Listening to the new Dream Theatre

[Dave_G]

I guess you can only go so far with progmetal or whatever in the hell this stuff is.

Amazing how such a great group of musicians can generate such a turd.

More of the same stuff over and over and over and over...

Time to move on DT. Get a new singer, get a new songwriter, and get with the program.

But in their defense, because they ARE good musicians (except the singer), I guess old farting 44 year olds are not their target market, huh.

Dave

[progfan]

"I guess you can only go so far with progmetal or whatever in the hell this stuff is"

Very true. As much as I enjoy this little subgenre, if I had a dime for every European female fronted progmetal act with king size double bass drums, Malmsteen derived guitar, neo Rick Wakeman keys and concept albums involving witches, warriors and dragons, I'd be filthy rich.

"Amazing how such a great group of musicians can generate such a turd"

Well I don't think ToT is a turd but it's far from their best. They wanted to get away from the prog a bit and come up with something more metalish. I think it succeeds on that level but it's not the direction I'd want to see them go in either.

"But in their defense, because they ARE good musicians (except the singer),"

Have you heard the latest Ayreon? He's very good on that one. I just wish he'd quit trying to be Fred Durst on ToT. LaBrie doing rap metal is just sad.

[Dave_G]

No, I have not heard the new Ayreon, but have been tempted to get it.

Didn't know that LaBrie sang on it.

But ya I'm way disappointed in ToT. It's too "speedmetally"...

Lately I have been WAY into Pallas "Cross and the Crucible", its stunningly good.

And I'm anxious to get the new IQ cd too.

Who are you, Mr. progfan?

Dave

[Dusty Chalk]

No, I have not heard the new Ayreon, but have been tempted to get it.

OMG, go out and get it, it is excellent. I've listened to it three times in a row just now.

[ForeverAutumn]

I guess you can only go so far with progmetal or whatever in the hell this stuff is.

Amazing how such a great group of musicians can generate such a turd.

More of the same stuff over and over and over and over...

Time to move on DT. Get a new singer, get a new songwriter, and get with the program.

But in their defense, because they ARE good musicians (except the singer), I guess old farting 44 year olds are not their target market, huh.

Dave

I quite like ToT. I agree it's not their best but IMO it's miles better than Six Degrees...

Petruzzi's guitar work on ToT dazzles me.

[progfan]

"Lately I have been WAY into Pallas "Cross and the Crucible", its stunningly good."

I agree. Best thing they've done since "The Sentinel". I'd like to get their DVD as well. Are you going to Nearfest? They are playing there this year.


"And I'm anxious to get the new IQ cd too"

Same here! I've heard great reports. I didn't like "Seventh House" much though. Just for fun, I played "Nomzamo" last nite. I hadn't heard it in years. LOL. Talk about a pile of turd. Sounds like they wanted to be Mike and the Mechanics crossed with Asia.

"Who are you, Mr. progfan?"

Steve from New Hampshire. I'm pretty new here though I've lurked for quite a while. Nice place to get lots of opinions on equipment. Are you a member of Progressive Ears? My handle is rael.

[Troy]

Always been mystified by the attraction of DT. Guess I'm just not a metal fan. It's funny, cuz I tend to like most of the member's (except LaBrie) side projects. Thought "feeding the Wheel" was exceptional. Ditto "Chroma Key".

I much prefer the more melodic proggystuff like "7th House".

Welcome abourd Progfan.

Progressive Ears= DesignShed

[Dave_G]

Oh yes I post @ PE a lot.

I'm DEG over there.

No Nearfest for me sob boohoo I would enjoy Strawbs and Pallas for sure.

Ya, the Pallas dvd is killer!

Dave

[mad rhetorik]

Being a metal listener, I think Train Of Thought is pretty ace musically. It reminds me a lot of Metallica or Megadeth in their heyday. Especially "Stream Of Consciousness," the instrumental; it sounds like a homage (rip-off?) of Metallica's "Orion." The song lengths are more than a bit self-indulgent, but hey, it's Dream Theater.

I agree, the band needs to ditch Labrie. He's holding the band back when they try their hand at heavier music. And his "rapping" on "Honor Thy Father" is downright embarrassing to the ears. Zach De La Rocha he ain't. The lyrics aren't as sophisticated as past efforts either, being more like the "mad at my dad" fake angst that nu-metal bands beat to death. At least there isn't any cheesy balladry this time 'round, which is good.

I like the fact that Portnoy (crank the bass up!) and Petrucci take the lead on this one, leaving Rudess in a more rhythmic role (I don't dig his noodly keyboard solos). Wish that Myung's bass was a little more prevalent in the mix, but that's a typical flaw of metal--lack of bass prescence.

Overall, I like this direction and hope they keep at it. All they need now is a better singer and some more original songwriting.

[BarryL]

I guess you can only go so far with progmetal or whatever in the hell this stuff is.

Amazing how such a great group of musicians can generate such a turd.

More of the same stuff over and over and over and over...

Time to move on DT. Get a new singer, get a new songwriter, and get with the program.

But in their defense, because they ARE good musicians (except the singer), I guess old farting 44 year olds are not their target market, huh.

Dave

I listened to this album only once before I saw them in conert. I wasn't impressed, but one listen isn't enough. If you were willing to give this album a chance, knowing that you don't like LeBrie, then you should pick up an album called Frameshift, which features LeBrie on vocals. The album is pretty good. Very progressive in the Dream Theater vein, but much better songwriting. And LeBrie's vocals are outstanding. He spends his time singing, not shrieking. It's a themed album around the writings of biologist and evolutionist Richard Dawkins. If you can't get the album, then read Dawkins. Science writing doesn't get much better than this.

I got a new respect for Rudess when I saw him last time with Dream Theater. I also saw him about a year ago with Queensryche, and they didn't give him enough slack to really shine on stage. It was different on the last tour. He was a dynamo. Much more than a noodler. He has an album out with Petrucci. Just the two of them. I'm waiting for it to arrive.

Welcome, progguy. We need more prog talk around here. It seems that we've lost big D.

[Dave_G]

If you want to talk prog, this ain't the place.

Go to Progressiveears.com

I post there all the time and it's only prog.

Dave

[Dusty Chalk]

Go to Progressiveears.com

I post there all the time and it's only prog.

Appears to be broken right now.