Out Of Reach - Appreciation & Discussion Thread

[TheGreatPretender]

One thing I appreciate about this song is the different structure, guitar solo before the 2nd verse and the chorus is last.

The guitar solo coming in before the 2nd verse definitely immediately jumps out at you. It kind of reminded me of Still Loving You by Scorpions, in that respect. The part before the solo, too, feels more like a pre-chorus at best, but more like a part of the verse. I wouldn't call that a chorus, so having that solo be in between the two verses, instead of a chorus, as one would expect, was a really cool choice on their part.

[MirrorMask]

One thing I appreciate about this song is the different structure, guitar solo before the 2nd verse and the chorus is last.

The guitar solo coming in before the 2nd verse definitely immediately jumps out at you.

It's cool because when you first hear it, you assume it's just a short bridge to the next verse but instead it goes on for quite a while, always melodic and nice.

[Another_Won]

One thing I appreciate about this song is the different structure, guitar solo before the 2nd verse and the chorus is last.

The guitar solo coming in before the 2nd verse definitely immediately jumps out at you.

It's cool because when you first hear it, you assume it's just a short bridge to the next verse but instead it goes on for quite a while, always melodic and nice.

Yeah, and after multiple listens I still sometimes think it's the bridge and then I'm pleasantly surprised.

[hefdaddy42]

I'm not saying this is the best song on the album, but it's definitely one that I keep coming back to, and the one that will pop into my head throughout my day.

I wish they were playing it on the tour.  But hopefully they will get to it at some point.

[Dublagent66]

OOR is a top 3 song on the album for me right now.  Super duper power ballad! 

[Trav]

I'm not saying this is the best song on the album, but it's definitely one that I keep coming back to, and the one that will pop into my head throughout my day.

I wish they were playing it on the tour.  But hopefully they will get to it at some point.

Couldn't agree more.

[Drinktheater]

I keep coming back to this song.

To me this is like a counter to Space Dye Vest.

[OpenYourEyes311]

I have always loved this song. Speaks to me on a deep level. One of my favorites in the catalog.

[Drinktheater]

I have always loved this song. Speaks to me on a deep level. One of my favorites in the catalog.

As sad as it may be I can relate to the song.

Because I had something similar happened to me years ago. Like how Labrie described the Man in the song is some one who frequents a coffee shop who then got captivated by a girl and little did he know the girl there is really troubled.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I have consistently felt that this is one of the best DT ballads (top 3) and time has not changed my view of it. It's a really beautiful song- simple and direct. The lyrics are great too.

[hefdaddy42]

I have consistently felt that this is one of the best DT ballads (top 3) and time has not changed my view of it. It's a really beautiful song- simple and direct. The lyrics are great too.

It's my favorite song from that album.

[WilliamMunny]

I have consistently felt that this is one of the best DT ballads (top 3) and time has not changed my view of it. It's a really beautiful song- simple and direct. The lyrics are great too.

It's my favorite song from that album.

I can get behind this.

One of the things that really sets ADTOE apart from the rest of the Mangini-era albums, for me, are the ballads.

Setting aside The Astonishing (bc I frankly don't consider it a traditional DT album), DT12, DOT, and AVFTOTW are all just so, for lack of a better word, dense. Even DT12's 'ballad' ("Along for the Ride") feels almost impenetrable, something that is not aided at all by what I feel is an offensively 'thuddy' drum sound.

On an album that is practically balls-to-the-wall from beginning to end, "Out of Reach" is a much needed moment of space (much like "Vacant' was to TOT).

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

[bosk1]

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

I complimented James in person for his lyrical contributions on this album, and he was VERY appreciative. 

[Madman Shepherd]

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

I complimented James in person for his lyrical contributions on this album, and he was VERY appreciative.

Me too. I also told him there was a growing consensus that At Wit's End might be one of DT's best songs in a while. So I'd like to give myself credit for them adding that to the set for the next leg. 

I also told him his lyrics are pretty profound as they tend to deal with super heavy subjects and he said something along the lines of, "Ya know I'm not a very serious guy but I am observant and that's what I put into the lyrics."

[bosk1]

I also told him there was a growing consensus that At Wit's End might be one of DT's best songs in a while. So I'd like to give myself credit for them adding that to the set for the next leg. 

