Do you think Jordan plays too many notes?

[changing_seasons]

Blob isn't on these forums anymore?

[reneranucci]

Blob isn't on these forums anymore?

He stopped posting after a discussion... very similar to the one weīre having on this thread, at least regarding the subject matter. You can find it if you look up his last posts.

[Slain]

I think he just needs to find more of a balance. He's undoubtedly an amazing player, but I agree that I'd like to see more rhythm/atmospheric stuff maybe on the next album. Just like JP on BC&SL, he had some memorable solos, and some not so memorable ones that were just kind of "there to be there"

[Adami]

Yea, I really wish they would treat solos like any other part of the song. If it calls for them, do them, but don't throw them in for the sake of it. You can tell the main solos on alot of their songs on the past few albums were just there cause they wanted to solo.

[ReaPsTA]

Yea, I really wish they would treat solos like any other part of the song. If it calls for them, do them, but don't throw them in for the sake of it. You can tell the main solos on alot of their songs on the past few albums were just there cause they wanted to solo.

Yeah. And it's a shame, because the solos that are there for the song are still good. Even JR's solo in TSF fits the mood and direction of the music. And JP's solo in that song is in his top 20.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

This thread needs some blobvandam

Yes. Because a personal friend of Jordan's would take to criticism of Jordan without any bias or personal offense whatsoever, thus inevitably enriching the debate.

[bosk1]

a personal friend of Jordan's

Not to open a can of worms, but I get the distinct sense that phrase means something completely different to Jordan than it does to Blob.  Just sayin'...

[antigoon]

*resists comment*

Anyway, we KNOW Jordan can solo extremely tastefully. Look at the analog synth spot in Octavarium -- pure bliss! He just needs to be utilized to his potential, and this BALLS BALLS BALLS attitude is not leading him (or the rest of the band) there.

[Jamesman42]

Or the moog solo in ITPOE Pt.2. 

[Dream Team]

*resists comment*

Anyway, we KNOW Jordan can solo extremely tastefully. Look at the analog synth spot in Octavarium -- pure bliss! He just needs to be utilized to his potential, and this BALLS BALLS BALLS attitude is not leading him (or the rest of the band) there.

Castration is needed! It is the only solution. 

[antigoon]

*resists comment*

Anyway, we KNOW Jordan can solo extremely tastefully. Look at the analog synth spot in Octavarium -- pure bliss! He just needs to be utilized to his potential, and this BALLS BALLS BALLS attitude is not leading him (or the rest of the band) there.

Castration is needed! It is the only solution. 

[SnakeEyes]

I can't believe no one responded to my Jeffrey Dahmer comment.  WHAT-EVA. 

[The Awesome]

One of the Youtube comments sums this discussion up nicely.

"You can't criticize God".

slash thread

[antigoon]

[Bertielee]

I can't believe no one responded to my Jeffrey Dahmer comment.  WHAT-EVA. 

Hey, I find your comparison of JR with Dahmer a little bit harsh. But it was made in jest, wasn't it?

[tri.ad]

One of the Youtube comments sums this discussion up nicely.

"You can't criticize God".

slash thread

You might not exactly live up to your username, good sir.

[ariich]

One of the Youtube comments sums this discussion up nicely.

"You can't criticize God".

slash thread

You might not exactly live up to your username, good sir.

Possibly my favourite put-down ever.

[hefdaddy42]

One of the Youtube comments sums this discussion up nicely.

"You can't criticize God".

slash thread

You might not exactly live up to your username, good sir.

Possibly my favourite put-down ever.

Glorious.

[KevShmev]

I remember watching the LTE DVD and listening to the LTE CDs after a long time. I said to myself: I see clearly why MP and JP thought that JR was the guy for Dream Theater. There was something magical about the chemistry they had writing music together, and the potential for that chemistry to continue in DT was amazing. IMO the decision to replace Derek was fully justified if the experience of making the LTE albums was the main reason behind it. The opportunity of having JR join the band seemed to good to ignore.

And I think part of that great chemistry shows in SFAM and to a lesser degree in SDOIT. TOT had a very definite and narrow direction that conditioned the music. Something happened since Octavarium, and some of the elements that made the first JR/DT collaborations so great started to fade away. On the other hand I think that is a natural thing, you cannot expect to be super innovative after writing 4 or 5 albums with the same guys. If I can say this, probably the 5th album with KM wouldnīt have been super groundbreaking, either.

Maybe thatīs why people insist in that it would be a good thing for the band members to take a long break, or to challenge themselves to try something completely different. They can recover some of the freshness and excitement they had at the beginning. I donīt know, they can try to write a rock album with almost no metal at all, or include 2 piano based songs in the next album, and see what happens (but thatīs discussion for another thread I think).

This is a most excellent post!

