Official Dream Theater Thread

[Segue Myles]

Being a critical fan is important. It means you can be more appreciative when there is something that you do like, and this appreciation can be more honestly and confidently expressed.

 

I don't enjoy the bashing of albums I like, either, but I still think it's important to see where people are coming from. If the reasoning is unsound, just ignore it, because the ultimate decider of what music you like is you.

 

My favourite album of all time, Lacuna Coil's Karmacode, is possibly the bands most derided from the perspective of their fans.

 

My favourite Rush album might just be Hold Your Fire. Need I say more?

 

I prefer Presto to Hemispheres.

 

Bin Jovi is one of my favourite bands.

 

I prefer Octavarium to Images And Words.

 

I think Black Clouds and Silver Linings is one of the best metal albums of the last decade.

 

Metallica's self-titled is only a small amount better than St. Anger.

 

If I hated on every contradictory post, I'd never be able to discuss ANYTHING on this forum.

[Day of Light]

Being a critical fan is important. It means you can be more appreciative when there is something that you do like, and this appreciation can be more honestly and confidently expressed.

 

I don't enjoy the bashing of albums I like, either, but I still think it's important to see where people are coming from. If the reasoning is unsound, just ignore it, because the ultimate decider of what music you like is you.

 

good post

 

but it is indeed frustrating when you like something others don't.

 

bur i still respect it.........if not too overbearing in your view, lol

 

Mick

 

:)

 

Once I get home I'll listen to TA again. I liked it, but I haven't listened to it since release day, so I feel my first impressions were superficial.

 

A huge album like TA deserves a better analysis than "meh, I liked it".

[Tick]

I don't see why fans who dislike a new release have to be called trolls.

 

 

You are not a troll for not liking the new album. Not at all. You are not a troll if you make a couple of posts ripping apart the new album cause you don't like it.

You are a troll if you post multiple posts everyday voicing you're disdain for the album over and over when the purpose of the thread is for fans of the band.

Let it go already.

 

If he's a troll you're a tool.

I'm a tool.

 

I am sorry Tick to have got under your skin.

 

I just hope if we disagree in future on something I love, I embrace your thoughts better than you did mine. Disappointed to be honest. I will once again stick to mine and Mick's thread for any future DT discussion.

It goes both ways Segue.I'm disappointed you feel the need to keep saying over and over again how much you dislike the album.

But life is filled with disappointment and in the grand scheme, this is small potatoes.

No worries, I don't hold il will towards you.

[Segue Myles]

I don't see why fans who dislike a new release have to be called trolls.

 

 

You are not a troll for not liking the new album. Not at all. You are not a troll if you make a couple of posts ripping apart the new album cause you don't like it.

You are a troll if you post multiple posts everyday voicing you're disdain for the album over and over when the purpose of the thread is for fans of the band.

Let it go already.

 

If he's a troll you're a tool.

I'm a tool.

 

I am sorry Tick to have got under your skin.

 

I just hope if we disagree in future on something I love, I embrace your thoughts better than you did mine. Disappointed to be honest. I will once again stick to mine and Mick's thread for any future DT discussion.

It goes both ways Segue.I'm disappointed you feel the need to keep saying over and over again how much you dislike the album.

But life is filled with disappointment and in the grand scheme, this is small potatoes.

No worries, I don't hold il will towards you.

 

Still not sure why the biggest letdown from a band or artist has to be entirely dismissed. So what if I repeat myself? I dislike it more than I expected to ever like it.

 

You have no reason to be disappointed in me. No one should ever think their opinion is above anyone elses.

 

You would approve of a thread devoted to your opinion it seems. Just talk to yourself. Mind you don't repeat any points.

Edited February 19, 2016 by Segue Myles

[Tick]

I don't see why fans who dislike a new release have to be called trolls.

 

 

You are not a troll for not liking the new album. Not at all. You are not a troll if you make a couple of posts ripping apart the new album cause you don't like it.

You are a troll if you post multiple posts everyday voicing you're disdain for the album over and over when the purpose of the thread is for fans of the band.

Let it go already.

 

If he's a troll you're a tool.

I'm a tool.

 

I am sorry Tick to have got under your skin.

 

I just hope if we disagree in future on something I love, I embrace your thoughts better than you did mine. Disappointed to be honest. I will once again stick to mine and Mick's thread for any future DT discussion.

