Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[Podaar]

I'm really loving the run of songs from Enigma Machine through to Surrender to Reason - such great stuff.

And then of course IT is amazing.

Those are the highlights for me at the moment, but it's all good!

That must be 80% of the album! 

[Whatsername]

I'm really loving the run of songs from Enigma Machine through to Surrender to Reason - such great stuff.

Yup, although I'd add Along For The Ride there too. I'm a big fan in context of the album.

[ariich]

Popping in with another random observation that I had initially. The lead tones between JR and JP on Enigma Machine are very well matched and complimentary. Since this is nearly the only trade-off solo section in the album, please note that I said nearly, I find their choice very satisfying.

Just two on the album - in that song and then in Illumination Theory.

Interestingly, the same number of trade-offs as on BC&SL (one in ANTR and one in AROP) where people complained they were sick of DT over-using trade-offs.

[ariich]

I'm really loving the run of songs from Enigma Machine through to Surrender to Reason - such great stuff.

And then of course IT is amazing.

Those are the highlights for me at the moment, but it's all good!

That must be 80% of the album! 

Ok, good point. I guess that must make this a rather good album!

[mezzaIX]

He's not doing anything out of his comfort range. He's not stretching high or going real low. And while James sounds great (he really does), his performance isn't dynamic, range-wise, which is bothering me. Ray Alder does a similar thing on the new Fates Warning. Great performance, but not rangy AT ALL. Right in the same area for the entire record.

Not to sound rude, but did you hear that one section of IT?

That would be the exception that proves the rule.

[Whatsername]

He's not doing anything out of his comfort range. He's not stretching high or going real low. And while James sounds great (he really does), his performance isn't dynamic, range-wise, which is bothering me. Ray Alder does a similar thing on the new Fates Warning. Great performance, but not rangy AT ALL. Right in the same area for the entire record.

Not to sound rude, but did you hear that one section of IT?

That would be the exception that proves the rule.

Ah. I'm sorry people feel that way. I think he sounds amazing on this album, imo.

[Meatrose]

The big news might be that they are bringing a mini-orchestra with them on tour, ala Rush on the Clockwork Angels tour.  I could see it, given how much the orchestra is featured on the new album.  Plus, assuming they play Illumination Theory, having that middle section played live would be pretty cool, as opposed to it being triggered or Rudess doing it all on his keys live.  Imagine them ending one set with Illumination Theory and the other set with Octavarium.

Those of you who are thinking that the news could have something to do with them touring with an orchestra, I'm sorry to say this but I asked John (Petrucci) if "Eren and the string section would be 'Along For The Ride'" and his answer was (not an identical quote but it's pretty accurate at least): "That's a very good question. I think it would be very cool to do something like that for a special event or something but Eren's still in school and besides... actually touring with an orchestra would be really expensive. You know, we would have to feed them and stuff..." 

He obviously said it jokingly, especially that last part, but I couldn't interpret his answer any other way than that they had no such plans.

[Podaar]

I'm really loving the run of songs from Enigma Machine through to Surrender to Reason - such great stuff.

And then of course IT is amazing.

Those are the highlights for me at the moment, but it's all good!

That must be 80% of the album! 

Ok, good point. I guess that must make this a rather good album!

I mistakenly thought Looking Glass was included in that run so perhaps not 80%. Please forgive my playing fast and free with percentiles. 

[Samsara]

Not to sound rude, but did you hear that one section of IT?

Listen from 11:00 onward on IT... JLB slays the vocals. Hearing him get that high, dynamic, and passionate is truly awesome!

I have. Three times. That's not that high, and he almost cracks at one point. Cool he put a little grit in it, and yes, it gives it some dynamics, but that's really not enough.

[Orthogonal]

I imagine if they did have the orchestra, it would only be for one big event where they record it for a Live DVD or something, it's just way too expensive to have one travel and it's a logistical nightmare to find one locally around every venue to play. So, I think that idea is probably too good to be true.

