Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[Shadow2222]

Epic Ranking:

1. A Change of Seasons
2. Octavarium
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Illumination Theory
5. The Count of Tuscany
6. In the Name of God
7. In the Presence of Enemies

Song Ranking:

1. Illumination Theory - 9.5/10
2. The Bigger Picture - 9/10
3. Behind the Veil - 9/10
4. Along for the Ride - 9/10
5. Enigma Machine - 8.5/10
6. The Looking Glass - 8.5/10
7. False Awakening Suite - 8.5.10
8. Surrender to Reason - 8/10
9. The Enemy Inside - 6.5/10

[hefdaddy42]

Why the hell are we ranking the epics in this thread?

[Petruccinator12]

I'd actually enjoyed them more if TLG & TBP were both for about 3-4 minutes longer. I feel like there's to them :/

[?]

Why the hell are we ranking the epics in this thread?

[Nekov]

After listening the album a couple more times, Illumination Theory doesn't seem as awesome as the first two times and The Looking Glass has already become one of my favorite DT songs ever.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

So I got DT12.

[Onno]

So I got DT12.

What do you think of it?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

On IT now. So far, album's really good. Definitely liking more than I did ADTOE the first time.

[Implode]

Why the hell are we ranking the epics in this thread?

It does say a lot about IT to show where it ranks compared to DT's previous epics.

I think I'd put IT as 3rd behind Octavarium and SDOIT.

[Kotowboy]

Why the hell are we ranking the epics in this thread?

Why the hell not ? 

[romdrums]

Took a half day at work today to spend my afternoon listening to the record.  I'm really liking it so far, especially The Looking Glass, Behind the Veil, Surrender to Reason, and Along for the Ride.  In all, it's a solid record, and worthy of being self-titled.

My only complaint is the snare sound.  Being a drummer, the snare sound just doesn't fit the rest of the kit, or the rest of the mix.  I mean, there's so much clarity, definition, and power in the toms and the kicks, and then the snare sounds like the top head was covered by a blanket that was immobilized by duct tape.  Don Henley would be proud!  If this record had, say Peter Wildoer's snare sound from Impermanent Resonance, I'd be much happier.  That's just me being very particular about drum sounds, however.

But, that is my only complaint.  This record sounds amazing otherwise.  In all, it sounds like they had fun making this record.   

[hefdaddy42]

Serious question.  Now that the album is out, is there any reason for this thread to remain open?

[theseoafs]

No

[wasteland]

Serious question.  Now that the album is out, is there any reason for this thread to remain open?

But maybe to preserve all the discussion in one single thread instead of fragmenting it, this could be downtoned to a simple DT12 discussion thread, maybe steering at the same time the "your thoughts on DT12" toward a more review-oriented format. Or just cut the bull's head and can one of the two without mercy.

[Kotowboy]

Misheard lyric time !!!!!

1. You are caught up in your gravity. Glorifying Magnets !! Singing your own praise.

2.Never be crippled by chaos and doubt. Fall prey to the magnets !!!


Now I know why some people are either hugely attracted to this album or repelled by it

[Lucien]

Well, before the lock, I'll just rank the big six epics here:

(The Fountain of Lamneth)
Octavarium/Illumination Theory TIED
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
(Hemispheres)
The Count of Tuscany
In the Presence of Enemies
(2112)
A Change of Seasons

[GasparXR]

Misheard lyric time !!!!!

1. You are caught up in your gravity. Glorifying Magnets !! Singing your own praise.

2.Never be crippled by chaos and doubt. Fall prey to the magnets !!!


Now I know why some people are either hugely attracted to this album or repelled by it

[tjanuranus]

1. Illumination Theory - 9.9/10
2. The Looking Glass - 9.3/10
3. The Enemy Inside - 9.0/10
4. Surrender to Reason - 9.0/10
5. The Bigger Picture - 8.5/10
6. Enigma Machine - 8.5/10
7. Behind the Veil - 8.5/10
8. False Awakening Suite - 8.5/10
9. Along for the Ride - 8.0/10

Overall the most consitent album since Scenes from A memory to me.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Watching the Mangini drum audition video now.  For those of who you didn't pony up for the box set, the video is actually an extended episode of the Spirit Carries On documentary, professionally edited, and includes extra footage of Mike in hotel room, driving from Boston, deleted footage of the band members commenting on Mike and the concept of jamming, etc.  Its really cool.

