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

[noxon]

It's denser. It's more "wall of sound"-ish. The songs themselves are actually much more "images and words" in heavyness if you just listen to what the instruments actually do (melodywise).

[wasteland]

Well, that's quite an U-turn, noxon

I'm glad you could find more elements of your liking. 

[Meatrose]

It was nice to hear that, noxon.

I for one can't wait to listen to it again. I'm almost thinking it's a bad thing I got to listen to it this early and that I only got to do it once.

[matte.braso]

"There's enough old and new here to keep any Dream Theater fan happy as well as attracting even more new fans, proving to us all that Dream Theater still has much life in it and will be with us for many many years to come. This is an album that fans will love, I'm sure of it."

[serrano]

Any thoughts on the best songs for the live shows?

[noxon]

I can see Enigma Machine taking the spot that Ytsejam used to have, with extended drum solo etc... As for crowd pleasers - Surrender to Reason will probably be the song that survives the longest from this album in my opinion. and obviously Illumination Theory will be a very neat bookend to the shows (but i think that will suffer the same fate as all the other long DT songs - they just take so much room in a setlist that they'll start to be used less and less).

[hefdaddy42]

Hey Noxon, I remember when you had first heard the album, it seemed like you were leaning toward it not being one of their best, in your opinion. Since then, have you listened to it more and maybe changed your mind and started to like it more? Is it growing on you? Or do you kinda stand by your initial feelings of it?

My initial reaction to the album was very much colored by the way it sounds, and it just wasn't that pleasant for me. It was a case of hearing fatigue where the loudness caused none of the melodies to stick. I found the album to be bland and melodyless, but it turned out that the reason for it was the way I was listening to the album (too loud) and that colored my judgments a lot. After i broke the album down, and started listening to single elements, i found qualities in there that are very very good. And this is not a reaction i'm alone with - several of the other promo holders i've spoken too has had the same reaction...

So I'd say the album has improved a lot. In fact, it's very much opposite of what SC and BCSL was in the regard - where I initially ranked the album much higher than I do now. But i mean, there's 12 albums, and four of them will require superhuman feats of musicianship to break their nostalgic power they hold over me, so NO album will probably ever be much more than "above average" for me as --- unless DT becomes as proficient as Frank Zappa was and releases 50 more albums

"There's enough old and new here to keep any Dream Theater fan happy as well as attracting even more new fans, proving to us all that Dream Theater still has much life in it and will be with us for many many years to come. This is an album that fans will love, I'm sure of it."  <- part of my conclusion in my review.

This is the best thing I've heard about the album.

[Estiui]

noxon, you've made our days with that last post, I think that our hype is now simply overwhelming 

It's denser. It's more "wall of sound"-ish. The songs themselves are actually much more "images and words" in heavyness if you just listen to what the instruments actually do (melodywise).

I'm not sure that I understood you. Probably, this is a matter of the subjective meaning of each term used in here. I mean, with "wall of sound"-ish or denser, I assume you're making reference to more "quantity of sound", more instruments or different voices or doubling instruments or something like that. Less empty space in the sound. All the instruments playing always something, filling the mix. Few light, soft sections, a constant and unsparing flux of sound. Is that it? 

Also, we might be thinking on different kinds of heaviness, but do you really think that Images and Words is a heavy album?

[noxon]

No, what i mean is that the songs are more like images and words in terms of the rhythms and notes played, but the volume and the power of the allover sound (it's very busy, very loud) of the album is what makes us think it's heavy.

[nikatapi]

I completely understand your point about hearing fatigue. I had the same issue with The Enemy Inside, where i almost didn't like it at all at the beginning since it was a tiring listen.

After many listens though, i enjoy it very much. Hopefully this won't be an issue with the album since i know what to expect.

[Meatrose]

No, what i mean is that the songs are more like images and words in terms of the rhythms and notes played, but the volume and the power of the allover sound (it's very busy, very loud) of the album is what makes us think it's heavy.

I definitely agree with you. 

[Estiui]

I completely understand your point about hearing fatigue. I had the same issue with The Enemy Inside, where i almost didn't like it at all at the beginning since it was a tiring listen.

After many listens though, i enjoy it very much. Hopefully this won't be an issue with the album since i know what to expect.

Yeah, same here, but I think that it is also because of the type of song, a very direct and heavy song, which is full of riffing, high volume, and constantly percussive.

[noxon]

Estiui: The album keeps up that volume and and constant barrage of sound for at least the first four songs (and in actuality most of the album), so...

[Estiui]

Estiui: The album keeps up that volume and and constant barrage of sound for at least the first four songs (and in actuality most of the album), so...

I think that I&W is a fatiguing album because of its sound (production, whatever) but not because of its content. Anyway, we'll just have to wait until September 24th

[chudm]

No, what i mean is that the songs are more like images and words in terms of the rhythms and notes played, but the volume and the power of the allover sound (it's very busy, very loud) of the album is what makes us think it's heavy.

so lets hope the hd tracks / vinyl sounds much better right? 

