Track by Track Interview with JLB and JP

[jonny108]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQ6egJDqQo

I should also say that The Enemy Inside plays for the first and last 10 secs on the video.

[theseoafs]

Yeahhhh, this is what I've been waiting for.  Watching now.

[Jaffa]

Yeahhhh, this is what I've been waiting for.  Watching now.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Are the first and last ten seconds the only parts with new music? I don't want to accidentally hear it.

[Kotowboy]

I love these not only before hearing the album - but going back to once you are familiar with the album as well.

[Tom Bombadil]

That was awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[theseoafs]

Are the first and last ten seconds the only parts with new music? I don't want to accidentally hear it.

Yep, go for it.

[Jaffa]

I think this raised my excitement level for just about every song on the album.

[Lolzeez]

I think this raised my excitement level for just about every song on the album.

Same here. 

[mikeyd23]

I think this raised my excitement level for just about every song on the album.

Oh yeah!!!   

[RMGadelha]

Is it just me or the key of TEI in the beginning is different? Or maybe I'm crazy and it's just a very low quality version?

[KevShmev]

Very nice! Definitely got me a bit more excited about hearing the new album.

And did anyone else smile when JP was praising JLB's vocals in glowing terms?  It sure is a refreshing change to hear an outspoken member of the band singing his praises, pun intended.

[Estiui]

Is it just me or the key of TEI in the beginning is different? Or maybe I'm crazy and it's just a very low quality version?

I've noticed that too, really weird.

[Lucidity]

This got me most excited for The Looking Glass and Enigma Machine.

[RMGadelha]

Also, we now know that Jordan utilizes the Seaboard at least in the beginning of Behind the Veil.

[theseoafs]

Very interested that Enigma Machine got its name from a "spy movie"-like sound.  I'm trying to imagine what that's like but I just keep coming up with the Machine Impossible theme.

[BlackInk]

I think this raised my excitement level for just about every song on the album.

Actually this for me too. Even though this looks like it's turning out to be a middle-of-the-list Dream Theater album (of course I could be wrong but that's just how I'm feeling right now) they actually described some cool stuff I really hope will sound equally as good on the album.

[mikeyd23]

And did anyone else smile when JP was praising JLB's vocals in glowing terms?  It sure is a refreshing change to hear an outspoken member of the band singing his praises, pun intended.

Yep! I was thinking that exact thing watching the video... Really refreshing to hear that sort of thing!

[RMGadelha]

"James just sings the hell out of the next part"

[Outcrier]

FAS: Cinematic and dramatic sound, real strings...
TEI: O rly?
The Looking Glass: One of the two songs with totally diferent vibes from the rest. "Arena rock with the big guitar riff" major kind of sound but with some very nice progressive moments.
Enigma Machine: Everyone solos in it, even James LaBrie (nah). Petrucci describes it has having a sort of a spy movie sound to it so the band named it Enigma Machine (a machine used in Germany to decode messages and stuff during war).
The Bigger Picture: Classic progressive beautiful, through pop influenced...some of the best vocals moments in the album. They really proud of it, definitely a centerpiece of the album.
Behind The Veil: The intro is done by Jordan using Seaboard, then comes a heavy Metallica/Megadeth riff that instantly grabs the listener. Favorite Petrucci solo in the album.
Surrender To Reason: 1st song written for the album, the only one with Myung lyrics. Very identifiable recurring riff, very beautiful (LaBrie describes everything as BEAUTIFUL  ) epic opening chorus.
Guitar solo: right in your face (yes, you can grab it), the bass is really loud, really raw late night at the smoking club thing (?)... Petrucci it
Along For The Ride: The 2nd song with totally diferent vibe from the rest. Almost like a new anthem to DT... has this free spirit, sing along kind of sound, Petrucci can picture everybody singing it live at the concert.
Illumination Theory: Almost could have been the name of the album but, musically, it sucks (nah²)

[krands85]

Awesome, thanks for posting 

[dparrott]

I think this raised my excitement level for just about every song on the album.

Me too!

BTV: New age keyboards into a Megadeth riff?!?!   

[Lucien]

So, The Looking Glass is like Rush's Limelight?

[425]

So exciting! This is definitely sounding like a new DT classic. Definitely sounds more experimental than ADTOE, just from their descriptions. 19 days!

[Whatsername]

String part with bass and drums and James singing the hell out of the next part?! Illumination Theory is gonna blow my mind.

[GalacticGuitarist87]

I totally called Surrender to Reason as the Myung song in another thread the other day

[TheGreatPretender]

The Bigger Picture: Classic progressive beautiful, through pop influenced...some of the best vocals moments in the album. They really proud of it, definitely a centerpiece of the album.

See? It's the center piece because it's in the center of the album! 

[Tis BOOLsheet]

My excitement for Looking Glass plummeted with the words "arena rock" coming from John Petrucci's mouth. For me, the most anticipated are Surrender to Reason and Enigma Machine now.

[TheGreatPretender]

My excitement for Looking Glass plummeted with the words "arena rock" coming from John Petrucci's mouth. For me, the most anticipated are Surrender to Reason and Enigma Machine now.

My excitement for Looking Glass skyrocketed with the words "arena rock". I can't wait to hear it! Something big, melodic and bombastic from DT sounds like heaven.

[Orthogonal]

Maybe it's just me but it's kind of odd to hear James, not John, speak up about how they wanted to do new instrumental pieces on this album.

[TheGreatPretender]

Maybe it's just me but it's kind of odd to hear James, not John, speak up about how they wanted to do new instrumental pieces on this album.

Well, now that James has become a much more prominent spokesperson for the album, it's kind of cool.

[Bolsters]

Best interview so far. The lyrics to The Looking Glass could be interesting or cringe-worthy, can't wait to find out which.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

My excitement for Looking Glass plummeted with the words "arena rock" coming from John Petrucci's mouth. For me, the most anticipated are Surrender to Reason and Enigma Machine now.

My excitement for Looking Glass skyrocketed with the words "arena rock". I can't wait to hear it! Something big, melodic and bombastic from DT sounds like heaven.

I could pretty much use the words "big, bombastic, and melodic" to describe a ton of DT's catalogue, and many of the songs therein wouldn't be good. Those terms are incredibly broad and could apply to a huge number of songs. It pretty much tells you nothing about whether the song will be good or bad. DT playing arena rock on the other hand sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen. I pray I'm wrong because I was really looking forward to that song.

[(nothing)]

Amen.

edit: that refers to the interview, not the above post

[TheGreatPretender]

I could pretty much use the words "big, bombastic, and melodic" to describe a ton of DT's catalogue, and many of the songs therein wouldn't be good.

Whatever songs you're thinking of, I'm sure they're awesome.

DT playing arena rock on the other hand sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

Why? Arena rock in itself is awesome. If DT wants to make an anthem, I don't see why they couldn't. And frankly, "anthem" is not something I could describe very many DT songs, and I think it's about time we had something that would be one.