Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)

[cramx3]

But they played every original song they had so I don't know how you can think that.

Maybe the argument could be made that they should have played a shorter set with a solid opener or been an opener for another band so it didn't come off as a playing too many cover songs.  And don't forget the VH cover as well.  I do think it was odd though to go after DT the way they did and then not only perform two of their songs, but to end the set with one. 

[rumborak]

I don't really fault them for playing a lot of cover songs, that's what every new band has to do when they only have one album's worth of material. It's more the choice of cover songs: two DT songs, and two Queen songs. In the world of cover-able songs out there, I would say that they could have found other songs than two ex-band songs, and then two songs from the same band.

[cramx3]

Well the two queen songs was closer to one medley of two songs done mostly as a solo spot by the singer since everyone got a solo spot on that show.  Still agree about doing two DT songs as much as I thought they did both really well.

And let's not forget they are doing a full set of cover songs at Plovdiv.

[Madman Shepherd]

I actually think they should have done more (and different) DT covers.  As annoying as Derek was in the buildup to the band, his holier than though attitude could have actually had a point if they were saying, "Yo, you think today's Dream Theater can play their own songs as good as THIS?" and then pull out A Change of Seasons or Raise the Knife. 

Some of you are saying that would have denigrated them and I can see that but for me, it would have got me to make an effort to see them the second time they came through.  Since it was essentially the same set as the first mini leg I had no interest and thus my interest in the band has really diminished. 

[Trav86]

After being on a Falling Into Infinity and Derek solo kick, I’m finally starting to get into this album.  Derek’s sound isn’t that diverse, but it’s his. And when it’s good, it’s really good.

[MirrorMask]

I actually think they should have done more (and different) DT covers.  As annoying as Derek was in the buildup to the band, his holier than though attitude could have actually had a point if they were saying, "Yo, you think today's Dream Theater can play their own songs as good as THIS?" and then pull out A Change of Seasons or Raise the Knife. 

Some of you are saying that would have denigrated them and I can see that but for me, it would have got me to make an effort to see them the second time they came through.  Since it was essentially the same set as the first mini leg I had no interest and thus my interest in the band has really diminished.

A Change of Seasons would have been too much of a show stealer, but Raise the Knife would have been a great choice.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I agree that Raise the Knife would have been great, but DT were playing it during the Images and Words and Beyond tour, so that's probably why SOA didn't pay it. Cover My Eyes would have been nice, but that was a Petrucci song, from what I remember...

[gzarruk]

I agree that Raise the Knife would have been great, but DT were playing it during the Images and Words and Beyond tour, so that's probably why SOA didn't pay it. Cover My Eyes would have been nice, but that was a Petrucci song, from what I remember...

They played ACOS, not RTK.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I agree that Raise the Knife would have been great, but DT were playing it during the Images and Words and Beyond tour, so that's probably why SOA didn't pay it. Cover My Eyes would have been nice, but that was a Petrucci song, from what I remember...

They played ACOS, not RTK.

You're right! I had Hell's kitchen in mind...my bad!

[Dublagent66]

I like this album more than any of the Adrenaline Mob stuff.  Looking forward to more SoA.

[Tick]

The album has grown on me a bit, and I finally realize what is its weakest link is. Its Jeff Soto. He just totally underwhelms me. And its not that he's bad, he just sounds generic and a bit boring. Also, you don't have to punctuate so many lines in so many of the songs with, "YEAH!" It's a bit silly.

[Madman Shepherd]

I agree that Raise the Knife would have been great, but DT were playing it during the Images and Words and Beyond tour, so that's probably why SOA didn't pay it. Cover My Eyes would have been nice, but that was a Petrucci song, from what I remember...

They played ACOS, not RTK.

You're right! I had Hell's kitchen in mind...my bad!

I wouldn't have cared if they played the exact same songs.  SoA should make the best setlist they can no matter who played what, when, etc.  I find it kind of weird Mike is so obsessed with not doing what DT is doing (like him and Neal Morse getting into a fight about SoaD).  I get it that some fans will complain about anything but nobody gave a shit that DT and Neal Morse did concept double albums around the same time and if they did, they can deal with it. 

[bosk1]

I don't think it is weird at all.  I mean, I think he DOES get too much inside his own head at times.  His paranoia about Similitude being a double concept album ultimately didn't matter.  But at the same time, I completely get where he is coming from on that.  Same with the issue of playing the same songs.  I don't think it's that hard to understand.

[Architeuthis]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!
 I doubt they were trying to One-up DT with that record. SOAD and TA are both awesome in their own way.
 The only way they may have one-upped DT is that they managed to capture SOAD live (on two different occasions, Tilburg and Morsefest) for a dvd release,, and it is a darn good one (Tilburg) at that!  Morsefest 2017 Will be released soon. There is no TA live release.. shrug.

