where does Michael Romeo play on 01011001?

I dunno, probably a fast part.

*completely ignores whether this was resolved or not*

I like Gildenlow's performance quite a lot, but it would be perfect if the instrumentation would move me.

Gildenlow's ranks among my all-time favorite metal vocals, and appears very emotional to me due to the very organic sound of the band. 100110101 sounds very artificial and synthetic, but of course, it fits the concept.

I think a problem I have with this disc is that the concept plays a higher role than the music. The overemphasis on the story (which is definitively complex, as you pointed out connections with other Ayreon albums) brought all the qualities of the album that I pointed out negatively in my review. I just want a story that doesn't sacrifice music quality.

"The Human Equation" was much better at this and while I grew out of it, I still would call it a solid 3-star album that balances more the music and the concept.

oh, I wrote it wrong. I said "bad lyrics , vocals" ... I meant that I didn't enjoy the lyrics and I didn't enjoy the vocals, but I meant how the vocals were arranged, not the voice of the singers.

There are great singers around, even the dude from Pain of Salvation takes a big role. I just don't like the vocal arrangements, melodies, and the 'dramatic' way they tend sing, but I can't deny almost every vocalist here is top-notch.

Well, I guess I got the interpretation of "Web of Lies" half-wrong. I know it has to have a negative connotation on the plot, but maybe it could have been done on a different angle or with different lyrics.

When I heard it, I instantly thought that the song was about long-distance relationships. A guy and a girl meeting on something like eharmony or a forum where each of them disclosed very very limited info of each other (Mr.X being a forum nickname for example). So due to the plot, Eternity's plan isn't all peachy: we're building a relationship without meeting, falling in love without contact, talking thru a technological machine and falling in love with an avatar.

You interpretation is of course valid, I didn't think of it that way but it makes sense and it's sadly so true. So, you're saying it also implies to people (not necessarily kids, as the singers imply they're at least 20) living in the same city. Their inability to communicate would be using emails instead of using the phone (but that's also technological) and they would learn about each other by "searching the net" (what does that mean anyways, if anyone puts my name, I'm non-existent ... unless i end up using the "Zitro" when talking and they start talking me in this forum) or do you mean instead of just meeting and communicating how it's supposed to be? However the lyrics "I'm dying for a date" imply that the guy at least would want to meet ASAP outside internet.

Anyways, In my review I did not really bush the story. It's pretty complex and while I said it's a bit cheesy, it's not bad and predicted some would find it interesting. I just think the story is wasted due to subpar lyrics, vocals, and the instrumental part of the album not 'taking me' to this story.

I simply do not enjoy it, but it's an album impossible to hate.


Edited by Zitro - March 05 2008 at 08:44

Yeah I read all about the plot, both in the CD and elsewhere before I reviewed it, and while I have not followed this story on the albums, I also knew nothing of Rush's Cygnus saga when I first heard Hemispheres way back in the 70s, but still liked the album    ..but I can see how a long time Ayreon fan could find this new installment quite satisfying, which is why I wrote a balanced and fair - though ultimately negative - review.

OK Mike, fair enough, maybe sometime I'll give it another chance

MikeEnRegalia wrote: Atavachron wrote: it is impressive, it also bored the hell out of me I only needed to read the first few sentences of your review to realize that you simply don't know what it's about. Maybe it would be better to pay a little more attention to the lyrics before you make bold statements like "an idea with as much depth as a tuna sandwich". If anything your review suggests that you simply don't know much about Ayreon. No offense intended, you're free to dislike Ayreon ... I'm just quite sure that you dislike it for the wrong reasons.

what are the right reasons to dislike it?

c'mon Mike, I give good reasons in my review (which 3 stars by the way) for my reaction to it.. don't be so personally offended by a disagreement--  I also notice no review from you--  Put your damn money on tyhe table and tell us what you think of a record before bad-mouthing fellow Collabs  ..especially a big supporter of metal like me  






Edited by Atavachron - March 02 2008 at 20:48

^ I recognized all three of them instantly ... of course Romeo's solo is quite short and there's only one trademark legato/tapping lick which unmistakeably gives him away.

Zitro wrote: And before you ask: Waking Dreams, 3:30. But isn't that Tomas Bodin (Flower Kings)?  I'm a fan of his and I easily recognize that it is him, not Derek.

of course. I just figured that this would be the next question ("where's Tomas Bodin's solo?").

impressive CD I thought seems theres some mixed reactions to it though.