What do you 'feel' DT lacks?

[hefdaddy42]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

[Infinite Cactus]

^ Bingo. Also the guitar in the middle of New Millennium's instrumental section, and briefly during Breaking All Illusions after the first chorus. Really give Myung a chance to shine along with Mangini.

[hefdaddy42]

 

[DerekTheater]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Agreed.

[Quarter_Cask]

ideas

[rumborak]

thoughts

[TAC]

You guys are tough!

[erwinrafael]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Yeah, those two songs with funky elements are really good. I just find it funny that with only two songs that have funk elements that are LPs and one EP apart, some are saying that they miss the DT that used to have a funky sound. Really? A funky sound? With only two out of around thirty songs with a sprinkling of funk elements, we can already characterize DT's music then as funky?

[BlobVanDam]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Two of my instant favourites from the first listen for that reason.

[DerekTheater]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Yeah, those two songs with funky elements are really good. I just find it funny that with only two songs that have funk elements that are LPs and one EP apart, some are saying that they miss the DT that used to have a funky sound. Really? A funky sound? With only two out of around thirty songs with a sprinkling of funk elements, we can already characterize DT's music then as funky?

What's wrong with saying you would like them to explore that territory more often?

[hefdaddy42]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Yeah, those two songs with funky elements are really good. I just find it funny that with only two songs that have funk elements that are LPs and one EP apart, some are saying that they miss the DT that used to have a funky sound. Really? A funky sound? With only two out of around thirty songs with a sprinkling of funk elements, we can already characterize DT's music then as funky?

No.  Not sure what you are talking about.

[King Postwhore]

Hef, I think I have your answer.  Let me illustrate it by a song.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MFUIB6OMiA

[hefdaddy42]

Tower of Power is definitely funky.

DT is definitely NOT.

But they have shown that capability in the past, and I wish they would bring that around again more often than they do now (which is never).

[ddtonfire]

Discretion

[rumborak]

Inventory

[snapple]

Honesty

[RoeDent]

A thirteenth studio album. 

[johnpetruccisbiceps]

In my opinion DT could add two elements that would make their music even more interesting than it already is:

1) Other orchestral instruments than just strings. They obviously have a classical influence sometimes, and in their own words, like making "cinematic" music. But to be honest, the standard strings and choir approach is getting a little stale for me - I'd love if they could use a badass brass section or horns etc. For example, Haken has utilised this well on "The Mountain".

2) Some more "jazzy" rhythms and harmonies.

[Dellers]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Definitely. It's a great contrast to the more metal stuff, and I really like contrasts in music.

One other thing is bass. It has been mostly buried for too long. As a bass player that frustrates me quite a lot. Mixing bass isn't that hard, but it obviously won't be very audible if you turn it down to 2 while the guitar is at 11.

[Grizz]

ideas

thoughts

I want them to have their own thoughts, and ideas, and feelings, even when I hold them in my arms. It's our last chance. It's our last chance...

[Another_Won]

ideas

thoughts

I want them to have their own thoughts, and ideas, and feelings, even when I hold them in my arms. It's our last chance. It's our last chance...

Well played, sir 

[erwinrafael]

There is a funk/groove element that they have used only a couple of times (Take The Time, Lines in the Sand) that I really wish they would explore more often.

Definitely. It's a great contrast to the more metal stuff, and I really like contrasts in music.

One other thing is bass. It has been mostly buried for too long. As a bass player that frustrates me quite a lot. Mixing bass isn't that hard, but it obviously won't be very audible if you turn it down to 2 while the guitar is at 11.

Isn't the bass audible in the last album? Granted I use in-ear headphones, and the bass is louder than JR in songs like TLG.

[Dellers]

Isn't the bass audible in the last album? Granted I use in-ear headphones, and the bass is louder than JR in songs like TLG.

It's a little all over the place, really. It's relatively loud a lot of the time, sometimes it's completely lost. I don't really like how it sounds on that album though, which is the biggest issue with this particular release. It sounds a little guitar-ish, too trebly and too little of the nice frequencies. Then again, I find using effects on bass in metal to be completely pointless and counterproductive.

[King Postwhore]

I hear it throughout the album.  I am very happy with the bass sound.  They went for that specific "trebly" sound.  It punches through.

[erwinrafael]

Isn't the bass audible in the last album? Granted I use in-ear headphones, and the bass is louder than JR in songs like TLG.

It's a little all over the place, really. It's relatively loud a lot of the time, sometimes it's completely lost. I don't really like how it sounds on that album though, which is the biggest issue with this particular release. It sounds a little guitar-ish, too trebly and too little of the nice frequencies. Then again, I find using effects on bass in metal to be completely pointless and counterproductive.

OK, I understand that some would not like how the bass sounded. Personally, I would like a more round sound for the bass. I was responding to your comment about the bass being low in the mix, though, because you were commenting on how it is buried in the mix. I don't think it is low in the mix as it is really audible.

[sylvinception]

A thirteenth studio album. 

LOL excellent!!

[sylvinception]

"What do you 'feel' DT lacks?"

== >> A great, "real" producer/mixer (both ??) for their studio releases.
Nothing else comes to my mind.

Are you trying to say that JPs beard isn't a "real" producer?

Come on now... 

No, but I'm sure that he could have done a much better work on DT12.

[Bone_Daddy]

A solid producer. Besides the song: Beneath the Surface, the last 2 albums have been/seemed very formulaic.

[Rodni Demental]

Nothing against BTS, but I would have thought it seems more 'formulaic' than a good majority of the other ADTOE songs?

[jonnybaxy]

Enaggeee... POWAHHHH

[chaossystem]

At least some of these things have already been said, but I would like to see more input from John Myung as BOTH a musician and a lyricist.
Also, I MIGHT want to see more lyrical contributions from James LaBrie, but his songwriting ideas have always been hit and miss with me.
If he wrote more things like "One Last Time," "Blind Faith," and "Sacrificed Sons" I would want to hear more of what he has to say.
But most of the rest of what he wrote just doesn't do it for me.

And I would like to see if Jordan Rudess and/or Mike Mangini have anything to say lyrically.