Ha.  You might have been.  I know I wanted to mention that to JP when I saw them on the first leg of that tour.  But I actually didn't really get to talk to him much because he was really sick.  He came out kinda late for soundcheck and just kind of stood against the back part of the stage sipping tea out of a Starbucks cup.  He waved and said hi from there, told me he was feeling really sick, and that was it.  After the show, didn't see him.  I assume he went right to sleep.

[goo-goo]

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

I complimented James in person for his lyrical contributions on this album, and he was VERY appreciative.

Me too. I also told him there was a growing consensus that At Wit's End might be one of DT's best songs in a while. So I'd like to give myself credit for them adding that to the set for the next leg. 

I also told him his lyrics are pretty profound as they tend to deal with super heavy subjects and he said something along the lines of, "Ya know I'm not a very serious guy but I am observant and that's what I put into the lyrics."

At Wit End has become one of my all time favorite DT songs. I also managed to get one of the signed lyric sheets for At Wits End through Prog magazine (I believe) that had a limited run with the signed lyrics. For me, AWE is classic DT.

[Madman Shepherd]

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

I complimented James in person for his lyrical contributions on this album, and he was VERY appreciative.

Me too. I also told him there was a growing consensus that At Wit's End might be one of DT's best songs in a while. So I'd like to give myself credit for them adding that to the set for the next leg. 

I also told him his lyrics are pretty profound as they tend to deal with super heavy subjects and he said something along the lines of, "Ya know I'm not a very serious guy but I am observant and that's what I put into the lyrics."

At Wit End has become one of my all time favorite DT songs. I also managed to get one of the signed lyric sheets for At Wits End through Prog magazine (I believe) that had a limited run with the signed lyrics. For me, AWE is classic DT.

Funny you bring that up. I'm a hoarder and forgot I had it framed and ready to be put up but I had it tucked away in a closet. Just found it 2 weeks ago and it's been hanging up since.

[Jamesman42]

Having never listened to DoT yet, I decided to listen to this song thanks to this thread.

I think it is a very good ballad, JLB sounds really good and the music sits in a good place. I liked that in about 4 minutes, it progressed from soft to a more full sound.

[JeopardousRaven]

And, yes, the lyrics are pretty top-notch....that JLB can definitely paint a picture with his words.

I complimented James in person for his lyrical contributions on this album, and he was VERY appreciative.

James's lyrical contributions are consistently great IMO. I wish he would write lyrics more often. Off the top of my head he's written Anna Lee, Blind Faith, Disappear, Vacant, Sacrificed Sons, and At Wit's End. There's several more that he's done that I'm not recalling but those songs all have a very poignant/significant lyrical meaning that I really appreciate. They always tend to bring a little more to the table than the typical JP lyrics.

[Cool Chris]

James seems to have a knack of writing lyrics that fit the song. Not being a songwriter, I feel it is a tremendous skill. to not just write words but to write words to suitably accompany music.

[hefdaddy42]

James seems to have a knack of writing lyrics that fit the song. Not being a songwriter, I feel it is a tremendous skill. to not just write words but to write words to suitably accompany music.

That's a great point.

[crystalstars17]

This is the song I am hoping for on the upcoming tour ✨

It's a masterpiece, as ballads go. And the performance by James is unmatched. This is the perfect song for him, it shows off to advantage everything his voice was born to do.

Bucket-list live song.. ✨✨

[Max Kuehnau]

great arrangement too

[CraftyCaleb2483]

I like the guitar solo section; the bit where JP does a guitar solo

[DT05]

One of the best post-Portnoy songs in all of DT. This song is able to convince me periodically since its release to try this album a few more times. If I were able to flip a switch on my brain and force myself to spend more time with one of the newer DT albums where it would actually click, I'd probably choose this album because of how convincing this song is. Feels genuinely like old DT in a way that stuns me every time.

[crystalstars17]

If I were able to flip a switch on my brain and force myself to spend more time with one of the newer DT albums where it would actually click, I'd probably choose this album because of how convincing this song is.

I'm glad to hear it!    I encourage you to spend more time with this album. If I can call BC&SL one of my favorites, then maybe DoT can become one of yours.

Cheering you on 📣 ✨

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

One of the best post-Portnoy songs in all of DT. This song is able to convince me periodically since its release to try this album a few more times. If I were able to flip a switch on my brain and force myself to spend more time with one of the newer DT albums where it would actually click, I'd probably choose this album because of how convincing this song is. Feels genuinely like old DT in a way that stuns me every time.

What specifically about this song sounds like 'old DT' whereas everything else does not?