Along for the Ride Discussion Thread

[The Stray Seed]

The song is a masterpiece, I can't explain how much I like it. It's the perfect balance between technical ability and melody. There's so much care in its arrangement... And also, it really feels very organic and free from the "pointless show-off syndrome". You can listen to it by using different keys: it is catchy and straightforward enough to attract the attention of average listeners but at the same time it's so deep and technically executed to really satisfy those who look for complexity and originality. I am amazed. To me, it's like SFAM that meets I&W, but with a fresh and surprising sound to it.

[chwik]

The song is a masterpiece, I can't explain how much I like it. It's the perfect balance between technical ability and melody. There's so much care in its arrangement... And also, it really feels very organic and free from the "pointless show-off syndrome". You can listen to it by using different keys: it is catchy and straightforward enough to attract the attention of average listeners but at the same time it's so deep and technically executed to really satisfy those who look for complexity and originality. I am amazed. To me, it's like SFAM that meets I&W, but with a fresh and surprising sound to it.

Well said sir! 

[wasteland]

Well said, Marco! I don't feel it's a masterpiece myself, but it's still a very good song that will be even better when we get to listen to the album around it. 

[wolfking]

After my first listen, the song really did nothing for me to be honest.  I think it has potential and hopefully will work better in the context of the album.  Disappointing after the awesome TEI.

[nicbor87]

After my first listen, the song really did nothing for me to be honest.  I think it has potential and hopefully will work better in the context of the album.  Disappointing after the awesome TEI.

I'm kinda hoping the same thing now. It reminds me of The Answer Lies Within: A nice filler/breather but not really outstanding on it's own. It's better than TALW, but the more I listen to it the more I feel alienated by the solo. It sounds... forced and inappropriate. This is probably going to be one of the more controversial DT12 songs.

[Metabog]

Is it possible that the reason for the continued loudness is that Petrucci and crew listen to the mix on a world-class sound system in the studio, thereby distorting their idea of the way the mix will sound to the masses?

The first thing they teach you about recording is to listen to your music on the crappiest speaker you can find. If you can make it sound good on that, it'll sound good on anything.

Where did you pull that from... 

[commanderbob]

This song literally makes my soul happy.  It's just what I needed right now.  It's great musically and great lyrically.  It's sorta corny and I like that.  If these are the singles, which are usually inferior to the rest of the tracks, this album may be entering my I&W/Awake/SFAM/SDOIT pantheon.

[RodrigoAltaf]

What does TITL stand fir again?

This Is The Life (ADTOE). We really do take our acronym knowledge for granted.

Oh I get it now...thanks! 

I don´t know why, but somehow the chorus of Along for the RIde reminds me of the part on A Nightmare to Remember where James sings "In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake... And all of the panic inside starts to fade...Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony."

Does anyone else feel that connection?

[wasteland]

I do, definitely! And I noticed on my first run through the song!

[Elaitch]

Seeing as this apparently the closest to a ballad on the album according to JP, and TEI was really balls-to-the-wall, I feel like we've been presented with two opposite sides of the spectrum regarding the new album. And if it is indeed the boundaries within the album operates, I'm getting more confident that this will be a great experience

[Kotowboy]

Can barely hear any cymbals. . . Hope they're more prominent on the CD.

[ResultsMayVary]

Yeah I also heard the 5.1 mix.

I can't be bothered to read all 9 pages that I missed overnight, but I'll just address the point I've seen made a few times about MM not bringing anything new to DT drumming: just wait...

Yea, everyone seems to be jumping to ridiculous conclusions (not necessarily just people on this board, but the whole online community in general).

[Kotowboy]

Maybe because MM plays for the song and not LOL HERTA FILL GOES HERE

[RodrigoAltaf]

Bottom line for me after a few listens: it's nothing new, but I like it a lot. Actually, their best "ballad" for me since Solitary Shell. And I have nothing to backup my statement aside from personal taste.

[Zydar]

I haven't really dug any of their ballads for the last couple of albums, and this isn't an exception either. Maybe it'll grow on me, with time.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

After listening to this with fresh ears, I've come to the following conclusion:

The mix really hurts this song, much more than it hurts The Enemy Inside. I mean, TEI is a metal song that sounds right in your face...so that works in some way, but this one...no, not this one! Mangini does some incredible hi-hat work in the second verse and is barely noticeable, JLB is doing some amazing vocal harmonies but they are buried deep down; and Rudess' atmospheres are incredible but, again, are not as in the front as I'd like them to be....Well, that's me. Either way the song is, indeed, excellent and very tasteful.

[ResultsMayVary]

The more I listen to this, the more it reminds me of Surrounded. Especially right after the drums/distorted guitar come in. That riff is very Surrounded-ish.

[Meatrose]

After listening to this with fresh ears, I've come to the following conclusion:

The mix really hurts this song, much more than it hurts The Enemy Inside. I mean, TEI is a metal song that sounds right in your face...so that works in some way, but this one...no, not this one! Mangini does some incredible hi-hat work in the second verse and is barely noticeable, JLB is doing some amazing vocal harmonies but they are buried deep down; and Rudess' atmospheres are incredible but, again, are not as in the front as I'd like them to be....Well, that's me. Either way the song is, indeed, excellent and very tasteful.

I'm getting the feeling this album is meant to be experienced in 5.1 and not in stereo. Might explain why they only booked venues with 5.1 systems for the listening parties.

Edit: Then again, crippling the stereo mix would be a stupid decision no matter how you look at it since the vast majority of listeners will experience the album in stereo. The reason why they booked 5.1 venues is probably simply the fact they wanted to show off the 5.1 mix.

