Dream Theater, LOL

onlyclave · #1 09-13-2011, 11:49 AM

I'm streaming "A Dramatic Turn of Events" on Spotify at work and while I've gotten used to the generic, "safe", vanilla flavor "On the Backs of Angels" has, when the second track, "Build Me Up, Break Me Down" starts with a drum machine, well, I think you can see where this road leads.

Is this the shark? Have they jumped it? So far this record sounds like Linkin Park/James LaBrie solo material/Forgettable. It also sounds like Jordan Rudess is driving the bus on this one too.

It's nice NOT having to listen to Mike Portnoy puke out a drum part. In the last several years (everything after "Awake") his drumming has been more and more hastened as he struggled to play drums, write lyrics and produce records.

On first listen I'll have to give this about a 5 out of 10.

What do you guys think?

Georynn · #2 09-13-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

I'm streaming "A Dramatic Turn of Events" on Spotify at work and while I've gotten used to the generic, "safe", vanilla flavor "On the Backs of Angels" has, when the second track, "Build Me Up, Break Me Down" starts with a drum machine, well, I think you can see where this road leads.

Is this the shark? Have they jumped it? So far this record sounds like Linkin Park/James LaBrie solo material/Forgettable. It also sounds like Jordan Rudess is driving the bus on this one too.

It's nice NOT having to listen to Mike Portnoy puke out a drum part. In the last several years (everything after "Awake") his drumming has been more and more hastened as he struggled to play drums, write lyrics and produce records.

On first listen I'll have to give this about a 5 out of 10.

What do you guys think?

I think you're being generous...

rockstarbassist · #3 09-13-2011, 01:51 PM

I'm pretty sure the last LP was >>> than this...

With Portnoy gone Rudess is a man unchallenged and it shows. DNW.

onlyclave · #4 09-13-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

I'm streaming "A Dramatic Turn of Events" on Spotify at work and while I've gotten used to the generic, "safe", vanilla flavor "On the Backs of Angels" has, when the second track, "Build Me Up, Break Me Down" starts with a drum machine, well, I think you can see where this road leads.

Is this the shark? Have they jumped it? So far this record sounds like Linkin Park/James LaBrie solo material/Forgettable. It also sounds like Jordan Rudess is driving the bus on this one too.

It's nice NOT having to listen to Mike Portnoy puke out a drum part. In the last several years (everything after "Awake") his drumming has been more and more hastened as he struggled to play drums, write lyrics and produce records.

On first listen I'll have to give this about a 5 out of 10.

What do you guys think?

It takes 5 tracks to actually get into something fun to listen to. It's pretty disappointing when you have 65 minutes of BS for 10 minutes of cool music on a CD anymore.

LowEndMan2112 · #5 09-13-2011, 03:28 PM

Agreed on Portnoy's drumming, I won't be missing that too much, but his song writing will be greatly missed IMO. For me, his compositions and lyrics were always far stronger than Petrucci's, but I'm enjoying the idea of hearing Rudess come through a bit more, yet I agree that his contributions to the album are overwhelmingly obvious.

Then again, I'm ecstatic about Breaking All Illusions, finally a Myung song along the lines of Learning to Live has returned! Also, the mixing is some of the best I've heard from them (Octavarium being my favourite mix) and the instrumentation is extremely complex. Though, I find dissonance being abused in a few sections of certain songs.

I've heard that this is an album that grows on you with time, but even if it doesn't, it's still a hell of a lot better than Portnoy's new project Adrenaline Mob!

Gubna · #6 09-13-2011, 03:37 PM

at least we don't have to listen to Portnoy's back ups

Catbuster · #7 09-13-2011, 03:49 PM

I had a huge *** Moment while listening to 'Build me Up, Break me Down'. And, I think Jordan Rudess really needed to back off the piano stuff. But, at this point, they're doing what they want... Boy, I can't wait for 'Clockwork Angels.'

