Dream Theater

darkshade wrote: bloodnarfer wrote: [QUOTE=Jim Garten]Its a lot more like Train of Thought than the classics in my opinion. Sounds to me like you only listened to the first two tracks??? The album is closer to Octavarium and Awake as far as comparing DT12 to older DT albums.

I listened to the whole thing, I just got a very metal vibe from it similar to Train of Thought.  I guess now that you mention it it does have more similarities to Octavarium but less varied than that album and some semblence of Awake.  Its just very 'same old same old' and didn't excite me


Edited by bloodnarfer - September 25 2013 at 16:13

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Bloodnarfer, I did just read your review and although I like it more than you, I agree with many of your thoughts about it. I kind of sit on the fence with Dream Theater, I always buy their albums, even though they are far from a favourite band of mine or one that I even listen to a lot. But I too think they are in desperate need to trying something new, even though I thought what they do on this newie sounds great on a surface level. Have to say, though, looking back over a band and thinking `Hmmmm, x albums all with the same sound' is a pretty depressing thought.

I think they could write another classic if they put their heart into it.
I might be extra critical of them just because I know they could do better

When a band tries something new it alienates the existing fan base. The people that love DT love them because of the way they sound and not because of the way they don't sound. Many acts have tried new directions and have totally messed up by doing so - ask Queensryche about that or look at those who hate the last Opeth release. In fact the musical graveyard is full of the headstones of the bands that "tried something new" and lost their way because of it. I love DT because individually they know how to play their instruments like few other band members can and they do prove that - some call it "w**kery" however I can appreciate skill when I hear it. Their tracks are intricate, well put together and in many cases stunning examples of musical technicality. I for one do not want them to change their music to suite those who are looking for something else.

rushfan4 wrote: dtguitarfan wrote: I have to be honest - I'm disappointed with the new release.  It seems a lot of people who love it also loved Octavarium, and I guess that explains it - Octavarium was not one of my favorites either.  I liked the long songs on both albums, though I think Octavarium is better.  I'll definitely be giving this release more spins, but I think it's a step down from the last album.  Less complex, less intricate arrangements with less crazy time signature changes and jaw dropping riffs, and the sound is...well, the drums sound fake to me.    Did you at least like the guitars?

Yes and no.  Yes in that Petrucci is always way, way ahead of about 99% of the guitarists out there.  No in that I honestly felt like I wasn't hearing anything new.  I mean, like I said - the last album was full of time signature changes, long songs with crazy awesome instrumental sections, and jaw dropping riffs.  This one had riffs...but they weren't anything I've never heard before.  I totally get the Octavarium comparisons, though.  I see why someone who loved Octavarium would love this one.

This is why Dream Theater is a great band, though - why they are getting their albums in the top 10 charts on Amazon: they have something for everyone.  Every album they have a crowd that says "this is their best album ever!" and another crowd that says "man, this sucked so bad."  Some people thought Train of Thought was the greatest thing ever - I, personally, put it in the bottom of the list.  But I still enjoyed it to a certain extent, and "In The Name of God" kicks ass.  And with this new album, I'm not sure where I'd put it on my list yet, but it has its moments.  Illusion Theory is pretty cool.  But I expected more, because the last album was so great in my opinion.  So my top three are unchanged: Metropolis Pt. 2, Images and Words, A Dramatic Turn of Events.  This one goes somewhere lower, for me.  But other people love it.  That's cool.  I hope their next album will be another concept album...that's what I've been hoping for since 2000, really.

Catcher10 wrote: Don't get me wrong, Octavarium for me sits in the middle of the DT albums on my list....there is some similarities. With more listens I do feel this is better.   On the drums I have read too that people think it is clinical, fake......What I would like to have is better cymbal playing by Mangini, that is one place where Portnoy stands out....IMO he is one of the best at adding that life to his playing and so much color by his cymbal playing...I don't sense the life of the drums on this album. And I am not happy the mix seems to have left out Myung on most of this.   I do sense this album and DT are trying soooo hard to produce that next Scenes or SDoIT....maybe even another Awake, I just feel like they are trying. Maybe a full concept will do it.....

