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

[Dark Castle]

Perhaps they could have done something like

" James Labris's MullMuzzlers "

so it's best of both.

James Labries's Melodious Wonders

[Madman Shepherd]

One of the most well known "solo" musicians, Ozzy Osbourne, doesn't write ANY lyrics or music with the exception of most of the vocal melodies. 

[Mosh]

Am I the only one not surprised that JLB didn't do any lyrics? With his recent solo album I wasn't expecting him to contribute lyrics, honestly.

[dparrott]

Don't know if anyone's done the math, but the average length of FAS parts is 54 seconds.

[Kotowboy]

Too bad they aren't 58 seconds

[robwebster]

Don't know if anyone's done the math, but the average length of FAS parts is 54 seconds.

Good! That's new. I prefer new.

[dparrott]

Too bad they aren't 58 seconds

Hey...one of the parts could be that long....

[ToT-147]

I hope not..

You do understand that the reason for this is that Petrucci wrote the melodies and fit the lyrics to the song? As ? said, it's the same thing they've always done with Myung's lyrics, they just changed the system for assigning lyric credits. If Learning to Live or Trial of Tears was written today they would be credited to Myung/Petrucci (or possibly with Portnoy or Moore or LaBrie, depending on who specifically formatted those lyrics). BAI is basically "words by Myung, edited by Petrucci". I'm assuming STR will the same.

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..
OTOH, we'll never know (I guess) exactly how was the BAI lyric process, neither what happen with Caught in a Web, whether the same befall that occasion or not.. (JP helping JLB or they actually writing together).. Or in the case of Take the Time, and the others JM's lyrics...
Being the only one written by JM (whatever the way), they should credit only him.. JP has already other 6 songs...

Now I'm not sure about this: it's even important if JP is credit or not?.. (I mean it's profitably relevant) Or it's just an statistic?...

[Whatsername]

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..
OTOH, we'll never know (I guess) exactly how was the BAI lyric process, neither what happen with Caught in a Web, whether the same befall that occasion or not.. (JP helping JLB or they actually writing together).. Or in the case of Take the Time, and the others JM's lyrics...
Being the only one written by JM (whatever the way), they should credit only him.. JP has already other 6 songs...

Now I'm not sure about this: it's even important if JP is credit or not?.. (I mean it's profitably relevant) Or it's just an statistic?...

I don't really understand this. If JP contributed at all to how the final song ends up, then why wouldn't he get credit? Why wouldn't you want him to? I could absolutely be missing something here, and if I am please explain.

[m0hawk]

^ This. It's particularly true when the solo artist is a singer and not an instrumentalist. John Petrucci wrote his entire solo album, which was pretty heavily dominated by guitar, but it would be a lot harder for James to do that, particularly since he does not play an instrument.

WRONG.

4:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6k1VdgNeKE

[theseoafs]

I hope not..

You do understand that the reason for this is that Petrucci wrote the melodies and fit the lyrics to the song? As ? said, it's the same thing they've always done with Myung's lyrics, they just changed the system for assigning lyric credits. If Learning to Live or Trial of Tears was written today they would be credited to Myung/Petrucci (or possibly with Portnoy or Moore or LaBrie, depending on who specifically formatted those lyrics). BAI is basically "words by Myung, edited by Petrucci". I'm assuming STR will the same.

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..
OTOH, we'll never know (I guess) exactly how was the BAI lyric process, neither what happen with Caught in a Web, whether the same befall that occasion or not.. (JP helping JLB or they actually writing together).. Or in the case of Take the Time, and the others JM's lyrics...
Being the only one written by JM (whatever the way), they should credit only him.. JP has already other 6 songs...

Now I'm not sure about this: it's even important if JP is credit or not?.. (I mean it's profitably relevant) Or it's just an statistic?...

So John Petrucci shouldn't be credited for helping write the lyrics even though he helped write the lyrics because... he also wrote a bunch of other lyrics?

