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Earendil
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 17 2008
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 1584
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 17:22 |
Garden of Dreams wrote:
I'm in the middle of my second listen and I'm enjoying it a lot. I pre-ordered my copy through amazon and got it Monday instead of today . Did this happen to anyone else? |
Mine just came today, but I didn't pre-order it until last week.
And half-way through the first listen, I'd say it's their best since Six Degrees. I like it indefinitely more than BC&SL.
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FloydZhang
Forum Newbie
Joined: September 02 2011
Status: Offline
Points: 3
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 18:29 |
Stooge wrote:
I went to HMV today, and they didn't have the new DT album out. I was there to grab the new Primus and Arch/Matheos anyways, which they did have. |
I live in Vancouver, and neither does HMV here have it. I met a guy in the shop, hes told me that he had been looking for it in several shops in Vancouver, but none of them had it. So I think it is not released in Canada yet actually.
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colorofmoney91
Prog Reviewer
Joined: March 16 2008
Location: Biosphere
Status: Offline
Points: 22774
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 19:54 |
The new DT album sounds like elaborate and flamboyant nu-metal, in my opinion. But then again I've never really been a huge fan.
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Earendil
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 17 2008
Location: Indiana, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 1584
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:21 |
colorofmoney91 wrote:
The new DT album sounds like elaborate and flamboyant nu-metal, in my opinion. But then again I've never really been a huge fan. |
I'd love to hear what nu-metal you listen to. All the nu-metal I've heard sucks.
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:42 |
CCVP wrote:
JJLehto wrote:
Sounds good Mike.
Without doubt, this is different and IMO better than their last 3 albums. My opinion is still the same: There are good songs and really boring ones and right now sitting at 3 stars. Will give it time to grow on me but yeah, that's what I got. Better album then we've seen in a while but same DT problems: inconsistent and I really just do not like James' vocals.
Speaking of which "Bridges in the Sky" pisses me off That's because I really like the concept of the intro, the drone singing (and overall intro) is cool as hell but it's executed poorly. Sounds like he's having a very prolonged belch. Bugs me because I like the idea a lot and that would've been ballin if done well.
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IDK, from what I hear in YT, I didn't liked it that much. I still preffer Black Clouds and I still think it was one of the best albums they have put out, despite what some think. . . . . *cough* BRIAN *cough* |
Oh yeah, that one grew on me and it's up to 2.5 now
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Andy Webb
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Terria
Status: Offline
Points: 13298
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:46 |
JJLehto wrote:
CCVP wrote:
JJLehto wrote:
Sounds good Mike.
Without doubt, this is different and IMO better than their last 3 albums. My opinion is still the same: There are good songs and really boring ones and right now sitting at 3 stars. Will give it time to grow on me but yeah, that's what I got. Better album then we've seen in a while but same DT problems: inconsistent and I really just do not like James' vocals.
Speaking of which "Bridges in the Sky" pisses me off That's because I really like the concept of the intro, the drone singing (and overall intro) is cool as hell but it's executed poorly. Sounds like he's having a very prolonged belch. Bugs me because I like the idea a lot and that would've been ballin if done well.
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IDK, from what I hear in YT, I didn't liked it that much. I still preffer Black Clouds and I still think it was one of the best albums they have put out, despite what some think. . . . . *cough* BRIAN *cough* |
Oh yeah, that one grew on me and it's up to 2.5 now
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Then change your review rating.
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:49 |
Andyman1125 wrote:
JJLehto wrote:
CCVP wrote:
JJLehto wrote:
Sounds good Mike.
Without doubt, this is different and IMO better than their last 3 albums. My opinion is still the same: There are good songs and really boring ones and right now sitting at 3 stars. Will give it time to grow on me but yeah, that's what I got. Better album then we've seen in a while but same DT problems: inconsistent and I really just do not like James' vocals.
Speaking of which "Bridges in the Sky" pisses me off That's because I really like the concept of the intro, the drone singing (and overall intro) is cool as hell but it's executed poorly. Sounds like he's having a very prolonged belch. Bugs me because I like the idea a lot and that would've been ballin if done well.
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IDK, from what I hear in YT, I didn't liked it that much. I still preffer Black Clouds and I still think it was one of the best albums they have put out, despite what some think. . . . . *cough* BRIAN *cough* |
Oh yeah, that one grew on me and it's up to 2.5 now
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Then change your review rating. |
Eventually. I will make one for MMA then just move it to here (it'll probably be better written as well). Though you know we can't do half stars so I need to bump it to 2
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Andy Webb
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Terria
Status: Offline
Points: 13298
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:54 |
I just want it to be bumped back up to 3.5 stars
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CCVP
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 15 2007
Location: Vitória, Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 7971
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 20:57 |
Andyman1125 wrote:
I just want it to be bumped back up to 3.5 stars |
I second that.
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:01 |
Sorry, my reviews are honest. I feel bad when I would see a popular black metal album (for example) with like 4 votes and my one would drop it off the top page but ah well. Music is rough bro.
