Dream Theater -- Systematic Chaos

[Yell03SpecV]

Picked up the Special Edition, and have resisted downloading it for 2 weeks now.


Buy. The. Special. Edition. The 5.1 mix is well worth it.


Musically, I am pleased so far. True to DT album progression, it is a step forward, rather than just the 'same old sound'. It'll be nice to get a relaxed listen when I get home from work, but it's good so far.

[StanFan]

At $15.99 Canadian, it was easily worth the purchase for the DVD alone (just finished watching it). The reqular edition costs $2 more ($17.99) at the stores I went to today.

[Sarbecue Boss]

I don't know about it yet
I haven't really had the time to digest any of the material, and nothing I heard really jumped out at me, so the jury is still out

[Electricmayhem]

Just the regular edition for me...that's all I could find. Seeing how I've been a DT nut for years, I'd have to say that SC is another great album from them. I thought repentance was really cool, just hearing the themes recurring in Portnoy's AA saga.

Overall:

[Lackey]

Originally Posted by Yell03SpecV

True to DT album progression, it is a step forward, rather than just the 'same old sound'.

I wish I lived in this universe with you buddy.

[Rich L]

On my first run through right now and so far, so incredible! Felt like a kid at Christmas the past few days, waiting to open my presents : ) Picked up the special edition and can't wait to watch it. Saw them last year on their 20th anniv. tour...they happened to be playing at House of Blues at Madalay in Vegas while I was there on my honeymoon...felt a little guilty asking my new wife to go to a concert on my honeymoon, and before I could ask, she was already walking to the ticket window buying tickets! Knew I married the right one right then & there!

[perfektspace6]

Originally Posted by Yell03SpecV

Musically, I am pleased so far. True to DT album progression, it is a step forward, rather than just the 'same old sound'. It'll be nice to get a relaxed listen when I get home from work, but it's good so far.

Can't say that I agree upon first listen.

Sounds like a progression, but not a good one. DT desperately needs to bring in an outside producer. Production feels stale and I'm really getting tired of hearing parts of older songs on newer material. I don't care for the guitar and drums at 10 and everything else at 2 approach (occasional psychedelic-carnival keyboard solo aside). I think they created a robot to replace Myung. Yet another toneless outing for what used to be one of my favorite bass players. RIP JM

I'm gonna give this a few more spins...

[Planet Boulder]

Bought the special edition today, but I've only had time to listen to the first tune, which i really liked, though, not surprisingly, I couldn't hear Myung enough in the mix.

Looking forward to watching the DVD as well.

[Ian Perge]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

Can't say that I agree upon first listen.

Sounds like a progression, but not a good one. DT desperately needs to bring in an outside producer. Production feels stale and I'm really getting tired of hearing parts of older songs on newer material. I don't care for the guitar and drums at 10 and everything else at 2 approach (occasional psychedelic-carnival keyboard solo aside). I think they created a robot to replace Myung. Yet another toneless outing for what used to be one of my favorite bass players. RIP JM

+ Infinity. I'm an old-school DT fan as well, and while I haven't been much of a fan of the "Rudess Era", this is the first time it felt "forced" to listen to a release. I actually even tried to cancel my order, but in-between my checking my order status and listening to SC, my order had shipped. I haven't been much of a fan of 6DOIT/ToT/8V, but this is the first time a release has sounded embarrassing to me. Not nearly enough songwriting, and far too many unison/harmony runs with Jordan's circus music. Or as my fiancee put it perfectly, "10 seconds of clown shoes keyboards does not make a 10 minute shi**y metal song 'progressive'".

Everything you said I agree with, but I doubt very much that DT will ever go back to an outside producer - they've been making LTE-style "write at the same time we record, and add lyrics at the last minute" unchecked for so long that JP and MP have certainly become comfortable with the power they have. And now that they've signed with Roadrunner, they're continue to make "Prog Metal" genre music as opposed to truly "progressive" music of their past (most of these songs could have come off of Train of Thought, while there's no mistaking I&W for Awake for ACOS for FII).



PS: KevMo relocated from Istanbul to Canada a year or so ago, and has even done a few "Chroma Key" shows. Now if only we could get an OSI tour together...

[Yell03SpecV]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

Can't say that I agree upon first listen.

Sounds like a progression, but not a good one. DT desperately needs to bring in an outside producer. Production feels stale and I'm really getting tired of hearing parts of older songs on newer material. I don't care for the guitar and drums at 10 and everything else at 2 approach (occasional psychedelic-carnival keyboard solo aside). I think they created a robot to replace Myung. Yet another toneless outing for what used to be one of my favorite bass players. RIP JM

I'm gonna give this a few more spins...

Can't hear JM in my car, but certainly have no problem picking up on him played through a home stereo, or even my mp3 player with crappy headphones.

While this new album may not be to everyone's liking, I certainly enjoy it. They will never sound like they did on Awake or Images again, but I don't mind. If they would have continued THAT style, they'd be just another one-trick pony. Every album is different, whether it be for better or worse. I hated Octavarium, but I loved Awake. Didn't much care for most of SDOIT, but prefer to keep a copy of Metropolis in my car at all times.


Different strokes for different folks.

