Official DT12 Review Thread (merged)

[RMGadelha]

Vox is on 2, 4 and 5. "staccato vocal driven section" i believe i called it.

Do you think that section is the one Petrucci mentioned that he had no idea how James would sing that part? Is it really that "complex" tempo-wise?

[purzel]

great review. 8000 words for one album.respect. I don't have to buy it anymore after your review I imagine the music a thought I hear the music when reading the review.thank you very nice job.

[krieger]

Just found this short review:

https://118travel.blogspot.com.br/2013/09/dream-theater-adv3nturtrav3l.html

[LTE3]

Great review noxon, thx. This sounds like it could be their Permanent Waves when Rush went with a majority of shorter songs and finally made it commercially. Im not saying DT will be on the radio at all but I think the shorter songs may be here to stay. Sonically Im concerned about what you wrote as it is what everyone has been saying and sounds like it is now fact. We were all hoping that the two releases were just shitty internet versions, but it sound like we are in for a layered, loud, compressed sounding record. For my ears I had to do a lot of equalizer adjusting for ADToE so I guess I have that to look forward to again. Still so psyched to hear it.

[krieger]

A very good review:

https://www.sonicabuse.com/2013/09/dream-theater-self-titled-album-review/

Some quotes:

"Simply adorned by that oh-so-familiar logo the cover carries a clear message: 'Dream Theater's music is strong enough to stand without the benefit of gimmicks, listen without prejudice.'"

"...it seems easy to see now that not only was he [Mangini] the perfect choice for Dream Theater, but possible the only choice."

"...an album that is, in many ways, one of the most varied and yet concise Dream Theater releases to date."

"A wild, inventive, thrilling ride, 'Dream theater' is a sumptuously produced release from a very special band and if it is not the band's best album, it is certainly in the top three."

[RMGadelha]

"Awaken" lol.

[adastra]

Thank you  Noxon!  What  a great and thorough review! U are the man

[The Stray Seed]

A very good review:

https://www.sonicabuse.com/2013/09/dream-theater-self-titled-album-review/

Some quotes:

"Simply adorned by that oh-so-familiar logo the cover carries a clear message: 'Dream Theater's music is strong enough to stand without the benefit of gimmicks, listen without prejudice.'"

"...it seems easy to see now that not only was he [Mangini] the perfect choice for Dream Theater, but possible the only choice."

"...an album that is, in many ways, one of the most varied and yet concise Dream Theater releases to date."

"A wild, inventive, thrilling ride, 'Dream theater' is a sumptuously produced release from a very special band and if it is not the band's best album, it is certainly in the top three."

Indeed another great review!!!

[sylvinception]

Very interesting review (about the album and ALSO about the band's evolution) from the website RADIO METAL in France.
https://www.radiometal.com/article/dream-theater-seleve-au-carre,117499