This album is better than their last 3 without doubt. Especially black clouds, ew
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darkshade
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: November 19 2005
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 10964
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:29 |
ADTOE is the first album since this site has been created where a new DT album has a 4.0+ rating after 150 ratings. I see this being their first 4.0+ album since SDoIT
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:31 |
Yes, Caio and Andy need to calm down there's no way even I could bring this album's rating down
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darkshade
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: November 19 2005
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 10964
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:33 |
I wish I was a collab so that my 5 star rated review (when I eventually write it), will bump the rating even higher
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Catcher10
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17845
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:52 |
^ Well lets see what happens when the collabs start reviewing it, if they choose to......I suppose it will remain a strong 3.5-4.0.
I really like the album......It would have been much better to me had Myung come forward more. He's such a great bass player and I just am not hearing him very much. That's my one big disappointment with this recording.........yea I know he had a hand in some of the lyrics......but I could do without some of the Rudess sounds and more Myung sounds.
3.75 for me right now......I was 3.5 yesterday...but it is a very good album considering the circumstances.
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JJLehto
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Status: Offline
Points: 34550
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Posted: September 15 2011 at 21:56 |
But Myung was never very prominent, I can barely hear any bass on a lot of DT's albums. Shame because he is good.
Also, while my favorite album was maybe their heaviest I do like the more keyboard, melodic prog driven style.
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Gerinski
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5154
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Posted: September 16 2011 at 14:47 |
Mmmm... will need more listens to judge, but after just 3 spins I get mixed feelings.
Clearly they tried to go a bit back to the pre-TOT sound, some parts surely remind of Images and Words, Awaken, A Change Of Seasons or Metropolis Pt 2, but many other parts still sound like their last 3 albums, it's like a combination of both worlds.
I think it's surely better than the last albums but still far from their best material, and in the best parts you get that sense of deja vu, they just go back to the proven formula, I don't find anything really creative. 3 stars right now but need to give it more chances.
John Petrucci is undoubtedly a world-top guitarist but he just repeats himself far too much, I wish he would try some different sounds and textures, he is definitely more than good enough technically, so why the hell does he not expand a bit his style? Even trying some sounding like Eddie Van Halen, Shawn Lane, Paul Gilbert or whatever, I don't mind, but a bit of variation please! He gets so predictable.
As for the change of drummer, I think if I didn't know I would probably not notice, Mangini plays great but very similar to Portnoy's style. Knowing about it, yeah, you can sense some subtle differences, mainly in the use of the hi-hat and cymbals, and a bit in the use of the double-bass-drum pedals and the tom fills, but it's marginal.
Need to give it some more time, so far I'm pleased but far from amazed.
Edited by Gerinski - September 16 2011 at 14:53
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voliveira
Forum Groupie
Joined: October 27 2010
Location: Sergipe,Brasil
Status: Offline
Points: 48
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Posted: September 16 2011 at 19:37 |
This is easily the band's best album since "Train of Tought." Well, I'm suspect to talk about a Dream Theater album because I gave them all (with the exception of "When Dream and Day Unite") classificção of 5 stars, but ADToE pulled me an indescribableway. After hearing him insane in the last days I can say that there is no weak track (even"On the Backs of Angels" and "Lost Not Forgotten" sounds good to me now).
We must determine two things: a) Myung's bass is <i>a little</i> more prominent now (in BC it was inaudible and SL, which is a shame), but I think he deserved much morespace band, b) the overall sound of the album is more upbeat and less dark thanprevious albums - not that sound more brutal was a problem, but I just hate <i>growls of death</i> and they were mined my patience with the band's music.
The album sometimes sounds like a recap of everything the band ever made, but thesecliches are good, believe me! In addition, there are some interesting elements (I liked the techno beats).
This is the album of the year in my opinion and one of the best DT.
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"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be" Matthew 6:21
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Jörgemeister
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 10 2008
Location: Nauticus
Status: Offline
Points: 2296
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Posted: September 16 2011 at 19:49 |
I regreat trowing away $8.99 on this piece of sh*t. I dont think its a grower but only time will tell. but hey at least is better than Systemaric sh*t, sadly that is not much to say.
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I Could have bought a Third World country with the riches that I've spent
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The T
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493
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Posted: September 16 2011 at 19:54 |
I think the album has some great moments, really some of the best in DT's recent history, but it also has lots some moments where the instrumental pyrotechnia/masturbation take away from the cohesion and integrity of the simpled-structured songs. In the end all songs are rather simple in form but expanded through instrumental sections that sometimes are brilliant and sometimes are a chore to listen to. The melodic segments in between sometimes fail to glue everything together. It would seem that that at times DT are trying too hard to be DT.
The drumming is good. Just as expected. The recording has more soul than previous recordings with a bass that can be heard much more clearly (though it was always there). I like the importance the keyboards have received this time around. Overall, the album dances between a 5/5 and a 3/5. That would make it a 4, wouldn't it? Let's see if it improves with time and after the concert I'll attend in one month.
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darkshade
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: November 19 2005
Location: New Jersey
Status: Offline
Points: 10964
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Posted: September 17 2011 at 01:37 |
I consider this album as a transitional album, for obvious reasons, but also because Mangini wasn't involved in the writing sessions. I have great expectations for DT12
Anyway, as far as being able to hearrrrrrrr Myung, I would say BC&SL is the only allllbum where you literally can't hear him. Sure it's hard sometimes during SC or ToT, but he's there. He IS the msot audible on ADTOE since Octavarium, and maybe Train of Thought, but he hasn't had such prominent parts since at least SDOIT.
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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