Who will do Mike's live vocals on the next tour?

[ariich]

I agree that the album recordings are mostly passable. Except his stuff on the early Transatlantic albums; there's some really bad stuff on there

Oh god yeah, some of that is really bad. And some of his live performances a number of years ago were pretty cringey as well (he and JP sounded horrendous at times on LSFNY).

As BrotherH said, though, technique-wise he has improved a hell of a lot in recent years, and while he's still a little nasal sometimes, he projects much much more (his performance on A Salty Dog is a good example). But yeah, ultimately it comes down to personal taste, and I agree that plenty of people dislike his vocals, which I'm fairly sure wasn't the part of PC's post that he got flak for. It's more the generalisations about "us fans" etc that some of us are less keen on. It's no biggie though, the vast majority of posts from both PC and yourself aren't like that.

[Global Laziness]

But saying that they will just automatically drop all songs with Portnoy vox is silly; it would be like saying they would never play Lines In The Sand without Doug Pinnick.

But of course, it seems like every time they bring back that song they try a different way to handle the vocals in the chorus...it's like they can never quite decide what works best.

[Jamesman42]

But saying that they will just automatically drop all songs with Portnoy vox is silly; it would be like saying they would never play Lines In The Sand without Doug Pinnick.

But of course, it seems like every time they bring back that song they try a different way to handle the vocals in the chorus...it's like they can never quite decide what works best.

Eh, maybe not decide so much as just mixing things up a bit.

Though either one of us could be right.

[EPICVIEW]

Kevin Moore

[KevShmev]

 I like MP's backing vocals in The Whirlwind also, one section that always stands out to me is in Rose Colored Glasses..."And I don't belive I wear rose colored glasses."

Yeah, that part is definitely cool.  Reminds me of the bit he sings in the final chorus of Neal Morse's "Somber Days."  Those kind of weary, soft-spoken vocal parts fit Portnoy's voice well.  I think doing stuff like that is playing to the strengths he actually has as a vocalist.  It is when he tries to sing too "hard" or tries rough or tough guy vocals that he doesn't do well, IMO.

[Remco]

I just hope they don't let Petrucci sing too much. No offense, but I've seen Dream Theater live a couple of times. And for me, Petrucci his vocals just weren't really good. Portnoy on the other hand was a lot better in tune and sang more full blown. While Petrucci would hold a little bit back IMO.

[The Dark Master]

But saying that they will just automatically drop all songs with Portnoy vox is silly; it would be like saying they would never play Lines In The Sand without Doug Pinnick.

But of course, it seems like every time they bring back that song they try a different way to handle the vocals in the chorus...it's like they can never quite decide what works best.

Not like it has stopped them from playing the song a whole bunch of times live, though.  Hell, it's on 2 official live albums and 3 of the Ytsejam live bootlegs.

[Ben_Jamin]

I actually like the way they did them in Bucharest. Jp/Mp doin the melody and JLB doin the lead.

[Global Laziness]

But saying that they will just automatically drop all songs with Portnoy vox is silly; it would be like saying they would never play Lines In The Sand without Doug Pinnick.

But of course, it seems like every time they bring back that song they try a different way to handle the vocals in the chorus...it's like they can never quite decide what works best.

Not like it has stopped them from playing the song a whole bunch of times live, though.  Hell, it's on 2 official live albums and 3 of the Ytsejam live bootlegs.

Well yeah, but that's because it's an awesome song.

[JayOctavarium]

Who's gonna do Mike's vocals on Prophets of War live? 

[Ħ]

Who's gonna do Mike's vocals on Prophets of War live? 

I wish that song never existed.  It is such an embarrassment to DT, and to music in general.

[Ben_Jamin]

you gotta love that groove though. Wish they would've gradually built up the beginning with the guitar coming in then the piano and vocals come in

[tjanuranus]

Who's gonna do Mike's vocals on Prophets of War live? 