It goes both ways Segue.I'm disappointed you feel the need to keep saying over and over again how much you dislike the album.

But life is filled with disappointment and in the grand scheme, this is small potatoes.

No worries, I don't hold il will towards you.

 

Still not sure why the biggest letdown from a band or artist has to be entirely dismissed. So what if I repeat myself? I dislike it more than I expected to ever like it.

 

You have no reason to be disappointed in me. No one should ever think their opinion is above anyone elses.

 

You would approve of a thread devoted to your opinion it seems. Just talk to yourself. Mind you don't repeat any points.

This is great, now we can filled 3 or 4 pages with this awesome banter!

[ReRushed]

What the hell. I decided to dive right into The Astonishing. I'm ten songs in and, surprisingly, I'm not hating it. And I'm not loving it. I have no idea what is going on story-wise. It's derivative, but I can't imagine an album like this not being derivative. "Three Days" reminds me of a Wall outtake.

 

Question - is John Myung still in the band?

 

And I think Mike Mangini is a robot.

Edited February 19, 2016 by ReRushed

[Segue Myles]

I don't see why fans who dislike a new release have to be called trolls.

 

 

You are not a troll for not liking the new album. Not at all. You are not a troll if you make a couple of posts ripping apart the new album cause you don't like it.

You are a troll if you post multiple posts everyday voicing you're disdain for the album over and over when the purpose of the thread is for fans of the band.

Let it go already.

 

If he's a troll you're a tool.

I'm a tool.

 

I am sorry Tick to have got under your skin.

 

I just hope if we disagree in future on something I love, I embrace your thoughts better than you did mine. Disappointed to be honest. I will once again stick to mine and Mick's thread for any future DT discussion.

It goes both ways Segue.I'm disappointed you feel the need to keep saying over and over again how much you dislike the album.

But life is filled with disappointment and in the grand scheme, this is small potatoes.

No worries, I don't hold il will towards you.

 

Still not sure why the biggest letdown from a band or artist has to be entirely dismissed. So what if I repeat myself? I dislike it more than I expected to ever like it.

 

You have no reason to be disappointed in me. No one should ever think their opinion is above anyone elses.

 

You would approve of a thread devoted to your opinion it seems. Just talk to yourself. Mind you don't repeat any points.

This is great, now we can filled 3 or 4 pages with this awesome banter!

 

I'd rather talk to someone else after this post.

[Day of Light]

I miss the rich, dulcet depths of Labrie's voice circa Awake. I know that the food poisoning incident did terrible things to his voice, but that doesn't explain why he sticks to the shrill tones and overuses that vibrato so much nowadays. He tries too hard.

 

I just ripped the CDs for Astonishing. Time to get to listening with proper headphones.

 

I'll post if something catches my, uh, my ear.

[Segue Myles]

I miss the rich, dulcet depths of Labrie's voice circa Awake. I know that the food poisoning incident did terrible things to his voice, but that doesn't explain why he sticks to the shrill tones and overuses that vibrato so much nowadays. He tries too hard.

 

I just ripped the CDs for Astonishing. Time to get to listening with proper headphones.

 

I'll post if something catches my, uh, my ear.

 

Look forward too it!

[Tick]

I don't see why fans who dislike a new release have to be called trolls.

 

 

You are not a troll for not liking the new album. Not at all. You are not a troll if you make a couple of posts ripping apart the new album cause you don't like it.

You are a troll if you post multiple posts everyday voicing you're disdain for the album over and over when the purpose of the thread is for fans of the band.

Let it go already.

 

If he's a troll you're a tool.

I'm a tool.

 

I am sorry Tick to have got under your skin.

 

I just hope if we disagree in future on something I love, I embrace your thoughts better than you did mine. Disappointed to be honest. I will once again stick to mine and Mick's thread for any future DT discussion.

It goes both ways Segue.I'm disappointed you feel the need to keep saying over and over again how much you dislike the album.

But life is filled with disappointment and in the grand scheme, this is small potatoes.

No worries, I don't hold il will towards you.

 

Still not sure why the biggest letdown from a band or artist has to be entirely dismissed. So what if I repeat myself? I dislike it more than I expected to ever like it.

 

You have no reason to be disappointed in me. No one should ever think their opinion is above anyone elses.

 

You would approve of a thread devoted to your opinion it seems. Just talk to yourself. Mind you don't repeat any points.

This is great, now we can filled 3 or 4 pages with this awesome banter!

