Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[Bertielee]

I got it today at my local store! Woohoo! 

B.Lee

[Kotowboy]

You should really read my earlier post where I say I'm tired of both good and bad and the repetitive posts about the album.  Not just the bad posts.

So - you're tired of people talking about the album. 

[The Stray Seed]

I also hear clearly "you'll never know that you're alive" at the end of IT.

[jammindude]

I know that *some* people have begun to get their pre-orders by mail.   

Is there anyone who has one in hand who can say whether or not the weird crop in the artwork got fixed?

[?]

If you're talking about the bad planet cut on the album cover, it has been fixed. I didn't pay a lot of attention to the mistakes in the artwork snippets when they were released, but at least the screw-ups in the pic with the piano and the acoustic guitar are still visible.

[Kotowboy]

NO SYME FOR DT13.

[Super Dude]

NO SYME FOR DT13.

Hear hear!

[Dark Castle]

JOHN BAIZLEY FOR DT13

[Zydar]

STEVETHEATER FOR DT13.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=35515.0

[Lucien]

ANY RANDOM PERSON FOR DT13.


I'd totally hook my older sister up with DT, she's doing graduate work in illustration right now.

[Onno]

STEVETHEATER FOR DT13.

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=35515.0

[Bertielee]

Phew, it was one hell of a ride! Love all the tracks so far but, my God, The Bigger Picture is awesome!

B.Lee

[Zydar]

Phew, it was one hell of a ride!

B.Lee

And we are all along for it

[Progmetty]

I wish JP did some back vox on this record, especially on The Bigger Picture.

[Kotowboy]

Phew, it was one hell of a ride!

B.Lee

And we are all along for it

And That's the bigger picture !

[The Fatal Tragedy]

I wish JP did some back vox on this record, especially on The Bigger Picture.

I'm pretty sure he did do some backing vocals on a few tracks.

[King Postwhore]

You should really read my earlier post where I say I'm tired of both good and bad and the repetitive posts about the album.  Not just the bad posts.

So - you're tired of people talking about the album. 

Not at all.  It's the strongly opinionated that say the same thoughts over and over in multiple posts that bug me.  I love the talk on the new album.  People that come on strong bother me. 

[hefdaddy42]

Wanna go out some time?

[jammindude]

Wanna go out some time?

Watch out shmegland... He cuts a hole in the bottom of the popcorn bucket.   I know this to be true....

[Bargey]

Got my box set today and the Jam midway through the Take Away My Pain video is better than anything on the new album IMO. That said, I think the album will be a slow builder on me, it hasn't really clicked just yet. I get more and more of the impression from watching that video that Mangini was already selected before the auditions began too, not that that's a bad thing, but a bit rude if they made the other 6 guys jump through hoops when the decision was already made.

[mike099]

Got my box set today and the Jam midway through the Take Away My Pain video is better than anything on the new album IMO. That said, I think the album will be a slow builder on me, it hasn't really clicked just yet. I get more and more of the impression from watching that video that Mangini was already selected before the auditions began too, not that that's a bad thing, but a bit rude if they made the other 6 guys jump through hoops when the decision was already made.

I cannot remember the name of the drummer that impressed me in the auditions, but they seemed very impressed with him.
Seems his first name was Marco.
Since you brought up FII, I love the solo in Lines in the Sand and the two solos back to back in Trial of Tears.  I have not listened to the cd yet(waiting on my iTunes preorder), but hopefully there will be a song or two to rival those two on FII.

Speaking of

[King Postwhore]

Wanna go out some time?

I would be all over you like a hobo on a Big Mac.

[JPX]

This has been an interesting and even inspirational conversation about opinions. I'm happy to read JPX process his negative feelings toward the album and have noticed an ever so slight slide up. Even if his reasons makes me shake my head. 

What I think may be helpful to those who post is not to stake a position where it's Dream Theater's "fault". That is off putting in both directions I think. Lets face it, we feel the way we feel because of the sum of our experiences and the place we're in at the moment. Prog music has always been that way and thus not as popular as other genres. If your not receptive to the concept it will just sound busy. It's not that it's bad music or that everyone who enjoys it is daft it's more about you (the listener not JPX specifically). Hey, if this were easy, DT would be the richest band in the world! 

I appreciate those who have been understanding of my thoughts. As you can appreciate, it has been difficult for me not to enjoy this album as much as I had hoped. Rest assured however that my feeling towards DT have not changed in the least. They created a piece of work that they are proud of and just because I don't love it doesn't change the fact that they have done more for me as a person than I can even put into words.

So....to celebrate this and focus on the positives, these are passages I love from DT12.

The Enemy Inside
- I think they did an awesome job with the verses - really cool vocal lines over PMU type chords.
- Jordan's lead after the first chorus - great when JP mirrors it later too

The Looking Glass
- The Rush references are obvious, but I get an About to Crash feel whenever I hear the intro.
- The verses are refreshing and really enjoyable - they are a perfect vehicle for JLB's sweet spot.
- The solo - how can you not love it as a FII throw back.

The Bigger Picture
- The first heavy verse. Love the instrumentation and JLB's vocals here.
- JP's bridge lead - to me this typifies how amazing he truly is. Very few guitarists can write such simple yet emotional lines.