[El Bajo]

For me it takes time to digest Dream theater stuff and this album is no exception. It kinda sounds a bit samey all the way through but some of the runs are ace.
I think the parts that stand out are the singing sections, yet the lyrics are trully awful. I dont think it will be my favorite album (Awake and Metropolis, Images and Words) but I reckon theres a few songs on their that I will stick on my mix tape! Cant hear JM, Car stereo = rubbist for DT

[perfektspace6]

Originally Posted by Ian Perge

I haven't been much of a fan of 6DOIT/ToT/8V, but this is the first time a release has sounded embarrassing to me. Not nearly enough songwriting, and far too many unison/harmony runs with Jordan's circus music. Or as my fiancee put it perfectly, "10 seconds of clown shoes keyboards does not make a 10 minute shi**y metal song 'progressive'".

they've been making LTE-style "write at the same time we record, and add lyrics at the last minute" unchecked for so long that JP and MP have certainly become comfortable with the power they have. And now that they've signed with Roadrunner, they're continue to make "Prog Metal" genre music as opposed to truly "progressive" music of their past (most of these songs could have come off of Train of Thought, while there's no mistaking I&W for Awake for ACOS for FII).

Gave it another good listen. I think embarrassing is accurate. I like the last half of the 1st track. Afterwards its all downhill. Prophets of War takes the award for worst DT anti-war song after Sacrificed Sons. Quite an accomplishment. I remember something about a "minister of darkness" in the last track. In general I am not sure where all this Linkin Park-esque non-descript anger comes from. A reliable source confirmed James Labrie recorded his vocals in bed, draped in a flower print quilt with a box of tissues nearby.

The problem with adding Rudess is that the band is 75% ego-maniacal soloists. Myung/Moore and Myung/Sherinian kept the balance. Jordan doesn't appear capable of adding mood or depth like his predecessors. I don't know how the band continues to build a fan base with the last 3 albums and the premium packages you have to purchase to get a decent seat. Despicable.

Systematic Chaos: If I wanted a Metallica tribute band specializing in ...And Justice for All material I'm sure I could find one.

[Yell03SpecV]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

I don't know how the band continues to build a fan base with the last 3 albums...

Because they have broadened their appeal. They're making money, and lots of people enjoy their music. They don't keep writing music in hopes that over-critical boners like yourself will like it because "It's like their early stuff."

[perfektspace6]

Originally Posted by Yell03SpecV

Because they have broadened their appeal. They're making money, and lots of people enjoy their music. They don't keep writing music in hopes that over-critical boners like yourself will like it because "It's like their early stuff."

I never said I wanted their new material to be like their early stuff (read before you start name calling). I love the song octavarium and the 1st disc of 6DOIT is one of my favorite DT albums. Right up there with Awake, Images, and FII.

I want something different. That is exactly the problem with their last 3 albums... it all sounds the same. It's OK to be derivative of other bands but not yourself! Recycled lyrics and vocal harmonies equal laziness. I don't want regurgitated unoriginal music.

[dannoman]

I got it, and I'm diggin it...

I can hear JM just fine

[Koki]

Ha! I'm going to see them live tomorrow.. Woooohoooo

[Oysterman]

Although I've only gone through it a couple of times, I am sceptical. I was a huge fan of I&W and Awake, but pretty much lost faith in DT with the release of Six Degrees. And although I thought "Octavarium" (the song) in parts were quite good, they haven't done anything yet to make me a "fan" again since then. Their latest release is no exception.

The only thing that's stuck with me thus far is the coda for "Ministry of lost souls", which is kind of cute and reminds me a whole lot of Transatlantic - though the performance is as stale as the overall production of the album.

Can't say I'm disappointed in it because I didn't expect much. I'll give it a few more tries and see what comes out of it.

[nick g.]

Dream Theater detractors are pretty hilarious sometimes.

This is a great album. I think Petrucci's lyrics on In the Presence of Enemies and The Ministry of Lost Souls are great, especially ITPOE. Its connection to the Korean manhwa Priet is intriguing and well contrived, and the music, as reported, is absolutely epic. The melodies all over this album are so moving and memorable, just as jaw-dropping the technicality of it all is. Repentance may well be one of the most beautiful compositions in Dream Theater's history, barring Learning to Live and A Change of Seasons.

Dream Theater is the greatest example of musical freedom and progressivism in my eyes at this day and age.

[funkalicious101]

hey, sorry for a slight de-railment but im trying to get into Dream Theater, can anyone recommend some albums i should check out?

[velvetkevorkian]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

Gave it another good listen. I think embarrassing is accurate. I like the last half of the 1st track. Afterwards its all downhill. Prophets of War takes the award for worst DT anti-war song after Sacrificed Sons. Quite an accomplishment. I remember something about a "minister of darkness" in the last track. In general I am not sure where all this Linkin Park-esque non-descript anger comes from. A reliable source confirmed James Labrie recorded his vocals in bed, draped in a flower print quilt with a box of tissues nearby.

The problem with adding Rudess is that the band is 75% ego-maniacal soloists. Myung/Moore and Myung/Sherinian kept the balance. Jordan doesn't appear capable of adding mood or depth like his predecessors. I don't know how the band continues to build a fan base with the last 3 albums and the premium packages you have to purchase to get a decent seat. Despicable.

Systematic Chaos: If I wanted a Metallica tribute band specializing in ...And Justice for All material I'm sure I could find one.

That last paragraph sums up the last few DT albums for me. They only have one album I can listen to all the way through (Images And Words, unsurprisingly) but there's usually some good stuff. The last couple have been uniformly terrible IMO. I'll wait to find this one in the bargain bin (like I have with all their others ).