ADTOE review by Rich Wilson

[kartmaze2]

Hasn't this been posted yet?

https://www.rich-wilson.com/

[chrisbDTM]

yea, in one of the sticky threads in the past few days. pretty cool that JR & JP tweeted it

[Pettor]

I think it just came up. Very nice to hear what he had to say and sounds like something to look forward to! The only thing I never understand with early reviews like these are the lack of detail. They just don't give out that much information. "This is the life" really seems like a song I will enjoy with David Gilmour references and a nice vibe to it from what is said.

[kartmaze2]

yea, in one of the sticky threads in the past few days.

Whops, didn't notice...

[Hayden]

Whoops, didn't notice...

Don't worry, it's good; we should probably have a thread devoted to it anyway.

[Ferd Burple]

I really liked OTBOA right away, but now I LOVE IT.    Rich sez the entire album is the same way, should be great stuff. I like the fact that it has to "sink in" over time.

[wolven74]

Am I the only one who can't see this review? I signed up for the site, clicked on enter, clicked on the DT review, and all I get is a black screen. I see no text. What's going on? 

[abydos]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

[wolven74]

would it be possible for someone to post the text of the review up here?

[tjanuranus]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

Why is that?

[Hayden]

Am I the only one who can't see this review? I signed up for the site, clicked on enter, clicked on the DT review, and all I get is a black screen. I see no text. What's going on?  

The same thing happened to me initially, but, for some reason, I was able to view it several hours later when I tried again. I don't know what the difference was; perhaps the site had less traffic at the time, or perhaps it might have had something to do with my level of activity on my PC at the time - I don't know.

would it be possible for someone to post the text of the review up here?

I wasn't able to select the on-screen text, unfortunately, so I just took a couple of screenshots, stuck them together, then uploaded the image.
Here you go:

[abydos]

Does this work https://www.rich-wilson.moonfruit.com/#/a-dramatic-turn-of-events/4553746578 ?

I think you can select text but it doesn't show it so you can just hit copy and it will work.

With an album title that only hints at the unbridled chaos that has engulfed Dream Theater's world over the last year, this first album without drummer Mike Portnoy is a pivotal moment in the band's twenty six year history. With an expectant fan base, Dream Theater quite simply had to deliver a "classic" Dream Theater album. If they moved too far away from their blueprint, or stacked the album with "filler", they would be immediately be castigated for letting Portnoy leave in the way he did and for rebuffing his attempt to rejoin the band a few weeks later. The central reason Portnoy cited for his departure was that he felt that the band had become stale and that they needed an extended break to recharge. Put simply, he felt that if the band were to survive, something needed to change in order for them to create truly special albums once again. The ultimate irony here is that by leaving, Portnoy has provided that spark, and indeed Dream Theater have returned with a fresh and frankly stunning album in A Dramatic Turn Of Events.

For all the drama of the acrimonious split and the bitterness that is understandably still evident on both sides, eventually it comes down to the music. And no matter which side of the argument your loyalties lie, it's the music that the band will ultimately be judged on. The most startling aspect of this album is the vigour with which the band have applied themselves. The attention to detail is noticeable – both in the songwriting, the production and the mix – with all members of the band (including the normally reserved John Myung) contributing strong melodies and lyrical concepts. Keyboard player Rudess has talked of how he would write sections to fit snugly around John Petrucci's riffs, and this careful craftsmanship has provided a fresh edge to the album's sound that at times is spiritually reminiscent of such standout albums as Images And Words or Scenes From A Memory. Progressive metal as a genre has a sliding scale between the two poles, and the material here veers more towards the prog, which many would say was no bad thing. The growling vocals have vanished to be replaced with typically complex DT musicality and countless melodies, and critically the album is not immediately gratifying, and requires several listens in order to fully grasp exactly what the band have achieved here.

Build Me Up, Break Me Down contains some epic riffs, along with a incredibly catchy chorus, and the same can be said of Lost Not Forgotten – the finale of which has some truly blistering interplay between Rudess and Petrucci. Such a description could be viewed as being Dream-Theater-By-Numbers, but that would be missing the point. This is the sound of a band having fun, playing to their strengths and infusing their sound with an energetic new edge without at any point resorting to prog metal cliché. It's also easy to fall into the trap of viewing the lyrical content of the album as perhaps hinting at their recent turmoil, and This Is The Life falls into that category. With lines such as "Some of us choose to live gracefully/ Some can get caught in the maze and lose their way home/ This is the life we belong to" reading almost like a revised mission statement, it remains one of the most wonderfully tranquil pieces of music the band have ever created, and guitar solo is on a par with Dave Gilmour in his pomp. The same can be said of the similarly mellow Beneath The Surface, which is another beautifully constructed song that's propelled by a string section.

