bkrumme
Well-known member
UPS hasn't delivered mine yet from Amazon!!!
That sucks! I got mine a day late (yesterday) and I was a bit upset I hadn't received it yet. Did they ship it yet?
Off Topic Black Clouds and Silver Linings
- Thread starter Dante
- Start date
That sucks! I got mine a day late (yesterday) and I was a bit upset I hadn't received it yet. Did they ship it yet?
ProtoChicken
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2009
- Messages
- 689
I don't know how much any of you guys use Amazon, but if you use it even somewhat frequently the Amazon Prime membership which costs $75.00 a year is really worth it. It provides you with free UPS 2 day shipping on virtually every item, and a $3.00 per item upgrade if you want UPS 1 day shipping. I also find that quite often the free 2 day shipments show up in one day anyway. I ordered the 3 disc set yesterday with the free 2 day shipping so I don't have to ever touch the Deluxe Box again and it arrived today. I figure I could have just burned it but I figure for $15.99 DT can have my money twice.
That way you always know what day to expect shipment, and always have a tracking number. They always leave the packages for me, so I never get a yellow slip and have to reschedule delivery or pickup. Though I do have a new driver now who's constantly complaining about how many packages I receive. I'd mention to him that he should be happy people are using UPS and helping keep him employed, but I fear my packages would not arrive in good condition anymore.
I've used it for three years now and it's easily paid for itself many times over, especially now that I'm ordering all this baby stuff almost every day.
That way you always know what day to expect shipment, and always have a tracking number. They always leave the packages for me, so I never get a yellow slip and have to reschedule delivery or pickup. Though I do have a new driver now who's constantly complaining about how many packages I receive. I'd mention to him that he should be happy people are using UPS and helping keep him employed, but I fear my packages would not arrive in good condition anymore.
I've used it for three years now and it's easily paid for itself many times over, especially now that I'm ordering all this baby stuff almost every day.
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bkrumme
Well-known member
Sorry, I meant USPS. They have no record of my tracking #!
I've had this happen numerous times. USPS is a HORRIBLE carrier for packages. Regular mail is cool, but they don't know WTF they are doing when it comes to a package. Plus, their tracking system is horrible.
leftyguitarblue
Well-known member
So here's my review. I'll try to be constructive
A Nightmare To Remember:
This one starts off on a VERY dark note. It's not something I'm used to hearing from DT. I thought Train of Thought was heavy, but this song eclipses that completely. I see where some people are coming from when they say this album is very "METAL" in comparison to others. I can tell they've taken some influences from bands they've been touring with. I hear elements of Opeth and Between The Buried And Me in this song. I also hear hints of SFAM and 6DOIT in this one. It's much heavier, but the overall style is very close for me. I would have to say this is one of the more experimental songs on the album. It shows the progressive nature of Dream Theater. The reason I say this is because they're using time signatures and rhythms we don't usually hear from them. To some fans this would seem foreign and they may have a negative reaction to it. The lyrics don't leave much interpretation to be done, either. It's very straightforward and seems to be written to attract a more diverse fan base. I think this is why I'm hearing that the lyrics aren't so good.
A Rite Of Passage:
We've all been hearing this one for the last month. It is definitely the most "radio" of all of the songs on the album. It most closely resembles songs from Systematic Chaos. It DOES have some of John Petrucci's most interesting guitar work. This one will disappoint fans who want another IaW. I don't have much to say about this one. It's sort of just a "meh" for me. It's a good song, but it doesn't really draw me in like others on the album.
Wither:
I actually do like this song which I hear isn't the common consensus. I think it's probably more like older Dream Theater than anything else on the album. I liken it to IaW or Awake, just with a more modern approach to both songwriting and tone. The opening specifically reminds me of "Lifting Shadows Off A Dream." The short guitar solo after the decrescendo reminds me of late 80's and early 90's rock and metal solos. This is also the shortest song on the album so it leaves a little lacking content-wise, but I think it would make a perfect candidate for radio play. I could see quite a few fans come from this song were they to get radio play.
