Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Star Three on the way)

[Cyclopssss]

In my opinion, this one is much better. TTOE isn't very memorable to me, I'm affraid.

[ariich]

Still haven't listened to it. How does it compare to THE-01? Theory of Everything was quite disappointing.

I also found Theory of Everything a little disappointing, and personally I find The Source a fair bit stronger. Maybe not quite THE (which I think is Arjen's best) but more on a par with 01, though slightly less weak lyrically!

[MirrorMask]

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

[Nick]

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

I just think "Y" and then convert it to binary.

You aren't fluent?

[Nick]

Still haven't listened to it. How does it compare to THE-01? Theory of Everything was quite disappointing.

I also found Theory of Everything a little disappointing, and personally I find The Source a fair bit stronger. Maybe not quite THE (which I think is Arjen's best) but more on a par with 01, though slightly less weak lyrically!

Call me crazy, but I remember TToE being pretty well praised around here and being liked better than 01. But here today it looks like that's flopped around.

[Evermind]

For what it's worth, I still love TTOE, it's my second favourite Ayreon album. But you know that already.

I also still haven't received my copy of The Source.

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

Oh, that's a good question. I just split it into three sequences, like 01 - 011 - 001.

[Nick]

For what it's worth, I still love TTOE, it's my second favourite Ayreon album. But you know that already.

I also still haven't received my copy of The Source.

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

Oh, that's a good question. I just split it into three sequences, like 01 - 011 - 001.

After the snafu at customs I've been waiting for a shipping email and I still haven't even gotten that. Kinda praying that it at least ships today and is waiting for me Monday after RoSfest. But who knows, could be a week or two yet.

[Ben_Jamin]

For what it's worth, I still love TTOE, it's my second favourite Ayreon album. But you know that already.

I also still haven't received my copy of The Source.

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

Oh, that's a good question. I just split it into three sequences, like 01 - 011 - 001.

After the snafu at customs I've been waiting for a shipping email and I still haven't even gotten that. Kinda praying that it at least ships today and is waiting for me Monday after RoSfest. But who knows, could be a week or two yet.

Same situation here. I want to immerse myself into the story more by reading the actual lyrics from the booklet while looking at the pictures. It helps me envision it in my head how the scenery looks, and reading the lyrics helps me get a good feel for the characters.

As I have the mp3's (which thank god they gave us whom pre-ordered) it only does so much. But I still feel sadness listening to All That Was, because those modern words he uses makes it more personal and as if the Apocalypse was happening today. They decided to shut off all electronic devices, what they say in that song is exactly how people would be.


I'm enjoying it immensely for the concept alone. Arjen did well by talking about a past advanced race much like ours today. Even though it is cliche now, its still a main source of a lot sci-fi for certain reasons alone.

[Kwyjibo]

Third listen and this one is growing strong. It reminds me most of 010101010, but clearly has it's own character.

And on the topic of TToE, I love, love love that record. After my initial disappointment with it, I now rank it at number 2 behind THE.

[kaos2900]

TTOE is still my favorite Ayreon album. THE is second, but TTOE is the only Album I really enjoy from start to finish.

[Big Hath]

For what it's worth, I still love TTOE, it's my second favourite Ayreon album. But you know that already.

I also still haven't received my copy of The Source.

Very random comment but since the album was mentioned... do you know how to type the exact title of 01011001? I've learnt, they're four pairs of 01, but the second to last is reversed. 01 - 01 - 10 - 01. Easier to remember that way.

Oh, that's a good question. I just split it into three sequences, like 01 - 011 - 001.

interesting.  I think of it as 010 - 11001

[Elite]

The three sequences Ev describes is how I do it too.

[Kwyjibo]

I just type a random bunch of 0 and 1 and everybody knows what I'm talking about.

[Elite]

I usually call it 0190010010100010110100101 as well.

[MirrorMask]

I just type a random bunch of 0 and 1 and everybody knows what I'm talking about.

 

[goo-goo]

Third listen and this one is growing strong. It reminds me most of 010101010, but clearly has it's own character.

And on the topic of TToE, I love, love love that record. After my initial disappointment with it, I now rank it at number 2 behind THE.

Are The Source and 0101010110 related>?

[Elite]

Are The Source and 0101010110 related?

Of course they are, just like every album Ayreon has made (except for Actual Fantasy and TTOE).

[jakepriest]

I wouldn't really call THE connected. The ending is more of a nugget than anything else.

[ErHaO]

TTOE is second for me personally, behind THE. I love that album but it doesn't surprise me it is divisive amongst the fans.

The Source is still a blast to listen btw 

[Ben_Jamin]

I wouldn't really call THE connected. The ending is more of a nugget than anything else.