Back to the album, does anyone else like TEI more now that they've heard the album? It was just a so-so run of the mill DT tune after I first heard it, but after hearing it in the context of the rest of the album, it's kicking my ass. One of the better songs on the album and not because the rest of the album is weak, I just like TEI a lot more now.

[wasteland]

his answer was (not an identical quote but it's pretty accurate at least): "That's a very good question. I think it would be very cool to do something like that for a special event or something but Eren's still in school and besides... actually touring with an orchestra would be really expensive. You know, we would have to feed them to me and stuff..." 

He obviously said it jokingly, especially that last part, but I couldn't interpret his answer any other way than that they had no such plans.

Man, you forgot the most important bit of the conversation.

[Samsara]

Ah. I'm sorry people feel that way. I think he sounds amazing on this album, imo.

He sounds good. He's in his comfort zone. Speaking for myself, I never said James sounded anything but good. But his voice isn't very dynamic on the record. No real highs, no real lows, and this has been the second DT record in a row and fifth if you count the last three solo records, where he's been about the same area, vocally.

Nothing that really stretches him in either direction. He sounds great, but not very dynamic.

[ronrule]

Illumination Theory...I like the 2nd half a lot.

But everybody lauding this song: do you like that first verse? Because I think it is terrible.

[Samsara]

Back to the album, does anyone else like TEI more now that they've heard the album?

Me. I really dig the tune now.

[wolven74]

I must say....

You're all making it very hard for me to resist listening to IT... It's the one track I haven't heard and intend to wait til next week to listen to. I don't think I've heard so much praise for any DT song, ever.

[dparrott]

re: orchestra live....that's what I thought.  Even if they had an orchestra, would JR do the sound effect break live?

[ariich]

Illumination Theory...I like the 2nd half a lot.

But everybody lauding this song: do you like that first verse? Because I think it is terrible.

The "consider this question" verse? I love it, it's got such a great groove and really sticks with me.

[GasparXR]

The part in Enigma Machine where the music suddenly gets very slow, definitely reminds of a similar section in YYZ by Rush as well as the section leading up to the volume swells in TCOT. Still not similar enough to consider it a ripoff, but definitely gave me that vibe.

[bosk1]

Okay, I promised news.  Here you go:  https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39047.0

[teclas]

This album is absolutely fantastic IMHO.  Every listen brings new things to enjoy: like that "jazz fusion piano" thing that JR does in IT.. or that bass line during the guitar solo in Surrender to Reason...great, great stuff.  I remember being 14 and discovering Dream Theater just when Awake was released (this really dates me).   Since that moment I've been expecting religiously single every DT release.  I remember vividely being blown away by ACOS, not so much by FII.  Being really pleased and borderline obsessive with SFAM, and so on.  By the time Octavarium came out I guess my taste in music changed a bit and I was into other things musically.  I listened to it, but it wasn't the same for me.  I didn't like the obvious Muse influence, band that I adored right at that time.    I felt for the first time that a DT album had filler songs.   I felt that they had a job to do, an album + big tour cycle every two years.   Consequently with every release after that I was like..meh .   

Still bought every album, dvd and even quite a few ytsejam bottlegs; Still remained a big fan but that initial excitement was somehow gone.  I really hit a low point in my relationship with  DT when BCASL was released.    ADTOE brought some of it back, but this baby here of an album had me travelling through time and recreate that excitement and giddiness that I had before. 

This album makes me happy, that's it.  I'm happy to see them inspired, to see that Mangini is the drummer they needed after MP left; happy  to witness how JP just keeps becoming a  bigger monster on the guitar with every album.   Happy to see JR becoming a real sonic backbone and stay away sometimes from those 1000000 notes per minute that he used so much before.   Happy to still have an amazing band sounding very focused and cohesive putting such epic songs.

These are great times .

[hefdaddy42]

Okay, I promised news.  Here you go:  https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39047.0

[GasparXR]

The IT easter egg just reminded me of this in a good way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBUb7b0DjNM

[Super Dude]

I just realized how best to describe my feelings about the album: I don't actually think any of the music is bad; it holds together...in a very improvised way. But part of that haphazardness and lack of truly standout moments (IT orchestral section excepted) means the whole album just kinda blurs together. I put it on from the beginning, I listen to the music for 70 or so minutes, and before I know it I'm already at the last track. The whole rest of the album is basically like white noise to me.