Translation (best I can) right here : -  "Is it reasonable? "That's the question we have been asking tirelessly to Dream Theater in recent years. Is it reasonable to refuse a break, as intended by Mike Portnoy, while many fans were convinced that it would have been a good thing ? Is it reasonable to let his leader, founding member, driving force and iconic drummer go away for so little ? Is it reasonable to grant him a refusal when he went back on his decision a few months later ?
But Dream Theater will not look back. Dream Theater wants to move on, it has even become almost unhealthy obsession of wanting to release a new album every two years, to be exact, at a rigorous pace, metronomic as his own music. Today in Dream Theater, it should go straight, there is no room for hesitations. And it is perhaps this "mechanical" side that was most criticized in recent years [...] A big change for a band which was once able to surprise the fans, who never knew what to expect before each new album.
But now, even if Dream Theater advance without looking back, he could not avoid the upheaval from fans due to an album without Mike Portnoy. Their fans, who are already known to over-analyze and dissect every piece of music from their favorite band, are today in turmoil, divided on the job change and its consequences. So the band has set the record straight with this eponymous album: like it or not, Mike Mangini is now the official drummer of Dream Theater, and it is not expected to change in the short or medium term . Where "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" could still leave some doubt, with a little less demonstrative drums, and especially under-mixed and much less punchy than with the previous style of the former drummer, there are now no doubt anymore.
Dream Theater has been very careful to highlight its new drummer. In the production first: the drums are explosive and bold as he could be that of Portnoy, and clearly put forward in the mix, almost exaggerated when compared to previous productions of the group. A production that gives the illusion of a Mangini with a heavy hitting style, when his parts seemed so light on the previous album. [...] It is like as if his bandmates had told him: "C'mon loose yourself, give them all you can, proves that we made ​​the right choice." And so goes the the hair-raising drum parts, in the purest tradition of the group.
And indeed there is a great matter of tradition with this album. It seems that this is more than just a question of imposing Mangini's style to the ears of fans. It is a question of showing that Dream Theater is more than ever Dream Theater. Almost everything that Dream Theater has been in the past is catapulted into this album. Starting with orchestral and cinematic instrumental intro, "False Awakening", echoing the group's work on Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence. The exercise of instrumental returning ten years after "Stream Of Consciousness" with "Enigma Machine" demonstrative and multifaceted. The short ballad "Along For The Ride" which, no doubt about it, will exasperate more than one fan, like others before it. The epic piece, of course, with "Illumination Theory", a nearly twenty-five minute rollercoaster from its heavy and technical passages to its quiet central orchestral development. Dream Theater offers its traditional lot of complex passages, rather concentrated at the end of the album, as its core displays overall smoother and laid tracks, but also some big riffs, without making them a component provided dominant.
Anyway, here's what you can call a career summary, as if to reaffirm his identity by taking almost everything in his past. As a result, fans will love to analyze the songs, many passages, riffs and melodies echoing their discography, without explicitly resumed it. And so, once again, many fans will ask the eternal question :  self-plagiarism, or just a wink to their past ?? Just as the historical influences of the band are more obvious than ever. Especially Rush, which will sweating profusely in the main riff of "The Looking Glass" and "Surrender To Reason", the riff, the sounds and even the keyboard sound way way "Closer To The Heart "refer all so confusing to the work of the Canadian trio.
Beyond the musical direction of the album, it also denotes a willingness both to unify the group and highlight each individual component. The production seems to be tied to each musician. Thus Jordan Rudess confirmed its growing importance but also that John Myung's bass has never been treated as well in the mix. In performance, James Labrie allows some zeal in pushing his voice in the midst of "Illumination Theory." John Petrucci, meanwhile, lightly set aside its chromaticism to offer less improvised solos-like, more melodic and therefore more eye-catching.
Dream Theater, the album, sees the band more than ever rest on its laurels and exploit them.
While some fans will definitely appreciate the nostalgic effect it may provide, others still regret the "adventurous" Dream Theater, who once surprised fans via unexpected musical directions.
Still, the quintet continue to divide a fan base that the group itself has led to the requirement of perfection."

[krieger]

They sure add some spice to life, those French...  Well, it seems it is the first negative review as far as I can see. Altough it's so prolix that you never know... 

[sylvinception]

Not TOTALLY negative!!

[Viking of the Sagas]

I personally dislike the 'Religious Faith pulls you through hardships' theme that's going on in the album. I don't know, a humanist approach would've been much more... sympathetic.

But a religious one is going to ruin a lot of it for me. Spirit Carries On was ruined because of the sentimental religious lyrics and woo-woo, personally. It's a matter of taste, I suppose.

I really love Dream Theater's music, it's been a dear companion of mine for a couple of years now. I just don't like when the lyrics get up to my face and scream to have faith, 'surrender to light', in order to get through life.

