WORST Dream Theater album?

Swinton MCR wrote: Wrath_of_Ninian wrote: Miaugion wrote: Scenes from a memory. An overrated, derivative pile of nonsense - lyrically and musically.  And surely the worst album title in the history of rock.  Ever. Who are these people???? Sorry, from what I've heard of Dream Theater (got to be up there as one of the least beguiling bandnames too), they are simply unlistenable - torturously over-produced tripe with all the atmosphere of a rusting bansaw and the emotional prowess of tractor tyre with a breeze block in it. This is a bit OTT..........Unless these two have no metal derivatives in their collection - if they have then I don't understand the antipathy....

Its not antipathy - its actual dislike. 

But yes, I may have been a glass of red or two down the line when I drew those analogies, and perhaps they were a little inappropriate for a band that clearly has a decent following on this site.  I just find them to be a bit too pretentious, or perhaps 'contrived' is a better word.  Everything they do sounds so clinical and planned, and the metalised backing is just schmultz. It doesn't carry any real lyrical or musical power, because it appears that all the effort has gone into the production of a specific sound.  I tend to equally abhor other bands of a similar vein, and will loudly decry Asia, Porcupine Tree, and in fact, most neo prog for the very same reasons.  Its just not real music - its deliberately contrived to sound like it does, by a group of people (usually men) who have their hearts in a bygone era, and who only know the meaning of emotional expression through gated snare drums, digitally distorted guitars, and twee retro keyboard sounds.  The "Jack In The Beanstalk-meets-JP Sartre-on holiday-with-Lionel Bart" lyrics dont help the cause either.

Anyway, enough of this.  If I dont shut up, I'll have Ivan on here in a minute telling me I cant say 'contrived' because it has numerous legal and philosophical connotations that I can be sued  (  ) for misrepresentation in a public arena.   

By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by metal derivatives, but I do like Iron Maiden (more prog than DT ANY day), and am totally obsessed with ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.   And PFM of course - they had a few attempts at dreadful soft pop metal in the 80s when Franz decided to give up the drum stool and sing          

Crimson Prince wrote: All of the DT albums suck IMO.

Yes, the singer needs to get more involved in writing music and the drummer needs to stop writing lyrics.

oliverstoned wrote: Which is the worst DT? All their albums!

Why you I oughtta...........

Wrath_of_Ninian wrote: Its not antipathy - its actual dislike.  But yes, I may have been a glass of red or two down the line when I drew those analogies, and perhaps they were a little inappropriate for a band that clearly has a decent following on this site.  I just find them to be a bit too pretentious, or perhaps 'contrived' is a better word.  Everything they do sounds so clinical and planned, and the metalised backing is just schmultz. It doesn't carry any real lyrical or musical power, because it appears that all the effort has gone into the production of a specific sound.  I tend to equally abhor other bands of a similar vein, and will loudly decry Asia, Porcupine Tree, and in fact, most neo prog for the very same reasons.  Its just not real music - its deliberately contrived to sound like it does, by a group of people (usually men) who have their hearts in a bygone era, and who only know the meaning of emotional expression through gated snare drums, digitally distorted guitars, and twee retro keyboard sounds.  The "Jack In The Beanstalk-meets-JP Sartre-on holiday-with-Lionel Bart" lyrics dont help the cause either. Anyway, enough of this.  If I dont shut up, I'll have Ivan on here in a minute telling me I cant say 'contrived' because it has numerous legal and philosophical connotations that I can be sued  (  ) for misrepresentation in a public arena.    By the way, I'm not sure what you mean by metal derivatives, but I do like Iron Maiden (more prog than DT ANY day), and am totally obsessed with ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.   And PFM of course - they had a few attempts at dreadful soft pop metal in the 80s when Franz decided to give up the drum stool and sing

Clinical and planned... as opposed to what? They have plenty of jazz improvisation moments in SFAM and that got complaints more than anything. The Evening With JP and JR album was almost completely improvised, and it sounded great. Their tone is perfect, but that's not ALL they have. You're making them out to be a superficial mainstream band. They play fast, but that's not ALL they can do. There are slow ballady songs in every album they`ve created. I'd say the speed mostly comes with the solos, and nothing much else.

Why don't you define real music for us then? These guys are exellent composers. Not showmen, composers. That's what they do. The electric guitars are just part of the mix. That doesn't mark it off from being "music".

diddy wrote: philippe wrote: frenchie wrote: I'm glad Labrie took over! He knows how to sing! La brie sings like an hysteric girl and his vocals are not in tune!!!     Phillipe is right...I don't like his voice either. Listen to "Pull me under" from "Once in a LIVEtime" and you'll laugh your ass off...   Nevertheless I like Dream Theater, not everything and not all the time but sometimes I need some of this stuff...and apart from LaBrie they're a great live band...   Worst album for me Train of Thought it shows that Dream theater is loosing more and more Prog ingredients...and they've not many...

I haven't heard a Dream Theater album I DID like. I won't say there isn't some talent in the band, I just don't care for it. Kinda like a really talented cheerleader with buck teeth. Ya really like to watch her, but you won't let her near your organ.