The Shattered Fortress:
This is the song I expected so much more from. It's the conclusion of Mike Portnoy's Twelve Step suite and the expectation was high for me. The first 9 "steps" were inspired and had tiny hints of the others which made them seem like a contiguous entity. This one just seems to be a conglomeration of the other songs. The lyrics are slightly different, but the rhythms and melodies are almost spot on from the other songs in the suite. There's a lot of repetition in this one. MP seems to have revisited the other traditions in a reflective manner. I've yet to listen to the suite from start to finish, but I have it ready and will review the suite as well. I have the inclination to believe the intention was to summarize the entire suite with this one song. In doing this, though, MP and DT have left a bit to be desired. I was kind of hoping for an epic, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping finale and that wasn't really delivered. The one saving grace for me is that the song shows a bit of MP's obsessive, erratic nature. So while it didn't quite stack up as the finale I was expecting, it does give a bit of a window into who MP is and why he does things the way he does.
The Best Of Times:
Dream Theater is doing a LOT of story telling on this album. This song is probably the most straightforward of all the stories on the album. It's a summarization of MP's memories he has of his father who recently passed away. I have recollections of when my father passed when listening to this song and it really hits home. Anyone who has lost a parent or close loved one will understand this song immediately. It's a very heart felt dedication to Mr. Portnoy. Again, the lyrical content is quite simple and straightforward, but understandably so. The absolutely EPIC guitar solo is amazing! It reminds me so much of SFAM. Very expressive and the tone is just so SWEET!
The Count Of Tuscany:
WOW! The story told here gives me chills and the music they tell the story with is reminiscent of every other Dream Theater album. I hear the Rush influence in the intro. From there it goes straight to SFAM-style keys/guitars which I loved so much about that album. This song reminds me that Dream Theater are really good story tellers. I hear this is based on a real experience John Petrucci had. I'd love to know if this is true and see some kind of confirmation. Maybe I'll ask him at the Meet & Greet. The chorus part is catchy as all hell. I listened for the first time last night and have had it stuck in my head ever since. I dreamt about this story. Very surreal for me. This is the Dream Theater I remember making a fan out of me. I've never been in a situation where I thought I was going to die, but when listening to this song I can personalize that sort of situation. This song will definitely go into the history books as one of Dream Theater's best.
Nice review BK, I have some additional input;
I see what MP was saying about this album. he said there were elements of their whole career in it and I agree.
1. Nightmare To Remember - heavy like TOT, but has a "Dimmu Borgir" European feel to the opening riff.
2. Right of passage - reminds me of a "Pull me under" type single. They are trying for a hit here and I think it is.
3. Wither - fits with Take the Time or Hollow Years type ballad.
4. Shattered Fortress - definitely a combo of the previous 4. I do like how they played some of the heaviest parts of "dying soul" very mellow with vocals and some of the lighter parts heavy. There are cool dymanics all over it. I spliced together all the 5 songs last night and made my own "Twelve-Step Suite" that runs for 1 hour. can't wait till they do that live.
5. The best of Times - CLASSIC dream theater. This song could have been on IAW or AWAKE or SFAM or any one of their CD's. (maybe not falling into infinity.) This song made me call my dad as soon at it ended. Beautiful.
6. Count of Tuscany - another classic in the vein of Octavarium.
I've listened to it about 3 times through and I love the diversity. it's definitely not just a METAL album. If ou only listened to track 1, you might think that.
I bought the box set, but I didn't get on of the Silver Tickets, but I had already purchased the meet and greet anyway. Row A seat 9!! can't wait for August 7!
bkrumme
Well-known member
I didn't get a silver ticket either
So just yesterday I decided to pull the trigger on tickets for the Chicago show (not looking forward to the 5 hour drive, but it will be worth it). Just for the heck of it I thought I'd see if any Meet & Greet packages were available. I didn't think there would be any, but I checked anyway. I think I freaked out my co-workers when I jumped up from my desk. There were still M&G packages! So I've got 2nd row center at the Chicago Theater show! And to think I almost waited until they came closer to Cincinnati.I'll be sure to take as many pictures as possible during the M&G. Taking at least one of my guitars with me and maybe the trem covers from the rest.
sickindian
Well-known member
Ive opened mine just now and after first song I can tell that i could even hear 'Satriani influence' somewhere near solo part.
Is the silver tickets come with european version of album too?
The review seem to nail my thoughts about this album.
Coming to the point when everybody are expecting of Petrucci retro-playing i just want to say that if the scientists wouldnt work on the technology we would probably hear the radios today or even no. Times are changing so are people technology and everything that surrounds us.
