The Astonishing - Unpopular opinions

[Kotowboy]

one of Myung, LaBrie or Mangini should have said no to the project.

" I don't like this album so nobody else is allowed to. Because they're just wrong ".

[T-ski]

one of Myung, LaBrie or Mangini should have said no to the project.

" I don't like this album so nobody else is allowed to. Because they're just wrong ".

the topic is unpopular opinions.  I guess my opinion is unpopular.

and if you like the album good for you, I haven't ragged on anyone for liking it, so don't rag on me for disliking it.

[gm5k]

"The Gift of Music" and "Moment of Betrayal" are both bottom 5 songs on this album. 

[Crow]

I don't know what counts as an unpopular opinion given how new the album is, but I don't like Moment of Betrayal. It sounds like something right off DT12 to me.

this is literally what i thought when i first listened to it, but atm i think it's at least a step above the usual DT12 fare

[MirrorMask]

Here's one that is probably very controversial:

To those who are already placing this in the same league as SFAM and Six Degrees, it is WAY too new to really form a complete opinion on it. It's been out for less than FIVE days, and people are calling it the best thing since sliced bread. Not that I'm saying it's not a great album, because it is. My opinion is simply that people need to give this a little more time to sink in and really find its intricacies before making such statements. I mean, its 130 minutes long. Almost twice the length of a standard DT album. How can people truly absorb that much music THAT quickly?

Again, just my opinion.

I have to agree with this one... it came out last friday, even if people downloaded it the leak happened 2-3 days before, so there's so little time to absorb all this huge piece of work. I'm now during my third listening ever, and I barely start to remember the various themes and pieces of songs I've already memorized... it will be a long time until I will even be able to make an "abridged" version for my music player (  ) to listen to in the time that it takes me to go and return from work!

[pantsofeternity]

Here's one that is probably very controversial:

To those who are already placing this in the same league as SFAM and Six Degrees, it is WAY too new to really form a complete opinion on it. It's been out for less than FIVE days, and people are calling it the best thing since sliced bread. Not that I'm saying it's not a great album, because it is. My opinion is simply that people need to give this a little more time to sink in and really find its intricacies before making such statements. I mean, its 130 minutes long. Almost twice the length of a standard DT album. How can people truly absorb that much music THAT quickly?

I'd hope this is a pretty popular opinion!  Seems obvious.

[MirrorMask]

- Our New World is a good song, but not even close to the top songs in the album

I would agree with this. It's nice enough, and I definitely dig the vibe, but I don't even find the chorus very catchy as others seem to!

I'll join in on this one as well. All reviews seemed to state that Our New World was this mindblowingly "real" closing to the album, with a chorus that could rock arenas, while the title track was more than an afterthought, a closing credits kind of song without any climax... but instead on the album I hear an average song whose chorus just repeats "our new world" over and over, and the title track having a grandiose and epic ending on par with those of Octavarium, Illumination Theory and the likes.

[Train of Naught]

Here's one that is probably very controversial:

To those who are already placing this in the same league as SFAM and Six Degrees, it is WAY too new to really form a complete opinion on it. It's been out for less than FIVE days, and people are calling it the best thing since sliced bread. Not that I'm saying it's not a great album, because it is. My opinion is simply that people need to give this a little more time to sink in and really find its intricacies before making such statements. I mean, its 130 minutes long. Almost twice the length of a standard DT album. How can people truly absorb that much music THAT quickly?

I'd hope this is a pretty popular opinion!  Seems obvious.

Yeah that's not controversial at all.

Not sure what I can point out as popular/unpopular about this album, most opinions I have about this album seem to be shared with at least a few others. I'll say this: With act 1, musically it keeps 'evolving', there's new ideas and approaches with every following song despite the many recurring themes, I thnk that's done very well. Act 2 I feel adds less, and I start to lose my focus a bit towards the end.

I think this is mainly because it's just too much music to take in in one listen, need to either make an abridged version for myself once I've fully familiarized myself with the album or just make different batches of songs to listen to separately.