For me the HD tracks of ADTOE sounds great! even better than my vinyl cause we dont hear any noises from the vinyl being played 

[Dark Castle]

No, what i mean is that the songs are more like images and words in terms of the rhythms and notes played, but the volume and the power of the allover sound (it's very busy, very loud) of the album is what makes us think it's heavy.

so lets hope the hd tracks / vinyl sounds much better right? 

For me the HD tracks of ADTOE sounds great! even better than my vinyl cause we dont hear any noises from the vinyl being played 

But hearing the noise of the record being played is one of the best parts D:

[wasteland]

You vintage people

I hope they will eventually make the HD tracks available to those who can't afford the ultra deluxe edition, too 

[Whatsername]

^ This. I would love the HD tracks but I don't have the money for the super spiffy special version.

[illusionist]

Guys,what kind of emotions did the album provoke to you?I am asking Noxon,Cyberdrummer and Meatrose who have listened to the whole album.Would you say it's an emotional album or a technical one?And finally,is there any part that could cause tears to the listener(of joy,sadness,thrill or any kind,just pure emotion)?

[hefdaddy42]

I think that I&W is a fatiguing album because of its sound (production, whatever)

Never heard this one before.

[GasparXR]

I think that I&W is a fatiguing album because of its sound (production, whatever)

Never heard this one before.

You've never heard Images and Words before? Shame on you!

[hefdaddy42]

[CodyWanKenobi]

Sorry Noxon, I didn't mean to start up the hoard of questions! 

[noxon]

Sorry Noxon, I didn't mean to start up the hoard of questions! 

I really don't mind. For the past three albums i've released lengthy reviews that have been discussed here many weeks before release, unfortunately this time I've had to delay that review release due to request from the record company. I'm not being restrained from answering questions though.

Guys,what kind of emotions did the album provoke to you?I am asking Noxon,Cyberdrummer and Meatrose who have listened to the whole album.Would you say it's an emotional album or a technical one?And finally,is there any part that could cause tears to the listener(of joy,sadness,thrill or any kind,just pure emotion)?

It's an emotional album, but not because of sadness, more because of, well, complimentary sets of emotions. There's paranoia and self doubt and cries for help in some songs, displayed through angry songs (Enemy Inside being one of them). Then there are the "answer" in songs that provide solace, guidance and comfort, and these songs are more uplifting and spiritual. So it's kinda an emotional roller coaster.

[Edson Wilton]

I am very interested in the lyrics of Surrender to Reason ... Based on the comments here, it will probably be my favorite track on the album.

[Hanz Gruber]

I actually found the " karma starts the signal " moment in Breaking All illusions to be an anti-climax

It almost comes out of nowhere and then the song ends almost immediately after.

It *always* sounds like there should be one more line of lyrics after that...

Agreed. I kinda have the same problem with Outcry. Great songs, could've ended better.

Agreed.  I thought I was the only one.  I kind of wish they didn't add those lines in those 2 songs.  They felt out of place....I would have rather them just ended.

[wolven74]

Then there are the "answer" in songs that provide solace, guidance and comfort, and these songs are more uplifting and spiritual.

This makes me very happy. The spiritual side of DT has always been my favorite aspect of their music.

[wasteland]

On this page: Noxon releases opinions causing dt-boners to younger users, strokes to the fogeys. 

This is shaping up to be a very promising album. I am expecially drawn by the "emotional rollercoaster" remark. That's usually what does it for e, when it comes to music (or cinema).

[matte.braso]

I am expecially drawn by the "emotional rollercoaster" remark.

me too!!

[Flacracker]

Noxon, please tell me this album is shit so that I can not be so anxious. Make it convincing too. 7000 words please.

[GasparXR]

I definitely like that comment, but I distinctly remember JP describing ADTOE the same way. It's not a bad thing, since ADTOE, as an entire album, is a great listening experience, but it's not like it's anything they haven't done before. I would go as far to describe most of their albums that way.

[adastra]

It's denser. It's more "wall of sound"-ish. The songs themselves are actually much more "images and words" in heavyness if you just listen to what the instruments actually do (melodywise).

I was hoping for more melodic stuff :3 Like Take The Time pt.2 !

[ToT-147]

Here's my question to the guys:

This is more an "objective" one, since I know the problems that implicates the other type of questions like "How would you rank...", "How was the mastering?", "How were the vocals?" or "It is better than..."... The answers to that depends on your memory AND taste... This of mine only depends on your memory:

In how many tracks the name of the song it's said?... I mean, obviously, excepting FAS and EM... With TEI we already have one... How many more, and which ones, that you remember?...

'Cause in ADTOE they did it in every song... Maybe it sounds like something irrelevant, but I think you can answer frankly on this question...

[noxon]

in every one except illumination theory and the instrumentals, the song names are prominently displayed as the centerpiece of the chorus.

[Lucidity]

in every one except illumination theory and the instrumentals, the song names are prominently displayed as the centerpiece of the chorus.

Damn. I hate how DT always does that.