Dream Theater self titled album discussion - [SPOILER FREE DISCUSSION ONLY]

[sueño]

If I never read reviews before buying music, my horizons would be expanding very slowly.

Or I'd end up buying crap because I never read anything contradictory beforehand.

Either way, I lose.

I feel that way about most reviews -- music, film, books, restaurants... I like to have an idea what I'm getting into, even though it probably won't change my initial opinion.

And like others, I have greatly expanded the things I like because I read of gems I'd never come across otherwise.

[matte.braso]

I think Classic Rock Presents Prog did a short one the other day. I think the main gist of it was it's heavier and more melodic than ADTOE, DT fans will love it, haters gonna hate.

yep, but that's not a review, they're going to publish one in the next number of CRPP. I'm also expecting Rich to write something soon, as he did for the last two records

[bosk1]

Hey, bosk, have you received an advance copy of the album?
You probably wouldn't tell us...

He posted something in this thread (or was it the other?) that he would probably receive an advance copy, along with other members whom I can't remember, IIRC

No, I wouldn't have said that.  Whether I receive an advance copy or not is not something I feel appropriate to share.

[aXygnus]

Hey, bosk, have you received an advance copy of the album?
You probably wouldn't tell us...

He posted something in this thread (or was it the other?) that he would probably receive an advance copy, along with other members whom I can't remember, IIRC

No, I wouldn't have said that.  Whether I receive an advance copy or not is not something I feel appropriate to share.

Ah, sorry then. Was sure I've read something of the kind, though.

[KevShmev]

I don't really much care for reviews.  For one, most critics are dopes (although I am sure most early DT reviews won't come from full time critics), and for two, DT albums have pretty much gotten good reviews across the board for the last 10+ years, and many of those albums are their least best ones, IMO, so a glowing review for the forthcoming album won't really mean a lot.

[bosk1]

Hey, bosk, have you received an advance copy of the album?
You probably wouldn't tell us...

He posted something in this thread (or was it the other?) that he would probably receive an advance copy, along with other members whom I can't remember, IIRC

No, I wouldn't have said that.  Whether I receive an advance copy or not is not something I feel appropriate to share.

Ah, sorry then. Was sure I've read something of the kind, though.

No worries.  You either confused me with someone else, or maybe just misunderstood something I said.  But since you attributed it to me, I had to make the correction.

[Shadow2222]

Just to chime in about the review thing. I now write for Lady Obscure, and when I write a review, even if I looooove the album, I will still mention any possible flaws, even if they don't heavily detract from the overall song/album. Heck, even if I reviewed a DT album and thought it was their best ever, I would still point out any flaws with the mix, songwriting, lyrics, etc.

While there are many reviewers that might go, "Meh. Cool album, I guess. 3/5," or "Omg, best album ever, super heavy, melodic. 5/5," I believe there are many reviewers with integrity that understand how to view an album objectively and without an overwhelming amount of bias.

[Aythesryche]

So let me get this straight, to summarize the last 4-5 pages, there were some questions and complaints in regard to a review of the advance copy of the album and to its time of release. To encapsulate further the net conclusion of not only the last 4-5 pages, but perhaps the entirety of this thread thus far is...

...Soon.

[Lucien]

So let me get this straight, to summarize the last 4-5 pages, there were some questions and complaints in regard to a review of the advance copy of the album and to its time of release. To encapsulate further the net conclusion of not only the last 4-5 pages, but perhaps the entirety of this thread thus far is...

...Soon.

The problem is that this forum is so active, and we're so hungry for information, and there are so many of us, that we just keep speculating, arguing, and begging.

[MoraWintersoul]

So let me get this straight, to summarize the last 4-5 pages, there were some questions and complaints in regard to a review of the advance copy of the album and to its time of release. To encapsulate further the net conclusion of not only the last 4-5 pages, but perhaps the entirety of this thread thus far is...

...Soon.

The problem is that this forum is so active, and we're so hungry for information, and there are so many of us, that we just keep speculating, arguing, and begging.

The problem is that type of behavior can easily be toned down.

I'm not saying it's inherently wrong. Hell, I wasn't even on here for the last album cycle so I dunno how it's like. But I know I'm also super psyched and trying not to overload the thread with unnecessary stuff. It's cool when you can hang out here every day, but every time someone goes away and tries to just skim the thread with new info I imagine they'd get pretty pissed when there's five pages of essentially nothing.

[senecadawg2]

So let me get this straight, to summarize the last 4-5 pages, there were some questions and complaints in regard to a review of the advance copy of the album and to its time of release. To encapsulate further the net conclusion of not only the last 4-5 pages, but perhaps the entirety of this thread thus far is...

...Soon.

The problem is that this forum is so active, and we're so hungry for information, and there are so many of us, that we just keep speculating, arguing, and begging.

The problem is that type of behavior can easily be toned down.

I'm not saying it's inherently wrong. Hell, I wasn't even on here for the last album cycle so I dunno how it's like. But I know I'm also super psyched and trying not to overload the thread with unnecessary stuff. It's cool when you can hang out here every day, but every time someone goes away and tries to just skim the thread with new info I imagine they'd get pretty pissed when there's five pages of essentially nothing.

Damn straight

[chrisbDTM]

i should go back and screenshot the whole 'centerpiece' tangent that happened a couple days ago. gold

[Rich Wilson]

first review might come from Rich Wilson?

