What Does Dream Theater Need to Do? (Musically)

Mr ProgFreak wrote: jplanet wrote: If it wasn't for their metal leanings, in both image and sound, we wouldn't even be talking about them right now. The vast majority of Dream Theater fans are metal fans - as prog fans, we make up only a very tiny subset of their audience...Metal sells. Prog doesn't. This is the same reason Opeth, Devin Townsend, and Porcupine Tree have achieved greater popularity compared to Flower Kings, Spock's Beard, etc. They all have a sound that can be marketed as "metal". The only non-metal prog bands that can afford to tour regularly are the ones that have a legacy dating back to the 70's (Yes, Jethro Tull). Otherwise, as large a community as this site appears to have, we're not even a blip on the map of any record executive. I resent this separation between metal fans and prog fans. People who like metal but not prog would never listen to a band like Dream Theater.

I resent it as well, but it's true!

Watch the Live at Budokan DVD, where they discuss which full album to cover - they end up going with Iron Maiden, and point out that they couldn't do something like Yes in Japan because their fans there are into metal, not prog. (But they suggest they might have gotten away with it in Europe).

Then consider how many prog bands get to play a venue the size of the Budokan...if Dream Theater had as many prog fans as they do metal, why aren't there any prog bands playing arenas that size? If there are, I guarantee you they are also crossover metal bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Coheed and Cambria, etc., or bands that started in the 70's like Yes, Jethro Tull...There are no new non-metal prog bands who have anything like the commercial success of Dream Theater. Show me one and prove me wrong, please, I'd be very happy to hear otherwise...

If you look at the most commercially successful new non-metal prog bands out there, they can barely mount a European tour, let alone a world tour that covers arenas and NYC...let alone make a living.


Edited by jplanet - June 09 2009 at 11:10

mirco wrote: StyLaZyn wrote: mirco wrote: Just a line to say that I sense a great deal of unfairness towards DT. Probably the most trashed band ever. And why is this? Probably people can´t stand their way of make music, or are annoying by their musical skills. The fact is that in my opinion DT is treated unfairly. I like a lot his music, even if i disagree with some choices, like Mike's way of sing in the last record. But all around it is a great band.

moshkito wrote: Hi,   The only thing that DT needs to do ... is   NEVER ... EVER ...   listen to armchair critics like us ... and concentrate on their own work.   So you think you can be a Picasso doing what you want? If so why aren't you doing it instead of being an armchair critic?

Just a line to say that I sense a great deal of unfairness towards DT. Probably the most trashed band ever.

Hi,

darkshade wrote: well? personally, i think they would benefit from throwing a little jazz into their mix of prog rock/metal. im not saying they should have walking basslines everywhere and screaming sax, but adding a little jazz vocabulary and voicing would make their music a little more interesting. Im saying more of the fusion influence than "traditional" jazz. Maybe even throw in some funky lines (you knoow they can do it) on the other hand, i could see them royally F**king it up, and going for cliche chord progressions and obvious Charlie Parker licks on guitar. "we wear our influences on our sleeeeeeves!!" i think they should check out their ex-mates band Planet X for inspiration, or Garaj Mahal. Id say other (older) fusion artists, but the band knows these bands, they listen to them. or maybe they dont because "we wear our influences on our sleeeeeeves!!"

I agree that Portnoy and Petrucci should stop producing. The two best Dream Theater albums Images & Words and Awake were produced by others and it´s audible.

^ I've yet to meet one. Of course not every DT fan will like Yes or Genesis, but come on ... show me a DT fan who likes none of the bands listed as prog here, and not rooted in metal.

Epignosis wrote: OzzProg wrote: Bring in the London Philharmonic! That solves every band's low point in their careers. In all seriousness: 1. Turn up their Bass player's amp 2. Stop thinking about making quick cash on "Hit singles" 3. Get back to wicked ass keyboards like in "THE DANCE OF ETERNITY!" Woooo! You know what?  A plus right there. Myung is a fantastic bassist, but you'd almost never know it.  Portnoy drowns him out every time. Dream Theater does not need singles if they're making solid albums (and they are). And yes, Rudess is excellent, especially when he uses various tones (instead of the electric guitar clone).

I've mentioned this before but if you can't hear Myung, buy new speakers.
Seriously, listening through studio monitors, I can hear Myung perfectly.

toolis wrote: Epignosis wrote: but I think their latter work is TONS better than their goofy Images & Words business.  God, i hope this is a joke, too...

I now know this much is true:

1) You don't know me very well and
2) You don't read my reviews.