Official "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" Review Thread

[Pols Voice]

I tend to like Dream Theater's "ballads", so bring them on.

[ariich]

Why does anyone give a shit how many ballads there are?

My thoughts exactly, what a ridiculous discussion.

[jonny108]

From MP.com

-"On the Backs of Angels" is about the battle between the left and right politics in America
- "Lost not Forgotten" describes the Perzion (perzische in dutch) warriors that fought a lot in history, but were you don't hear about anymore lately
-"Outcry" is about the revolution that's going on in North-Africa.

It are subjects Petrucci reads about.

-"Build me Up, Break me Down" is about people who glorify there idols when they do something well when it goes about artistic reasons, but criticize them when something goes less well because of personal reasons. He names Britney Spears as example
-"This is the Life" is about people who often look at what others have which make them think others have it better. It only makes people unhappy. You're given a life and you have to make the best of it. He knows it is a little of a cliche but that doesn't make the message less important. This song was already written by Petrucci at his home.
-"Far from Heaven" is a pianoballad and the text is written by James LaBrie. his inspiration came from the movie "Far from heaven"
-it's already known Myung wrote the text for "Breaking all Illusions". Petrucci states he wrote it really poetical and took a long tike to make a songtext of it

Petrucci read the comments about the drums on "On the Backs of Angles" being to low. He says people are crazy haha

The merchandise is made by an outside company, were Portnoy was on it before.

At the next tour (beginning Jan. Or Feb. 2012) there will be played more material of the new album. They're getting a cool show produced by an outside team. They've come with ideas Petrucci never would have come up with and that are really great and cool.

I think that was the most info out of it.

Cheers

[bloop]

Link?

[JoSeM90DT]

Link?

https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/fb.ashx?m=2695537

[VincentMDO]

So Petrucci probably wrote 7 lyrics for this album... Interesting.

[ronrule]

The merchandise is made by an outside company, were Portnoy was on it before.

In several areas of music business, it will be interesting to see how possibly more successful DT will be without "everything Portnoy did for this band".  Just like how so many small businesses can't grow because the sole proprietor feels he needs (or just wants) to do everything.

[GasparXR]

Only the lyricists of Lost Not Forgotten and Outcry have yet to be revealed!

[LCArenas]

am i the only one thinking that 3 ballads on an album with 9 songs is a little........too much?

I&W: Another Day, Surrounded, Wait for Sleep
FII: Hollow Years, Take Away My Pain, Anna Lee
SFAM: Through Her Eyes, One Last Time, The Spirit Carries on

So no, it's not too much, and yes, you might be the only one.

[John94]

I would assume that JP would be the lyricst of them. Then again, he could just be really clued up on all the themes of the songs. But, I really think he wrote them.

[bloop]

Disappointing if that's the case. I was hoping for more Labrie/Myung lyrics. 

[BlackInk]

The word ballad is starting to sound weird to me...

[Madman Shepherd]

Disappointing if that's the case. I was hoping for more Labrie/Myung lyrics. 

Agreed.  The diversity in writers is at least an improvement from BCSL but is it really necessary for JP to write such a huge percentage?  I just hope the last two songs that the lyricist hasn't been announced for is JLB

[JediKnight1969]

Disappointing if that's the case. I was hoping for more Labrie/Myung lyrics. 

Agreed.  The diversity in writers is at least an improvement from BCSL but is it really necessary for JP to write such a huge percentage?  I just hope the last two songs that the lyricist hasn't been announced for is JLB

I'm hoping for Kevin Moore!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Lyrical themes are sounding very interesting. Neat.

[DreamerTV]

At the next tour (beginning Jan. Or Feb. 2012)

Isn't the American Leg the first official promoting the new album?

[Ħ]

At the next tour (beginning Jan. Or Feb. 2012)

Isn't the American Leg the first official promoting the new album?

Yeah, that makes me wonder if we'll see ADTOE songs on that first US leg.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Why does anyone give a shit how many ballads there are?

Because the more ballads, the less balls to the wall sound.

Less balls, and balls are extremely important to DT's sound.

[DreamerTV]

At the next tour (beginning Jan. Or Feb. 2012)

Isn't the American Leg the first official promoting the new album?

Yeah, that makes me wonder if we'll see ADTOE songs on that first US leg.

In a video took by some fans after Rome gig JP stated that they were going to come back in Italy in mid spring (April-May), 'cause first they've got to do US, Japan and Australia... Then,we've got US starting from sept.24, and, said by a one of the guy who run DT italian officiale fan club, Italy in February. Maybe RR wanted them on the road before what the band was thinking...?!

[tgstk2]

Why does anyone give a shit how many ballads there are?

Because the more ballads, the less balls to the wall sound.