[Dark Castle]

Well for me, it goes by pretty fast too, but so does Images & Words, and I think that makes it even stronger, because I just want to put it right back on and dive into it.

My 2 cents at least

[KevShmev]

People who don't like FAS: Imagine this song in a live setting, lights go out and this tune immediately blasts out from the PA's. Hell, that's gonna be an amazing experience.

Oh, I don't doubt it; it's just not doing anything for me in the context of this new record.

The big news might be that they are bringing a mini-orchestra with them on tour, ala Rush on the Clockwork Angels tour.  I could see it, given how much the orchestra is featured on the new album.  Plus, assuming they play Illumination Theory, having that middle section played live would be pretty cool, as opposed to it being triggered or Rudess doing it all on his keys live.  Imagine them ending one set with Illumination Theory and the other set with Octavarium.

Those of you who are thinking that the news could have something to do with them touring with an orchestra, I'm sorry to say this but I asked John (Petrucci) if "Eren and the string section would be 'Along For The Ride'" and his answer was (not an identical quote but it's pretty accurate at least): "That's a very good question. I think it would be very cool to do something like that for a special event or something but Eren's still in school and besides... actually touring with an orchestra would be really expensive. You know, we would have to feed them and stuff..." 

He obviously said it jokingly, especially that last part, but I couldn't interpret his answer any other way than that they had no such plans.

Agreed.  Oh well, it was nice to dream there for a few...

[Scorpion]

Update: I'm still loving the album. Don't know if it will stand the test of time, but as of know, I'm happy.

EDIT: Am I the only one getting strong Count of Tuscany vibes from 3:42 of Enigma Machine?

[antigoon]

Does anybody else hear a weird phasing effect on James's voice at times? Seems like a possible side-effect of pitch correction, but I'm not sure.

[tofee35]

I thought something was funny on the soundcloud stream comment section... at :42 of Enigma Machine, "DON'T CROSS THE CROOKED STEP"

[rush-signals]

Funny as most albums they have to grow on you. Having been a Rush fan since 1977 it took me forever to get into their new albums. They were just so different and so much to hear it takes many many spins. GUP is one of my fave albums by Rush and it took me forever to really appreciate it, like years. Always loved it but never understood  the complexity of it until I learned most of the songs on guitar. SNA is another one that took me forever to get and realize there's some great work on there. I didn't see it until I watched the documentary.

Just like this album, it's going to take many many spins to grasp it. Once again I have no complaints.  I love everything I hear so far, but I need to get deeper into it and use some headphones I think. It's funny how DT fans want to say "this sounds like that band or this band". I never heard a Rush fan do that, even though Rush has just as many influences. It is what it is, I've never liked Yes, SX or other so called sound alikes. What I hear is Dream Theater first and foremost! 

[Kotowboy]

Does anybody else hear a weird phasing effect on James's voice at times? Seems like a possible side-effect of pitch correction, but I'm not sure.

It could be the stream.

[Kotowboy]

Well for me, it goes by pretty fast too, but so does Images & Words, and I think that makes it even stronger, because I just want to put it right back on and dive into it.

My 2 cents at least

It's a hell of a ride.

[jammindude]

Great quote by Dave_Manchester at MP.com

Everybody has a different g-spot when it comes to music, but this album is exactly the kind of music which massages mine... 

[Kotowboy]

 


On my 4th play-through now and enjoy it more each time. Enigma Machine has finally clicked for me too !! 

Reminds me of when DT instrumental sections were a lot of fun before they turned into forumlaic.

Also the album on the whole reminds me of why I loved DT in the first place on albums like SFAM and Octavarium.

[pgf]

Does anybody else think that IT from around 15:15 till the end may end up being the most beautiful piece of music ever written by DT?

[ProAlbino]

The Bigger Picture is so sad!