If Dream Theater were to change their style COMPLETELY for one album

[Aniland]

Just one album. And just one style.

Which would you like to see them try? It can be anything.

I would personally love to see their take on power metal. No joke...imagine the epicness that they could make.

[Adami]

Acoustic Rock.

[Rafael Guerra]

Interesting, I guess blend in some technology and give some electronic, trance feel to the album. I am not sure if a metal band tried this, but if DT would hypotheticaly change drastically for only one album I wouldn't want it to do something LIKE another band, I would want to see them do something new to everyone. Furthermore, Jordan Rudess looks very interested in adding some technology into DT, so it could be something.....interesting at least.

[Nick]

I'd love for them to do a pop-prog album in the vein of Journey, Styx, or early Asia. I think they could really nail something like that if they just turned down the shred a bit and inserted hooks everywhere. I think of songs like Don't Stop Believin, Cutting it Fine, and Blue Collar Man and I can imagine Dream Theater doing an awesome job at a few similar tracks.

[Nic35]

A rock album. I really dig their Stargazer cover and I wish they could do an album in that vein.

[perfectchaos180]

Post Rock

or more stuff like the intro to Trial of Tears (especially Schmedley Wilcox version)

[KevShmev]

I would love to hear a DT album with almost no or a very small amount of soloing (like in "Wither" where there is just one very short solo).  This would mean shorter instrumental sections and possibly shorter and more cohesive songs, which I think they could pull off.  And imagine if they did do some extended instrumental sections where the emphasis is on vibe and textures instead of trading solos.

[Nick]

However much I generally like there solo sections, I could dig that.

[Zook]

I second power metal.

[The Letter M]

Something more like Muse... I mean, we know they like them, and Muse has a broader range of influence that can be shared with DT, like Queen. I think a Muse-esque, Queen-inspired album would be interesting, especially for James and Jordan, and probably JP.

-Marc.

[hefdaddy42]

I'd love for them to do a pop-prog album in the vein of Journey, Styx, or early Asia. I think they could really nail something like that if they just turned down the shred a bit and inserted hooks everywhere. I think of songs like Don't Stop Believin, Cutting it Fine, and Blue Collar Man and I can imagine Dream Theater doing an awesome job at a few similar tracks.

This sounds good to me.

[Zook]

If they did that I'd have to stop wearing my necklace.

[King Postwhore]

I'd love for them to do a pop-prog album in the vein of Journey, Styx, or early Asia. I think they could really nail something like that if they just turned down the shred a bit and inserted hooks everywhere. I think of songs like Don't Stop Believin, Cutting it Fine, and Blue Collar Man and I can imagine Dream Theater doing an awesome job at a few similar tracks.

This sounds good to me.

Me too.

[Sigz]

I would love to hear a DT album with almost no or a very small amount of soloing (like in "Wither" where there is just one very short solo).  This would mean shorter instrumental sections and possibly shorter and more cohesive songs, which I think they could pull off.  And imagine if they did do some extended instrumental sections where the emphasis is on vibe and textures instead of trading solos.

I really, really like this.

[Aniland]

You know, an AOR Dream Theater album would be glorious.

[Gadough]

I second power metal.

Third.

[contest_sanity]

I second power metal.

Third.

But they would have to write cheesy lyrics to do power metal, something they have no experience with

[Adami]

You know, an AOR Dream Theater album would be glorious.

A what?

[contest_sanity]

You know, an AOR Dream Theater album would be glorious.

A what?

Ancient Oriental Rugby.

[The Letter M]

You know, an AOR Dream Theater album would be glorious.

A what?

Automatic Orgasm Rock

-Marc.

[Adami]

STOP IT!

[contest_sanity]

Doesn't it mean "album-oriented rock?"

[The Letter M]

Doesn't it mean "album-oriented rock?"

Yes, that'd be the correct answer. Well, one of them. It can also be "Adult-Oriented Rock", a synonym for Arena rock.

-Marc.

[Adami]

What the hell is Album Oriented Rock?

[kirbywelch92]

What the hell is Album Oriented Rock?

Certainly nothing that makes sense in the context of his sentence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album-oriented_rock

[Gadough]

I second power metal.

Third.

But they would have to write cheesy lyrics to do power metal, something they have no experience with

You're being facetious right? I think you are, but I can't tell for sure. 

[SystematicThought]

I'd like to see them do the style of music Rush had on Snakes and Arrows. Kind of a more alternative rock style or something like REM. Don't kill me over it, it's just something I'd like them to try out

[orcus116]

Actual prog metal.

[Adami]

Actual prog metal.

I gotta ask, how is that changing their style completely?

This thread seems to have turned into "tweak their sound slightly".

[FlashCE]

Actual prog metal.

This.

Not the type of prog metal they already are known for (complex solos and time changes), but something that uses those elements properly for a reason. I mean moat of their odd riffs are just 4/4 riffs with a few notes added or removed. If they go for a more jazz oriented approach of using odd time for groove and feel, I'm sure their stuff would be a lot more interesting.

[Mladen]

pop-prog

Sounds good to me.

[nikatapi]

Post Black Metal 

[Jamesman42]

To change their style completely, you have to get rid of both the progressive and metal elements.

How about some jazzy rock type stuff, maybe with some blues, folk, and acoustic thrown in?

[tri.ad]

Jazzy rock sounds pretty cool, and I'd like to throw in some electronica style for good measure.

[Jamesman42]

Electronica would be awesome, really good call. I think JR could really shine for those parts.