Jordan Rudess is Not Interesting

verslibre wrote: ... But Keith composed lovely solo piano pieces and recorded a few film scores that showcased other sides of him. Inferno and Off the Shelf are required listening.

nick_h_nz wrote: I have said on several occasions (though not in these fora) that Rudess is capable of much more than the w**kery and circus music of his DT playing. I’ve not heard any of his solo albums, but his session musician work for others shows he is capable of restrained, delicate and affective playing that serves the music well. His playing on albums from David Bowie and Mariana Semkina is worlds away from the style most people are used to from DT, and assume is his only way of playing. In a sense, his playing for DT is no different to his playing for these other artists - it serves the music it is played on. His keyboard playing on DT is the perfect counterfoil for Petrucci, and is what the band needs for the sound they have cultivated over recent years. Just to throw it out there, as likely very few (if any) will agree with me, but my favourite Rudess playing on a DT album is on “The Astonishing”. This album is where the style he plays for DT really comes into its own, and works to create the magic. The Astonishing is probably my favourite DT album. I love it. And a lot of this is down to Rudess. He’s still probably my least favourite DT keyboard player, but that’s not down to his ability or style, so much as the role Petrucci has given him to play.

I have said on several occasions (though not in these fora) that Rudess is capable of much more than the w**kery and circus music of his DT playing. I’ve not heard any of his solo albums, but his session musician work for others shows he is capable of restrained, delicate and affective playing that serves the music well. His playing on albums from David Bowie and Mariana Semkina is worlds away from the style most people are used to from DT, and assume is his only way of playing. In a sense, his playing for DT is no different to his playing for these other artists - it serves the music it is played on. His keyboard playing on DT is the perfect counterfoil for Petrucci, and is what the band needs for the sound they have cultivated over recent years.

I like Dream Theater but Rudess does tend to become a bit too w**ky sometimes. He's obviously incredibly technical, but he can get a bit boring at times. I prefer Emerson, Wakeman or Banks. 

Cristi wrote: Petrucci has never been a guitar thrasher, you can say that he's a shredder, but not a thrasher.

judahbenkenobi wrote: ... The problem in DT and LTE is that the guitar (and the drums whenever Portnoy's been around) drown the bass guitar and the keyboards. Perhaps it's not a problem to fans of guitar shreds and maniacal drums, but appreciating the bass and keyboards there require an extra degree of effort that is not always well rewarded. Myung has kept on trying to do the best among it all, but JR seems to have resigned himself to "only" doing some shredding.

Cristi wrote: judahbenkenobi wrote: ... Totally agree. Proof of that is the most recent Liquid Tension Experiment album. In my opinion it's just an instrumental DT album with an unusual good mix that allows to finally acknowledge the existence of a bass guitar. there is bass in DT and Myung is a great player.  You want to hear more Myung, go listen to Platypus and Jelly Jam.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love Myung and have heard the second Platypus album and all of Jelly Jam. He might not be my favorite bass player, but he is in my top 20 or something close.

The problem in DT and LTE is that the guitar (and the drums whenever Portnoy's been around) drown the bass guitar and the keyboards. Perhaps it's not a problem to fans of guitar shreds and maniacal drums, but appreciating the bass and keyboards there require an extra degree of effort that is not always well rewarded. Myung has kept on trying to do the best among it all, but JR seems to have resigned himself to "only" doing some shredding.

I don't disagree with the general sentiment of this thread, i.e., "Jordan's flashy, he's got chops, but he's not a great writer," etc.

judahbenkenobi wrote: ... Totally agree. Proof of that is the most recent Liquid Tension Experiment album. In my opinion it's just an instrumental DT album with an unusual good mix that allows to finally acknowledge the existence of a bass guitar.

^I sure wouldn't either, but I still understood the intention.