Black Clouds & Silver Linings: Reactions

[Super Dude]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

[faemir]

Once again Bosk does a great job at a mini review

[emindead]

I'm not even all of the way through my first listen and i know this is going to up with the best them. Probably ranked third behind Images and Words and Six Degrees.

Indeed.  BC&SL is the best of times.

Fixed.

[emindead]

I'm certainly in the minority, but I just don't care for this album.  I haven't really liked their stuff since 6DOIT, so it's obviously time to move on to other music.  I'm getting tired of buying DT albums and being disappointed (and I'm not going to illegally download to 'try' first), so this will undoubtedly be the last one I buy.  Still, I wish them much success - they sure have mastery over their instruments, but their writing just isn't to my tastes.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, whether you are in the minority or not.  It's too bad you are disappointed, but I appreciate the fact that you conveyed your disappointment tactfully and without breaking the forum rules.  A lot of people could stand to learn from your post.

Absolutely. While it breaks my heart I don't feel ofended. Thank you, manticore.

[antigoon]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

So do I, and neither do I. It's dumb fun. DT's done worse.

[faemir]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

So do I, and neither do I. It's dumb fun. DT's done worse.

For example...?

[bosk1]

Space Dye Vest.  Prophets of War.

[Nick]

Oh Bosk, you jester.

Anyway I am entering this album on my charts a very solid 4th behind Train of Thought, Scenes From a Memory, and Images & Words, and ahead of my long time 4th favorite When Dream and Day Unite.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

and here is my album ranking:

1. Awake
2. Six Degrees
3. Images And Words
4. Octavarium
5. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. Scenes From a Memory
8. Systematic Chaos
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Train of Thought

[faemir]

Oh Bosk, you jester.

Anyway I am entering this album on my charts a very solid 4th behind Train of Thought, Scenes From a Memory, and Images & Words, and ahead of my long time 4th favorite When Dream and Day Unite.

Are you serious?

[ariich]

I'm actually somehow enjoying this album more with every listen. Might actually be tied with Awake for my number 3 spot!

[Nick]

Oh Bosk, you jester.

Anyway I am entering this album on my charts a very solid 4th behind Train of Thought, Scenes From a Memory, and Images & Words, and ahead of my long time 4th favorite When Dream and Day Unite.

Are you serious?

Like a heart attack.

[dvargas]

Am I the only one who find BC&SL kinda weak?

Yes, it is better than SC. But it's worse than all of their other efforts.

Yes it has good songs (Wither, TCOT, TBOT), and good moments ... actually some really cool moments. Rudess shines.

But,

a) Can anybody stop MP from singing please?!  Seriously..., seriously. He can actually start a side project with him on lead vocals if he wants.
b) Some songs needed serious editing (Producer, anybody?).
c) Some lyrics need a lot of extra work. The only one I really don't complain about is TBOT cuz I understand where MP was coming from.. even though they are pretty generic and straight forward.
d) TSF is one big Potpourri. Not going anywhere....
e) I really miss some of the crazy wankery... I do. But I also aknowledge the fact that it has amazing melodic solos.

To say that it is up there with the best... I can't.

I don't think it is better than anything before SC.

Again... RAWR!!!!!!!! LOL.

[faemir]

Oh Bosk, you jester.

Anyway I am entering this album on my charts a very solid 4th behind Train of Thought, Scenes From a Memory, and Images & Words, and ahead of my long time 4th favorite When Dream and Day Unite.

Are you serious?

Like a heart attack.

ToT and WDADU as some of your top albums... wow.

[Nick]

Oh Bosk, you jester.

Anyway I am entering this album on my charts a very solid 4th behind Train of Thought, Scenes From a Memory, and Images & Words, and ahead of my long time 4th favorite When Dream and Day Unite.

Are you serious?

Like a heart attack.

ToT and WDADU as some of your top albums... wow.

Train of Thought is my top album, and WDaDU is very underrated. I've discussed it elsewhere a billion times, so I'm not going to weight this thread down with it, but those are my opinions.

[bosk1]

a) Can anybody stop MP from singing please?!  Seriously..., seriously. He can actually start a side project with him on lead vocals if he wants.

No way.  He sounds fantastic.

b) Some songs needed serious editing (Producer, anybody?).

Nah, not much.  Yeah, the edit of AROP does sound better than the album version.  But there is little if anything I would cut from anything else.  They pretty much nailed it with the rest of these tracks.

c) Some lyrics need a lot of extra work. The only one I really don't complain about is TBOT cuz I understand where MP was coming from.. even though they are pretty generic and straight forward.  

See my "review" post.  I think anyone who makes this criticism is WAY off base.  The lyrics range from good to great throughout the album.  The band deserves no criticism whatsoever in the lyrics department on this album.

d) TSF is one big Potpourri. Not going anywhere....

Potpourri is probably the best word I've seen to describe this song.  Yes.  Yes, it is.  And that's why it works.  Very good closer to the suite.

e) I really miss some of the crazy wankery... I do. But I also aknowledge the fact that it has amazing melodic solos.

I actually have no idea what you are trying to say here.

[faemir]

Am I the only one who find BC&SL kinda weak?

Yes, it is better than SC. But it's worse than all of their other efforts.

even WDADU? 

a) Can anybody stop MP from singing please?!  Seriously..., seriously. He can actually start a side project with him on lead vocals if he wants.

What is it with people and this. His lone spots are so few and far between, it's pretty petty to go on. And at other times he really adds to it like in TCOT and AROP

b) Some songs needed serious editing (Producer, anybody?).