Funny, I got the vibe that they weren't trying so hard with this one; it seemed to flow really naturally when I listened to it, like they were just making music that they enjoyed.

I have no complaints about the drumming but it's nowhere close to what Portnoy was able to do up through 6DOIT; of course, Portnoy himself wasn't able to achieve that level of drumming on his last couple of albums with the band.  I'm no drummer, though, so I definitely could be missing things.

I still need to give the entire album a listen, but I must say after hearing the Enemy Inside and Illumination Theory, I am not impressed.

Edited by CKnoxW - September 25 2013 at 20:45

Listened to all of it so far except for Illumination Theory. So far, quite good. My expectations weren't through the roof like some (I keep those in check), but my anticipation sure was.

Anyway, the instrumentals went well, and made for a good opener. It did seem somewhat typical of Dream Theater to start in grandiose fashion, but no complaints here. It was a very pleasant surprise to hear Myung's bass higher in the mix. These are most definitely some of their better shorter songs in a long while. LaBrie's vocals sound much better than those on the previous album. I'll need to listen to it more to get a better feel on everything, but this is what I've noticed thus far. I'm also very happy to know that I am going to enjoy each listen I give to it.

Now to see if they're touring through Oregon anytime soon!

Jesus I am really surprised to hear some of you not getting a lot out of this new album by DT.
It's interesting what some of you have to say, like you CATCHER 10. I can totally agree about getting a different producer other JP. The sound mixing could have been a lot better. It is pretty bright in most areas, which is a big reason why mr. Myung is not well heard on most of the tracks on the album. :(
Changes are neccessary right there.

On a higher note though. How about that art work people!!? Come on. Talk about great album presentation and I'm not talking about the cover! Its what's inside baby! There is a lot of mystery. I love it. :)

progbethyname wrote: Jesus I am really surprised to hear some of you not getting a lot out of this new album by DT. It's interesting what some of you have to say, like you CATCHER 10. I can totally agree about getting a different producer other JP. The sound mixing could have been a lot better. It is pretty bright in most areas, which is a big reason why mr. Myung is not well heard on most of the tracks on the album. :( Changes are neccessary right there. On a higher note though. How about that art work people!!? Come on. Talk about great album presentation and I'm not talking about the cover! Its what's inside baby! There is a lot of mystery. I love it. :)

Catcher10 wrote: progbethyname wrote: Jesus I am really surprised to hear some of you not getting a lot out of this new album by DT. It's interesting what some of you have to say, like you CATCHER 10. I can totally agree about getting a different producer other JP. The sound mixing could have been a lot better. It is pretty bright in most areas, which is a big reason why mr. Myung is not well heard on most of the tracks on the album. :( Changes are neccessary right there. On a higher note though. How about that art work people!!? Come on. Talk about great album presentation and I'm not talking about the cover! Its what's inside baby! There is a lot of mystery. I love it. :)   Don't be surprised.....a lot of us expect more from DT than some. And I am not bashing them, this is an "Appreciation" thread, criticism is part of the deal.   On the sound, in general it is better than the last, like I said the FLAC files on my stereo system sounds really good. The MP3 are like all other MP3........The vinyl is just like the FLAC files, very good. And yes I agree Myung is not mixed in well....

ExPecting quality and having high standards for my DT listening experiences? Oh yeah...I am one of those if you will, but I definitely feel this is a high quality output from DT. I find no track to be mediocre where by I just want to skip over it. Not at all. But hey, my feelings could change over time but I've already listened to the thing like 7 times and I'm not losing enthusiasm or that wow factor after each listen. ;)

As for the sound. It's the 5.1 mix that I am head over heels in love with. That's the kicker for me. The separation is phenonimal. Any audiophile would freak if they heard it on a quality sound system....maybe a Bose acoustimass 10? Lol

Anyway. The stereo mix is fine when I run it through my sennheisers/stereo amp, but not having solid audio equipment is a real bummer for this type of album meaning the way it was mixed audio wise.
In any case, I'm glad to have the goods to hear this album the way it was intended. Christ....cost me enough! Lol