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

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Some of my best friends are heavy songs. 

[BlackInk]

Less good *music* than other bands.

And what I mean by that is simply that they're not my favorite band, not that I hate them.

The only possible interpretation of that exchange, taken literally, is that Dream Theater is your least favorite band. Since no album is perfect, "especially" not Dream Theater albums, that must mean that Dream Theater albums are the most imperfect of all albums. It would then follow that Dream Theater is your least favorite band.

Also regarding this: For me Dream Theater's strength is in their individual songs, not in albums seen as a whole. So if you compare DT's albums to other bands, they're oftenly not as strong. Maybe "especially DT's albums" was putting it a bit strong, but that's how I feel.

Still not hating here. Six Degrees is an awesome album, and so are some of the others. The rest of them doesn't quite reach awesome for me but remain at either "okay" or "good".

[TheGreatPretender]

Also regarding this: For me Dream Theater's strength is in their individual songs, not in albums seen as a whole. So if you compare DT's albums to other bands, they're oftenly not as strong.

Exactly what bands are you comparing them to?

I mean, you say "other bands" like you mean every other band in the world puts together better albums than DT. But if you like DT at all, then unless you think that every other band you've ever heard puts together better albums than DT, then obviously there have to be some parameters, right?

[BlackInk]

No, of course I don't compare them to "every" other band. More like "any" other band that puts out generally stronger albums. DT may not be my favorite band but they are not very far from it, and is definetely the band I'm most invested in and involved with.

[TheGreatPretender]

No, of course I don't compare them to "every" other band. More like "any" other band that puts out generally stronger albums.

I still don't get what that means. I don't see how any other band puts out stronger albums than DT. Obviously, it's a matter of opinion, but just the same, anyone is free to dispute it. I think DT puts out albums every bit as strong as the best of them.

[BlackInk]

I have always felt that they mix strong songs with a lot weaker ones on the same album while some of the other bands I listen to often has a more consistent flow of strong songs throughout their albums.

[wolven74]

I have always felt that they mix strong songs with a lot weaker ones on the same album while some of the other bands I listen to often has a more consistent flow of strong songs throughout their albums.

Dream Theater's weakest songs are still stronger than a lot of other band's strongest songs. It depends on what you're looking to get out of the song.

[Moor]

JP and JLP answers some questions. Just posted on RR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul8FRMMxsE

[Moor]

Edit: JLB

[The Stray Seed]

I have always felt that they mix strong songs with a lot weaker ones on the same album

For my personal feelings this is true from TOT to BC&SL. The other 7 albums are pretty consistent to me. So still 2/3 of the albums are packed full with amazing songs, and that is still a great percentage, IMO.

[Another_Won]

JP and JLP answers some questions. Just posted on RR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul8FRMMxsE

Warning - the new single is playing in the background throughout this clip.

[BlackInk]

JP and JLP answers some questions. Just posted on RR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul8FRMMxsE

Great one. Hoping for a lot more of these. It's so good to see these guys having fun like that.

[wolven74]

Ok, two things:

It's weird to see James as that blonde.

and

I certainly hope the artwork doesn't go through another change. They put the name of the band at the bottom of the artwork at the end. I'll just assume that's for the sake of the video.... 

[Bertielee]

JP : "(James) That was two hours ago!"

B.Lee

[Tom Bombadil]

Ahhh what happened to James' hair?? 
Fun interview though thanks for sharing.

[krands85]

James' hair  His air guitar 

Good vid, looking forward to some more 

[Zydar]

Funny video Thanks for sharing!

Edit: More pics from their Instagram:

[RoDT]

It's always heartwarming seeing those two have fun and laugh like the real buddies they are. Making fun of the canadian will never get old for them I guess 

[Kotowboy]

A comment on the Luna Park tracklist on Instagram :

Fuck dream theater after seeing this! The 12 step songs were a personal thing for mp and a way of being of service to the next drunk. When mp was there it made sense now its about attention, I could care less if mp signed off or not, its not right!

[Kotowboy]

For some reason I think album 13 will be a concept album.

[Nick]

A comment on the Luna Park tracklist on Instagram :

Fuck dream theater after seeing this! The 12 step songs were a personal thing for mp and a way of being of service to the next drunk. When mp was there it made sense now its about attention, I could care less if mp signed off or not, its not right!

Yeah, he completely misses the point. Which is The Root of All Evil should not be played simply because it's the weakest of the tracks.

[YtseJamittaja]

Hmm, I see James in on his 50's.... Let's hope his hair isn't grey in the end of the year or so.. 

For some reason I think album 13 will be a concept album.

I've got a same feeling.

[abydos]

For some reason I think album 13 will be a concept album.

And it will be named "Friday (the)", right?

[Kotowboy]

I think it's time. Third album with Mangini. Plus of course 13 is 8 + 5. AND isn't 2015 their 30th anniversary ?

It's all tying together nicely

[RoDT]

A comment on the Luna Park tracklist on Instagram :

Fuck dream theater after seeing this! The 12 step songs were a personal thing for mp and a way of being of service to the next drunk. When mp was there it made sense now its about attention, I could care less if mp signed off or not, its not right!

Yeah, he completely misses the point. Which is The Root of All Evil should not be played simply because it's the weakest of the tracks.

Bring The Glass Prison!

[Kotowboy]

Yeah, he completely misses the point. Which is The Root of All Evil should not be played simply because it's the weakest of the tracks.

NOt a chance. It's my favourite if anything. Repentance or shattered fortress are the weakest for me.

[Dark Castle]

I like Shattered Fortress due to it being like a medley of the rest. I'd have to listen to the suite more to really say which is my least favorite though.

[Victor Alexandrov]

Seems to me that John has had his hair died too.

[Kotowboy]

Yep because no 46 year old in history is without any grey hair

[JRuless]

JP and JLP answers some questions. Just posted on RR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lul8FRMMxsE

lot of fun about the vocalparts.

Interesting how they restyled the coverimage with the bandname added at the lower half.

[Whatsername]

I like Shattered Fortress due to it being like a medley of the rest. I'd have to listen to the suite more to really say which is my least favorite though.

This. I get a lot of grief from my friend from liking it, but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. I think The Glass Prison is definitely my favorite one though.

That being said, I'm glad 12 isn't a concept album. But a concept album for 13 would be awesome.

[Mladen]

I loved that video, funny stuff. 

[Kotowboy]

Album 13 seems to me the perfect time to do a concept or double album.

• 30th anniversary - assuming the next album comes out in 2015.

• Yes - 13 is 8 + 5 - this can't have escaped their attention.

• Third album with Mangini.
^{First album was - we're still Dream Theater. Second album was - let's see what we can do. Third album should be the massive opus.}

• James and John both seemed to hint that they would do one again soon.

[?]

That video is nice, James' comments made my day

[BlackInk]

A comment on the Luna Park tracklist on Instagram :

Fuck dream theater after seeing this! The 12 step songs were a personal thing for mp and a way of being of service to the next drunk. When mp was there it made sense now its about attention, I could care less if mp signed off or not, its not right!

Yeah, he completely misses the point. Which is The Root of All Evil should not be played simply because it's the weakest of the tracks.

Not my favorite song either, but I would love to see The Root of All Evil live, it's just so energetic and when I listen to it I always feel like it's an amazing live song.