Dream Theater...

I think the live performance caught on the Live in Tokyo video is magical! However, I was not completely satisfied with the 5 years in a LIVEtime video and their latest VHS, Scenes from New York was utterly horrible! Stay away from the editing console, Mike Portnoy! He completely ruined it with his half-assed story-telling concept and ultra-cheesy video effects. I wanted and expected a LIVE video!

Enough with the rants.
I like them for the music they have put out, they have written and performed some truly exceptional numbers over the years. That they are really solid musicians doesn't make it any worse, although I think that they've overdone it from time to another.

I rank Images & Words as one of the better albums in my collection.

The new album will be interesting to hear. I have no idea what it may sound like.

 

Is there a bass solo on scenes from N.Y.?


edit: I ask because I don't have it yet, but was told there is and that it was horrible by a person whose musical taste I do not trust. Please tell me she's on crack, as usual.

 

Yes, JM has his solo on Dance Of Eternity. It sucks just as much live as it does on record.

 

Yeah, I never understood that... Myung is good enough, he didn't have to use distortion. Ah well, it's his song.

I really like Dream Theater. I'm very impressed by all of their technical prowess. Portnoy is my drummer's personal hero, I hear all the time how Portnoy does all these drum... things that I've never heard of. Ah well.

So, yeah, Dream Theater = good. Someday I hope to get a chance to see them live. I just wish Myung would step out more, I find him very easy to lose in the mix.

 

I'm not going to get critical about a band that can obviously blow each and every one of us out of the water musically. They are one of my favorite bands and have been flawless when I've seen them live. I haven't seen any band ever pull off a 75 minute concept album straight threw live without stopping..

Iggy

 

I'm a huge fan, been one since their first album. I agree with what was said about Portnoy taking center stage with production on the DVD and all though. He's a phenomenal drummer, but video producer he ain't! I hate all the crappy attempts at incorporating the storyboards and scenes into the concert. I just want to see them play.

Does Myung still play a modified Triaxis?

**EDIT** - Someone PLEASE! PLEASE! take the micrphone away from Portnoy. Oh man, the backup vocals on Live Scenes are the worst! It pains me to say that because I really like the band so much, but man oh man!

 

Dream Theater is THE progressive rock band. They use virtuosity for the music, and not music for the virtuosity. I think this is the most common mistake that a lot of young progressive rock bands (like mine) do. I think their technical abilities are not so crucial in their music as their ideas when it´s about time of composition. There may be musicians with still better technique, obtained with extensive training or imitation, but DT´s knowledge about music and their original ideas will not be imitated with success. Anyway, I like other similar bands like Symphony X, where i don´t find any purpose of imitation.

 

Not only that, but as I mentioned earlier, he completely ruined the video (VHS) in the post-production process. Stupid drummer!

Also, they made unusually many mistakes during the performance (some really noticeable)... it doesn't matter really (since rumour has it that they ARE human after all!), it's just that I'm not very used hearing them screw up.

Also, when you've heard Theresa Thomason (?), you're not such a big LaBrie fan anymore!

 

Spock's Beard are the kings of prog!

 

About their new album, it seems like it´s gonna be a double cd!! If you visit DT´s web, and the news section, you will find info abou it. It is said that it´s gonna be something like Awake And Liquid Tension Experiment, but heavier and darker than previous works, with a little of experimental also. And Myung will be playing Chapman stick again... and a 8-string bass!! I just wish bass were more audible this time. Hey, JMX, what´s Spock´s beard about? By the way, have you heard other different prog music like Symphony X, Opeth´s last album, or Ice Age (they seem to me like a mix of DT and John Turner´s Lordonly, I´m not kidding!

 

www.spocksbeard.com

Some soundclips:

http://www.spocksbeard.com/audio.htm

 

I also enjoy that they are such a prolific band. I remember the long break between their first album and I&W and feeling anxiety wondering if they would ever have another album after the debut.

Anyone know if Myung is still using the modified Mesa for amplification? I thought I read somewhere once that he might have changed rigs, but can't recall where I saw that.

 

Did you hear that JT? I meant to tell you how much of an influence you guys were...

 

oh, my god! I just can´t believe it! I´m listening in this moment to Ice Age´s "The Great Divide"! Did you play in this album? Cos i really enjoy it!!. The vocalist reminds me sometimes to Tool´s one. I´m sorry but i don´t have the credits (a friend lent me this album, but without the booklet). There are a lot of prog bands out there, but yours is one of the few I really like! I will pay more attention to this band in the future. Please give a reply!

 

That's me.

I'm not in the band anymore though. I left some months ago to raise my daughter and explore other things.

But yes, that's me on "The Great Divide", and also on our follow up "Liberation". You should definitely check that one out too.

Glad you like it.

 

Thanks for the info, knew I read something about that somewhere. I'm surprised he went to the SM-900 from what he used to play. I would think something like the 400+ would be more in line with his tastes. Sounds like he's seeking a departure from his old tone for the most part. Can't wait to hear how it sounds on their next album.