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..
OTOH, we'll never know (I guess) exactly how was the BAI lyric process, neither what happen with Caught in a Web, whether the same befall that occasion or not.. (JP helping JLB or they actually writing together).. Or in the case of Take the Time, and the others JM's lyrics...
Being the only one written by JM (whatever the way), they should credit only him.. JP has already other 6 songs...

Now I'm not sure about this: it's even important if JP is credit or not?.. (I mean it's profitably relevant) Or it's just an statistic?...

Well, as I remember correctly, with BAI, John Myung said that he was the one who wanted JP to be co-credited on the lyrics, because he didn't feel right taking the whole credit.

[BlobVanDam]

I like the co-credit. It makes it feel like a whole band effort, with band members teaming up and using their strengths to create a lyric. And also, it's just a nice, diplomatic thing to do. And DT are a nice, diplomatic band. Like putting band names alphabetically.

One of the reasons I love the band.

[King Postwhore]

You are all putting to much stock into this lyric conversation.Some bands work differently.  It's how they function.  How many lyrics has Geddy Lee wrote?  Not much but I bet James like Geddy has input on the structure and they work out the phrasings and even change the lyrics with the writer during the process.

No big whoop.

[ToT-147]

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..

I don't really understand this. If JP contributed at all to how the final song ends up, then why wouldn't he get credit? Why wouldn't you want him to? I could absolutely be missing something here, and if I am please explain.

My bad.. Maybe I rambled a little.. I was just saying that it bothers me.. I have no much further explanation than that.. (namely: they should do it, not because JP wrote other lyrics, but because he get the most of the lyric writing credits, and he will get it anyway)...

I'll mix subjects dramatically here.. I couldn't resist..

John Petrucci wrote his entire solo album, which was pretty heavily dominated by guitar, but it would be a lot harder for James to do that, particularly since he does not play an instrument.

WRONG.

4:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6k1VdgNeKE

DOUBLY WRONG:

3:09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=542VQwZ4wT4

[?]

OTOH, we'll never know (I guess) exactly how was the BAI lyric process, neither what happen with Caught in a Web, whether the same befall that occasion or not.. (JP helping JLB or they actually writing together).. Or in the case of Take the Time, and the others JM's lyrics...

MP has revealed who wrote which part of TTT: https://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2811186.aspx

V1=MP, V2=JM, V3=JP, BR=KM, CH=MP & KM

[aprilethereal]

JP writes lyrics on his own? JP deserves credit for it. JP contributes to JM's lyrics? Both deserve credit for it. Simple as that.

[liran95]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQ6egJDqQo&feature=youtu.be

Can someone watch it and warn me if TEI is being played?

[BlobVanDam]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQ6egJDqQo&feature=youtu.be

Can someone watch it and warn me if TEI is being played?

The very first thing you hear is the opening of TEI, so that would be a yes.

[liran95]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQ6egJDqQo&feature=youtu.be

Can someone watch it and warn me if TEI is being played?

The very first thing you hear is the opening of TEI, so that would be a yes.

Thanks, skipped the beginning!

[hefdaddy42]

Yeah, I understand that, I knew it long time ago... But I hope they don't do the same this time around.. I didn't like the "Lyrics by John Myung and John Petrucci", when JP had credit for other 7 songs.. I just never like that.. That's all..

I don't really understand this. If JP contributed at all to how the final song ends up, then why wouldn't he get credit? Why wouldn't you want him to? I could absolutely be missing something here, and if I am please explain.

My bad.. Maybe I rambled a little.. I was just saying that it bothers me.. I have no much further explanation than that..

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Shadow2222]

Apparently there are early official (non-watermarked) copies of the 5.1 DVD version out there, and the sound is purportedly much, much better (as to be hoped for with a 5.1 version of an album, but sadly that is not always the case).

[robwebster]

Apparently there are early official (non-watermarked) copies of the 5.1 DVD version out there, and the sound is purportedly much, much better (as to be hoped for with a 5.1 version of an album, but sadly that is not always the case).