I think its goona be a good album(after i will listen all)
Is the silver tickets come with european version of album too?
The review seem to nail my thoughts about this album.
Coming to the point when everybody are expecting of Petrucci retro-playing i just want to say that if the scientists wouldnt work on the technology we would probably hear the radios today or even no
. Times are changing so are people technology and everything that surrounds us.I think its goona be a good album(after i will listen all
)
73h Nils
Well-known member
Anyone else hear that "Bohemian Rhapsody" part of the Wither solo?
This album is up there, for me. I honestly think if A Rite of Passage wasn't on it, I'd like it more!
This album is up there, for me. I honestly think if A Rite of Passage wasn't on it, I'd like it more!
paranoid70
Well-known member
It's another solid album from a band with WAY MORE hits than misses. Can't wait to see them with Zappa Plays Zappa at the Greek Theater this summer! That should be one incredible show.
eudaimonia
Active member
So far, I think it's excellent, and I like it more each time I listen. My two gripes are that the lyrics are often terrible and Mike Portnoy needs to quit doing raps and spoken word stuff. If they need a heavy voice, get Mike Akerfeldt to pitch in.
Dante
Well-known member
i will simply reiterate what i've already stated: James is sounding thin, john and mike need vocal coaches. period.
and yes, akerfeldt is god.
+1
I signed up for a trial some time ago because I needed a computer part quickly. It really is easy to get used to knowing that you'll get your shipment in 2 days, for no additional shipping charges. I think mine has paid for itself too - and it's only been about 4 months...
Mike
Anyone else hear that "Bohemian Rhapsody" part of the Wither solo?
This album is up there, for me. I honestly think if A Rite of Passage wasn't on it, I'd like it more!
I noticed that riff as well. Do you think it's a coincidence that 'The Best of Times' has the feel of 'Funeral for a Friend'?
Overall, I am loving this album - but Rite of Passage is the weakest of the bunch. It's odd that they picked that one to release early. I didn't expect to like the album at all, especially after SC.
Mike
bkrumme
Well-known member
I agree, but I think it was a smart move to release it as the first single. It gets the non-musicians interested. Progressive metal only goes so far to sell records and Roadrunner is very well known for influencing album sales from their artists even if it means a slight compromise in style. The song is still very Dream Theater, just the least progressive of all the tracks.
RocketRalf
Well-known member
I found a way to get my hands on the CD, probably next week! It might take me more time to review it, I go trough a lot of emotions and changes of mind with every new DT album, but I'll review it as soon as I can. All the comments give me hope that I'll like this one.
Dead-Eye
Well-known member
Do listen to the suite as a whole. In context of the album I agree with you, it seems a bit out of place. But after having listened to the Twelve Step Suite it makes perfect sense. And I love the final lines of the lyrics.
I don't know what to think of The Count of Tuscany. Musically it's great, the final 9 minutes are epic, but some of the lyrics (especially the spoken bits) are just borderline silly. That's why as DT's epics go I don't think I'll ever like it as much as Change of Seasons, Octavarium or In the Presence of Enemies.
bkrumme
Well-known member
I think you're right. I've listened to the entire suite a few times through now and it really does seem to fit with the rest of them. They could have easily made an album with the suite and it would have been brilliant, but they way they spread it out over the last 5 albums really made it what it is. They had time to grow throughout that time and it shows. That adds to the meaningful message that is the suite itself.
I can see where you're coming from with this comment. ACOS is the one song most of us use as a comparison for tracks like this and it was a masterpiece. The lyrical content left us to interpret the meaning ourselves. The Count Of Tuscany definitely does NOT do this. It's like the rest of the album in that it is very straightforward and the story being told is understood. This is part of the reason it evokes such an emotion in me because I can immediately personalize what JP was trying to convey.
I agree, but disagree at the same time. I like having something to interpret, but that takes away from the emotion in the piece. I think this story may have been better served as the background for another concept album in the vein of SFAM or 6DOIT.
Guys - help me out here. Maybe it's buried in the thread and I missed it, but what is the 5th song in the suite? I can connect The Glass Prison, This Dying Soul, The Root of All Evil, and The Shattered Fortress. What was the other one?
Mike
Dead-Eye
Well-known member
Repentance
