What does Dream Theater need ?

oroboross wrote: What DT needs is less idiot opinions.  Like them or hate them,  they will survive without you. And their true fans will continue to buy and enjoy their albums,  liking some better than others.

oroboross wrote: What DT needs is less idiot opinions.  Like them or hate them,  they will survive without you. And their true fans will continue to buy and enjoy their albums,  liking some better than others.

hahahhaha... if THAT was all DT needed ..I'd sure as hell shut my idiotic mouth up

heyitsthatguy wrote: I think the T has stigmatized the glass prison to a point where he can't listen to anything on that disc its easily one of their most 'overtly' metal tracks and I used to love it, now I kind of just are "meh" towards it. Great intro, goes waaay too long with the solo section. The other songs aren't exactly DT's best but you'll find at least something to like in one of them (I personally really like/love them, The Great Debate is a song they always get sh*t for for some reason, at least from what I've seen, but it's my favorite on disc 1)

I thought 'The Great Debate' was quite the masterpiece as well.

What does DT need? Jesus.


Now I'll sit back and watch this thread get very interesting.

The three things that DT need the most are stage presence, restraint and some action with the ladies.

cuncuna wrote: They need to be owned by Steve Hackett, so they can finally loose their manly urges and create something with true beauty inside instead of empty technique.

1800iareyay wrote: What does DT need? Jesus. Now I'll sit back and watch this thread get very interesting.

ahem...

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16098&KW=God&PN=1

so I guess Jesus is what.. Pattrucci's son...

and who is dear old mom...

ProgBagel wrote: Got a picture of the other members wives? I'm curious.

hahhaha.. yeah....  so am I....  curious to see who would find these guys attractive



maybe one of our creative geniuses can put together a photo montage for us... the band and wives... hahahha...  when we get tired of picking on them... we'll go for the wives...


Edited by micky - November 28 2007 at 22:28

Harry Hood wrote: Portnoy is sexy.

HAH!!!!!!  what do you know

The only thing Dream Theater really needs is your money, oh, and your undying, fanatical devotion.

And praise be to laBrie.  If the other members choose to cut theCheese, may laBrie smite them with camembert.

To answer part of the original question: To get into the top 15 here they might consider making a retro album that is heavily influenced by Yes, Genesis, and Pink FLoyd, since those are the fans to pander to to be top in PA.  Of course I don't think that being top of the PA charts is a top priority for the band.

As for success (and remember that some music artists are going strong after 30 plus years) with the general Prog crowd in particular... experiment, try new styles, surprise people.  A big part of Prog as an attitude to making music is about experimentation, blending genres, and using song structures that deny expectation.  It's about pushing the boundaries of Prog/Metal and taking it into new realms... in part.  Unfortunately, some bands find a formula that works, and in their complacency become conventional.  Don't know about Dream Theater first-hand (I don't know enough of the band's music), but I see comments saying that the band has stagnated.  Progression or death....

If they were to completely change their style, then it wouldn't be Dream Theater anymore, and would alienate the fans (going that far it would be better to change the name of the project), but adding new twists and expanding their musical repertoire could help.  Maybe bring in some new musicians (cellist, flautist, saxophonist, whatever) and new musical ideas.

But I'm speaking generally, and from a Prog viewpoint as opposed to a mainstream rock/metal one.   And who is to define success, be it commercial, critical, or artistic?  Ultimately, I generally like artists to make the art they enjoy making; something that they can be proud of.  I think being true to yourself is more important than being true to your fans.  If the band members are happy with their creations and direction, and enjoy what they do, then I'm happy for them, but bowing to outside pressures can kill the art (though it might be deemed necessary to stay in the industry).

For myself, if I were to hear it, I'd like for DT's next album to be rather lighthearted, quirky, zany, and very witty (with some biting social satire).  Sometimes it's harder to take music seriously that seems to take itself seriously.