Less balls, and balls are extremely important to DT's sound.

This.

If there like 8 whiters on the album and otboa....i ithink you would removed the very quickly!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I was joking 

[tgstk2]

and i am not.

[hefdaddy42]

There is absolutely no problem whatsoever with there being 3 ballads on this or any other DT album.

[Jamesman42]

^That. Also, the number of ballads doesn't mean they are all of the same type. Robbywebsterboy made a good post telling what songs on IaW were (or possibly are) ballads, and yet they all have a different feel (serious and deep, lighter and happier, straight up piano and vocals only), and that shows that it is possible to do it well.

[tgstk2]

yhes I think we can stop with the ballad discussion, a ballad can be / can sound  10109238 different ways. and i looked at a ballad in a corny, jon bon jovi kind of way.....

i'm ready for the next review.....

[Banny]

At the next tour (beginning Jan. Or Feb. 2012)

Isn't the American Leg the first official promoting the new album?

Yeah, that makes me wonder if we'll see ADTOE songs on that first US leg.

Seriously? You think they'll tour less than a month following their newest album release and NOT play new tunes? 
...I really don't mean to come off as a jack-ass on the internet, but are you serious?

[Öxölklöfför]

Why does anyone give a shit how many ballads there are?

Because the more ballads, the less balls to the wall sound.

Less balls, and balls are extremely important to DT's sound.

This.

If there like 8 whiters on the album and otboa....i ithink you would removed the very quickly!

Nah...sure, it plays a role in the music, but it's not as important as great melodies, for example? If my primary concern is ballsy music, I go listen to Pantera.

[Heretic]

Saw this on 5/8

https://hardrockway.blogspot.com/2011/08/dream-theater-dramatic-turn-of-events.html

But let's take it from the beginning ... The opening "On the Back of Angels" has a taste of "Falling Into Infinity". Since such configurations are numerous the Theater. The rest belongs to the more contemporary sound, "Build Me Up, Break Me Down ", with strong elements of the (underrated)" Octavarium ".
Third song "Lost Not Forgotten ", with the known (successful) recipe refers to a potential single and will be sung by many. Somewhere here we reach the first ballad of the album, called "This is the Life ", which has at times the air of " old ", something that only positive I can perceive.


In "Bridges In the Sky ", however, I heard the best riff of the disc, while there was a " Scenes from a Memory " approach!

"Outcry" is perhaps the most indifferent moment of the release. Then there is another ballad ("Far from Heaven "), more" naked ", music from the past, and the main role here are just as James Labrie and Jordan Rudess, in a truly beautiful moment that brings to mind " Wait for Sleep ".

"Breaking All Illusions is full of emotion, while the melodic chorus that accompanies it proves that the band continues to " have it " in terms of melody and that can still inspire their listeners. The fee brings in "Beneath the Surface", with a sweet melancholy which refers to "The Silent Man"

In general:
Dream Theater have achieved this: Merging of musical styles all previous records in shape, to return to the throne. Certainly not the "boulder" which looks, but it is a job that flirts heavily with old-Dream Theater and this is for me the great strengths of "A Dramatic Turn of Events "! Definitely want some hearings to "tie" with it (as usual that is), so do not rush to take immediate conclusions. The truth is that many will be written either grandiose or derogatory, comments about the new essay of Theater, but if one thing has taught me that my involvement with the band is that every movement of the wants of the time, while offering something different to everyone who listens, so at some point after the final arbiter is the heart and nobody else.

[tri.ad]

Sounds pretty interesting.

[Infinite Cactus]

I don't get how people are upset: DAMN JAMES AND JM DIDN'T WRITE MORE! I love their lyrics, but until I see all of the lyrics that JP wrote, why would I be upset? If they are all good I don't care who wrote them.

[BlobVanDam]

I don't get how people are upset: DAMN JAMES AND JM DIDN'T WRITE MORE! I love their lyrics, but until I see all of the lyrics that JP wrote, why would I be upset? If they are all good I don't care who wrote them.

Yeah, I can understand that some people are a bit wary of JP's lyrics after the last couple of albums, but he's still capable of good lyrics. OTBOA is just fine.

[BlackInk]

About Mike Portnoy through google translate:

A break like substance in the man and dropped in to eat.

[DejaVu]

Beneath the Surface", with a sweet melancholy which refers to "The Silent Man"

The Silent Man?

That's what struck me the most from that entire review. Anyone think BTS is an acoustic-driven song? Interesting.

[tgstk2]

yak, a reference to wait for sleep (ok song but not a song I put the IaW record on), the song 8V (which i do not care about at all) and the slient man..worst song on Awake........

this is not getting me enthousiastic at all... and i hate that!

[Jirpo]

That review is what I wanted to hear!