 

I'd rather talk to someone else after this post.

Are you sure? This is a hoot!

[Day of Light]

Segue and Tick, play nice please. You are both appreciated.

 

Dystopian Overture is pleasantly intense, even if it's way cheesy. I'm enjoying it more than the first time!

 

Gift of Music: Why, James? It's quite subtle but I feel the autotune. The lyrics are fun if you resist the urge to eyeroll. Kinda like 2112 but with a little less charm because the musicians are not kids in the twenties.

 

A Better Life: Actually... I like it. This is the most listenable DT has been for me since ever.

 

Lord Nafaryus: !!

[Day of Light]

Savior in the Square: this song has its moments, but I find it to be too much during the parts where there should be buildup, reducing the overall impact of the parts that need it. Even the slow piano part has an annoying orchestral wall of sound behind it. Definitely could've benefited from being less ambitious here.

 

When Your Time Has Come: Not unpleasant to listen to, cool groove and guitar part, but I can't explain why this song exists. I think it's getting a little self-indulgent.

 

Also, people say DT lacks texture. I think being too clean is the DT texture.

 

Act of Faythe: This is infinitely more dramatic and effective than When Your Time Has Come. This also feels a lot more important for the album overall. And hey, the wall of sound isn't as egregious.

 

Three Days: !!!!

Edited February 19, 2016 by Day of Light

[Day of Light]

Brother, Can you Hear Me? is probably a skip in the future for me. It feels like it should've been a guitar-and-voice song with maybe some drums, and then towards the dramatic part of the end, add some violins and choir. Way too uniform with the orchestra up to eleven right from the start, and therefore by making it too busy, they made it too boring.

 

A Life Left Behind: I rest my case. Beautiful song, beautiful keyboards, a significant decline in orchestra bullshit.

 

I don't know what is up with this album. It goes good, bad, good, bad, filler, good, bad, etc predictably like a pendulum.

[Segue Myles]

Brother, Can you Hear Me? is probably a skip in the future for me. It feels like it should've been a guitar-and-voice song with maybe some drums, and then towards the dramatic part of the end, add some violins and choir. Way too uniform with the orchestra up to eleven right from the start, and therefore by making it too busy, they made it too boring.

 

A Life Left Behind: I rest my case. Beautiful song, beautiful keyboards, a significant decline in orchestra bullshit.

 

I don't know what is up with this album. It goes good, bad, good, bad, filler, good, bad, etc predictably like a pendulum.

 

I might replay some of these highlights

[Day of Light]

Ravenskill: Strong, but kinda boring.

 

Chosen: Filler ballad. I'm guessing it's lyrically redundant too, although I have only been loosely paying attention to lyrics.

 

Tempting Offer: I like the retro-sounding organ sounds buried in the mix. I think they should've brought them forward a little very lot more. Get rid of the f***ing choir. It's not epic, it's just noise.

 

On a side note, I think the little interludes are really cool. Wonder how they made them.

 

The X Aspect: !!! Liking the bagpipes at the end, but seriously f**k this choir goddamn

 

A New Beginning: Finally a relatively rougher song. The choir actually feels appropriate here. Edit towards end of song: Yes. This is the highlight from the first listen. It's amazing. I like it a lot.

 

The Road to Revolution: Also strong.

 

This wraps up CD 1!

Edited February 19, 2016 by Day of Light

[Segue Myles]

Ravenskill: Strong, but kinda boring.

 

Chosen: Filler ballad. I'm guessing it's lyrically redundant too, although I have only been loosely paying attention to lyrics.

 

Tempting Offer: I like the retro-sounding organ sounds buried in the mix. I think they should've brought them forward a little very lot more. Get rid of the f***ing choir. It's not epic, it's just noise.

 

On a side note, I think the little interludes are really cool. Wonder how they made them.

 

The X Aspect: !!! Liking the bagpipes at the end, but seriously f**k this choir goddamn

 

A New Beginning: Finally a relatively rougher song. The choir actually feels appropriate here. Edit towards end of song: Yes. This is the highlight from the first listen. It's amazing. I like it a lot.

 

The Road to Revolution: Also strong.

 

This wraps up CD 1!

 

O dear you mentioned the choir more than once.

 

Tick won't like this.

 

Otherwise, it sounds like you are hearing what I hear, which is good not great, frustrating, not satisfying, easy to dismiss, sadly hard to love.