[fischermasamune]

The album could last a bit longer. 130 minutes ain't enough.

[rumborak]

While it is an entertaining album in sections, I don't think they achieved what they set out to do. For example, only in very few moments do I feel the songs' mood correlates with the plot mood. That causes me to never be "engulfed" by the whole thing, but rather perceive it as a collection of disparate pieces.

[lovethedrake]

Brother can you here me is one of the best songs on the album.     

The Hymn of a Thousand Words is disappointingly underwhelming.

Lord Nafaryus is one of the the best DT songs in 15 years.

Road to Revolution and 2285 Entr'acte are being criminally underrated.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

- Our New World is a good song, but not even close to the top songs in the album

I would agree with this. It's nice enough, and I definitely dig the vibe, but I don't even find the chorus very catchy as others seem to!

I'll join in on this one as well. All reviews seemed to state that Our New World was this mindblowingly "real" closing to the album, with a chorus that could rock arenas, while the title track was more than an afterthought, a closing credits kind of song without any climax... but instead on the album I hear an average song whose chorus just repeats "our new world" over and over, and the title track having a grandiose and epic ending on par with those of Octavarium, Illumination Theory and the likes.

All of this 100%.

I will add the opinion that TA is the heaviest album of the MM era.

[Enigmachine]

I will add the opinion that TA is the heaviest album of the MM era.

Uh... what? That's sarcasm, right?

[TAC]

The Hymn of a Thousand Words is disappointingly underwhelming.

Lord Nafaryus is one of the the best DT songs in 15 years. 

I agree with both of these statements.

[bosk1]

Road to Revolution and 2285 Entr'acte are being criminally underrated.

  "Underrated" by whom?  Don't you have to have a large segment of people slagging something for it to be "underrated?"

[lovethedrake]

I just haven't seen those listed too much.   So I assume they are underrated.     Perhaps I am wrong.   

Either way they are both awesome.

[chrisbDTM]

myung is nonexistent on this album. petrucci could've tracked bass

[ariich]

While it is an entertaining album in sections, I don't think they achieved what they set out to do. For example, only in very few moments do I feel the songs' mood correlates with the plot mood. That causes me to never be "engulfed" by the whole thing, but rather perceive it as a collection of disparate pieces.

Really? If anything I'd say that's the thing they definitely nailed this time around.

[KevShmev]

I agree with what some have said about Three Days and Our New World; both good songs, but neither are among the best from this record.  And heck, Three Days was one of my favorites after one listen, but I think I was like many in that I was so thrilled by the last 20 seconds, that I overrated it as a whole.  Pretty good song, but there are at least 20 on this that are better. Our New World is borderline top 10.

[Crow]

okay but Three Days has easily the best chorus on the entire album

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I listened to it once and immediately went back to SDOIT and remembered the good ole days when they were in their prime.  Where is the progressive metal group called Dream Theater that I used to love?

I've listened to The Astonishing a few times and I just don't see what people love about it. I don't think it's bad, I just think it's very boring. Maybe it will get better with more listens. I'm certainly not giving up on it. But if you include this album, that makes 4 of their last 5 albums that sit right at the bottom of the album rankings for me. ADTOE was their best work since TOT. I'm actually very surprised to see all the praise this album is getting. After my first listen, I was not impressed. And yeah, I listened to SDOIT today as well. That album is perfection right there.

Though, I do realize it's a very long album and generally a lot of their work needs time to really soak in. I'll listen again in just a few.

[pcs90]

1. The album should have been longer (3 discs).

2. The title track is an absolutely perfect way to end the album and is not an afterthought. Ending on Our New World would not make the same impact.

3. Dystopian Overture is their best overture from any album.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

3 discs? Damn

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I will add the opinion that TA is the heaviest album of the MM era.

Uh... what? That's sarcasm, right?

Maybe I should rephrase. It has the most truly heavy stuff of any MM era album, which is of course assisted by the fact it has 50-60 extra minutes to play with. Its light sections are obviously lighter than those of the past two albums, but the heavy sections are also heavier.

