"The Best of Times" Discussion Thread

SnakeEyes · June 22, 2009, 08:09:37 PM

True, hef daddy. Good point.

BlobVanDam · June 22, 2009, 08:26:49 PM

I don't get the IaW comparisons. Maybe because it's in a major key at the beginning of the heavy part. Reminds me of SDOIT About to Crash. It's a nice song. One of my least favourite on the album, but it's a strong album, so it's not a bad song. The music and the lyrics all fit together perfectly. It starts with the sad musical introduction to show the current mood, then changes to upbeat as if travelling back through time to remember the good times they shared from the beginning, then the tone of the music changes appropriately with the lyrics. Beautifully done, and the outro guitar solo is great too.

HarlequinForest · June 22, 2009, 08:28:29 PM

Quote from: BlobVanDam on June 22, 2009, 08:26:49 PM
I don't get the IaW comparisons.

Neither do I. Didn't get the I&W vibe, at all.

antigoon · June 22, 2009, 08:30:47 PM

It reminds me of Don't Look Past Me, which is always good.

I think the problem I have with the lyrics "the thank you" part is that the vocal melodies for that section are also the weakest on the album.

emindead · June 22, 2009, 08:47:51 PM

Quote from: SnakeEyes on June 22, 2009, 08:04:15 PM
Kinda reminds me of "Don't Look Past Me."

Definitely.

icon_bleed · June 22, 2009, 08:53:57 PM

awesome... simply awesome....

RandalGraves · June 22, 2009, 08:58:06 PM

Easily my favorite song on the album for me, and nearly a 10/10. I think these are Mike's most direct and emotional lyrics. I'm biased though because my father died a few years back, so I can't help but relate this song to myself.

Beautiful intro, great melodies, Petrucci's best solo on the album closing out the song . . . you can't go wrong.r

Jamesman42 · June 22, 2009, 09:08:20 PM

Major key = plus
Intro guitar sounding like The Spirit of Radio = Awesome
Outro guitar solo = Awesome
Lyrics = Fitting and emotional
Sounding like IaW = I thought the same thing, it just has that uplifting vibe to it, like Take the Time or Another Day.

Flat-out awesome. 4.7/5

Zydar · June 22, 2009, 11:35:51 PM

I love the song, it's my favourite so far on the album (together with Wither). The lyrics are great and I can relate to them because I lost my dad about 10 years go. So lines like "My home away from home", "The hours on the phone", and "Thank you for my life" really got to me.

The music is great too, I like the Rush feel of the beginning. JP's solo is outstanding (which he is on the whole album) and I love how the song ends. Just pure emotion in this song.

Amoniz · June 23, 2009, 12:51:57 AM

From yesterday on I've listened to the album probably 6 times, start to bottom,
& whenever it reaches the middle string section in TBOT my hair neck stands.
It's amazing, one of the best harmony sections DT has made, I love it.
I'd die to see this live

Super Dude · June 23, 2009, 07:28:15 AM

The intro is beautiful. So great to hear Rudess on a piano for once.

abydos · June 23, 2009, 08:10:42 AM

Given the subject matter, this is the song I was looking forward to the most. And it didn't disappoint. At first. The intro is amazing, just what I had hoped for from this song and in a way reminded me of the poetic epicness of ACOS. But then it all went downhill for me. I know MP intentionally focused on making the song more cheerful but I really can't relate to the melodies, the music in general and the lyrics which are extremely simplistic and direct and failing to deliver the emotion needed for this type of song, imo. Because of this, the vocal delivery sounds really emotionless for me.
The song reminds me too much of a Rush song and a bit of Natalie Imbruglia

So for me this is the biggest disappointment in the album. Other than the intro and the guitar solo, nothing really stands out for me.

Ultimetalhead · June 23, 2009, 08:59:26 AM

My favorite song on the album. What can you say? I'm a guitar freak.

I have absolutely no problem with the lyrics and melodies. They fit the song perfectly.

I'm actually listening to the song right now, and the solo just came on. *faps*

MetalMike06 · June 23, 2009, 11:53:38 AM

I have not yet listened to Count Of Tuscany, but so far, this is tied with A Nightmare To Remember as my favorite on the album. The main melody is so simple, yet so majestic and catchy. The end solo is pretty epic too. Obviously an immensely emotional song as well.

Super Dude · June 23, 2009, 11:54:48 AM

Quote from: MetalMike06 on June 23, 2009, 11:53:38 AM
I have not yet listened to Count Of Tuscany, but so far, this is tied with A Nightmare To Remember as my favorite on the album. The main melody is so simple, yet so majestic and catchy. The end solo is pretty epic too. Obviously an immensely emotional song as well.

Dude, wait till you hit TCOT.

ZBomber · June 23, 2009, 11:58:29 AM

GUITAR SOLO!!!!!

