Along for the Ride Discussion Thread

[Outcrier]

I'm gonna say it again: Just wait till we can hear the entire album.

[MoraWintersoul]

I'm still not into this song. There's loads of nice stuff going on but I can't feel it at all.

[Outcrier]

THIS IS NOT the DT I signed up for! If I want mainstream pop ballads, there's millions of places to go for that. DT "was" one of a kind. No More!

Lol man, this SIGNED UP FOR thing is pretty silly...It's their music, they do what they want to do.
Also, there is no "well of creativity" were they can go and infinitely make songs or albums that are great as their classic ones.

[BlobVanDam]

I'm gonna say it again: Just wait till we can hear the entire album.

That wouldn't change the song, regardless of how it fits into the album.

[noxon]

After the 12th album you'd think people would've caught on to the fact that DT has a significant amount of ballads in their catalogue, at least one or two on each album...

[chwik]

After the 12th album you'd think people would've caught on to the fact that DT has a significant amount of ballads in their catalogue, at least one or two on each album...

I'm not surprised...as the late great Albert Einstein said "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

[noxon]

I personally know a few people that like DT -only- for their ballads and calmer songs...

[aprilethereal]

First impression: Meh.
Second impression: Actually, this is rather good.
Third impression: "I believe", "Knowing that nothing is stronger than faith". Uh-oh...

What's wrong with that?

[hefdaddy42]

I would hesitate to describe the lyrics as Christian.  They aren't a "Christian" band, and Neal Morse isn't writing their lyrics.  I don't think they are specific enough in any way to be described as Christian.

Although I may run this past the music director at my church.   

[JLa]

Listened once. Won't listen again until album is out. First impression: not really my cup of tea, but then again, I don't love each and every DT song. TEI was far better, so I'm still looking forward to the album. 

[nicbor87]

I would hesitate to describe the lyrics as Christian.  They aren't a "Christian" band, and Neal Morse isn't writing their lyrics.  I don't think they are specific enough in any way to be described as Christian.

Although I may run this past the music director at my church.   

As JP mentioned in the Grammy interview, it was inspired by the Boston bombing - Accepting that you can't turn back time and have to accept certain things as given, and moving on.

[chwik]

First impression: Meh.
Second impression: Actually, this is rather good.
Third impression: "I believe", "Knowing that nothing is stronger than faith". Uh-oh...

"I can't stop the world from turning around
Or the pull of the moon on the tide"

Seems pretty evolutionary to me....

[sylvinception]

OMG!!
This song is absolutely awful.

Well...I didn't like "This is the life", but I love ADTOE, so I keep the faith!!

[Podaar]

IMO, AFTR is just a regurgitation of Beneath The Surface. Completely uninspired, mundane and boring. What has happened to the band I loved since '95?

Uh...was around in the 70's and absolutely LOVE(D) and still love ELP & Yes, so there goes that wasted theory. I don't mean it "sounds" the same as BTS (which I loved, BTW), it's the breathy vocals, the same sentiment, basically NOTHING NEW!

THIS IS NOT the DT I signed up for! If I want mainstream pop ballads, there's millions of places to go for that. DT "was" one of a kind. No More!

Oh the irony.

Dude, read the lyrics to the song title posted as your user name. Enjoy them. Comprehend them.

[puppyonacid]

Nice enough song. I like the melody. It's very strong IMO and has a lilting quality. The drum sound isn't to my taste and I wish JR had gone for a piano solo rather than the moog sound which I've never been a fan of.

I think it's ok. It's not representative of the band in the way that many of the classics are but then, it's not supposed to be. It's just a facet of the band. Here they show really nice restraint and an ability to just write a nice tune. Even then though.............the bass under JRs solo! I do like!

In isolation perhaps it seems like a weird choice for a single. I think it'll sit nicely on the album though. I think some of the criticism is beyond harsh.

[snapple]

So, we're complaining about the mix on a soundcloud stream? Oh jesus

[noxon]

They're not a christian band as such, but there's no hiding the fact that there's a certain type of religiosity or spirituality that has permeated the lyrics ever since the beginning. But as I said in my review, even when they're spiritual lyrics, they're usually written in a manner that allows the listener to add their own meaning to them. You can choose to interpret "along for the ride" to be about fate and outside guidance, or you can choose to interpret it in a humanitarian way (if we all come together it's going to be allright in the end).

[puppyonacid]

So, we're complaining about the mix on a soundcloud stream? Oh jesus

Who is? I'm not. The drums sound a bit triggery. I'm not a fan.

[aprilethereal]

So, we're complaining about the mix on a soundcloud stream? Oh jesus

The mix is exactly the same as the one we will hear on the album. The stream's quality might suck, but that doesn't change the mix.

[snapple]

They're not a christian band as such, but there's no hiding the fact that there's a certain type of religiosity or spirituality that has permeated the lyrics ever since the beginning. But as I said in my review, even when they're spiritual lyrics, they're usually written in a manner that allows the listener to add their own meaning to them. You can choose to interpret "along for the ride" to be about fate and outside guidance, or you can choose to interpret it in a humanitarian way (if we all come together it's going to be allright in the end).