 

Let's see if it gets better!

[Day of Light]

Yep, it seems we have similar feelings about it. And I don't mean to be negative when I hate on the orchestra: it was most likely a novel and exciting experience for DT, especially for Jordan, hence why they went so ham with it. But they went too ham, and I think it detracts at parts. I can feel they had a lot of fun with this record. It doesn't feel "meh". It's very enthusiastic.

 

Moment of Betrayal: stronk.

 

Heaven's Cove: Ohhh the guitar at the beginning is lovely. One thing I don't understand is why Jordan's parts are so quiet, though. I hear hints of that organ again and it's making me upset that they chose to prioritize the wall of sound instead of that beautiful harmony.

 

Begin Again: Another ballad, but it's effective this time. I like the drumming. GREAT buildup.

 

The Path That Divides: ...okay, I don't think Begin Again has a place next to this song. This is better, heavier, and would've been more appropriate immediately after Heaven's Cove instead of immediately after that incredibly clean thing. Begin Again is quite satisfying, but it should've probably got the cut considering this. I don't know. It's probably fine the way it is. I like the fact that I get both to listen to, but it's weird in the context of the rock opera itself.

 

The Walking Shadow: Drama drama drama. I love.

[Day of Light]

My Last Farewell: It's good. Yeah CD 2 is stronger, but this song needed grit I think. For once it's not James' fault. I've been loving his vocals.

 

Losing Faythe: Autotune? Or just pitch-perfect signing with too-good harmonies? I don't know. This is a little slow for me. Not a filler ballad. Meaningful in the context of the album. But I need rough.

 

Hymn of the Thousand Voices: Very pretty. It's giving me Spirit Carries On vibes, except better.

 

Our New World: YES. This guitar tone. Ok, I admit that I'm probably falling in love with a gimmick (LOUD! CLEAN! PETRUCCI!) but yeah this is good. I'm keeping this.

[Day of Light]

Astonishing is the last song on this album. It's kind of a shame it's not the strongest song on the album, but it's still strong. I think this is where they should've went ham with the orchestra but they chose a noble-sounding ballad at the start instead. I disagree with this decision but I can respect it because it's still effective. It's building up significantly towards the end. And I like the way it ends.

 

Final verdict on The Astonishing? I like it better than Scenes of a Memory, and I like that one quite a bit. Lyrics and storyline are fuzzy to me and I almost prefer it that way. The production is stellar. The guitar is sexy. The keyboards should've been louder. James sounds godlike but there's a few instances here and there where I can detect pitch-correction and it bums me out because it's so unnecessary. I think that whatever was potentially off-key should've been kept that way. Too much orchestra. Plenty of highlights, but some filler. CD 1 had more filler than CD 2. CD 2 is better.

Edited February 19, 2016 by Day of Light

[Segue Myles]

Reading all this gives me hope.

 

Will spin it again once I am over my current "meh" attitude to DT is over!

[bluefox4000]

Reading all this gives me hope.

 

Will spin it again once I am over my current "meh" attitude to DT is over!

 

oh and i get undermined, lol :rage: :rage: :laughing guy:

 

i love ya!!!

 

Mick

[Segue Myles]

Reading all this gives me hope.

 

Will spin it again once I am over my current "meh" attitude to DT is over!

 

oh and i get undermined, lol :rage: :rage: :laughing guy:

 

i love ya!!!

 

Mick

 

I have to be fair said this A MILLION TIMES

 

give or take a few...

[Segue Myles]

Right now I hate Dream Theater.

 

Let the resentment slide.

 

I am just sick of them (it happens)

[RUSHHEAD666]

I don't care what ANYONE says.........still the best thing they've done in a while.

 

I don't care how schmaltzy cheesy/bad the story lyrics are.

 

I still play this regulary........awesome.

 

number 2 DT album.

 

Mick

 

I'm listening to "Awake" right now. A real Dream Theater record!!!

 

It's like once Cliff Burton tragically passed away Metallica was OVER.

Once Kevin Moore left Dream Theater it was OVER.

 

"Train Of Thought." A shitty Metallica record. I'm surprised Lars that little tit didn't sue Dream Theater.

 

Remember Celebrity Death Match?

 

I would love to see a claymation Lars VS a Portnoy match to the end.

 

I honestly don't know who would win.

 

Mike was born in Long Island so I would pick him to be the favorite.

[Day of Light]

you're cool, earl