What does Dream Theater need ?

They need to hone their songwriting skills for starters... They sure can play, but it is not enough to make memorable music. As Micky and I have very often said, they have something to learn from the likes of Caravan - who may not have been as technically gifted as DT are, but who knew how to write a really memorable song. And then, if they gave LaBrie the boot and hired a good vocalist, they would stand to gain immensely.


Edited by Ghost Rider - February 13 2008 at 13:21

laplace wrote: Dream Theater needs a cute airborne anime-style mascot called Kuu-chan.

I agree with this

StyLaZyn wrote: Ghost Rider wrote: They need to hone their songwriting skills for starters... They sure can play, but it is not enough to make memorable music. As Micky and I have very often said, they have something to learn from the likes of Caravan - who may not have been as technically gifted as DT are, but who knew how to write a really memorable song. And then, if they gave LaBrie the boot and hired a good vocalist, they would stand to gain immensely.   Caravan? Well I'd be running further from DT if that was the case. I just can't get into Caravan, and I have tried.

interesting... anything you can put your finger on?

StyLaZyn wrote: micky wrote: StyLaZyn wrote: Ghost Rider wrote: They need to hone their songwriting skills for starters... They sure can play, but it is not enough to make memorable music. As Micky and I have very often said, they have something to learn from the likes of Caravan - who may not have been as technically gifted as DT are, but who knew how to write a really memorable song. And then, if they gave LaBrie the boot and hired a good vocalist, they would stand to gain immensely.   Caravan? Well I'd be running further from DT if that was the case. I just can't get into Caravan, and I have tried.     interesting... anything you can put your finger on?   Nothing in particular. There just hasn't been a song that I've felt myself wanting to hear again. I listen to them on Last.FM, when they pop up on the Tagged Radio thing. But the positive is, I do listen and not hit skip like I do with TMV.

have you heard their 2nd album by chance... 

micky wrote: StyLaZyn wrote:   Nothing in particular. There just hasn't been a song that I've felt myself wanting to hear again. I listen to them on Last.FM, when they pop up on the Tagged Radio thing. But the positive is, I do listen and not hit skip like I do with TMV. have you heard their 2nd album by chance...

Ghost Rider wrote: TMV's latest album is a bit hard to swallow... I do like it, but it is way too dense. I understand some people being put off by it big time. As to Caravan, they are just an example of a band with great songwriting skills. I happen to love them to death, so I mentioned them - but I could've easily mentioned other bands, such as Rush or King Crimson, who are closer to DT in a musical sense (well, at least Rush are...).

The T wrote: Ghost Rider wrote: They need to hone their songwriting skills for starters... They sure can play, but it is not enough to make memorable music. As Micky and I have very often said, they have something to learn from the likes of Caravan - who may not have been as technically gifted as DT are, but who knew how to write a really memorable song. And then, if they gave LaBrie the boot and hired a good vocalist, they would stand to gain immensely.   I insist.... they don't NEED anything.... we as fans (or no-fans but in general, we as listeners) NEED them to have this or that or that.... if it was possible, we all would do some changes in most ANY music we've ever heard... at l;east minor things that would make it even more appealing to us.... but it's not that DT NEEDS anything.... you, him, them, etc, YOU NEED those changes... not the band....   Anyway, I NEED a cup of coffee...

micky wrote: The T wrote: Ghost Rider wrote: They need to hone their songwriting skills for starters... They sure can play, but it is not enough to make memorable music. As Micky and I have very often said, they have something to learn from the likes of Caravan - who may not have been as technically gifted as DT are, but who knew how to write a really memorable song. And then, if they gave LaBrie the boot and hired a good vocalist, they would stand to gain immensely.   I insist.... they don't NEED anything.... we as fans (or no-fans but in general, we as listeners) NEED them to have this or that or that.... if it was possible, we all would do some changes in most ANY music we've ever heard... at l;east minor things that would make it even more appealing to us.... but it's not that DT NEEDS anything.... you, him, them, etc, YOU NEED those changes... not the band....   Anyway, I NEED a cup of coffee... hahhaha... or maybe a shot of whiskey there Teo.... any group.. no matter how good... runs the risk of the well running dry.. even the more creative of groups finally run out of steam.. Do you think their last albums are as good as the earlier albums... will future albums be any better.. any more interesting or creative than what they have done now... I doubt that.  Only the rarest of the rare of groups can continue to make dynamic creative music without falling into a trap of just going through the motions.

Dream Theater has one thing going for them above every other progrock/metal band.  They have done it all without the support of radio.  During the '70s radio was the greatest supporter of progrock.  That has not been the case since the '80s to present.  DT has continued to write original complex music since the late '80s that appeals to very large amount of people around the world for one reason, they write music for their fans and not for the reasons almost every other band writes, for the bucks and charts.  Even Fates Warning who have been around longer than any other progmetal band has not had the success that DT has.  Why?  Talent.  As great as Fates is DT has gone beyond where Fates went and took progmetal to the place progrock was during it's heyday. DT needs nothing but to keep writing for their fans and ignore everybody who thinks they know what DT needs.

Less fanboys.