"

And ended with "Earth Day" when I was feeling good again. ....Well, ended is a bad word for it, I'm STILL rocking out to Devin's work.

I've had that before, I've found that Dev's music has been rather therapeutic too.
To name a few of the songs that I've noticed this with has been:

Bastard
Funeral
Nobody's Here
Terminal
Two Weeks (SYL)

I'm sure there's a few more

[Octillus]

Ocean Machine and Infinity are pretty damn convalescent for me. But that may be because I attribute those albums to an extraordinary period of change for me.

Devs work moves and uplifts me like no other. Primarily the albums Terria, Ocean Machine and Infinity. They just seem to connect to something deeper. His music always makes me feel good. I particularly like 'The Death of Music' that song is like a mini therapy session within itself!

[swervedriver]

Therapeutic yes. Healing no.

And not just with Dev's music either.

[Octillus]

Therapeutic yes. Healing no.

And not just with Dev's music either.

I actually agree with this notion. Dev's music is an appropriate vehicle for self-discovery, reflection, et. all, but the choice to heal, reflect, and change comes from within.

I think we just tap into the honesty with which Dev writes.

Think about it, there are so few artists who write music with such honesty and integrity anyway (When I probe my brain the only MAJOR acts that I can think of that do so are Rush and Iron Maiden, though I'm sure there are some other major rock artists I'm forgetting, I'm just a bit of a metalhead), and Dev just manages to kick it up to the Nth degree.


Hence why we're all here, at least in my opinion. I mean, as great of a guitar player as we all know Dev is, it's not like he enchanted us all with white-hot blinding-fast guitar solos.


I will say, there was a moment when I was moving to my first permanent residence in San Francisco, driving with mountains of crap in my back seat, blasting "Traveller" and "The Fluke" that I got a little weepy, but that's definitely more to do with my own personal reflections than Dev's, but still his music does tap into that on a level. Hence my own illustrated version of the Ocean Machine cover permanently etched into my flesh.

It's all about marrying the concept of someone's artistic voice with your own artistic vision, really.

Therapeutic yes. Healing no.

And not just with Dev's music either.

A good point, true, but I never said it was what healed. *points* I said it was helpful, like someone talking me through my problems, and I thought it through
by myself while Dev provided his perspective, and maybe a pat on the back.

I knew other people would have had similar experiences. I agree that Terria and Ocean Machine seem to be best for me on this. Not sure about Infinity. I find Addicted to be great when I've reached the okay level where I'm just kinda kicking emotional ass and wanna climb life like a mountain.

I haven't really been depressed but, I was overweight a bit and I found Dev's music to be just what the Doctor ordered. man the music is so deep it totally sucks you in and I found myself completely zoned into the tunes while running that I was able to just keep going and going...I shed 17 lbs thus far....Thanks Dev for the great Tunes!!!!!

[Octillus]

Addicted is terrific work-out music, so is AE and Ziltoid.

The others, while amazing, can't be more than running music for me because they're not of the right vibe.

Addicted is terrific work-out music, so is AE and Ziltoid.

The others, while amazing, can't be more than running music for me because they're not of the right vibe.

I've found this too. Finally something to motivate me, it seems nothing else does.

I've written many, many, many, many hours to his music.

In fact, there are tones of influences in my ideas from him, and inspiration. Really, discovering all his music changed alot of things for when it comes to writing me stuff (music/film/books).

Dev's music, in particular Synchestra, always brings me out of those dirty depressive holes. Even in the times where it feels like everything I can think of is going against me, hearing Synchestra has always helped me leave behind those negative ideas and bring me back to my senses. I could definitely call it therapy, and that's why it's my favorite thing Dev's put out, at this point in time. Not to mention, Synchestra just plain rocks

Wish I had been introduced to Dev's catalog years earlier. Ki was the first I heard, and I still have a lot of digesting to do.

Thanks Dev, your music is leaving a bigger mark on the planet and its human inhabitants than you probably realize. Keep on keepin' on, good sir

specifically, the undertones of Ki and Addicted (also decon and ghost) has really been influencing me alot. The story and personal evolution really connects to what im trying to do right now in stories.

Devin's most intensly emotional moments are often the ones I turn to when I'm feeling down or I feel the world is coming down on me. Stuff with anthemic qualities like Christeen, Storm and Seventh Wave pick me up a bit while the first few lines of Voices in the Fan are good to mouth/shout along with for that release of anger. Some songs with incredible textures like Funeral, and most of Terria help put things in perspective again. Devin has music that seems to suit more or less all of life's ups and downs. Funeral/Bastard/The Death of Music is one such rollercoaster.

Therapeutic yes. Healing no.

And not just with Dev's music either.

I actually agree with this notion. Dev's music is an appropriate vehicle for self-discovery, reflection, et. all, but the choice to heal, reflect, and change comes from within.

Yes but when music momentarily brings you out of that gloomy state of mind it opens a window for self-improvement. It's really hard to do anything about depression when you are depressed.