Casualties of Cool
Casualties of Cool is the debut album of Canadian country rock duo Casualties of Cool, consisting of Canadian musicians Devin Townsend and Ché Aimee Dorval, released on May 14, 2014. It is a musical departure from any of Townsend's previous works, primarily because it is a concept album that features country-influenced songs with blues rock and ambient influences.
Casualties of Cool
May 14, 2014
October 2010 – February 2014
73:47
HevyDevy
A number of guests performed on the album, including Morgen Ågren of Kaipa on drums, Kat Epple of Emerald Web on woodwinds, and Jørgen Munkeby of Shining on saxophone. It was partially funded by the crowdfunding site PledgeMusic.[2][3]
Background[edit]
The Casualties of Cool project was published officially and went into production in 2012, after Epicloud's release, although Townsend had been working on it since 2010.[4] In September 2012, Townsend stated, "Casualties of Cool is a duo with myself and Ché. It sounds like haunted Johnny Cash songs. Late night music, completely isolated sounding and different than anything I've done. Ché sings most of the leads, and it's probably the truest reflection of who I am in life at this point".[5] Later Townsend mentioned that Casualties of Cool features "music closest to his heart" at this point of his life,[6] referring the album to be "a special one",[7] "one of the most favorite things he's ever done"[8] and "really satisfying to do".[9] Townsend has also said the album is "much needed serious music for him"[10] and that it is an important project he doesn't want to rush.[11][12]
In August 2013, Townsend stated Casualties of Cool was done and "heading to mastering",[13] but in early November 2013 he noted that the album was still being mixed.[14] On November 19, 2013, Townsend posted that Casualties of Cool was completed, and next in line was mastering the album and ultimately compiling a bonus disc.[15] The bonus disc contains the leftover material from the main album as well as songs from Ghost 2, the unreleased compilation of leftover tracks from Ghost.[16][17][18] The release date was originally scheduled for April 2014,[19] but was later postponed to May 2014.[20] In February 2014, Townsend mentioned he revisited the mix many times since the album went to mastering.[21] Originally in 2012, Townsend stated that this album would be the sixth and the last album in the Devin Townsend Project series,[22] but in February 2014, he confirmed that Casualties of Cool is its own project, not a part of Devin Townsend Project or his solo material.[23][24] Townsend also planned to start a crowdfunding campaign to support the release of the album.[25] The campaign started on February 22, 2014, through PledgeMusic, and at the same time the release date was confirmed to May 14, 2014.[26] The funding quickly reached its goal, and all additional funds are put directly to Townsend's upcoming projects.[27]
Concept[edit]
Townsend described the story as being about a traveler that is lured to a sentient planet, which feeds on the traveler's fear. The traveler finds solace in an old radio and later an old phonograph. Eventually, he confronts his own fear, and his "force of will to not submit to the fear" liberates a woman held inside the planet, which also frees his own soul.[28]
Reissue[edit]
The album was re-issued worldwide on January 15, 2016 containing an additional DVD with live footage from the 2014 concert at the Union Chapel in London.[31][32]
Reception[edit]
Casualties of Cool was ranked the 7th best record of 2014 by Sputnikmusic, with the comment: "Suffice it to say, this a record which you should hear as soon as you possibly can. It further establishes Devin Townsend as one of today’s most accomplished, and ingenious, musicians."[33] It also received a 5/5 rating on the website.