Behind The Veil
- The chorus is really good, love the hook that JP plays behind it
- The bridge - OK this is amazing - I&W-ish and a great way to lead into the solo
- The solo - his best on the record. I love when the feel changes.

Surrender To Reason
- Another beautiful bridge lead form JP. Reminds me of These Walls. So tasteful and simple.
- The choir passage after the bridge. I think this my favorite part of the whole album

[hefdaddy42]

Wanna go out some time?

I would be all over you like a hobo on a Big Mac.

I won't be able to sleep tonight.

[King Postwhore]

They all say that at first until I'm through with them.


I am looking forward to cranking it in my car.  My computer speakers are very good but the stream quality is not so.  The drive home from Best Buy is something I always look forward to.

[hefdaddy42]

They all say that at first until I'm through with them.

I'm so wet right now.

[rumborak]

Got my box set today and the Jam midway through the Take Away My Pain video is better than anything on the new album IMO. That said, I think the album will be a slow builder on me, it hasn't really clicked just yet. I get more and more of the impression from watching that video that Mangini was already selected before the auditions began too, not that that's a bad thing, but a bit rude if they made the other 6 guys jump through hoops when the decision was already made.

I actually somewhat agree. I actually don't think the other guys ever had all that much chance, not so much based on their playing skills, but rather their overall status. Marco is a pretty hot drummer these days, and I think he knows that. To be the drummer for a late-career band would have seriously curtailed his own career.
Donati was never in the running to begin with (too big a name), nor really Priester or Wildoer (foreigners), so Ruddy is the only one remaining. He was alright, but the only one reasonably being able to play MP's parts was MM.
Frankly, I think they enticed most of the others with a free trip to New York and possible later collaboration. For maybe $10k RoadRunner got a documentary that assuaged a lot of doubters who didn't think anybody could succeed MP.

[Bertielee]

Hey Rumby,

I agree with everything you said about the drummers, but for Marco, I'll add some personal thoughts : indeed, he is a very hot drummer these days, but does his reputation exceed circle musics? I mean, I sense that  DT are appealing to more audience outside these circles and I think they have a bigger name there than Marco. I'm not a musician, so, of course, I may be wrong. Plus, the vibe I got from Marco's audition was the same I had with MP : please, let there be light on me! And I don't think the guys wanted another MP in the band. But these are only impressions, no truths whatsoever and I wouldn't be bold enough as to present them as such.

B.Lee

[illusionist]

When are we going to hear the Mangini jam from the limited edition,does anyone have any idea?

[aprilethereal]

AFTR is my favourite right now, it's just incredible musically, even though it's rather simple for DT standards, and the lyrics are some of JP's best ever

Second favourite is TBP, followed closely by TEI and BTV. IT and STR haven't completely clicked yet, but even those two contain some incredible sections.

I'm in love with this album. As great as ADTOE was, this one is even better and totally exceeded my expectations

[Jinx]

Someone pointed out that the little drum break in Enigma Machine is just screaming for an extended drum solo when they do it live!!

[Bertielee]

Someone pointed out that the little drum break in Enigma Machine is just screaming for an extended drum solo when they do it live!!

It might be, yep!

B.Lee

[Peter Mc]

Only found about this forum recently but have been a member on MP forum for a few years. Have tried to hold off from going too overboard about this until I have given it plenty of listens but am now ready to declare my love for it. It's everything you could want from a DT album, gorgeous melodies, great riffs awesome solos and a 20 min epic, just incredible performances from all 5 members. I now have the cd and think these are Petrucci's best lyrics in aeons. I'm also going to go against the consensus here and say that I think the artwork is awesome. You may spot little imperfections if you get your magnifying glass out. In terms of just being eye candy to look at while listening to the album, I think it is the best on any DT album. So many bands don't even bother with artwork and we should congratulate DT for making the effort rather than constantly criticise every tiny imperfection.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Got my box set today and the Jam midway through the Take Away My Pain video is better than anything on the new album IMO. That said, I think the album will be a slow builder on me, it hasn't really clicked just yet. I get more and more of the impression from watching that video that Mangini was already selected before the auditions began too, not that that's a bad thing, but a bit rude if they made the other 6 guys jump through hoops when the decision was already made.

I actually somewhat agree. I actually don't think the other guys ever had all that much chance, not so much based on their playing skills, but rather their overall status. Marco is a pretty hot drummer these days, and I think he knows that. To be the drummer for a late-career band would have seriously curtailed his own career.
Donati was never in the running to begin with (too big a name), nor really Priester or Wildoer (foreigners), so Ruddy is the only one remaining. He was alright, but the only one reasonably being able to play MP's parts was MM.
Frankly, I think they enticed most of the others with a free trip to New York and possible later collaboration. For maybe $10k RoadRunner got a documentary that assuaged a lot of doubters who didn't think anybody could succeed MP.

I haven't seen the video yet, but I agree that there wasn't really a competition because it was crystal clear who they would choose, once it also became clear that Marco wasn't even interested in joining the band.   

I think this 30 minute film is what pushed me over the edge for the box set.

[Ultimetalhead]

Revised rankings:

1. Illumination Theory
2. The Bigger Picture
3. The Looking Glass
4. Surrender to Reason
5. Enigma Machine
6. Behind the Veil
7. Along For the Ride
8. The Enemy Inside
9. False Awakening Suite (It's great, but it's a bit short)