Overall, better than most stuf being recorded now, but Black Clouds was a much better album, IMO.

Duke21 · #8 09-13-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyclave

I'm streaming "A Dramatic Turn of Events" on Spotify at work and while I've gotten used to the generic, "safe", vanilla flavor "On the Backs of Angels" has, when the second track, "Build Me Up, Break Me Down" starts with a drum machine, well, I think you can see where this road leads.

Is this the shark? Have they jumped it? So far this record sounds like Linkin Park/James LaBrie solo material/Forgettable. It also sounds like Jordan Rudess is driving the bus on this one too.

It's nice NOT having to listen to Mike Portnoy puke out a drum part. In the last several years (everything after "Awake") his drumming has been more and more hastened as he struggled to play drums, write lyrics and produce records.

On first listen I'll have to give this about a 5 out of 10.

What do you guys think?

Well, you can complain about Portnoy, but I'm very happy to see and hear him on the Transatlantic albums. He plays great there, have no idea about DT, as I'm not really into them, as I do not like DT. But Portnoy and Transatlantic are amazing, great collection of talents, great songs and great live performance, from each member of this mega-band.

agreatheight · #9 09-13-2011, 04:23 PM

I think this album is pretty good, but it's mostly a Petrucci album and it shows. A little heavy on the melodrama and bombast, a little heavy on big choruses.

What I want is a real Dream Theater album, where everyone gets in on it - everyone gets a couple of compositions, like on the early albums.

Part of me also wants to see Moore come back for a record. No offense to Rudess, but Moore was much more transparent - which made the parts where he popped out much more interesting, imo. And his songwriting was excellent.

And I definitely want more Myung lyrics / compositions. Breaking All Illusions is quite good (and Learning to Live is my favorite DT tune).

Maybe they'll read this and get the next one right? I'd love to produce them, ahahaha!

Ebelow · #10 09-13-2011, 05:26 PM

Just picked up and listening the album, I am having kinda same feelings as when I first listened the previous album the Black Clouds... and than the whole grown on me, just take some time. Bonus, a "new" amazing drummer and this album sounds great! -Hoping Mike Mangini does not splits on stage and using the "F@#$%g" word less!

specially on DVD. He seems like a nice, intelligent guy! Isn't he?
BTW: for me, all DT album is a 10 out of 10, no wait the very first album is 5 out of 10

Double Agent · #11 09-14-2011, 01:15 PM

I like it. I can actually hear the bass on this one. I could hear it on Black Clouds too, but the tone was very muddy and indistinct on that album. Myung's tone is much clearer and more present on this one IMO, but still gritty enough to cut through in all but the busiest passages.

Breaking All Illusions in the highlight of the album for sure, very reminiscent of Learning to Live. Build Me Up is pretty cliche, but it isn't all THAT terrible. To me, it is more collaborative that most of their recent work...it had become the Petrucci/Portnoy band instead of DT IMO. You could tell LaBrie and Myung had more input on this one and I hope that trend continues. I do think Jordan is the new Mike Portnoy in DT, his unrestrained noodling is more pronounced on this album than any other since he joined DT and it gets wearisome at times. But, overall, I like it a lot more than any of their albums since Metropolis 2K.

onlyclave · #12 09-14-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Agent

Breaking All Illusions in the highlight of the album for sure, very reminiscent of Learning to Live.

Why would you say that? Be cause John Myung has some writer's credit to it?

I think Bridges in the Sky or whatever the title is is supposed to be the centerpiece of the record. I don't know. I don't find it that interesting to listen to.

It IS interesting, however, to listen to the very close parallels in song structure between On the Backs of Angels and Pull Me Under. They are almost the same song...

perfektspace6 · #13 09-15-2011, 08:14 PM

I was expecting it to be pretty bad or, at best, mediocre based on DT's last 2 albums but was pleasantly surprised with how good ADTE is. The style of the album is much better suited to Labrie's voice and the mix is more balanced. I am also glad this generic metal phase the band was going through appears to be over. I have noticed that many of those who love SC and BCSL, not surprisingly, hate this album. I am in the exact opposite camp.

