What does Dream Theater need ?

^ "more complex than symphonic prog" ... this could spark some interesting debate which should probably take place in a different thread. But as much as I like Dream Theater I can't really agree with that statement ... I would say that Prog Metal is generally more complex and demanding in terms of musicianship and "dexterity"/"discipline" of the musicians. Classic Symphonic Prog on the other hand can be much more involved in terms of composition and lyrical/musical sophistication. Also, prog metal often uses rather rigid form and song/track structure, while classic symphonic prog is more open to experimentation and generally less "tight" in terms of pre-defined structure.

Anyway: There's no reason to not like both!

The T wrote: DT doesn't need anything. As every band that walks the earth (yes, even mighty VDGG or Magma) they sometimes can release music that sucks.   DT doesn't need anything. If you don't like DT, or hate DT, or when you're listening to DT feel like there's million things you could change, well...I'll tell you this: DT doesn't need anything. It's YOU who need stop listening to DT, as you obviously don't like their music!   It's like I said "What do Sigur Ros need for me to like them?" Well, they need to... turn into a complete different band!     there's some things that can be fixed in some DT songs (or albums, like erase the complete 6DOIT-side ONE) but the band is what it is.

I believe Dream Theater has to stay just the way they are. A perfect mix of metal and prog. I suggest, let's keep it that way .

sircosick wrote: ^ Pardon, sir....... but what thing they were doing then?

arcer wrote: . Trust things are well with you?

one reason I enjoyed Systematic Chaos' lyrics so much is that they did not seem to be taking themselves seriously AT ALL. I mean, basing a story on a manga (In the Presence of Enemies) or a Lovecraftian beast that rises up and destroys things isn't exactly A Change of Seasons . In their live setting at the last show I was at, they didn't seem to be too stiff, and had fun with it throughout. (the animation for The Dark Eternal Night was hysterical)

Edited by heyitsthatguy - November 29 2007 at 21:01

Peter wrote: A collective enema?

 LMAO!!!!!!

Syzygy wrote: They need to learn Kobaian and dedicate their bodies and souls to Christian Vander in the service of Kreuhn Kohrmann.

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Peter wrote: 1800iareyay wrote: What does DT need? Jesus. Now I'll sit back and watch this thread get very interesting.   But I can be even more provocative than that:    What do DT need?   To smile occasionally? (Guys, you're not really gloomy teen-aged dropouts with no hope for the future -- you're really very successful, hugely popular, highly talented and fabulously RICH middle-aged men, with a lot of reasons to be happy. That pic of one of your wives reveals at least two such uplifting reasons to be cheerful!)   A collective enema?   Souls?   Seriously though, given their huge success, they're obviously quite good at what they do, so they should (basically) keep doing just that.      If they changed their sound too radically, to suit the odd cranky (but sentimental and oh-so-sensitive) curmudgeon like me, they'd risk alienating their slavering core audience of alienated, angry, gloomy teen-aged boys (and older perpetual adolescents). So although they are rich, famous, grownup and likely even get laid regularly, they need to keep conveying adolescent angst, hopelessness, lonely alienation and dysfunction, and nascent self loathing turned outward at "the man," parents, teachers, flowers, puppies and all that might just bring a smile, or lend even an iota of hope.   Manager to band: "How about we look at our latest bank statements after this photo op, guys? Okay, everybody frown now -- look like you want to kill the photographer. Remember, getting ludicrously rich and receiving mass adulation for doing what you like to do is nothing to smile about. Say CHEEEEESE!"     Was that provocative enough for you?   Seriously , DT are good at what they do (playing really fast, selling  enormous numbers of albums, and raking in the cash cash cash), and to be fair, rock and roll has always seen cynical grown men profiting enormously from teen male hormonal imbalances by pretending to be (or identify with) morose adolescents.  See Gene Simmons -- such an unhappy, maladjusted man....   So (other than perhaps stopping helping make everyone think metal is now somehow prog) DT don't need to do anything differently.   Really seriously: Logan's excellent post pretty much expresses my true feelings, but I'd extend it to (most) metal acts in general: stop pretending to take it all so seriously. It's just music, and rock is supposed to be fun above all (isn't it?). There are other human emotions to draw upon, besides alienation, hopelessness and rage. Show a sense of humour. (eg Van Halen, Spinal Tap, Twisted Sister, ELP, Genesis) Mix it up a bit, musically, lyrically and emotionally. Show some vulnerabiliy and sensitivity -- expose the young fans to some glimpses of simple, uplifting beauty via melody, acknowledge the healing, tranformative powers of love. Give the young men in the audience some reason for hope, at least every now and then.   (If Dream Theater already do all that, then great -- they have my deeper respect!)   Rock on, headbangers!

I dunno Peter, they look like a pretty cheery bunch to me. That dude on the left looks like he's about to burst out laughing at the beard of the guy second right any minute. God knows I am...

Wait a minute, it is a beard there isn't it? He hasn't just stapled a trowel to his chin has he?

Or maybe a small animal - possible a chinchilla. Geddit! A chin-chilla. BOOOM! BOOM!

Oh well...


Edited by arcer - November 29 2007 at 18:40

And before anyone replies angrily to tell me he's not angry, and doesn't fit my ignorant, hurtful stereotypes, please bear in mind that (like Spinal Tap) 99%of my DT and metal spoofing is tongue-in-cheek.