A sad day for Dream Theater

[Hendog]

Roubster, I think that you've expressed my feelings about their recent work. I think a break would have been a great thing for them creatively. It would have been great for them to explore other things musically--as MP was hoping to do--and to return rejuvenated with a renewed creative vigor. I have loved DT for years, but in recent years, I agree, that they got stuck in repeating a formula. For me, Black Clouds and Silver Linings was a little too much of a repeat of the Systematic Chaos formula, which seemed to go as follows:

1. Get together in a studio and jam.

2. Piece together an epic tune or two from what came out in the improv jams.

3. Put together a few other songs to fill out the album.

4. Everyone go their separate ways and write lyrics while tracking.

4a. JP watches some documentary or the news or reads a book and writes lyrics about it. Thinks of something kind of mysterious or scary to write about, because his life seems to him to be too mundane a thing to write for which to write lyrics to a metal song (which is something I totally disagree with. I thought "Endless Sacrifice," "Another Day," "Take Away My Pain," and "As I Am" have some good lyrics.)

4b. Portnoy writes a 12-step song lyric and some things about family issues.

4c. James LaBrie writes the lyrics to a song in which he butchers the English language by doing things like confusing the words "Consciousness" and "Conscience." He writes some melodies that allow him to explore different ways to use his voice, which he loves to do.

5. They record vocals.

6. Mix, master, promote, and release.

7. Tour

8. Rinse and repeat.

I think they got in too much of a routine, and I can see how MP would feel a bit like he'd be going through the motions. I almost felt like DT were going through the motions on BC & SL. There, more than on any album, it seemed like they were recycling a formula. Every other album seemed to break new ground until BC & SL. To me, it almost felt like DT needed to shake things up somewhat, and maybe, a break would have been a good thing for them. Maybe, they would have found some other inspiration for lyrics.

Look at Systematic Chaos and BC & SL. Their lyric formula seemed to be encapsulated by what I wrote above. JP writes about something that's kind of scary, spooky, or mysterious. MP writes a 12-step song and a family-issue song. LaBrie gets one pet project. On BC & SL, JP even wrote about not being able to write (i.e., "Whither). DT had always been about progress, but in the last five years, or so, there hasn't been much progress, unfortunately. They finally got into a rut.

I think MP was right from a creative standpoint. I would have liked to have seen a break, but I can also understand that they are at their peak in popularity and that they need to strike while the iron is hot and put some money in the bank. Unfortunately, the need to have a break to renew creative juices and the need to keep building came at the same time.

Musically, those are 2 of my favorite albums. Keep in mind, I dont listen to music for the words. And I dont analyze music like I do movies. I just use my ears and I either like it or I dont.

So I think that while the content/lyrics may have just flat out gotten bad (in some of your opinions), I love the music.

 

[roburado]

Obviously you've all heard the news of Mike's departure from Dream Theater by now.
I felt it important to open up a line of communication in an effort to kill any rumors and to promote clarity.
I love Mike and really hope he's happy and successful in whatever he does.
I realize that Mike was always the one to actively stay in touch with our fans, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to try to be at least a bit more present on both mine and DT's websites and to let you all know that I am here.
To me, Dream Theater's story is one of defying the odds, standing for true integrity in music and creating our own success through perseverance and hard work, so although Mike's leaving is heartbreaking, I still look forward to an amazing musical journey that continues on with some of the most talented and respected musicians and composers on the planet!
-JP

Nice to hear from JP on this. Something that I have always admired about the band is this emphasis on standing for their integrity, their independence, and the hard work they put in. Also, I still do believe--despite some of the things that I have written--that the band is composed of "some of the most talented and respected musicians and composers on the planet."

JP, if you're reading, I still love you, man--all you guys.

 

[roburado]

Musically, those are 2 of my favorite albums. Keep in mind, I dont listen to music for the words. And I dont analyze music like I do movies. I just use my ears and I either like it or I dont.

So I think that while the content/lyrics may have just flat out gotten bad (in some of your opinions), I love the music.

Honestly, I feel that some of the musical moments on Systematic Chaos and BC & SL are really gorgeous moments. From a melodic/harmonic--for lack of better words--standpoint, I think some of those songs contain some of the most beautiful things I have heard from the band. "Whither," the big epic JP solos, the hospital section in "A Nightmare to Remember," the whole "In the Presence of Enemies" all stood out in a big way for me. Sure, there are a few things I skip, but there are so many great moments, and I look forward to more in the future.

 

[look_at_her]

I for one am rooting for Terry Bozzio or Mike Mangini to be the new guy. Especially Terry.

Hey man,you just nailed it down-TERRY BOZZIO all the way.