Lifting Shadows ‏@liftingshadows
"We're listening to the new Dream Theater album here. You won't be disappointed DT fans!!"

Not this time guys. I'm keeping my powder dry on this one for a few weeks. They don't want online reviews just yet. Sorry. BUT, I am so relieved that they haven't stood still with this record. I was dreading a "formula" DT record, which this isn't. That's all folks!

[wasteland]

Oh, you warm our hearts, Mr. Wilson 

[Rich Wilson]

When I say that, obviously it still sounds like DT and nothing else, but it certainly ain't ADToE part 2

[faizoff]

Thanks Rich Sept 24th cant come soon enough.

[TheGreatPretender]

Oh, you warm our hearts, Mr. Wilson 

Replace "warm" with "tease" and "hearts" with "naughty parts".

[senecadawg2]

Yes, thanks for that update! 

[MoraWintersoul]

Mr. Wilson my girlheart is properly warm and fuzzy right now.

[me7]

When I say that, obviously it still sounds like DT and nothing else, but it certainly ain't ADToE part 2

Thanks for posting. Coming from a true DT fan, this means more to me than any regular music journalist's opinion.

[aprilethereal]

Oh, you warm our hearts, Mr. Wilson 

Replace "warm" with "tease" and "hearts" with "naughty parts".

Oh u














are so damn right

[Joshin U]

I was dreading a "formula" DT record, which this isn't. That's all folks!

That's all I needed to hear to get me even more pumped. Thanks a ton, Rich 

[Lumiukko]

When I say that, obviously it still sounds like DT and nothing else, but it certainly ain't ADToE part 2

That's the kind of post that calms me down. haha Thanks for posting it!

[robwebster]

first review might come from Rich Wilson?

Lifting Shadows ‏@liftingshadows
"We're listening to the new Dream Theater album here. You won't be disappointed DT fans!!"

Not this time guys. I'm keeping my powder dry on this one for a few weeks. They don't want online reviews just yet. Sorry. BUT, I am so relieved that they haven't stood still with this record. I was dreading a "formula" DT record, which this isn't. That's all folks!

Excellent! Only thing I was scared of, too, and I trust your take far more than I trust the bad translation of some fella on a message board.

My one fear has been vanquished. Pow!

[wasteland]

It's indeed very very excellent! Mr. Wilson's dread was most likely everybody's dread, and it's so good to see it dispelled, at least according to a trusted source.

[TheGreatPretender]

Now, if only we can confirm or deny those song lengths. I really don't want people to keep on theorizing how that suite could actually be 2 minutes.

[wasteland]

Now, if only we can confirm or deny those song lengths. I really don't want people to keep on theorizing how that suite could actually be 2 minutes.

Didn't Noxon say that they looked very correct according to his memory?

[Lumiukko]

Now, if only we can confirm or deny those song lengths. I really don't want people to keep on theorizing how that suite could actually be 2 minutes.

Didn't Noxon say that they looked very correct according to his memory?

He did confirm it on the other forum.

[senecadawg2]

from the 5/8 forum:


"Dear Noxon I kindly asking you if you can, to confirm the following song lengths...

1. False Awakening Suite – 2:42
2. The Enemy Inside – 6:17
ecc."

noxon: "Without looking at my copy, it looks very correct."

Also he said the review will be ready within 2-3 days. can't wait to read it.

[theseoafs]

If they're true, FAS will be the shortest multi-part composition the band's done, eh?  I don't think they've split a song into parts unless it was over 8 minutes.

[TheGreatPretender]

from the 5/8 forum:


"Dear Noxon I kindly asking you if you can, to confirm the following song lengths...

1. False Awakening Suite – 2:42
2. The Enemy Inside – 6:17
ecc."

noxon: "Without looking at my copy, it looks very correct."

Also he said the review will be ready within 2-3 days. can't wait to read it.

That's a little disappointing, I have to say. I was looking forward to an actual suite, A Mind Beside Itself style, even if not as long. And since they're going to be using it as an intro to their concerts, I think it's safe to assume that it's not going to be 2 and a half minutes of ultra fast, crazy playing.

[?]

It's cool when you can hang out here every day, but every time someone goes away and tries to just skim the thread with new info I imagine they'd get pretty pissed when there's five pages of essentially nothing.

Yeah - every time I've seen there are multiple pages with new replies I've expected to read something interesting, but instead of that I've gotten... well, nothing. I know people are excited, but when there are pages of pointless concept album speculation, debates over the meaning of "centerpiece", complaints about 70-minute albums being too short, etc., I just...

Anyway, thanks for sharing what you can, Rich! I was hoping DT wouldn't play it too safe despite making this album self-titled.

[Flacracker]

The song lengths aren't so bad. If they all flow into each other well then it doesn't matter.

[Kotowboy]

I actually *prefer* more shorter songs and just the one epic.

Black Clouds had only two short songs and four massive songs.

A nightmare to remember just goes on and on and on.

You can't really just *throw a song on* from that album because you've only got two to choose from if you don't want an epic.

[dparrott]

Glad DT12 is not a formulaic record, I kinda felt ADTOE was. 

Maybe with having more shorter songs, we could get 3 singles???     Depends on how popular it is commercially I guess.