Finally a new Myung penned song. He rarely writes and I learned this was because of a Portnoy driven decision that lyrics and music structure have to be developed in unison. Because Myung writes more of a free form style of poetry this meant music had to be rewritten to fit his lyrics. I guess Portnoy didn't like that. Well his ass is gone so I hope more Myung tunes make the cut. Every track he has written ends up being one of my favorites on it's respective album. Breaking All Illusions is a great track.

Anyhow, for those who dug the 1st disc of 6 Degree's and Octavarium I think this album will resonate. It's not a "super heavy" album but the change of pace is great from song to song. I don't find myself getting tired out like I did on BCSL or SC. The lyric writing is also much improved and lacks the "cheese factor" of songs like the Count of Tuscany.

Mangini's playing is superb and the drums are not mixed anywhere near as high in the mix as with Portnoy in the producers chair. Big surprise. I have never been a big fan of Jordan's playing or the sound of the keyboard patches he uses but I generally like what he did on this album. The solo's are kept to a minimum and he drives some of the slower tunes with the appropriate piano and string support to add some emotional impact.

All this being said I think Portnoy leaving was good for the band. My interpretation is that Labrie and perhaps Myung have been smothered by his overbearing approach for years and have made some great contributions on ADTE. It's not a masterpiece but it's the 1st DT album I have listened to in years that got me excited again.

OP gave a rating so I'll do one: 7.5 out of 10
It's not Image, Awake, or Scenes but on par with Train of Thought quality wise.

hyp.spec · #14 09-15-2011, 08:35 PM

Every time they release a new CD I pray and hope it tops 'Train of Thought', or at least it be on par with that cd... and every release I am severely disappointed.

At least Anthrax's new one is decent...

MistaMarko · #15 09-18-2011, 11:51 AM

Don't see how you guys can really think that Lost Not Forgotten or Breaking All Illusions aren't some of the best pieces they've done in years. Nothing in the last 3 albums stands up to them remotely, not even this album as a whole. This album sounds very refreshed and like they actually pre-meditatively wrote it versus phoning it in like previous albums.

tedesco23 · #16 09-18-2011, 12:48 PM

I'm sort of surprised by the negativity here. I've been seriously disappointed by DT's releases for most of the last decade, but this album is to my ears the best thing they've done since Awake. The vocal melodies are memorable, the arrangements are just majestic, and as a bass player, it's wonderful to hear Myung doing something besides simply doubling the guitar. I can't stop listening to this album, and that hasn't happened for a very long time for me with DT.

repoman · #17 09-18-2011, 02:08 PM

I've got tickets to see these guys in Albany, NY next month, cost me 50 bucks for front row balcony.
.... I really hope they play some of their earlier stuff, although I really don't know THAT much about 'em.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #18 09-18-2011, 02:16 PM

I've been looking forward to this album, as I really liked "On the Backs of Angels". I guess I need to listen to the whole thing to determine my verdict, huh?

Either way, this, and every other rock album released this year has just been a warm up for Clockwork Angels!

Kwin Smith · #19 09-18-2011, 02:18 PM

I really dig this album, and I like it even more each time I listen to it. I think it has a lot more depth than anything they have released in a long time.

DT is not everyone's "thing", but I've been a pretty loyal fan since I saw them on the Images and Words tour. That is the album by which I have judged all their other albums.

Kwin Smith · #20 09-18-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedesco23

I'm sort of surprised by the negativity here. I've been seriously disappointed by DT's releases for most of the last decade, but this album is to my ears the best thing they've done since Awake. The vocal melodies are memorable, the arrangements are just majestic, and as a bass player, it's wonderful to hear Myung doing something besides simply doubling the guitar. I can't stop listening to this album, and that hasn't happened for a very long time for me with DT.

I agree with all of this!