 

[plombier]

aquilles priester !!!!!!

 

[whitestrat]

How does MP adds a whole new dimension to their previous formula? Maybe if they came out with a new album in a few years and let him help with the writing.

He had nothing to do with the writing process of the new album. The album was already written and demos done before the Rev died. He was just a hired gun to record the Rev's tracks. MP himself said that he stayed true to the original parts. There was only a time or two that they allowed him to put his own touch into it. He also said that it was weird working with a producer telling him to hit the bass on the second beat instead of the third.LOL

Have you heard the record? There's definately a very different feel to the whole drumming approach compared to the previous albums. Mike's drumming is a lot less "harsh" and a bit more fluid. You get similar differences in just listening to JP playing "time" by pink Floyd though he's actually following the original composition. Different players result in different feels despite the same piece.

 

[B2D]

Here's a nice interview with Mike from Blabbermouth about the situation.

BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MIKE PORTNOY: 'It Would Be A Tragedy If I Never Got To Be On Stage With DREAM THEATER Again'

 

[Big Poppa]

I think it is an interesting article. I think that people should understand that a band is just that a Band. Everyone committed and working towards a common goal. I think it's really hard to take three others who aren't burned out and say "Why dont you all take two years off?" thats it in a nutshell. You are either in the band or you are not.

It's only rock n roll.

 

[ErlendDL]

Haven't seen this posted here:

Q&A, sort of, from the JP forum.

 

[kbaim]

I only have a couple of DT albums (and JP and JR's duo album), but i really enjoyed that interview with mike. And I'm glad he's got an open invite to return.

I'll be interested to see how this impacts the mood of the songwriting. Ballads and haunting, or much more aggressive.

In either case, maybe it's for the best for everyone involved for right now. And then let the future get here when it gets here.

 

[73h Nils]

I've had a few days to digest this now, and it's still feeling weird. But I am strangely looking forward to seeing what the individual members do, now, along with their band work. I'm sure I'll still follow them to the bitter end!

 

[Slingy]

I'm gonna have to disagree with BP. It is not only rock and roll. Bands like DT only come around once in forever. They are that good. Anything less than an awesome drummer would be lame. I am optimistic though and remain a fan for sure.

 

[Big Poppa]

Its only rock n roll when the drummers wants to take a break and expect the others to stop for two years.

 

[BrickGlass]

This whole situation sucks IMO. It is going to be tough to find someone to fill MP's role in that band. Gonna be tough.

 

[whitestrat]

It's odd. I've had a good listen to the a7x new album in depth lately, and it amazed me how much more intricate they sounded because of portnoy. I mean, the rev was a great drummer, but he's no portnoy for sure. Despite many reports saying that MP played what the rev wrote, there are a lot of portnoy-isms in the new album. (that double bass drum roll is very portnoy indeed!) Makes it highly enjoyable to listen to. I can only say that MP sounds rejuvenated in there, and I think this will me great for both him and DT.

I say again: I'm really looking forward to the new DT album now!

It's also shocking how much Synester Gates sound like a younger JP in the new album. Hahaha!!! BP, how about giving him a call and wrangle him away from schecter?

 

[jeffrey]

I think Sterling said it best already.

Honestly the only thing that surprises me in situations like this (and I don't just mean DT, any well-established act) is when a single individual takes for granted a few decades of music and millions of fans for some personal hang-up (I can think of many bands where this happened). I mean, sure, we're not there, we're not in their shoes and I respect that. But it does make a person see it as somewhat selfish.

Regardless I only ever really listened to DT for John's playing and will continue to do so regardless of who the drummer is.

 

[jeffrey]

Haven't seen this posted here:

Q&A, sort of, from the JP forum.

That was a very good read if you just skip to John's posts.

 

[ErlendDL]

That was a very good read if you just skip to John's posts.

Yeah, that's what I did.

And, from the MP forum, a note from Mikes sister.

 

[Nazgul666]

That was a very good read if you just skip to John's posts.

Yeah but with my comment I got a good plug in there for EBMM guitars. I just happened to be on there when he popped in. I even mentioned I had a roasted maple on the way and he responded that they were gorgeous.

See that, I'm new to the board but I'm already an asset!

 

[jimmi]

Here's the first Mike Portnoy interview with Eddie Trunk from Friday September 10,2010 on Youtube:

Part 1:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqLvke8aAY]YouTube - Mike Portnoy talks about leaving Dream Theater with Eddie Trunk Interview Part 1[/ame]

Part 2:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tpwfAPzk9I]YouTube - Mike Portnoy talks about leaving Dream Theater with Eddie Trunk Interview Part 2[/ame]