Off Topic Black Clouds and Silver Linings

[ProtoChicken]

well, basically I LOOOOOVED every record of DT, but this one just really sucks... It's nothing special, worst sounding and sounds like any italian metal band to my hears... Really not my taste...

I was absolutely looking forward to this one, but for me it's the worst record they ever made.


At least I save the money for the concert tickets

I feel the complete opposite. I'm not sure what Italian metal band you think it sounds like, but I don't think it has a particular European metal flavor to it at all. I think it sounds like Dream Theater. I could do without Mike's Death Metal/Rap vocals (I wish if they were going to do that they would ask someone like Mikael Akerfeldt to do a guest appearance, like Doug Pinnick did on Lines In The Sand) , but I think it's easily the best and most complete album they have done since Six Degrees, and The Count Of Tuscany is already one of my favorite DT songs.

I do believe James' vocal range has started to decline noticeably, but I think his approach on this album suits the songs very well.

I also love Petrucci's tone. For me it's his best recorded tone to date. And I think his playing really shines on this album, and contains some of his most expressive playing and coolest phrasing.

For comparisons sake, I really disliked most of Systematic Chaos, and am a huge fan of the Awake album. But as you pointed out it just doesn't suit your tastes, and obviously there's nothing wrong with disliking an album, I just happen to really enjoy this one.

 

[Dante]

Jerry, dude... Like, are u feeling alright? i think u got a fever...

ever heard of falling into infinity?

proto: if anything, both mike and john need to take singing more seriously. i think mike's effort was actually quite ok. DT is the only band who's reckless ****ing around i'll tolerate. i watched DT's gig download today. even my girlfriend said james sounds thin. but at the end of the day, it's an over the top band with an over the top singer.

 

[Random Hero]

Frankly, I love it. I'm a huge Dream Theater fanboy but I love the album. The Count of Tuscany in particular, whilst the lyrics are a bit iffy, is utterly epic.

Much better than Systematic Chaos and better than Octavarium too for me.

Oh, and JP's tone is glorious.

 

[ProtoChicken]

proto: if anything, both mike and john need to take singing more seriously. i think mike's effort was actually quite ok. DT is the only band who's reckless ****ing around i'll tolerate. i watched DT's gig download today. even my girlfriend said james sounds thin. but at the end of the day, it's an over the top band with an over the top singer.

I agree with you, and that's why I tolerate the Mike's vocals as well. I realize he's enjoying himself and doing what makes him happy, so more power to him.

As far as James goes, it's a bit unfortunate because obviously his terrible throat injury in 1994 robbed him of some ability, but I thought he sounded great live over the past few years, and I know he said he wasn't fully recovered until 2005ish. But he sounded really weak on that Download recording. Perhaps it will just take a few weeks for him to get his road chops, plus that style of singing in particular is so easily affected by factors beyond the control of the vocalist.

Frankly, I love it. I'm a huge Dream Theater fanboy but I love the album. The Count of Tuscany in particular, whilst the lyrics are a bit iffy, is utterly epic.

I kind of felt the same way at first, but the more I hear the lyrics and keep in mind that it's about an actual experience JP had where he was convinced he was going to murdered, my perception on the lyrics has changed a lot. It actually sounds like a pretty creepy/scary situation (though why would you get into a strangers car in a foreign country in the first place?). But DT has that Iron Maiden like ability to be epic and silly at the same time, and pull it off.

 

[the24thfret]

JL sounded fantastic at the 20th Anniv show, not just on the DVD, I was actually there. Very impressive.

 

[Random Hero]

I kind of felt the same way at first, but the more I hear the lyrics and keep in mind that it's about an actual experience JP had where he was convinced he was going to murdered, my perception on the lyrics has changed a lot. It actually sounds like a pretty creepy/scary situation (though why would you get into a strangers car in a foreign country in the first place?). But DT has that Iron Maiden like ability to be epic and silly at the same time, and pull it off.

I know what you're saying. I mean, I know it was based off of true events but surely it's been embellished? When did this event occur? Any idea?

 

[ProtoChicken]

I know what you're saying. I mean, I know it was based off of true events but surely it's been embellished? When did this event occur? Any idea?

I got the impression that the lyrics were actually pretty true to the story. I think Rich Wilson's preview review of the album in May alluded to that, but I could be confused.

