TSF rethink

[Martinman300]

And what is that who ho ho from labrie at the end all about?! that is lame, especially the way he just trails off the last note as if he can't be arsed to sing it.

[ACID_FOX]

The only part I don't like about this song is the outro. Reminds me too much of Octavarium.

Impossible.

[Dream Team]

Good song. The ONLY really bad thing about is the keyboard solo, it just doesn't end. I seriously black out when it's on.

I like the song as well and I agree that the keyboard solo is the worst
thing about it. I honestly don't find Jordan's soloing over such riffs very
convincing in most cases - to me he often sounds out of his element
and the TSF solo is a good example that this hasn't really fundamentally
changed during his ten years with the band. I wish they'd get away from
this and feature his soloing over sections with more harmonic movement -
he sounds so good when he's soloing melodically over things like the
ending of Crossing Over (Rudess Morgenstein Project, 1997) and
sadly it's really not something that you hear from him in DT.

I agree.

[Darkes7]

And what is that who ho ho from labrie at the end all about?! that is lame, especially the way he just trails off the last note as if he can't be arsed to sing it.

You know, the WOOOOOOOAH parts first appeared on I&W, so it's not exactly entirely new...

[moffatt]

I have to say when i first heard the song i didn't think much of it. But now i frickkin love it. The intro is just  Guitar solo is amazing too and "I am responsible" part is just awesome.

[Martinman300]

I love the whoa ho hos on i&W and awake, cos he sings with som much energy, but here its not as good IMO

[antigoon]

The riffs under the keyboard solo are so good I don't even pay attention to what Rudess is doing.

[Zook]

I actually really like the keyboard solo. Sure it has some typical Rudess random crazy noises going on, but most of it is really . Plus, as anitogoon said, the riffs under it are awesome, and when mixed with the solo, it all sounds fucking badass.

[hefdaddy42]

I like the keyboard solo as well.  But it's nothing compared to JP's solo in that song.

[Ben_Jamin]

This will win over a lot of people live. I consider it the heaviest song in the AA Suite

[FlashCE]

I find it kinda silly to be honest. It's like a song written by a DT fan. It's not clever or original. It's just corny and childish in my opinion. I mean I predicted the ending years ago. When I heard it I was like "Really?". It makes no sense because it's like Mike's back to step 1 and is an alcoholic again. It's just one of those things I can imagine a 14 year old DT fan to do "to be prog and creative".

With that said, I think I'll cut out the ending of this song I'm writing. I bet people would find it exciting and original once I tell them it's intentional.

[Darkes7]

This will win over a lot of people live. I consider it the heaviest song in the AA Suite

I think This Dying Soul is definitely heavier. But I also wonder why they haven't played TSF live yet, it's bound to be AMAZING, perfect live closer (actually I've been wondering if TSF wouldn't work better as the ending of BC&SL instead of The Count, have to give it a try some day).

[Ben_Jamin]

This will win over a lot of people live. I consider it the heaviest song in the AA Suite

I think This Dying Soul is definitely heavier. But I also wonder why they haven't played TSF live yet, it's bound to be AMAZING, perfect live closer (actually I've been wondering if TSF wouldn't work better as the ending of BC&SL instead of The Count, have to give it a try some day).

No it wouldn't. To me, I see TSF as MP recollecting those past AA Steps, summarizing and knowing he has fufilled his duties to continue onto the last step, which is why it's pretty much the only newish sounding step. I know people had high expectations for this last song, but if you go in expecting something you'll most likely be dissapointed. It's  , plus I also like what they did to the themes

[Darkes7]

Well, conceptually you have a point, but simply music-wise I think it would work even better. The intro has an obvious "this is the BIG ending" feel to it, and the whole ending is really monumental, I can just see it as the closing track that way. And also, getting more into details - The Glass Prison opened Six Degrees, so it would make sense for The Shattered Fortress to end BC&SL.

[darkshade]

Well, conceptually you have a point, but simply music-wise I think it would work even better. The intro has an obvious "this is the BIG ending" feel to it, and the whole ending is really monumental, I can just see it as the closing track that way. And also, getting more into details - The Glass Prison opened Six Degrees, so it would make sense for The Shattered Fortress to end BC&SL.

i know this is an old thread, but i felt i needed to add to it, rather than start a new one

i understand what you mean about "this is the big ending" and all, and it is, especially when you listen to the suite as one piece. the problem with ending the album with TSF is it goes against the Black Clouds AND Silver Linings concept. the first four tracks are dark and heavy, with the last 2 being lighter, more melodic, but still dark at times.

part of me wants to think that TSF also closes out the last series of albums with all the darkness and heaviness; going along with the Suite as well, and TBOT and TCOT begin a new, lighter, more proggy series of albums (or at least the next one). i think the next album will be more in line with TCOT, 8V, Blind Faith, SDOIT, etc. basically BC&SL is the transition from the darker side of DT to the lighter side (or at least less dark) side of DT. theyll probably still be heavy (TCOT has its moments) but im hoping for more prog! and theyll probably ease up on the epics too

[Adami]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

[MirzekDT]

I find it kinda silly to be honest. It's like a song written by a DT fan. It's not clever or original. It's just corny and childish in my opinion. I mean I predicted the ending years ago. When I heard it I was like "Really?". It makes no sense because it's like Mike's back to step 1 and is an alcoholic again. It's just one of those things I can imagine a 14 year old DT fan to do "to be prog and creative".