[The Stray Seed]

It's no negative review, it's just not as enthusiastic as the others we've had so far. Actually, I find it to be very in line with the feelings the two singles have inspired in me. It's great music, and the DT superfan inside me is absolutely in love with those tunes, but still there's a part of me that wants DT to be experimenting on new ground, to surprise me with something that really feels brand new. BUT, I think they did a good choice to play safe (even if not so safe as in ADTOE), because with this album they might be basically saying "With Mangini as a composer in the band we can still write awesome DT classics, the guy's one of us." So my personal thought is that the more experimental side might be maybe a feature of the next album, but not of this one.

Disclaimer: I'm basing this on the new music I've already heard, but there are still many tracks that I still have never listened too, so I might be awfully wrong.

And anyway I'm superhappy about this new album, I can just wait for new ground to be explored in the future =)

[aprilethereal]

I personally dislike the 'Religious Faith pulls you through hardships' theme that's going on in the album. I don't know, a humanist approach would've been much more... sympathetic.

But a religious one is going to ruin a lot of it for me. Spirit Carries On was ruined because of the sentimental religious lyrics and woo-woo, personally. It's a matter of taste, I suppose.

I really love Dream Theater's music, it's been a dear companion of mine for a couple of years now. I just don't like when the lyrics get up to my face and scream to have faith, 'surrender to light', in order to get through life.

Being a religious person myself, I love it when DT do stuff like this

[The Stray Seed]

I'm an atheist and still I think that Voices is the best lyrical composition of all DT discography. TSCO is also very nice.

[Viking of the Sagas]

For me it's my personal preference and attitude getting in the way of enjoying the lyrical content.

I like Voices a lot as well, though I haven't listened to the lyrics very carefully. Sometimes I do that to protect myself from bewitching my own experience.

Though I don't see what other people like about TSCO. For me it's always felt too sentimental.

[krieger]

It's no negative review, it's just not as enthusiastic as the others we've had so far.

Yes, you and sylvinception are right.

It's not negative - it is: not extremely positive like the others... 

[noxon]

As i said, the lyrics are composed in a manner which leaves a lot of room of interpretation - for the most part. There's a lot of mentions of grace and love and faith and stuff, but it's not obnoxious and you can put into it whatever you think fits best.

[theseoafs]

Very interesting review (about the album and ALSO about the band's evolution) from the website RADIO METAL in France.
https://www.radiometal.com/article/dream-theater-seleve-au-carre,117499

*snip*

Good translation, though you missed out on some stuff in the beginning.  Basically the author asks again in the first paragraph whether it was "reasonable" to self-title this album, asking why the band wouldn't self-title the album that marks MP's return.  He seems pretty confident that's going to happen, remarking "stranger things have happened"

All in all, a pretty underwhelming review that spent wayyyy too long talking about Mangini and Portnoy.  I'm already sold on that particular issue, I just want to hear about the music.

[Hanz Gruber]

I personally dislike the 'Religious Faith pulls you through hardships' theme that's going on in the album. I don't know, a humanist approach would've been much more... sympathetic.

But a religious one is going to ruin a lot of it for me. Spirit Carries On was ruined because of the sentimental religious lyrics and woo-woo, personally. It's a matter of taste, I suppose.

I really love Dream Theater's music, it's been a dear companion of mine for a couple of years now. I just don't like when the lyrics get up to my face and scream to have faith, 'surrender to light', in order to get through life.

They write their songs in a way that you don't have to interpret them as religious themes if you don't want to.  Not a big deal.  I am religious and I listen to stuff like Slayer.  If I could get past some of their lyrics certainly a viking could get past Dream Theater lyrics. 

[hefdaddy42]

I am religious and I listen to stuff like Slayer.  If I could get past some of their lyrics certainly a viking could get past Dream Theater lyrics.

Certainly so.

