My thoughts on 'Dream Theater' (***SPOILERS***)

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I've heard all the songs already except The Enemy Inside. Is it good?

[dparrott]

OK, OK, enough of this.  How about the anniversary of SFAM with possibly MM on it??    Somebody BETTER get a soundboard recording of THAT!

[gmillerdrake]

Some interesting questions here.  You guys should keep a lot of these questions in mind for future use.  In case, you know, you guys get a chance to ask the members of DT some questions some day.  Hypothetically.

Hypothetically, of course.

What the heck are you guys up to?

[Another_Won]

There are no horses on dt12.

I KNEW IT!  FINE, I'M NOT BUYING IT THEN! 

Every time I see this guy I just have to stop, watch and laugh for awhile

Great reading.  Thanks for all the answers, it seems like a lot of work.  We all appreciate it.

[johncal]

There could be Donkeys.

IT'S NOT THE SAME!!

Wait, no! It'll be even better! Better than horses, even.... Zebras!

There could be these

You couldn't be more wrong... Everyone knows..

Donkeys < Zebras < Horses < Unicorns

[Eren]

I have a few questions. As many may or may not know, I'm the one who created/transcribed that MIDI file. I have a list of a few questions regarding the accuracy of it.

-Based on the notes that I plotted in my midi, how accurate is my transcription? (Using a percentage)

-Does the MIDI contain a lot of missing notes compared to the real song?

-Approximately at what point during the song does the part from my midi begin at?

-What kind of instrument patch is used during the part of my MIDI? (Orchestral strings? Piano?)

-Is the actual speed of that part faster, the same, or slower than the speed at which I chose for the MIDI?

-As you know, that recent audio/video snippet of MM playing a part from FAS in Ep. 4 of DT's studio mini-series and my MIDI file are from the same song. Does that snippet come in before or after the MIDI I created?

-Lastly, did anyone in the listening party mention anything about the MIDI I transcribed? 

Also, is the weird vocal scatting heard in the 3rd episode of DT's "In the Studio" mini-series present anywhere on the actual album? If so, then which song does it occur in?

so I don't exactly know what JR plays there but based on the overall track...

-%85-90

-%50

-7/10 throughout

-somewhat faster

-that is the intro

-I have no idea pt.1

-I have no idea pt.2

[RMGadelha]

There could be Donkeys.

IT'S NOT THE SAME!!

Wait, no! It'll be even better! Better than horses, even.... Zebras!

There could be these

You couldn't be more wrong... Everyone knows..

Donkeys < Zebras < Horses < Unicorns

KILL IT! WITH FIRE! BEFORE IT LAYS EGGS!

[krieger]

Did you notice any song structures-rhythmic parts that are new to DT, possible MM influence?

Do you think that the drumming is a step up from ADTOE?

Yes (a couple of bits where MM combines brilliantly with JM).

Yes.

As Ian McCulloch once said: "Me, I'm all smiles"!

Thank you for answering those questions! 

[aprilethereal]

I don't have any questions, but thanks for sharing your impressions with us

[adastra]

I have problem opening the other pages on this topic
Was that horrendous scat singing in there?! 
I'm so hyped about this album

[theseoafs]

Was that horrendous scat singing in there?! 

I doubt it, but at the same time I sincerely hope so.  Care to deny this charge outright, cyber/noxon?

[wolven74]

There are plenty of wacky keyboard moments, though not on the piano as far as I can remember.

Were there any piano parts or was it all synth?

[TheGreatPretender]

There are plenty of wacky keyboard moments, though not on the piano as far as I can remember.

Were there any piano parts or was it all synth?

Since he said the crazy moments weren't on the piano, that leads me to believe that there were piano parts, just not crazy ones.

[noxon]

Also, is the weird vocal scatting heard in the 3rd episode of DT's "In the Studio" mini-series present anywhere on the actual album? If so, then which song does it occur in?

Since Eren has answered the rest, let me hint at this. Does the scat itself appear? Not really, but there is something "similar". When you hear it you'll immediately understand what the video was trying to show...

[adastra]

Also, is the weird vocal scatting heard in the 3rd episode of DT's "In the Studio" mini-series present anywhere on the actual album? If so, then which song does it occur in?

Since Eren has answered the rest, let me hint at this. Does the scat itself appear? Not really, but there is something "similar". When you hear it you'll immediately understand what the video was trying to show...

I need that album now ._.   pleees

[TheGreatPretender]

Since Eren has answered the rest, let me hint at this. Does the scat itself appear? Not really, but there is something "similar". When you hear it you'll immediately understand what the video was trying to show...