How can it be a nugget? That moment is a major plot changer. It's integral by, that's when you are shown, it was basically the one inside the Dream Sequencer experiencing these various emotions inside 'Me'. Then realizing these emotions again and their feelings.


Also, has anyone else received a shipping confirmation email yet? I haven't and it sucks so much...if say worse than The Astonishing in the way of story and art designs (Astonishing had all the info pretty much on their dedicated site to it so that didn't affect me much).

[jakepriest]

It's not that it isn't a part of the plot, but I just don't have the same feeling when I listen to the album like I get with the other Ayreon sci-fi works. It feels way more genuine and I can actually really connect with the emotions displayed by the lyrics. It's one of the only albums ever where I really pay attention to the lyrics (TTOE is another of those albums), I really don't care for the story behind the other albums at all.

So yeah, I guess it was wrong of me to say that it isn't connected, just that I personally see it as a standalone story and would prefer to have it left aside of the general Ayreon sci-fi cheese-fest. 

[Ben_Jamin]

It's not that it isn't a part of the plot, but I just don't have the same feeling when I listen to the album like I get with the other Ayreon sci-fi works. It feels way more genuine and I can actually really connect with the emotions displayed by the lyrics. It's one of the only albums ever where I really pay attention to the lyrics (TTOE is another of those albums), I really don't care for the story behind the other albums at all.

So yeah, I guess it was wrong of me to say that it isn't connected, just that I personally see it as a standalone story and would prefer to have it left aside of the general Ayreon sci-fi cheese-fest. 

That's exactly why I enjoy it as well. Plus, it is a "wait a minute" moment at the end. Just because of what you said about connecting with those emotions. Which may be why it's enjoyed more by people.

[home]

For me the ending of THE almost feels like "...and it was just a dream" (which is a pretty bad way of ending a story)

[abydos]

Yeah but that was obvious from the start and kind of the point of the story.

[home]

Yeah but that was obvious from the start and kind of the point of the story.

How is it obvious from the start? And why is it the point of the story? THE's plot is definitely amazing as a stand alone story 

[jakepriest]

Yeah but that was obvious from the start and kind of the point of the story.

How is it obvious from the start? And why is it the point of the story? THE's plot is definitely amazing as a stand alone story 

this, if anything that last "big revelation" hurts it

[Crow]

tbh i'd like confrontation more with a better ending yeah so. it is totally part of the main story to an extent but is totally fine as a standalone too

[MirrorMask]

I remember an interview with Arjen (probably it's in the bonus DVD of the special edition) where, jokingly, he said that he had to "ruin it at the very last moment" after having told a non sci-fi story.

He probably realizes himself it was maybe not the absolute best idea of his discography, but as someone said above, you can just consider it a little nugget, an after-credit sequence so to speak, that you can just ignore it.

[abydos]

Yeah but that was obvious from the start and kind of the point of the story.

How is it obvious from the start? And why is it the point of the story? THE's plot is definitely amazing as a stand alone story 

Ah, I thought you meant about the whole coma thing, not the scifi part. Meh, I didn't care about that at all.

[Ben_Jamin]

Also, I've played this one and 01010010 etc, back to back and it merges into the latter effortlessly. Really cool.

I just did this as well. Its pretty cool actually.  The Source is a nice prequel to 01. Characters' tones/style from 01 can be heard in those from The Source like Jonas Renske and Tommy Rogers vocals, also Anneke and Simone.

March of The Machines also makes more sense as a lead into Age of Shadows.

[Cyclopssss]

So The Source debuted at # 1 in the Top 100 album charts in the Netherlands. This is a first for Ayreon, beating out Ed Sheeran.

It prompted a local newspaper to headline: 'Hermit concquers the World!'  Arjen's probably already sweating all the interviews and performances he'll have to do....

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

That's awesome, well deserved! About time he gets some attention outside the metal community. How well known is he in Netherlands btw?

[Cyclopssss]

He is moderately known in this country, I'd say, only the specific 'alternative/progressive' rock/metal community knows him. I remember him being at the most popular talkshow in the country once,  together with Floor Janssen (or was it Anneke van Giersbergen) and I was pretty much shocked. The level of knowledge about his music with the presenter was shocking, though, as in lacking.

The thing is, he's built such a strong and loyal fanbase during the years that he's able to sell out a live event like the THE theatre experience or the three Ayreon Live gigs through online sales alone.

Whether it will bring his more attention fame with the average music fan is questionable, though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBA1bp6VQE

[Elite]

Arjen was at DWDD?

[Nick]

Arjen was at DWDD?

That's not the right question.

The question is, Arjen was at DWDD and for his one song he did Web of Lies?