[krieger]

The song is a masterpiece, I can't explain how much I like it. It's the perfect balance between technical ability and melody. There's so much care in its arrangement... And also, it really feels very organic and free from the "pointless show-off syndrome". You can listen to it by using different keys: it is catchy and straightforward enough to attract the attention of average listeners but at the same time it's so deep and technically executed to really satisfy those who look for complexity and originality. I am amazed. To me, it's like SFAM that meets I&W, but with a fresh and surprising sound to it.

I agree! If I must say just one word for this song, I would say "mature". The keyboard solo is so bold...

[zepp-head]

Great song, but seriously what the hell is going on with the snare.

[wolven74]

Can barely hear any cymbals. . . Hope they're more prominent on the CD.

I have a feeling this is soundcloud's fault. I had the same issue with TEI when it was streamed. Then I bought the single on iTunes and it was fine.

[Zukuduku]

After the first listen of the song I was not so thrilled, but now I can say that this is excellent. Not too much surprises, but solid work in all areas. Composing, execution, feeling, vocals. No complaints here!

And it's really starting to feel that there's something wrong with my ears. I just can't hear these problems with the sound and production that people are complaining about. The same with TEI. The mix is loud but works great to me at least.

[Whatsername]

And it's really starting to feel that there's something wrong with my ears. I just can't hear these problems with the sound and production that people are complaining about. The same with TEI. The mix is loud but works great to me at least.

I think it might be that we don't know what to listen for? At least that's the case for me. I wouldn't complain though! I'm happy not hearing these production faults that are apparently evident to other people.

I feel really bad for everyone who can hear those issues, because it's probably maddening to want to like a song but basically be hindered by those sorts of issues.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Any idea as to when this would be available on iTunes?

[OsMosis2259]

What I don't get is why aren't they putting the HIGHEST quality on Soundcloud? The Enemy Inside on iTunes sounds so much better...I'm sure Along For the Ride will too.

Is it like a strategy so that people will buy the actual album/song?

If I were the artist (5-6 months in studio and all that hard work), I'd want to represent a single (the first thing that fan is going to hear) the best possible way so a shi* storm like this doesn't happen. Seriously in so many forums, I haven't seen this much negativity for a DT song.

I don't think the issue is Soundcloud. I've listened to a lot of songs on there and they sound great. A lot of bands can upload the highest quality WAV file on there. Not sure why DT/Roadrunner or whoever isn't doing the same 

[TL]

Speaking for myself, I'm a drummer, and so whether I intend to or not, I tend to pay a lot of attention to the rhythm section in music. I know what Mike Mangini is capable of, and when you really focus you can hear some really cool stuff that he's doing, but it also makes it that much more frustrating how badly his performance is hindered by the mastering, and by a weird choice of snare for a song like this.

I'll admit, at times, I am jealous of people who aren't bothered by these things.

[Implode]

To all people that think it's Soundcloud causing the bad quality: Soundcloud can stream very high quality audio. The quality is horrible because that's what the band uploaded, though I'm not sure exactly why they'd do that.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Speaking for myself, I'm a drummer, and so whether I intend to or not, I tend to pay a lot of attention to the rhythm section in music. I know what Mike Mangini is capable of, and when you really focus you can hear some really cool stuff that he's doing, but it also makes it that much more frustrating how badly his performance is hindered by the mastering, and by a weird choice of snare for a song like this.

I'll admit, at times, I am jealous of people who aren't bothered by these things.

Ignorance is bliss!

[Siddhartha]

I love the song, but hate the mixing and production.

The one thing I dislike the most are the effects in James vocals. 

[nikatapi]

Speaking for myself, I'm a drummer, and so whether I intend to or not, I tend to pay a lot of attention to the rhythm section in music. I know what Mike Mangini is capable of, and when you really focus you can hear some really cool stuff that he's doing, but it also makes it that much more frustrating how badly his performance is hindered by the mastering, and by a weird choice of snare for a song like this.

I'll admit, at times, I am jealous of people who aren't bothered by these things.

Couldn't agree more. There is some really great stuff going on, some very clever cymbal work which once again like in ADTOE is a little buried. On top of that, you get that horrific bass drum and snare sound, which i think is probably triggered although i know how consistent MM is with his hits.

If only we could get a more organic and real drum sound, it's a pity really since MM is an incredible and dynamic player, but i think from what we've heard so far, dynamics are non existent on the drums, because of the mixing-mastering (and probable triggering of the drums).

[Ultimetalhead]

I listened to the Dutch stream just now, and the song just clicked for me, like big time. Fantastic stuff. Drums sound great, JP's lead around 2 minutes in is awesome (dat rhythm), and that chorus is sending chills down my spine every time now.

[OsMosis2259]

To all people that think it's Soundcloud causing the bad quality: Soundcloud can stream very high quality audio. The quality is horrible because that's what the band uploaded, though I'm not sure exactly why they'd do that.

This

[me7]

We should start some sort of petition to make Jens Bogren mix and master the next DT album. The work he did for Leprous' Coal and Haken's The Mountain is amazing.

[OsMosis2259]

We should start some sort of petition to make Jens Bogren mix and master the next DT album. The work he did for Leprous' Coal and Haken's The Mountain is amazing.

Totally agree. The last two Labrie solo albums sound great too.

[deadtotheworld]

What the hell happened to my favourite band? Really didnt like this new one. I liked the enemy inside a lot apart from some sounds Jordan used - I got totally flamed for that haha but again this JR solo stinks for me.  My wife walked in during the solo and to quote her "whats this? It sounds like a shitty 80s computer game"
I didnt like any of the last album - i just wish DT had taken the extended break that Portnoy suggested (and not left) They just seem so uninspiring these days.

There i said it. Flame on!