Ziltoid

I’m listening to “Ziltoid the Omniscient” by Devin Townsend.

It is, I suppose, a concept album, about a megalomaniacal alien in search of the Ultimate Cup of Coffee. Underwhelmed by earth’s offering, he wages war against humanity.

The record is, in Devin Townsend’s words, “the dumbest thing I could think of.” Naturally, it became bonkers successful.

People dress up as Ziltoid at his shows. He sells out of stuffed Ziltoids at the merch table. He made the record 100% on his own, broke and in between bands. “My career was clearly over, so why not drive the nail into the coffin?” Words of a goddamn champion.

Every musician on the planet’s seeing their plan A go up in flames, and with any luck, nothing and nobody will be cool ever again. If you’ve been leaving your own version of Ziltoid on the perpetual back burner, I for one would love to see it, hear it, and rock the t-shirt.