I wish that song never existed.  It is such an embarrassment to DT, and to music in general.

that's odd. Most people i know REALLY like that song lol.

[JayOctavarium]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

[wolfking]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

Because by DT standards, it's ordinary, very ordinary.

[Perpetual Change]

As BrotherH said, though, technique-wise he has improved a hell of a lot in recent years, and while he's still a little nasal sometimes, he projects much much more (his performance on A Salty Dog is a good example). But yeah, ultimately it comes down to personal taste, and I agree that plenty of people dislike his vocals, which I'm fairly sure wasn't the part of PC's post that he got flak for. It's more the generalisations about "us fans" etc that some of us are less keen on. It's no biggie though, the vast majority of posts from both PC and yourself aren't like that.

Huh. Am I the only one who's not a fan of his Salty Dog performance at all? He sounds so processed and, on top of that, not very good anyway.

[robwebster]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

Because by DT standards, it's ordinary, very ordinary.

Which is just a wee bit odd considering it's the only song in their catalogue with any measurable electronic influence.

Think it was an interesting path to go down, but they didn't quite follow it far enough. The bits with the high pitched backing vocals and all that were stellar, and it's got a really cool riff, but from the first chorus on out it gets a little bit dull. I still quite like it, mind, so I'm probably not the person to ask.

[YtseBitsySpider]

Im hoping they eliminate all those parts.

[eric42434224]

Who will do Mike's live vocals on the next tour?

THIS GUY:

https://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/01/04/video-homeless-guy-has-totally-awesome-radio-voice/

[bosk1]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

Because by DT standards, it's ordinary, very ordinary.

No, I think it's because by any standards, it's a horrible song.

As BrotherH said, though, technique-wise he has improved a hell of a lot in recent years, and while he's still a little nasal sometimes, he projects much much more (his performance on A Salty Dog is a good example). But yeah, ultimately it comes down to personal taste, and I agree that plenty of people dislike his vocals, which I'm fairly sure wasn't the part of PC's post that he got flak for. It's more the generalisations about "us fans" etc that some of us are less keen on. It's no biggie though, the vast majority of posts from both PC and yourself aren't like that.

Huh. Am I the only one who's not a fan of his Salty Dog performance at all? He sounds so processed and, on top of that, not very good anyway.

I'm not crazy about it either.  I mean, it's cool as a bonus track cover song, and I enjoy it.  But if we're critiquing vocal performances, he sounds like he is singing from the neck up and is strainging quite a bit.  I love his other vocal spots throughout the Whirlwind, but that cover was just so-so.  (and, again, this coming from someone who is a big fan of most of Mike's vocals in DT a well)

[wolfking]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

Because by DT standards, it's ordinary, very ordinary.

No, I think it's because by any standards, it's a horrible song.

Fair enough. 

[Perpetual Change]

Why does Prophets of War get so much hate?

Because by DT standards, it's ordinary, very ordinary.

No, I think it's because by any standards, it's a horrible song.

As BrotherH said, though, technique-wise he has improved a hell of a lot in recent years, and while he's still a little nasal sometimes, he projects much much more (his performance on A Salty Dog is a good example). But yeah, ultimately it comes down to personal taste, and I agree that plenty of people dislike his vocals, which I'm fairly sure wasn't the part of PC's post that he got flak for. It's more the generalisations about "us fans" etc that some of us are less keen on. It's no biggie though, the vast majority of posts from both PC and yourself aren't like that.

Huh. Am I the only one who's not a fan of his Salty Dog performance at all? He sounds so processed and, on top of that, not very good anyway.

I'm not crazy about it either.  I mean, it's cool as a bonus track cover song, and I enjoy it.  But if we're critiquing vocal performances, he sounds like he is singing from the neck up and is strainging quite a bit.  I love his other vocal spots throughout the Whirlwind, but that cover was just so-so.  (and, again, this coming from someone who is a big fan of most of Mike's vocals in DT a well)

I'm usually a fan of Mike's voice (when he's not being a tough guy, which, unfortunately, is 50 percent of DT contribution). But yeah, that song just seems weird. I totally get the neck thing. There's no real power to his voice and it sounds like its been tampered with to hide that.

