ADTOE vs DT12

[hefdaddy42]

For one thing, bands always talk up their new releases.  You can only take what they say (in promotion of a product, mind you) with a grain of salt.

Secondly, they never claimed this to be a "masterpiece" or "represent the band" as far as the history of the band.  Rather, it was to represent what these 5 guys are RIGHT NOW.

Also, I don't think they played it safe at all.  Nothing safe about a band who has made it's reputation doing extended length instrumental-laden prog rock compositions doing an album of more focused songwriting.  Whether you liked it or not is up to you, but it certainly wasn't safe, nor intended to be a masterpiece.

Yes, all you say there is true. I personally wasn't using the term masterpiece. Reading between the lines of the regular new album hype, to me, they were definitely looking to make a statement with this record.

I agree with that.  It just wasn't a historical statement.  It was a statement about now, and going forward.

[TAC]

I think there's one thing we can all agree on. I cannot wait for the third album of the Mangini era! 

[Progmetty]

Definitely ADOTE.

[hefdaddy42]

I think there's one thing we can all agree on. I cannot wait for the third album of the Mangini era! 

[The Letter M]

I think there's one thing we can all agree on. I cannot wait for the third album of the Mangini era! 

I disagree. I think you CAN wait for the third album of the Mangini era.

In all seriousness, though, I think, for me, they'll either play it super-safe for the next one, or really knock it out of the park with someone drastically different. Looking back at JLB's first three albums, we had IAW, Awake, and then FII, the first two of which are undeniable classics while the third has some gems, but the rest are OK. Then we move to JR's first three albums with the band, and SFAM and SDOIT are amazing albums while TOT has some good songs, but it's not Top 3 material for me, or many fans that I've seen. I wonder if we'll see a similar pattern with MM in that his third album with the band might not live up to his first two? Hopefully we'll know sometime in the next 12-18 months.

-Marc.

[Madman Shepherd]

I know its been talked about like crazy but I think the next one will definitely be a concept album.  MP said they were talking about making the next one a concept album, JP said he really wants to do another concept album, and I would say a good 50% of the hardcore fanbase have expressed interest in another concept album. 

Soooooo....concept album.....

....and it will fucking kick ass. 

[aprilethereal]

JP said he really wants to do another concept album

He said something like "I'm sure we'll eventually do one somewhere down the line". I'd say don't read too much into that.

[hefdaddy42]

JP said he really wants to do another concept album

He said something like "I'm sure we'll eventually do one somewhere down the line". I'd say don't read too much into that.

Yeah, that's more along the lines of what I remember.  I don't remember him ever saying anything like "I really want to do another one."

[rumborak]

I don't particularly associate concept album with goodness. It can work, but it can also devolve into a steaming pile of crap.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't particularly associate concept album with goodness. It can work, but it can also devolve into a steaming pile of crap.

Right, so personally, I hope they avoid that prog cliche again.  They did it once, they can check it off the list.

[mike099]

SFAM is a very good concept album, but I find it difficult to listen to individual songs , but can listen to straight thru and enjoy.  I would love to see them do a double cd with one cd experimental and the other straight forward.