[RMGadelha]

I am atheist and I simply love TSCO and I listen to a lot of Orphaned Land, a band which actually aims to bring peace between the religious groups. Of course everyone has different sentiments towards the themes. I personally like how JP usually (not always) uses the subject in a more subliminal way. The same thing happens with Black Metal. I really like listening to Black metal, but I prefer the ones who are not obviously "HAIL SEYTON HAIL BAPHOMET LOLZ"

[ariich]

DT have never written lyrics that are overly religious or preachy, so I trust noxon when he says that the lyrics are easily open to interpretation. I think DT's more spiritual lyrics are often some of their nicest. And I am not religious.

[krieger]

Another very positive review... 8.5/10

https://www.ghostcultmag.com/dream-theater-dream-theater/

Quotes:

"With the addition of Mike Mangini the band founds its mojo again and that's his greatest gift to them and the fans."

"Singer James LaBrie has really found his niche, now Mike Portnoy is no longer around to push him around."

"Dream Theater may not be as groundbreaking as some of the band's earlier works, but it does contains enough perks to keep fresh and interesting for both newcomers and longtime fans alike."

[The Stray Seed]

This was also a very nice read: https://rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=25909

[Another_Won]

This was also a very nice read: https://rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=25909

He used the marriage/divorce analogy but in the same paragraph made a good point about the short attention span people have these days.  They simply won't listen to a 20 minute song, much less listen to it multiple times to get all the nuances.  It's really too bad, people miss out on it.

[krieger]

Cheese analogy = 

[The Stray Seed]

Cheese analogy = 

Yeah that was fun xD

[MoraWintersoul]

I am atheist and I simply love TSCO and I listen to a lot of Orphaned Land, a band which actually aims to bring peace between the religious groups. Of course everyone has different sentiments towards the themes. I personally like how JP usually (not always) uses the subject in a more subliminal way. The same thing happens with Black Metal. I really like listening to Black metal, but I prefer the ones who are not obviously "HAIL SEYTON HAIL BAPHOMET LOLZ"

^ basically all of this.

[krieger]

Another one - 4.5/5:

https://loudwire.com/dream-theater-dream-theater-album-review/

Best part:

"...the more people that can hear an album like this, the more faithful there will be. Sure, that's good for Dream Theater. But it's also good for music."

[The Stray Seed]

Veeeery nice review! It was written very well. My favorite part is:

"Little homages peak out from time to time; a rush of some Rush, a nod to Yes and ELP, but led by the ever soaring and empathetic vocals of James LaBrie, these tunes are instantly unique and accessible. That is one aspect of this record that I think will lure new listeners in."

[Viking of the Sagas]

To be honest, a review couldn't be filled with more fanboy mentality than that.

[Zydar]

AllMusic.com gave it 4 out of 5.

https://www.allmusic.com/album/dream-theater-mw0002559805

"Dream Theater is one of the quintet's big ones; it holds inside it everything a fan could want, yet also expands the reach of American prog metal."

Aftonbladet gave it 3 out of 5.

https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/recensioner/article17507373.ab (Text in Swedish!)

"...moments that make you dizzy for the right reasons".

[purzel]

Powermetal 10/10

https://powermetal.de/review/review-Dream_Theater/Dream_Theater,22618.html

[The Stray Seed]

REVERB - 8/10

https://www.reverbstreetpress.com/online/cd-review-dream-theater-dream-theater/

<<Dream Theater is a darker, heavier and more organic sounding album than its predecessor, consolidating an exciting new chapter in the band's proud legacy. The impeccably produced album features a heavier slant and is littered with superb musicianship and generally thrilling and well-balanced song-writing.>>


METALHOLIC - 8.75/10

https://metalholic.com/cd-review-dream-theater-dream-theater/

<<"Dream Theater" is one of the most invested albums Dream Theater has yet conceived. Prepare to be not only submerged but actually touched by this album.>>


METAL MUSIC ARCHIVES - 5/5

https://www.metalmusicarchives.com/dream-theater--review.aspx?id=289268

<<Come on guys, you have to have an open mind and embrace that these guys are legends.>>