Harking back to Scenes From A Memory, Outcry contains the type of musical dexterity that drove The Dance Of Eternity but is combined with a striking vocal melody. Similarly engaging is Bridges In The Sky, even if the unexpected sound of an Aboriginal battle cry that opens the track does sound a touch like The Simpson's Barney Gumble cracking out a hearty burp down in Moe's Tavern. Far From Heaven is another lilting, heartfelt piano led track that provides a continued balance to the album. Perhaps the most audible contrast with previous albums (and no doubt for the DT hardcore the most widely anticipated song) is Breaking All Illusions which contains John Myung's first foray into lyric writing for many a year. It also showcases Myung's talent as a bass player – which many have claimed has been left in the background in the recent past – and it's a pleasure to hear him so prominent in the mix once again.

Ultimately, this is a breathtaking album that Dream Theater fans will adore. It's just such a crying shame that it took such cataclysmic change within the band for them to create it.

[ariich]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

Why is that?

We all have different opinions when it comes to DT, so don't worry about Abydos, he just happens to disagree with RW quite a lot I think.

[bjackson87]

Gilmour references excite me!

Nice review, I'd rather too little info than too much!

[Bertielee]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

Why is that?

We all have different opinions when it comes to DT, so don't worry about Abydos, he just happens to disagree with RW quite a lot I think.

I've always thought Abydos was 6:00 in disguise.

B.Lee

[Flacracker]

It is official: Mike Portnoy leaving the band was a good thing.

[Super Dude]

Whoops, didn't notice...

Don't worry, it's good; we should probably have a thread devoted to it anyway.

Just what I was gonna say.  Thanks for officiating the thread.

Edit: Dammit, I can't get the site to work.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

lol extremely true

[wasteland]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

lol extremely true

Did he say something beyond possible comprehension like "You Not Me is better than Learning To Live" or did he only express some strongly unconventional opinions?

[KevShmev]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

Why is that?

I think he is probably saying that Rich Wilson's opinions on songs and albums are often different from the majority of the fans.  For example, saying in Lifting Shadows that Just Let Me Breathe and Burning My Soul are two of Falling into Infinity's highlights (when those two songs are often two of the four least popular songs from the album according to most fans).  Not saying his opinions don't matter; just don't give them any more validity than those of other reviewers or fans, simply because they come from the guy who happened to write the band's biography.  That's all.

[abydos]

Exactly. Didn't he say that Trial of Tears was bad too?

[BlobVanDam]

Trial of Tears is totally bad.....














....ass.

[KevShmev]

Exactly. Didn't he say that Trial of Tears was bad too?

No.  He said:

Far too often during the track, once a decent riff is established the band veer off in an unexpected and superfluous new direction. The same can also be said of "Lines In The Sand" (which included a guest appearance from King's X vocalist Doug Pinnick) and the expansive "Trial Of Tears".

While that is not a ringing endorsement of it, he didn't call it bad. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Trial of Tears is totally bad.....














....ass.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH

[wolven74]

Beware of the source, when DT is concerned I think most of us would agree that he has a somewhat... different taste when he ranks top DT songs/albums

Having read the review (thanks Hayden) I can see why people should be aware the source, though my reason to be wary of this review is that it's almost like he's sayig "meh." He seems to be saying a lot of what's been floating around the interwebs for months, in regards to Portnoy's leaving. And, if he's going to be spouting what's already been said about that, why does he not mention Mangini as a replacement? His review seems to be in love with JP and JR, with a little side action for JMX. The most dramatic turn of events for this release is the fact that they have a new drummer, wouldn't you say?

Beyond that, I'm wary of the review for the fact that he dissects each song, so it kinda ruins the surprise for me a bit. He does a good job of dissecting them without saying this song RULES, or this song BLOWS, so that's a plus. Though, as I was reading it I found myself kinda being led by the hand to each song, "This song is great, you'll like it. This song is so so, I didn't care for it much, you probably won't either."

I like that there is a review that doesn't totally pan the album for Portnoy's absence. But, honestly, I'd prefer to make up my own mind.

[Pinga]

Didn't Rich Wilson say that ANtR would remind fans of Opeth? Thanks, but I'll wait for a trustworthy review.

[BlobVanDam]

ANTR does remind people of Opeth.

[darkshade]

ANTR does remind people of Opeth.

Me too, most of the time.

[Pinga]

That's news to me. Now, I'm curious: how does it remind you guys of Opeth?

[Aniland]

Reminds me of a bad Metallica

[tjanuranus]

Reminds me of a bad Metallica

[MetropolisxPt1]

That's news to me. Now, I'm curious: how does it remind you guys of Opeth?

Ive never even thought about opeth during ANTR is to busy for an opeth song.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

ANtR doesn't remind me of Opeth at all.

I guess I can see the comparison. It's got really heavy bookends with a soft middle.

It's just that the music doesn't sound like Opeth. The riffs are more Metallica and the solo bit is pure Dream Theater.

[Tomislav95]

OtBoA reminds me on band Redemption. Listen to it if you weren't.

[DoctorAction]

ANtR doesn't remind me of Opeth at all.

Me neither. Opeth are great! *jazz hands*

The review has me excited. More. Again. Can't wait!