That's how I took it.

[RodrigoAltaf]

They're not a christian band as such, but there's no hiding the fact that there's a certain type of religiosity or spirituality that has permeated the lyrics ever since the beginning. But as I said in my review, even when they're spiritual lyrics, they're usually written in a manner that allows the listener to add their own meaning to them. You can choose to interpret "along for the ride" to be about fate and outside guidance, or you can choose to interpret it in a humanitarian way (if we all come together it's going to be allright in the end).

Dude, spot on doesn´t even begin to describe this post.

[MoraWintersoul]

The problem is that this ambiguity that's created by this writing method often prevents me to fully enjoy DT's lyrics. Most of them, especially nowadays and especially by JP, are like "we all have problems with A, B, C but with a faith in your strength/God/the faith your loved ones give you/ALL AT ONCE, INTERPRET IT AS YOU LIKE, you can learn to overcome/make peace with thing A, B, C". Nothing is specific and no place for me to put my heart into. And when they get specific, they get a little too Wiki-specific (SDOIT).

Like, if maybe a few lyrics were about strong religious beliefs, which is completely fine, especially considering (I think) all of them except JLB are religious (and JLB described himself as spiritual and said he thinks there's a higher consciousness and purpose outside this mortal world) I might not be able to connect with them but I would find they are more convincing than the general ambiguous lyrics about hardships.

[chwik]

The problem is that this ambiguity that's created by this writing method often prevents me to fully enjoy DT's lyrics. Most of them, especially nowadays and especially by JP, are like "we all have problems with A, B, C but with a faith in your strength/God/the faith your loved ones give you/ALL AT ONCE, INTERPRET IT AS YOU LIKE, you can learn to overcome/make peace with thing A, B, C". Nothing is specific and no place for me to put my heart into. And when they get specific, they get a little too Wiki-specific (SDOIT).

Like, if maybe a few lyrics were about strong religious beliefs, which is completely fine, especially considering (I think) all of them except JLB are religious (and JLB described himself as spiritual and said he thinks there's a higher consciousness and purpose outside this mortal world) I might not be able to connect with them but I would find they are more convincing than the general ambiguous lyrics about hardships.

I believe that it is in JP's nature not to step on anybody's toes on these subjects, hence the vague writhing method. I think it is a wise and conscious business decision.

[emtee]

Charter music is now playing TEI and as far as the sonics ( may sound different on the CD) there is still very little distinction
between kick, snare and toms. It just sounds like a bigger drum tuned the same. I know it's not MM's choice but for a
band that showcases the drums so much, the sound is an odd one for sure. I'll just have to wait until I get that CD in my hands.

[nicbor87]

The problem is that this ambiguity that's created by this writing method often prevents me to fully enjoy DT's lyrics. Most of them, especially nowadays and especially by JP, are like "we all have problems with A, B, C but with a faith in your strength/God/the faith your loved ones give you/ALL AT ONCE, INTERPRET IT AS YOU LIKE, you can learn to overcome/make peace with thing A, B, C". Nothing is specific and no place for me to put my heart into. And when they get specific, they get a little too Wiki-specific (SDOIT).

Like, if maybe a few lyrics were about strong religious beliefs, which is completely fine, especially considering (I think) all of them except JLB are religious (and JLB described himself as spiritual and said he thinks there's a higher consciousness and purpose outside this mortal world) I might not be able to connect with them but I would find they are more convincing than the general ambiguous lyrics about hardships.

I'm all fine with the "Overcoming hard times" theme as long as they refrain from the political statement stuff aka The Great Debate/Prophets of War/On the Backs of Angels/Outcry. For some reason I'm having a really hard time enjoying this type of lyrics.

[Jaq]

Okay, everyone who said this song sounded like BTS again since the last time I posted in this thread, line up for your smacking. 

Do me a favor.

Go play BTS. Then listen to this. I suspect 90% of the people who are saying JR lifted the solo of BTS, line for line, for AFTR actually haven't heard it in a while, and they just remember the synth patch he used. AFTR doesn't sound like BTS, unless you turn your head sideways into nugget land. And if you guys think this is a pop song, you haven't listened to the radio for a while.

I like the song. I have a feeling when the dust settles that it's going to be this album's TITL for me, the least good song, but some of the criticisms of it are flat out ridiculous. If you dislike it for well articulated reasons, fine. If you dislike it because JR used a synth patch again or you think it means DT has gone pop, then you're being ridiculous.

[Implode]

After a few days, I think it's safe to say that this song does't really excite me. That being said, I'm not any less excited for the album.

Also, I agree that this sound doesn't have much in common with BTS. That might be my favorite track off of ADTOE.

[OsMosis2259]

Seriously sounds nothing like BtS besides the same patch used in JR solo...

[Systematik88]

Everyone knows that when Jordan solos he usually uses that guitar/synth sound on heavier songs..right? So if he uses that patch more than once then whats the big deal of this sound showing up for the 2nd time in DT history?

[nicbor87]

Okay, everyone who said this song sounded like BTS again since the last time I posted in this thread, line up for your smacking. 

Do me a favor.