Scatman LaBrie? 

[nikatapi]

Oh another question if you have the chance to answer:
Are there any intricate hihat parts from Mike, in the vein of MP's playing, or is his playing more focused on speed-doing different things with different limbs?

[Zydar]

This has been a great read, thanks for doing this

[cyberdrummer]

There are plenty of wacky keyboard moments, though not on the piano as far as I can remember.

Were there any piano parts or was it all synth?

Since he said the crazy moments weren't on the piano, that leads me to believe that there were piano parts, just not crazy ones.

Correct.

In answer to a previous question: nobody mentioned the MIDI file at the listening party.

[puppyonacid]

From a guitarists POV I'd like to know how many standard 6/7 string songs there were as opposed to alternate tunings.

I guess that would be difficult to answer really.

So, did many of the songs seem to have that down tuned effect?

[?]

I don't have any questions, but thanks for the report and the answers!

[serrano]

Thank you for taking your time and posting so quickly! 

Not sure if this was asked before, but how is the transition from FAS to TEI?

[MoraWintersoul]

Why didn't anyone tell me Eren is posting here

no, wait, I saw it before, I'm just a forgetful bastard.

And I'll be thinking up some hypothetical questions for the hypothetical occasion.

[cyberdrummer]

From a guitarists POV I'd like to know how many standard 6/7 string songs there were as opposed to alternate tunings.

I guess that would be difficult to answer really.

So, did many of the songs seem to have that down tuned effect?

I'm not a guitarist, so I'm afraid I can't really answer that. But the album is heavy.

Thank you for taking your time and posting so quickly! 

Not sure if this was asked before, but how is the transition from FAS to TEI?

They don't really merge at all - FAS ends with the classic epic chord left ringing, then straight into TEI. But there's no proper segue.

[wasteland]

But did the transition make sense at least? Will it be cool live?

[cyberdrummer]

Yeah, it's similar to how Also Spake Zarathustra went into Constant Motion. No messing. It'll work.

[Estiui]

I think this has not been asked yet, how are Jordan sounds and presence in the CD? Does he use cool new sounds and makes nice fresh sections? Or is he limited to wankery solos and chording stuff? Thank you again! 

Also, is there any senseless solo, AROP style?

[sdfdsv]

Any Continuum or Morphwiz?

[illusionist]

Do you remember any improvisational passages in the vein of SFAM?
Also,were there any sections that left you with your jaws dropped ,at first listen?And did the album ,as a whole,give you the impression of a very technical one?

[wasteland]

Ah, here's a question!

Could you distinguish the seaboard on the songs? (assuming you know how it sounds like )

[cyberdrummer]

Ah, here's a question!

Could you distinguish the seaboard on the songs? (assuming you know how it sounds like )

I think I know what it sounds like, but difficult to tell on first listen. I'm no keyboard expert!

I think this has not been asked yet, how are Jordan sounds and presence in the CD? Does he use cool new sounds and makes nice fresh sections? Or is he limited to wankery solos and chording stuff? Thank you again! 

Also, is there any senseless solo, AROP style?

I didn't notice any new sounds, it was the keyboards that particularly reminded me of SDOIT. There are two or three 'wankery' solos, but I think they fit the songs ok. Nothing in the vein of AROP.

Any Continuum or Morphwiz?

Don't think so.

Do you remember any improvisational passages in the vein of SFAM?
Also,were there any sections that left you with your jaws dropped ,at first listen?And did the album ,as a whole,give you the impression of a very technical one?

One in Illumination Theory. And the insane drum break from MM - as a drummer, my jaw dropped! The album is technical, but so is every DT album. There's no really proggy fusion if that's what you mean.

[aprilethereal]

From a guitarists POV I'd like to know how many standard 6/7 string songs there were as opposed to alternate tunings.

I guess that would be difficult to answer really.

So, did many of the songs seem to have that down tuned effect?

I obviously haven't heard the album, but if JP is following the trend of the last few albums (especially ADTOE), I think there will be a lot of seven string songs.

[noxon]

I would agree with that assessment. I don't have my guitar in front of me right now, and i don't have perfect pitch so I can't accurately say that this or that song is 7 string, but i know from the times i have tried to play some of the riffs my 6 strings is not sufficient...

[serrano]

That could be also down tuning. JP used to say he would prefer using a 6 string if the song allows it.

[noxon]

Sure, but how many songs from DT have actually used downtuning? I can only recall one that used drop D, which was Home, and a few that used that baritone guitar...