Really? I felt this time they were extremely well done time wise, even ANTR which people seem to say that about most. TCOT is the longest song and it just flies by...

c) Some lyrics need a lot of extra work. The only one I really don't complain about is TBOT cuz I understand where MP was coming from.even though they are pretty generic and straight forward.

...like what? None of them strike me as worse than a lot of other lyrics they have done.

d) TSF is one big Potpourri. Not going anywhere....

It finishes up pretty conclusively.

e) I really miss some of the crazy wankery... I do. But I also aknowledge the fact that it has amazing melodic solos.

It has the best of both - ANTR and AROP have 'wankery' solos, the others have either short & sweet or just awesomeness.

[dvargas]

a) Can anybody stop MP from singing please?!  Seriously..., seriously. He can actually start a side project with him on lead vocals if he wants.

No way.  He sounds fantastic.

b) Some songs needed serious editing (Producer, anybody?).

Nah, not much.  Yeah, the edit of AROP does sound better than the album version.  But there is little if anything I would cut from anything else.  They pretty much nailed it with the rest of these tracks.

c) Some lyrics need a lot of extra work. The only one I really don't complain about is TBOT cuz I understand where MP was coming from.. even though they are pretty generic and straight forward.  

See my "review" post.  I think anyone who makes this criticism is WAY off base.  The lyrics range from good to great throughout the album.  The band deserves no criticism whatsoever in the lyrics department on this album.

d) TSF is one big Potpourri. Not going anywhere....

Potpourri is probably the best word I've seen to describe this song.  Yes.  Yes, it is.  And that's why it works.  Very good closer to the suite.

e) I really miss some of the crazy wankery... I do. But I also aknowledge the fact that it has amazing melodic solos.

I actually have no idea what you are trying to say here.

Since I am not an Admin I can criticize... or I thought I could express my opinion. Admins can follow the preacher blindly.

I think MP kills ANTR.

[Perpetual Change]

Since I am not an Admin I can criticize... or I thought I could express my opinion. Admins can follow the preacher blindly.

I think MP kills ANTR.

Now wait a minute man; how was anyone telling you to change your opinion? Your first post was very well put, but this second one is the kind of negativity that no one likes reading.

[antigoon]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

So do I, and neither do I. It's dumb fun. DT's done worse.

For example...?

This Dying Soul. Burning My Soul.

DT should never write a song with the word soul in the title again. They both suck.

[chrisbDTM]

i find nothing wrong with this album. i hate to see people whine about little parts

[faemir]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

So do I, and neither do I. It's dumb fun. DT's done worse.

For example...?

This Dying Soul. Burning My Soul.

DT should never write a song with the word soul in the title again. They both suck.

BMS isn't great but I don't find it worse.

How can you not like TDS?!

[bosk1]

Since I am not an Admin I can criticize... or I thought I could express my opinion. Admins can follow the preacher blindly.

I think MP kills ANTR.

  What does being an admin have to do with anything?  I just find your post to be completely off base, admin or not.

[ariich]

How can you not like TDS?!

It's pretty average. Definitely the least good 12-step song.

[antigoon]

My rankings so far:

1. SFAM
2. FII
3. Awake
4. BC&SL
5. Octavarium
6. I&W
7. SDOIT
8. ToT
9. SC
10. WDADU

Whoa, I didn't know you held FII in such high regard.

I fucking LOVE Falling Into Infinity.  And I actually don't think YNM is that bad.

So do I, and neither do I. It's dumb fun. DT's done worse.

For example...?

This Dying Soul. Burning My Soul.

DT should never write a song with the word soul in the title again. They both suck.

BMS isn't great but I don't find it worse.

How can you not like TDS?!

It's DT's worst song. How could you not?

[abydos]

Calling MP's vocals fantastic... don't you think this is at least a bit of an overstatement? His best backing vocals are at best OK, imo. His lead ones are never good or fitting or anything good, imo. Hence I find your comment on them (and the lyrics) off base
Opinions and tastes... such a mind-boggling thing. It would be really awesome if someone could explain why we all like/dislike a certain thing so much.

[tri.ad]

Calling MP's vocals fantastic... don't you think this is at least a bit of an overstatement? His best backing vocals are at best OK, imo. His lead ones are never good or fitting or anything good, imo. Hence I find your comment on them (and the lyrics) off base

Obviously you haven't listened to the Queen cover. He really does a good job on it.

[faemir]

How can you not like TDS?!

It's pretty average. Definitely the least good 12-step song.

I guess it just touches my metal side. I love Endless Sacrifice too  

Plus doing drums for it will be a blast.

[abydos]

Obviously you haven't listened to the Queen cover. He really does a good job on it.

I've heard it. And that goes in the "OK" category. Compare it to some Queensryche, Savatage or PoS backing vocals and you'll see what I mean... although I doubt it.

[tri.ad]

I don't know either of these three bands, sorry.

[Volk9]

How can you not like TDS?!

It's pretty average. Definitely the least good 12-step song.

Nah, that award goes to TGP

[chrisbDTM]

wat

[tri.ad]

*insert jawdrop smiley*

[shredding]

All i can say is thank you Dream Theater. Went to best buy before it opened. Got it and listened to the album till now. 9 years of journey with Dream theater and it was my favorite band and is my favorite band will always be my favorite band on this planet. This album just blew me away.

[ariich]

How can you not like TDS?!

It's pretty average. Definitely the least good 12-step song.

Nah, that award goes to TGP

But... but...

Wat?!