As for the jam itself---  strap on your astronaut diapers, folks!

The tightness of the jamming is evidence of how they melded together as a cohesive unit from day one.

[sylvinception]

"Dream Theater" is definitely a great album  ...but it still out of reach from my top 3 (Awake, Images & words and 6DOIT).

[nikatapi]

Watching the Mangini drum audition video now.  For those of who you didn't pony up for the box set, the video is actually an extended episode of the Spirit Carries On documentary, professionally edited, and includes extra footage of Mike in hotel room, driving from Boston, deleted footage of the band members commenting on Mike and the concept of jamming, etc.  Its really cool.

As for the jam itself---  strap on your astronaut diapers, folks!

The tightness of the jamming is evidence of how they melded together as a cohesive unit from day one.

Damn, that sounds great. If only i had the money to get the box set...

[sylvinception]

Personally I wouldn't buy it even if I had the money.

Tired of all this business to get more and more money from the fans.

[nikatapi]

Personally I wouldn't buy it even if I had the money.

Tired of all this business to get more and more money from the fans.

Well actually i would buy it if it had the HDTracks master, i won't buy a brickwalled version just for the goodies.

[sylvinception]

It's funny to compare people's reactions to this album in France and in the US.

In France (see and translate by yourself on the YourMajesty forum), the album is much, much less appreciated than in your country...and it's an euphemism. 

[dongringo]

It's funny to compare people's reactions to this album in France and in the US.

In France (see and translate by yourself on the YourMajesty forum), the album is much, much less appreciated than in your country...and it's an euphemism. 

Well that's the difference between pessimism and optimism.  For example  versus 

[Implode]

I think that's more of a difference between communities. DTF tends to be a bit more positive about DT than anywhere else.

[Progmetty]

Misheard lyric time !!!!!

I heard a line at the end of The Bigger Picture that I thought was such a powerful beautiful statement, especially in the way it's sung and how it ends the song "I am hope", just to discover that it's "I am home" which is.. okay.

[Kotowboy]

I thought it was funny that two different songs have what sounds like magnets in them

[sylvinception]

There's also a big rumour in France : DT and Roadrunner are about to upload an "HD version" of the album on the web...

Very weird.
Just can't imagine the reactions if the sound is better than the cd!!

[dongringo]

There's also a big rumour in France : DT and Roadrunner are about to upload an "HD version" of the album on the web...

Very weird.
Just can't imagine the reactions if the sound is better than the cd!!

It's called HDTracks and it's already available. Got it last night. Highly recommended.

[sylvinception]

So you confirm it sounds better than the original cd ??

Any link pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeee ??

[Zydar]

Yeah, it sounds much better than the CD. I bought and downloaded it last night.

https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php

More discussions about it here:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39177.0

[sylvinception]

Thanks a lot!!

So if I have already the cd, I have the obligation to pay again ?? Charming!! 

Thank you DT!!

[Kotowboy]

Thanks a lot!!

So if I have already the cd, I have the obligation to pay again ?? Charming!! 

Thank you DT!!

Nobody is forcing you. The CD is perfectly acceptable for me. I'm not gonna dish out another £12 when I don't need to. If I get the HD download - it's just audio - you don't get anything to look at etc.

[7StringedBeast]

Thanks a lot!!

So if I have already the cd, I have the obligation to pay again ?? Charming!! 

Thank you DT!!

Nobody is forcing you. The CD is perfectly acceptable for me. I'm not gonna dish out another £12 when I don't need to. If I get the HD download - it's just audio - you don't get anything to look at etc.

Not true.  The HD tracks come with the full liner notes in PDF format.