[bosk1]

I could be wrong, but here's what it sounds like to me:  He's slightly out of his range.  He can hit those notes if he shouts a bit, but he's deliberately trying to sing it more softly because that's what the song calls for, and he's straining at the upper end of his register and doesn't know how to hit those notes in that kind of voicing.

[ariich]

I could be wrong, but here's what it sounds like to me:  He's slightly out of his range.

Yeah it's definitely very high for him (like, really high - I don't know for certain but I'd guess that his natural range is baritone) and so he sounds fairly strained on the higher notes, but he does hit them, and I really like his performance on that song. He just has so much more character than his vocals usually do; it's the only time he's sounded to me like a singer, rather than a backing vocalist, if that makes sense.

[VioletS16]

John.

As for things like ANTR, they should drop that part.
If they can drop verse 2 of Voices and verse 2 of TTT, they can drop that crapy part.

[Adami]

John.

As for things like ANTR, they should drop that part.
If they can drop verse 2 of Voices and verse 2 of TTT, they can drop that crapy part.

Hey hey there, you're new to DTF. We don't take kindly to logic around here.

[hefdaddy42]

John.

As for things like ANTR, they should drop that song.

I agree.

[lithium112]

John.

As for things like ANTR, they should drop that song.

I agree.

Completely disagree. ANTR live was totally awesome and Mike's growly part sounded very high energy. I realize that most people here seem to dislike it, but last time I saw them live everyone in the audience seemed to love that part and get really pumped up by it. I hope that they find some way to keep playing the song and part and leave it sounding badass even in Mike's absence. 

[Metabog]

Lol, how is John Petrucci possibly going to sing those parts?

I think the songs would all actually be better without any of those vocals, or maybe they could change it somehow, but I don't think the songs should be scrapped. ANTR, TCOT and others are all great songs save for the gruff brotha bits that they can now just... not do. Maybe they could replace those parts with new lyrics, sung differently.

[hefdaddy42]

John.

As for things like ANTR, they should drop that song.

I agree.

Completely disagree. ANTR live was totally awesome and Mike's growly part sounded very high energy. I realize that most people here seem to dislike it, but last time I saw them live everyone in the audience seemed to love that part and get really pumped up by it. I hope that they find some way to keep playing the song and part and leave it sounding badass even in Mike's absence. 

Actually, that song is fairly popular here.  Not sure why you think that most people here dislike it.

I mean, I can't stand it, but a lot of other people love it.

[Ħ]

JP is really not a great backup singer when it's just him and James.  Coupled with MP he is ok...so someone else ought to take the position, probably the new drummer.

[rumborak]

I always thought it's a lack of commitment from JP that caused his waviness in the background vox. That is, actually practice playing and singing together, which is a very different beast than either playing or singing. I once read that Geddy Lee spends a large amount of time on being able to play and sing at the same time.

rumborak

[Nekov]

I always thought it's a lack of commitment from JP that caused his waviness in the background vox. That is, actually practice playing and singing together, which is a very different beast than either playing or singing. I once read that Geddy Lee spends a large amount of time on being able to play and sing at the same time.

rumborak

Agreed.

As far as Geddy he is totally out of this world. I think he can't be brought to comparison in this or any other case. No one else in the world can sing as good as he does while he is "slapping that bass" and setting off tracks with the pedals. Inhuman!!!

[rumborak]

Yeah, but even he apparently spends an inordinate amount of time getting to that level. Meaning, nobody gets a free lunch, so JP needs to put effort into that task.

rumborak

[King Postwhore]

Geddy even talked about how in the early days he sang to the chord changes and it took him years to separate his singing and his bass playing.