Personally, when I heard that Rudess had replaced Sherinian in the band (which I found out when I got the fan club magazine and saw the announcement on the inside of the front page), I was as happy as anyone. 

Ultimately, while he has done some things (musically with DT) over the years that I am not overly wild about, Rudess still does tons of great stuff, and he is a huge asset to the band.  Sure, some of us might be a little vocal with the stuff we don't like (those damn solos where he tries to bends 1,000 notes into submission ), but a lot of that stems from knowing what he is capable of.



 

[GuineaPig]

I remember watching the LTE DVD and listening to the LTE CDs after a long time. I said to myself: I see clearly why MP and JP thought that JR was the guy for Dream Theater. There was something magical about the chemistry they had writing music together, and the potential for that chemistry to continue in DT was amazing. IMO the decision to replace Derek was fully justified if the experience of making the LTE albums was the main reason behind it. The opportunity of having JR join the band seemed to good to ignore.

And I think part of that great chemistry shows in SFAM and to a lesser degree in SDOIT. TOT had a very definite and narrow direction that conditioned the music. Something happened since Octavarium, and some of the elements that made the first JR/DT collaborations so great started to fade away. On the other hand I think that is a natural thing, you cannot expect to be super innovative after writing 4 or 5 albums with the same guys. If I can say this, probably the 5th album with KM wouldnīt have been super groundbreaking, either.

Maybe thatīs why people insist in that it would be a good thing for the band members to take a long break, or to challenge themselves to try something completely different. They can recover some of the freshness and excitement they had at the beginning. I donīt know, they can try to write a rock album with almost no metal at all, or include 2 piano based songs in the next album, and see what happens (but thatīs discussion for another thread I think).

This is a most excellent post!

Personally, when I heard that Rudess had replaced Sherinian in the band (which I found out when I got the fan club magazine and saw the announcement on the inside of the front page), I was as happy as anyone. 

Ultimately, while he has done some things (musically with DT) over the years that I am not overly wild about, Rudess still does tons of great stuff, and he is a huge asset to the band.  Sure, some of us might be a little vocal with the stuff we don't like (those damn solos where he tries to bends 1,000 notes into submission ), but a lot of that stems from knowing what he is capable of.

It didn't help that LTE 1 - SDOIT was a string of very strong keyboard performances.  Maybe if one went backwards in the catalogue they wouldn't be as disappointed with the keyboards on recent albums.

[ReaperKK]

*resists comment*

Anyway, we KNOW Jordan can solo extremely tastefully. Look at the analog synth spot in Octavarium -- pure bliss! He just needs to be utilized to his potential, and this BALLS BALLS BALLS attitude is not leading him (or the rest of the band) there.

I agree, I always said if MP throws more BALLLLZSZZLSLZ!!! in it'll be a gay porno

[SnakeEyes]

Hey, I find your comparison of JR with Dahmer a little bit harsh. But it was made in jest, wasn't it?

Yeah, that's it.  Jest. 

[emindead]

I remember watching the LTE DVD and listening to the LTE CDs after a long time. I said to myself: I see clearly why MP and JP thought that JR was the guy for Dream Theater. There was something magical about the chemistry they had writing music together, and the potential for that chemistry to continue in DT was amazing. IMO the decision to replace Derek was fully justified if the experience of making the LTE albums was the main reason behind it. The opportunity of having JR join the band seemed to good to ignore.

This. Though, to expand your point: I think DT realized that since 1994. When Moore left and they saw the talent JR had they knew he was the perfect piece to replace KM. But with "such is life" moments, JR couldn't join until five years later. LTE just reinforced the idea that they NEEDED him really bad.

Sorry hef! I think it's just so that so many ppl are just talking shit about Rudess

Oh, Blob. Take off your mask!

[KevShmev]

It didn't help that LTE 1 - SDOIT was a string of very strong keyboard performances.  Maybe if one went backwards in the catalogue they wouldn't be as disappointed with the keyboards on recent albums.

Perhaps.  Progression is always better than regression, after all.

 When Moore left and they saw the talent JR had they knew he was the perfect piece to replace KM. But with "such is life" moments, JR couldn't join until five years later. LTE just reinforced the idea that they NEEDED him really bad.

I don't agree with this.  I think had he not agreed to join the band and they kept Sherinian, they would have been just fine and dandy.  It is interesting to think about where the band would have gone and where they would be if Sherinian was still their keyboard player.  Rudess might have been an upgrade, but Sherinian was doing fine work, so it is not like Rudess was needed.  He was more of a want than a need.

[emindead]

Considering how sloppy Derek sounded live, I think DT also took that into consideration. Derek's musical directions didn't fit with DT as well. Sure, he created what I think the lines ACOS should've had and what he played in the good songs of FII is great... but as a whole, JR is more of the direction that DT needed. With DS they wouldn't have created SFAM (or an equivalent as good album), the album that hold this band together.