[darkshade]

myung is nonexistent on this album.

This thread is for opinions, not facts.

I heard Myung for a total of 2 seconds on the whole album. One I can remember is during the opening Overture, I think.

[rumborak]

While it is an entertaining album in sections, I don't think they achieved what they set out to do. For example, only in very few moments do I feel the songs' mood correlates with the plot mood. That causes me to never be "engulfed" by the whole thing, but rather perceive it as a collection of disparate pieces.

Really? If anything I'd say that's the thing they definitely nailed this time around.

Interesting. I guess everybody perceives it differently.
Take for example Losing Faythe. Setting aside the horrendous beginning (I mean, I know they're *supposed* to be crying over the death of Faythe, but it sounds like they're making out), I find the music itself is hopeful. Like, there is no despair or sorrow in that tune at all. IMHO. And that part in the plot is so crucial, as a setup to the townspeople saving Faythe. Starting with hopeful music and then going into uplifting epicness takes away from the next plot item that is supposed to lift the story out of despair into hope.

[Nearmyth]

The NOMAC tracks are great and very important to the flow/atmosphere of the album.

A Life Left Behind has one of the better choruses on the album.

A New Beginning has one of the best instrumental sections of the post-BCSL era (and the ending is perfect).

One song I barely see mentioned is Hymn of One Thousand Voices. One of the better ballads on the album. It has such a organically and naturally bright, sad, yet hopeful sound. Really a powerful way to pick you up after the very turbulent climax of the album - excellent writing.

[pcs90]

The NOMAC tracks are great and very important to the flow/atmosphere of the album.

Totally agreed.

One song I barely see mentioned is Hymn of One Thousand Voices. One of the better ballads on the album. It has such a organically and naturally bright, sad, yet hopeful sound. Really a powerful way to pick you up after the very turbulent climax of the album - excellent writing.

It's a beautiful track, especially the violin, and the choir at the end!

[CDrice]

- Our New World is a good song, but not even close to the top songs in the album

I have the same feeling, but with A New Beginning instead.

[Sacul]

I've listened to The Astonishing a few times and I just don't see what people love about it. I don't think it's bad, I just think it's very boring.

This, plus that it's too cheesy, honestly, and the story clichéd.

[pantsofeternity]

Mandolin is the MVP of this album

[erwinrafael]

While it is an entertaining album in sections, I don't think they achieved what they set out to do. For example, only in very few moments do I feel the songs' mood correlates with the plot mood. That causes me to never be "engulfed" by the whole thing, but rather perceive it as a collection of disparate pieces.

Really? If anything I'd say that's the thing they definitely nailed this time around.

Interesting. I guess everybody perceives it differently.
Take for example Losing Faythe. Setting aside the horrendous beginning (I mean, I know they're *supposed* to be crying over the death of Faythe, but it sounds like they're making out), I find the music itself is hopeful. Like, there is no despair or sorrow in that tune at all. IMHO. And that part in the plot is so crucial, as a setup to the townspeople saving Faythe. Starting with hopeful music and then going into uplifting epicness takes away from the next plot item that is supposed to lift the story out of despair into hope.

You hear hopefulness from the music of Losing Faythe? The hopeful version of it is Chosen and if you play it back to back, you can hear the big difference in delivery. The "sadness" stands out when you are aware that it is a reprise fo a hopeful theme.

[BlobVanDam]

Road to Revolution and 2285 Entr'acte are being criminally underrated.

  "Underrated" by whom?  Don't you have to have a large segment of people slagging something for it to be "underrated?"

Given that people are still digesting over 2 hours and 34 tracks of a new album, I don't think anything counts as underrated yet. Under discussed yes, but that's simply because there's so much music to be discussed, and it's been less than a week.

[KevShmev]

For sure. Heck, I am still hearing great bits in my car, thinking how great it sounds, and then wondering sometimes, "Now which song is this, again?"

[NoseofNicko]

The chorus from Our New World is good, but not great. It's pretty generic.