Go play BTS. Then listen to this. I suspect 90% of the people who are saying JR lifted the solo of BTS, line for line, for AFTR actually haven't heard it in a while, and they just remember the synth patch he used. AFTR doesn't sound like BTS, unless you turn your head sideways into nugget land. And if you guys think this is a pop song, you haven't listened to the radio for a while.

I like the song. I have a feeling when the dust settles that it's going to be this album's TITL for me, the least good song, but some of the criticisms of it are flat out ridiculous. If you dislike it for well articulated reasons, fine. If you dislike it because JR used a synth patch again or you think it means DT has gone pop, then you're being ridiculous.

I can't listen right now so this is from memory, but the beginning of the AFTR solo is a portion of the BTS solo (not "sounds like" but "note by note"). The same thing happens at least one more time some seconds later. It eludes me how anyone could possibly not hear the similarity.

Note that this particular point doesn't even have anything to do with the patch! That just adds cream on the top.

[cyberdrummer]

Jordan on Twitter:

To all the great "experts" out there: The Soundcloud Along for the Ride stream is an audio teaser and quite low sound resolution! #critic

[JPX]

Okay, everyone who said this song sounded like BTS again since the last time I posted in this thread, line up for your smacking. 

Do me a favor.

Go play BTS. Then listen to this. I suspect 90% of the people who are saying JR lifted the solo of BTS, line for line, for AFTR actually haven't heard it in a while, and they just remember the synth patch he used. AFTR doesn't sound like BTS, unless you turn your head sideways into nugget land. And if you guys think this is a pop song, you haven't listened to the radio for a while.

I like the song. I have a feeling when the dust settles that it's going to be this album's TITL for me, the least good song, but some of the criticisms of it are flat out ridiculous. If you dislike it for well articulated reasons, fine. If you dislike it because JR used a synth patch again or you think it means DT has gone pop, then you're being ridiculous.

Let's break this down simply here, because comparing them side by side is the best way (per your suggestion)

- Beneath the Surface is a true ballad. There are no drums and there is only acoustic guitar. Along for the Ride is more along the lines of an atypical DT "power ballad" ala About To Crash or This is the Life.
- Beneath the Surface has a melancholy feel whereas Along for the Ride has a much more positive, major feel.
- Jame's intro vocals are similar on both but after that, there is a definite deviation in delivery and tone.
- Neither have guitar solo sections whereas Along for the Ride does have a guitar bridge or sorts.
- The keyboard solo's are painfully similar and this is where my issue lies. If you want to argue that they aren't close then you're just in denial. Not only is it almost the exact same patch, the phrasing in parts may even be exact. To me this is exacerbated by the fact that Beneath the Surface was from THEIR LAST RECORD and if you look at the tracks sequentially, they are separated by 8 songs.

[lyfeternl]

Jordan on Twitter:

To all the great "experts" out there: The Soundcloud Along for the Ride stream is an audio teaser and quite low sound resolution! #critic

Perhaps this'll shut up all of these Negative Nancy fans that aren't ever just plain satisfied with anything

[MoraWintersoul]

The problem is that this ambiguity that's created by this writing method often prevents me to fully enjoy DT's lyrics. Most of them, especially nowadays and especially by JP, are like "we all have problems with A, B, C but with a faith in your strength/God/the faith your loved ones give you/ALL AT ONCE, INTERPRET IT AS YOU LIKE, you can learn to overcome/make peace with thing A, B, C". Nothing is specific and no place for me to put my heart into. And when they get specific, they get a little too Wiki-specific (SDOIT).

Like, if maybe a few lyrics were about strong religious beliefs, which is completely fine, especially considering (I think) all of them except JLB are religious (and JLB described himself as spiritual and said he thinks there's a higher consciousness and purpose outside this mortal world) I might not be able to connect with them but I would find they are more convincing than the general ambiguous lyrics about hardships.

I believe that it is in JP's nature not to step on anybody's toes on these subjects, hence the vague writhing method. I think it is a wise and conscious business decision.

I think it proves to be a wise business decision, but I believe it actually stems from JP's sincere desire to keep everybody involved (not that I would mind if it were conscious). It's just so JP, I have a hard time imagining him doing anything different, and it proves to work for a lot of people, just not for me.

Jordan on Twitter:

To all the great "experts" out there: The Soundcloud Along for the Ride stream is an audio teaser and quite low sound resolution! #critic

Oooooh nice one Jordan. Saw the chance and took it

Jordan on Twitter:

To all the great "experts" out there: The Soundcloud Along for the Ride stream is an audio teaser and quite low sound resolution! #critic

Perhaps this'll shut up all of these Negative Nancy fans that aren't ever just plain satisfied with anything

I didn't see much negative nancying here, just legit complaints about the sound. But the fact is that streams are low quality and that any problems with the sound are likely to be amplified ('scuse the pun) by the low quality.

[mikeyd23]

Jordan on Twitter:

To all the great "experts" out there: The Soundcloud Along for the Ride stream is an audio teaser and quite low sound resolution! #critic

Perhaps this'll shut up all of these Negative Nancy fans that aren't ever just plain satisfied with anything

Haha, whoa! Strong tweet from JR there!