You know? The shabby sound on the standard audio might genuinely push me to buy that 5.1 special edition after all.

[mikeyd23]

You know? The shabby sound on the standard audio might genuinely push me to buy that 5.1 special edition after all.

Ditto, and a 5.1 system to play it on!

[Edson Wilton]

[wasteland]

Apparently there are early official (non-watermarked) copies of the 5.1 DVD version out there, and the sound is purportedly much, much better (as to be hoped for with a 5.1 version of an album, but sadly that is not always the case).

You know? The shabby sound on the standard audio might genuinely push me to buy that 5.1 special edition after all.

Too expensive. I'll just befriend someone with a 5.1 system and get him or her into DT.

[Meatrose]

I'm betting the new images are from Along For The Ride.

[Shadow2222]

I know PS3s aren't exactly cheap, but some of you that don't have a 5.1 system may have a PS3, and you can buy the relatively good 5.1 surround sound wireless headphones for $100 or less nowadays (official Sony branding).

Yes, it isn't as good as a real 5.1 setup, especially in terms of the bass, but it is still miles better than stereo. That is how I listen to Systematic Chaos' 5.1 mix, and their DVDs as well.

[TheGreatPretender]

I know PS3s aren't exactly cheap, but some of you that don't have a 5.1 system may have a PS3, and you can buy the relatively good 5.1 surround sound wireless headphones for $100 or less nowadays (official Sony branding).

Yes, it isn't as good as a real 5.1 setup, especially in terms of the bass, but it is still miles better than stereo. That is how I listen to Systematic Chaos' 5.1 mix, and their DVDs as well.

How are they on volume? I've always had a hard time trusting big wireless headphones, because I was always afraid they'd be too quiet at their maximum... But I'm guessing that's not the case?

[noxon]

Just to put an end to the shared credit thing; Myung has sole writing credits on Surrender to Reason.

[Shadow2222]

I know PS3s aren't exactly cheap, but some of you that don't have a 5.1 system may have a PS3, and you can buy the relatively good 5.1 surround sound wireless headphones for $100 or less nowadays (official Sony branding).

Yes, it isn't as good as a real 5.1 setup, especially in terms of the bass, but it is still miles better than stereo. That is how I listen to Systematic Chaos' 5.1 mix, and their DVDs as well.

How are they on volume? I've always had a hard time trusting big wireless headphones, because I was always afraid they'd be too quiet at their maximum... But I'm guessing that's not the case?

Well, I'll preface this by saying I can sometimes be sensitive to loud volumes, but I accidentally turned them on once when at full volume and had to physically throw them off my head due to how loud they were.

[wasteland]

Just to put an end to the shared credit thing; Myung has sole writing credits on Surrender to Reason.

If you are allowed to answer to this: is the music credited to the individual members who took part in the songwriting as with the past few albums' trend or are they simply credited to "Dream Theater"?

[TheGreatPretender]

Well, I'll preface this by saying I can sometimes be sensitive to loud volumes, but I accidentally turned them on once when at full volume and had to physically throw them off my head due to how loud they were.

Oh wow. So basically, I won't think they're too quiet? 

[Shadow2222]

Well, I'll preface this by saying I can sometimes be sensitive to loud volumes, but I accidentally turned them on once when at full volume and had to physically throw them off my head due to how loud they were.

Oh wow. So basically, I won't think they're too quiet? 

I certainly don't think so. I generally have them at half volume or less. I personally love them. They look terribly geeky and huge, but the sound quality and volume, as well as the pretty spectacular wireless range, is awesome.

Also, of course, if you do play games on your PS3, they are even more incredible, and significantly improve the atmosphere.

[TheGreatPretender]

I certainly don't think so. I generally have them at half volume or less. I personally love them. They look terribly geeky and huge, but the sound quality and volume, as well as the pretty spectacular wireless range, is awesome.

Also, of course, if you do play games on your PS3, they are even more incredible, and significantly improve the atmosphere.

Good to know. Thanks!