Are Dream Theater Over Rated?

No they're not, and I'm no big fan of them, only have 3 of their albums, and love 2 of them, and started the disliking the one left.

They're awesome musicians, and write some incredible Metal, which is, duh, Prog Metal...

BTW, I completely don't understand this statement of the OP: "I listen to prog to relax and feel some emotion", man, relax? Has it occured to you that Metal is in general, quite the opposite of 'relax'.... dude, if you listen Prog to relax, better stay away of Heavy Prog, and all the Metal sub-genres, and you can also include a lot of other bands, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, ELP, many others....

Petrovsk Mizinski wrote: progkidjoel wrote: Well to begin with, I think DT are Over rated. Sure, they are incredibly technically talented, but I feel as a Prog Metal band, they have a long way to come before they deserve any more of my money. First of all, I find them to be incredibly unexpressive. Some songs are an exception, (Wait for sleep, Surrounded) but overall, I find their lyrics to be incredibly shallow and often ridiculously lame. Second of all, DT show off way too much. It seems to me when they are writing a new song/album, John Petrucci must sit there wondering where he could fit a guitar solo. DT do a lot better when they stick to some basic themes and softer melodies. Third of all, they aren't very compositionally talented. For example, "Take The Time." It has good solos, terribly lame lyrics and overall bad vibes for me. I listen to prog to relax and feel some emotion, Not to listen to incredibly unoriginal guitar solos and cheesy lyrics. But thats just my opinion.  "Third of all, they aren't very compositionally talented".And yet you state 'for example' and then totally don't even state why you feel this way."It has good solos, terribly lame lyrics and overall bad vibes for me" does not tell anyone about the compositional methods and techniques they use that you feel make them 'compositionally untalented'.Care to expand on this for us and you know, make your opinion a little more credible instead of making blanket statements and saying things you can't even back up?

I just think (using "Take The Time") as an example, that DT more than often come off with an unbelievably Camp and whiney fashion. Describing their lyrics as uninspired for "Take The Time" would be an understatement. I find DT nearly unlistenable (call me old fashioned) due to their mass of lyrical barf and compositional unoriginality. Honestly, Spinal Tap comes off less cheesier than Dream Theater.

The techniques they use which "make them 'compositionally untalented'." often involve (as I said in the original post) John Petrucci adding pointlessly and uninspiringly fast guitar solos, which for me, carry little importance. I also find Mike Portnoy's drumming to be overly strong all the time. Compared to Phil Collins, he may be faster, but is in no way as musically talented.

On the other hand, I found the lyrics, vocals and general feelings and emotions provoked by some softer songs by DT (for example, Space Dye Vest, Anna Lee and Hollow Years) to be uplifting and genuinely enjoyable. What troubles me with DT is the fact that i have to scoop through the metal to find something I consider truly progressive, and this is why I'd consider a majority of their work inept and intolerably over the top.

I felt that Dream Theater went down with the departure of Kevin Moore, their first Pianist. Kevin was an excellent writer and lyricist. For example, Kevin not only wrote the lyrics and harmony for "Surrounded" but also for "Space Dye Vest". I find Kevin's work on his solo project, Chroma Key, to be overall alot better lyrically and emotionally much more engaging than Dream Theater have produced in the last ten years.

Thankyou, I hope that elaborates on any areas that may have been... less than clear. I mainly made this poll because two of my friends say Dream Theater are the best Prog band, bar none.

progkidjoel wrote: Well to begin with, I think DT are Over rated. Sure, they are incredibly technically talented, but I feel as a Prog Metal band, they have a long way to come before they deserve any more of my money. First of all, I find them to be incredibly unexpressive. Some songs are an exception, (Wait for sleep, Surrounded) but overall, I find their lyrics to be incredibly shallow and often ridiculously lame. Second of all, DT show off way too much. It seems to me when they are writing a new song/album, John Petrucci must sit there wondering where he could fit a guitar solo. DT do a lot better when they stick to some basic themes and softer melodies. Third of all, they aren't very compositionally talented. For example, "Take The Time." It has good solos, terribly lame lyrics and overall bad vibes for me. I listen to prog to relax and feel some emotion, Not to listen to incredibly unoriginal guitar solos and cheesy lyrics. But thats just my opinion.

Petrovsk Mizinski wrote: progkidjoel wrote: Petrovsk Mizinski wrote: progkidjoel wrote: Well to begin with, I think DT are Over rated. Sure, they are incredibly technically talented, but I feel as a Prog Metal band, they have a long way to come before they deserve any more of my money. First of all, I find them to be incredibly unexpressive. Some songs are an exception, (Wait for sleep, Surrounded) but overall, I find their lyrics to be incredibly shallow and often ridiculously lame. Second of all, DT show off way too much. It seems to me when they are writing a new song/album, John Petrucci must sit there wondering where he could fit a guitar solo. DT do a lot better when they stick to some basic themes and softer melodies. Third of all, they aren't very compositionally talented. For example, "Take The Time." It has good solos, terribly lame lyrics and overall bad vibes for me. I listen to prog to relax and feel some emotion, Not to listen to incredibly unoriginal guitar solos and cheesy lyrics. But thats just my opinion. Most ovverated post evar Please, explain how my post is "Most ovverated post evar". Wheneve you're ready. Please explain why you're asking to me to explain.

Like, duh....

We have this post atleast once a month

stonebeard wrote: Their last few albums have gotten a decent amount of flak, so I don't think so.If we're limiting the population to 16 year old boys, then holy crap yes they're overrated.

Haha nice comment. I introduced my friends (who both them and I are all 16) and they say they rip on every other band.

Petrovsk Mizinski wrote: Most ovverated post evar

Yep.

Over ate= heartburn !

Besides, the poll here shows that the prog community in general doesn't think DT are overrated anyway.

Yes and no.

They're absolutely amazing, but a lot of people don't recognize there ARE other progressive metal bands out there...and they all have something to offer. Some people think Dream Theater is just the ONE, but there are lost of other bands too.