 

[Random Hero]

I got the impression that the lyrics were actually pretty true to the story. I think Rich Wilson's preview review of the album in May alluded to that, but I could be confused.

Haha, that's crazy. Either way though, true or embellished, the song is fantastic. I love the last 5 minutes. "Could this be the end / Is this the way I die..." So, so epic.

 

[Bassey]

Hi guys,

I think this album is pretty cool. I do find the lyrics a bit iffy like someone else mentioned, and I do not think JP's tone and playing is the best he has ever recorded.

But what the F is wrong with Octavarium? I read a couple of comments saying that this album is way better then Octavarium. I think Octavarium is one of DT's best albums. If you look at the total picture, from the concept, to the music and even down to the artwork, I think the whole album is epic!

But to each his own

I am going to see DT this wednesday in Germany and it's probably going to be great!

 

[petruccirocks02]

Haha, that's crazy. Either way though, true or embellished, the song is fantastic. I love the last 5 minutes. "Could this be the end / Is this the way I die..." So, so epic.

The Count of Tuscany is turning out to be my favorite song on the album so far. Those last 5 minutes are definitely epic. I couldn't agree with you more. I get chills every time I hear that acoustic come in.

-Phil

 

[marduke]

im still taking it all in... got it today, and have listened to it since i got home.. its quite different.. in a good way.
count of tuscany is definitely my fav at the moment... EPIC

 

[fbecir]

I just buy it ... I'm still in my office but I will listen to it (quietly) while working.
Ok, I have to admit that the first songs I listened to were Odyssey and To Tame a Land ... Up the Irons !

 

[BobMac]

Jerry, dude... Like, are u feeling alright? i think u got a fever...

ever heard of falling into infinity?

.

Man, with the exception of the first two songs I love Falling into infinity. The production on that album is far superior IMO than their modern albums aswell. I love the jazz and funk elements that was such a part of their music back then. Now its sooo metal the sound has become one dimensional to me. I do still like it but it doesnt have that ...magic...

 

[the24thfret]

now its sooo metal the sound has become one dimensional to me. I do still like it but it doesnt have that ...magic...

+1!

 

[Dante]

well, for what it's worth, metal IS claustrophobic by design. i never managed to listen to FII. bought it and never listened through. i think DT never has been a rock band. they were metal right from When Day And Dream Unite. galloping chunky rhythms, pinch harmonics, BAAAD hair, the hole nine yards.

i wonder how hard it is to put a coherent album out when 5 people in a band have such wide tastes in music.

 

[francric]

The album is awesome............... can't wait to see them in July!

 

[sickindian]

Man, with the exception of the first two songs I love Falling into infinity. The production on that album is far superior IMO than their modern albums aswell. I love the jazz and funk elements that was such a part of their music back then. Now its sooo metal the sound has become one dimensional to me. I do still like it but it doesnt have that ...magic...

You are quite right.

 

[INMT]

I always wondered if this actually sounds any better. As far as I know, the album is digitally recorded with ProTools or the like so is there any real benefit to the final format being analog? I can understand the preference for vinyl when an album is sourced from analog tapes...

I think they used Logic again just like on systematic...it matters not.
I don't go in for the "audiophile" LP v.s anything else crap. I just like to see em spin when I'm sitting in my living room.
As far as everywhere else I use my itouch either headphones ot connected via usb to my cars radio.

 

[RocketRalf]

I haven't had a chance to get it yet! That said, I've listened to a pair of songs. I kinda agree with the one dimensional comment. I love metal, and I love DT's metal side, they're one of the best at it, BUT I don't think it's what they do best. I didn't like Systematic Chaos because it was basically all metal and little else. Also I feel the songs have become too programatic and predictable once you listen to the few riffs at the beginning.

To me what DT does best are the emotional passages (Finally Free, Octavarium), the catchy choruses (The Spirit Carries On, Pull me Under), the orchestrations (in the academic meaning of the word: distribution of the musical parts and arrangements, not the actual use of an orchestra, I hated Score!), and you rarely get that in their metal songs. But I listened to A Nightmare to Remember and I think there's some of those in that song, and parts of it are to me the best they've ever done on a heavy song. I don't know about the rest of the album but I have hope that it's better than SC. Don't confuse me, TOT is one of my favorite albums, but it's more of a Metallica album than a DT album to me. I think DT haven't put all their talent, knowledge and experience behind a single album or song yet.

 

[whitestrat]

Waiting for my copy... It's on its way!!!