[gzarruk]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

[Destiny Of Chaos]

I watched Portnoy's video where he's listening to the entire SoaD album....he says you could hear the anger/frustration of this argument in his playing on Slave to Your Mind...and he isn't kidding. One of my  favorite MP songs.

[Stadler]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

TSOAD, got it, but what's the other one?

[goo-goo]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

TSOAD, got it, but what's the other one?

DT's The Astonishing. That's what MP was referring to when Neal was working on Similitude.

[Evermind]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

TSOAD, got it, but what's the other one?

[Stadler]

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

TSOAD, got it, but what's the other one?

DT's The Astonishing. That's what MP was referring to when Neal was working on Similitude.

Um, yeah.   So call me Penn (or Teller), but here's what went on:  someone made a reference to TSOAD, then referred to DT.  Then they said "two amazing double concept albums in the same year" and I, not at all thinking that "The Astonishing" was amazing, or even decent, playfully asked, knowing full well what was being said, "what was the other one?".   The implication was that there's no possible way the poster could have intended to include "The Astonishing" as "amazing".   

TL;DR:  I know; it was a joke. 

[Evermind]

Well that's an r/woosh worthy-thing.

I thought it was pretty funny, for what it's worth.

[Madman Shepherd]

I don't think it is weird at all.  I mean, I think he DOES get too much inside his own head at times.  His paranoia about Similitude being a double concept album ultimately didn't matter.  But at the same time, I completely get where he is coming from on that.  Same with the issue of playing the same songs.  I don't think it's that hard to understand.

That's kind of a weird reply.  I did say I understood but that he shouldn't care about what a small portion of fans complain about since it ended up not mattering at all for Similitude.  I didn't think *that* was hard to understand.

Wait, Mike and Neal got into a fight over SOAD? Why, it's a fantastic record!

Apparently, Mike strongly opposed the idea of making TSOAD a double album because DT had just released a double concept album. He was more focused on not doing something similar to what DT was doing, instead of doing what was best for their new album. In the end Neal got it his way (it's the NMB, not the MPB after all...) and we got two amazing double concept albums the same year

I think the "making of" is on youtube.  I sort of remember watching it.  Not because I like the Neal Morse Band, because I don't in the slightest, but because I'm a sucker for almost any "making of"

I think after the "fight" they kind of stopped filming the behind the scenes stuff to just focus on the album because it kind of shook them both up since they barely ever have disagreements.  Interesting dynamic. 

[bosk1]

I don't think it is weird at all.  I mean, I think he DOES get too much inside his own head at times.  His paranoia about Similitude being a double concept album ultimately didn't matter.  But at the same time, I completely get where he is coming from on that.  Same with the issue of playing the same songs.  I don't think it's that hard to understand.

That's kind of a weird reply.  I did say I understood but that he shouldn't care about what a small portion of fans complain about since it ended up not mattering at all for Similitude.  I didn't think *that* was hard to understand.

Okay.    I didn't get that from your post. 

[?]

Have they held that fan poll that was supposed to determine which cover songs they'll play at the Plovdiv show yet?

[Evermind]

Have they held that fan poll that was supposed to determine which cover songs they'll play at the Plovdiv show yet?

I saw MP saying that they scrapped this idea and he chose the cover songs himself instead.

[cramx3]

Have they held that fan poll that was supposed to determine which cover songs they'll play at the Plovdiv show yet?

I saw MP saying that they scrapped this idea and he chose the cover songs himself instead.

That kind of sucks.  Since it's just covers, would have been cool to see the options.  Really hoping they pull out some new covers at PP in a couple weeks.

[Stadler]

Well, the top three vote getters when he shut the poll down were:

"Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar"
"Sailing On The Seas Of Cheese"
"Our New World"

[Madman Shepherd]

Well, the top three vote getters when he shut the poll down were:

"Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar"
"Sailing On The Seas Of Cheese"
"Our New World"

 

[cramx3]

 

[ReaperKK]

That’s hilarious

[Ben_Jamin]

Hahaha...what did he expect making it an open poll. He should've made a list.

[IDontNotDoThings]

Hahaha...what did he expect making it an open poll. He should've made a list.

Yeah, open polls never turn out well, just ask 4ch

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Well, the top three vote getters when he shut the poll down were:

"Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar"
"Sailing On The Seas Of Cheese"
"Our New World"

LoL

[RodrigoAltaf]

Well, the top three vote getters when he shut the poll down were:

"Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar"
"Sailing On The Seas Of Cheese"
"Our New World"

LoL

Is that true?

[Cool Chris]

1) Wait for Sleep
2) Vacant
3) Far From Heaven