With that said, I think I'll cut out the ending of this song I'm writing. I bet people would find it exciting and original once I tell them it's intentional.

[darkshade]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

[MS394]

I like the keyboard solo as well.  But it's nothing compared to JP's solo in that song.

Exactly;  I'm personally a big fan of JP´s solo in this song, it´s like the perfect combination of bluesy awesomeness and shreddy goodness, classic Petrucci  . Lots of emotion too; at the beginning, the guitar literally sounds like crying wails

[BRGM]

It's a very complicated solo...one of his harder solos to play, very nice work by him...

[Dublagent66]

I think the song is fine the way it is, and it also has one of JP's best solos ever. 

[BRGM]

Agree with dblagnt66! he seems like a wise man too!

[pianoman]

Good song. The ONLY really bad thing about is the keyboard solo, it just doesn't end. I seriously black out when it's on.

   I guess it's just because I'm mainly a keyboardist, but I think Jordan's solo is nothing short of awesome! I think it's one of his best, that keeps me interested in the song. I'm not a big fan of wankery, but it fits with the awesome riff in the background. Yeah, there are a few solos I am not a fan of (CM, AROP) because they're nothing but wankery to me.


I just don't understand......     



THE HATE FOR THIS AWESOME KEYBOARD SOLO!

[GuineaPig]

Don't like it.

[bosk1]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

I honestly don't understand your point about it somehow not fitting the BCSL theme.

[hefdaddy42]

Good song. The ONLY really bad thing about is the keyboard solo, it just doesn't end. I seriously black out when it's on.

   I guess it's just because I'm mainly a keyboardist, but I think Jordan's solo is nothing short of awesome! I think it's one of his best, that keeps me interested in the song. I'm not a big fan of wankery, but it fits with the awesome riff in the background. Yeah, there are a few solos I am not a fan of (CM, AROP) because they're nothing but wankery to me.


I just don't understand......     



THE HATE FOR THIS AWESOME KEYBOARD SOLO!

I actually think it's a good keyboard solo, as well.

[?]

Good song. The ONLY really bad thing about is the keyboard solo, it just doesn't end. I seriously black out when it's on.

   I guess it's just because I'm mainly a keyboardist, but I think Jordan's solo is nothing short of awesome! I think it's one of his best, that keeps me interested in the song. I'm not a big fan of wankery, but it fits with the awesome riff in the background. Yeah, there are a few solos I am not a fan of (CM, AROP) because they're nothing but wankery to me.


I just don't understand......     



THE HATE FOR THIS AWESOME KEYBOARD SOLO!

I actually think it's a good keyboard solo, as well.

I think it's one of Jordan's best solos!

[darkshade]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

I honestly don't understand your point about it somehow not fitting the BCSL theme.

the song does, but ending the album on a darker song would go against the Silver Linings aspect of the album, thus why it ends with TCOT. (and TBOT, which is a lighter song too, is before it)

TSF ends the Black Clouds portion of the album, understand? 

[Seventh Son]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

I honestly don't understand your point about it somehow not fitting the BCSL theme.

the song does, but ending the album on a darker song would go against the Silver Linings aspect of the album, thus why it ends with TCOT. (and TBOT, which is a lighter song too, is before it)

TSF ends the Black Clouds portion of the album, understand? 

A Rite of Passage/Wither don't seem to dark to me.

[darkshade]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

I honestly don't understand your point about it somehow not fitting the BCSL theme.

the song does, but ending the album on a darker song would go against the Silver Linings aspect of the album, thus why it ends with TCOT. (and TBOT, which is a lighter song too, is before it)

TSF ends the Black Clouds portion of the album, understand? 

A Rite of Passage/Wither don't seem to dark to me.

i dont know what constitutes dark or heavy for you, but AROP is heavy, with riffs everywhere. Wither is definitely a darker ballad than say, Another Day?

[Seventh Son]

While you may accidently be right, I think you're overthinking it.

with what, the BC&SL concept?

probably, it's just i like to think about the band's music a lot. 2 points to me if what i predict is right 

I honestly don't understand your point about it somehow not fitting the BCSL theme.

the song does, but ending the album on a darker song would go against the Silver Linings aspect of the album, thus why it ends with TCOT. (and TBOT, which is a lighter song too, is before it)

TSF ends the Black Clouds portion of the album, understand? 

A Rite of Passage/Wither don't seem to dark to me.

i dont know what constitutes dark or heavy for you, but AROP is heavy, with riffs everywhere. Wither is definitely a darker ballad than say, Another Day?

As I recall, Wither is about having Writer's Block while Another Day is about Petrucci's dying father....

And AROP never came across to me as being dark. Wasn't it about Masonry or something?

[Adami]

I think he meant more musically than lyrically. Though neither song is really dark on either ground.

[bosk1]

TSF ends the Black Clouds portion of the album, understand? 

No, actually. 

[Seventh Son]

I think he meant more musically than lyrically. Though neither song is really dark on either ground.

That was my point. If TSF ended the "Black Clouds" section, that would imply that A Rite of Passage/Wither would be dark. Which apparently they aren't.

[bosk1]

Well, and the fact that there aren't separate black clouds and silver linings "parts" to the album.