Well, I just had my first listen to it, and I absolutely love it.
And I don't drink or use drugs, and still enjoy it
I had expected some more guitars like on Eko, you know the ones, guitars with as many effects possible, until you can't hear it's a guitar anymore.l

I got this yesterday.... Amazing!!! I like it better than Alien, I think it is nearly/in a way the best thing Devin has ever done.... Stunning.

Amazing!!! I like it better than Alien...

Funny you should say that... Just as I clicked on this thread it occured to me that this album is the one we should be dissecting at the moment, while waiting for Alien to be released. (Well, this and "Shitstorm"...)

I'll immediately go and put this baby in the CD-player and get melted/molten!

[Blazingmonga]

Completely true Janne. Devlab is the far more challenging release. There is so much information in there, it will take some time before we can hear it all.

I can see myself using Devlab as the background noise in a short film...

I only listened to the first three tracks as a preview and I like what I hear. It is not what I expected, not at all...and I am not wondering WHY he did that but rather HOW! Doesn't sound random at all but I presume there's actually some sort of story goign on. Gotta order the full album as soon as I got the money.
Devlab feels like Spongebob Squerepants on crack...er...Spongebob on MORE crack I should probably say

I just got this yesterday, and I'm floored!

Listened to it 3-and-a-bit times thus far...quite astonishing.
I have a 4-day weekend now, so I'll be giving it a fair run in the CD player the next couple of days.

..."enhanced" of course...

I like the "duststorms on Mars" discourse going on in the background.

[Blazingmonga]

I love the parts in Devlab where it sounds as if a flock of birds has just taken off...except it sounds like people chattering at the same time. This really strange sound that sort of 'closes' the section preceding it.

I am in no state right now to describe that any better! Sorry, but I cant think of any long enough words. Im all short on long words.

Look at all you losers who actually like this "music". I bet if Devin farted into a mic you'd all proclaim it to be a work of art...

Actually, I just sent my cheque to HDR for this CD. Too bad I'm on the other side of the country; could take a while. But hot damn, am I looking forward to it!

If anyone farted into a microphone it would be proclaimed "art", because no one has ever done that before.... That's the whole brainless idea behind ART. I mean, look at 'modern art'. You put a few tires next to eachother, burn it, and throw paint over it. Tadaa, modern art. ... It's stupid...

Anyway, back on topic . Devlab is a great CD, and most of the songs are indeed 'music', because they have a beat and a harmony. For me it's just great to see a project like this being made by a metalhead. Try and make a record with just samples... it's almost impossible. There aren't many musicians who have the time, 'balls', willpower, to make records outside their 'standard genre'. I just listen to Sex & Religion, Ass-Demo's, SYL, Terria, and than Devlab, and I think: Wow, this guy is an amazing musician and understands what he wants, and how to reach it. I have nothing but praise for Devin, being a musician myself, I know what a pain in the ass it can be, if you can't think up any 'original' songs, or you have a shitty day, where everything works against you. I heard Devin say he writes 10 songs a week, and keeps maybe 2, if it's a good week.
And as a sidenote, WHATEVER music Devin will make, he will ALWAYS keep his own unique stamp / sound, which you will recognise everywhere. If he'd do a country sing-a-long record for kids, I'd still buy it, because I'm sure I can learn a thing or two from it, and enjoy the time and effort he has put into it.

wow, it kinda sounds like I want to date him, right? :S

Didn't Mike Patton do that (fart into a mic) on occation? I seem to remember him doing it on the "Faith No More live at the Brixton" vid...

Well, with that being said, Danceswith... has a point. A majority of people would not consider this either good or art. (I'm not even sure Devin would feel comfortable using any of these words when describing Devlab.) The only thing that actually makes us see/hear these qualities in this piece of CD, is our existing relationship with Devin and his music. Our respect and love for him and what he gives us. It has actually passed beyond the point of constructive critisism. This place it the last place Devin should go if he wants an honest opinion about anything he has done. But on the other hand, if he wants to be showered in heartfelt appreciation for what he does - here we are, waiting...

The most honest thing I can come up with to say about Devlab is that it is... "interesting" - and even that is influenced by my love for all things Dev.

I've said it before (I think): If Britney Spears had made this album - although a "Britlab" would be a very, very cool thing to imagine, most of us would probably consider it to be utter, nonsensical crap...

I understand what you're saying Janne, but I honestly do love the way the CD trails off into the rhythm based stuff towards the end. But then again, I think I was one of the few that actually enjoyed EKO and Love Load. I think its very original and I hope Dev does a sequel to it.

[Blazingmonga]

I think everyone hear really has to take into account that this disc just basically isn't for everyone...

I love it, but I love strange things like this. Its nothing to do with farting into microphones or anything.

There are moments of sonic bliss on this disc. Simple as that.

woah...

i just got devlab in the mail today and have listened upto track 4... it's freakin' weird - but it's for this reason that i think i'll grow to love it ... it sorta reminds me of the messing around i did with samples and slowed down vocals a while ago...

while listening to devlab i kept on expecting the freaky girl from the ring to sudenly chime in and tell me i have 7 days left to live haha ... it is really unsettling to listen too - but in a good way...

more thoughts later after extended listening...

Man its whacky, I dig it.

I'm gonna play it at parties to freak people out.

Didn't Mike Patton do that (fart into a mic) on occation? I seem to remember him doing it on the "Faith No More live at the Brixton" vid...

Well, with that being said, Danceswith... has a point. A majority of people would not consider this either good or art. (I'm not even sure Devin would feel comfortable using any of these words when describing Devlab.) The only thing that actually makes us see/hear these qualities in this piece of CD, is our existing relationship with Devin and his music. Our respect and love for him and what he gives us. It has actually passed beyond the point of constructive critisism. This place it the last place Devin should go if he wants an honest opinion about anything he has done. But on the other hand, if he wants to be showered in heartfelt appreciation for what he does - here we are, waiting...

The most honest thing I can come up with to say about Devlab is that it is... "interesting" - and even that is influenced by my love for all things Dev.

I've said it before (I think): If Britney Spears had made this album - although a "Britlab" would be a very, very cool thing to imagine, most of us would probably consider it to be utter, nonsensical crap...

But ask yourself; could Brittany Spears make an album like that? If she did, would it sound exactly like Devlab? If the answer to either of these quesitons is "no", then your point is moot.

Look, if you don't like it, just say you don't like it, for fuck's sake. No one is forcing you to say "It's interesting" when you really think it's utter, nonsensical crap. And please don't speak for what most of us would think. I listen to shit that probably makes Devlab seem relatively normal.

Yes, Patton did fart into a mic...onstage...which comprised about 1 second of the live album. A bit different than an entire album of farting. He did, however, release an album of pointless noise called Hemophiliac which I admit to not liking, though it has a few cool moments. So obviously, even diehard fans will not blindly praise every release by their favorite artist.

Here's the deal; people who don't "get" abstract art will always be critical of those who say they appreciate it, calling them pretentious or phoney. That's just how it is.

Also, if Devin wouldn't feel comfortable describing Devlab as "good", then explain why he said that out of all of his stuff, Devlab is getting the most spins in his CD player. Is it because he likes to torment himself by listening to his own worst record?

I will concede to this point, however; it is true that because Devin's name is on a record, we will give it more of a chance than we would if it was a record by some unknown artist. But we still can't force ourselves to like something, no matter how hard we try. My brother used to say the same thing about Punky Bruster, claiming that I would hate it if it wasn't Devin. But obviously, if it wasn't Devin, it wouldn't be the same record, so once again, moot point.