Amazing song! May be the best from this album

~InConstantMotion~ · June 23, 2009, 12:02:10 PM

The song made me sad in the intro, then happy when the verse kicked in, then JP's outro solo made me cry. Literally, I have tears streaming down my face right now. JP is such a genius, and he's the one that makes this song work. Brilliant song, and the first time one of JP's solos has made me cry. Decent lyrics by Portnoy, I think they're his best since ACOS.

The Best Of Times is FILLED with emotion, and anyone who disagrees needs to take a course on the definition of "emotion". I can't rate this song out of 5, it gets a 9/10 from me. 4/5 doesn't seem good enough.

Adami · June 23, 2009, 12:10:31 PM

What the hell does the intro sound like? Before the rush section. It sounds like a mix of Hollow Years and one of the songs from An Evening with Petrucci and Ruddess.

Anyone else hear it?

sonatafanica · June 23, 2009, 12:23:16 PM

Quote from: Jamesmiain on June 22, 2009, 09:08:20 PM

Sounding like IaW = I thought the same thing, it just has that uplifting vibe to it, like Take the Time or Another Day.

Nick · June 23, 2009, 12:26:26 PM

I really loved how the song started out making you think it was going to be an especially soft ballad, but then it goes into the really fast drum part that powers through the song and really helps make it less depressing and more awesome. Since Amanda will tattle on me at some point anyway, I will say that I sat reading the lyrics, and I did tear up a bit.

sonatafanica · June 23, 2009, 12:27:41 PM

FAG

It was pretty emotional.

Super Dude · June 23, 2009, 12:28:04 PM

S'okay, I started to tear up during the middle part of ANTR. Too beautiful.

antigoon · June 23, 2009, 12:29:43 PM

Why does Portnoy like to use the word Forevermore so much? And by so much I mean twice in the last 2 albums.

Super Dude · June 23, 2009, 12:34:49 PM

Because it sounds epic.

antigoon · June 23, 2009, 12:35:37 PM

OUR LIIIVES CHANGED FOREEEEVERMOOOORE

antigoon · June 23, 2009, 12:35:53 PM

into the night!
Blistering!

Super Dude · June 23, 2009, 12:39:10 PM

antigoon · June 23, 2009, 12:40:39 PM

It could be a phrase on Wheel of Fortune's "before and after"!

j · June 23, 2009, 12:46:44 PM

Quote from: ~InConstantMotion~ on June 23, 2009, 12:02:10 PM
I can't rate this song out of 5, it gets a 9/10 from me. 4/5 doesn't seem good enough.

How 'bout 4.5/5?

-J

Basekick · June 23, 2009, 01:09:11 PM

Quote from: Adami on June 23, 2009, 12:10:31 PM
What the hell does the intro sound like? Before the rush section. It sounds like a mix of Hollow Years and one of the songs from An Evening with Petrucci and Ruddess.

Anyone else hear it?

Thank you. Jesus Christ guys, it took until halfway on page two for someone to mention that the intro IS Hollow years? Seriously? And HY isn't even one of my favorite songs. When the song began, i gave a little smirk, and was a little shocked that they were using so much rehashed material, especially since it comes right after TSF (which was f'in amazing, might I add).

Anyway, the song didn't strike a huge chord with me, it is very solid, but I think it is going to be in the bottom half of the album for me. I sitll enjoy it a lot though.

TAC · June 23, 2009, 01:23:48 PM

The emotion conveyed in this song is remarkable.

CrimsonSunrise · June 23, 2009, 03:05:55 PM

What the hell is that melody around 10:20?

Damn....Ive heard it before..

Basekick · June 23, 2009, 03:14:46 PM

Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on June 23, 2009, 03:05:55 PM
What the hell is that melody around 10:20? Damn....Ive heard it before..

Again, Hollow Years. Why haven't you guys just accepted the fact that this is Hollow Years Part 2?

CrimsonSunrise · June 23, 2009, 03:16:28 PM

Quote from: Basekick on June 23, 2009, 03:14:46 PM
Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on June 23, 2009, 03:05:55 PM
What the hell is that melody around 10:20? Damn....Ive heard it before..

Again, Hollow Years. Why haven't you guys just accepted the fact that this is Hollow Years Part 2?

I heard the hollow years lick in the acoustical intro. But this sounds like something different to me..... almost like something out of a film??

tri.ad · June 23, 2009, 03:22:50 PM

Quote from: Basekick on June 23, 2009, 03:14:46 PM
Quote from: CrimsonSunrise on June 23, 2009, 03:05:55 PM
What the hell is that melody around 10:20? Damn....Ive heard it before..

Again, Hollow Years. Why haven't you guys just accepted the fact that this is Hollow Years Part 2?

Because it isn't?

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"The Best of Times" Discussion Thread