Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[Whatsername]

Also:  Enigma Machine = Final Fantasy boss music 

OOooooooh, I should play FFX tonight while listening to this.

[Freko]

at first listen I liked some random stuff here and there.
But now it´s SOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!! WIIIIIEEIEIEI 
I think it´s their strongest work!! to date!
I haven´t had those kind of feelings since Awake was released. I´m happy

[ResultsMayVary]

I'm really curious as to what guitars/tunings Petrucci has used on this album. Seems like he used a lot of 7-string/heavier tunings.

[Ħ]

NOTE: I haven't listened to the album yet.

I see a lot of people comparing FAS to Overture from SDOIT.

I'm assuming this is just in style, and not necessarily meaning that it references other songs on the album?

It is not like Overture at all in either respect. Stylistically FAS is heavier, darker, and more cinematic. It's like Oculus ex Inferni was to Paradise Lost. And FAS doesn't reference other music on the album.

[Kotowboy]

Also:  Enigma Machine = Final Fantasy boss music 

OOooooooh, I should play FFX tonight while listening to this.

I said the same thing about FAS.

[j]

Haven't listened yet, but to those who think Illumination Theory sounds disjointed (which it very well may), you can't really cite A Change of Seasons as an example of a "smoothly flowing" epic.  ACoS is my favorite DT song, but quite frankly it's full of abrupt transitions and strange pace changes.

-J

[PixelDream]

Haven't listened yet, but to those who think Illumination Theory sounds disjointed (which it very well may), you can't really cite A Change of Seasons as an example of a "smoothly flowing" epic.  ACoS is my favorite DT song, but quite frankly it's full of abrupt transitions and strange pace changes.

-J

This.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, and I just had to get in on all this excitement!

I already had a good chuckle about the "DT12" controversy. Hmmmmm, how about TSTA (The Self Titled Album) ??

Anyway, not that anyone asked, here's what I think about the new album. I sort of see it as the Moving Pictures of their discography. Not because of any nods to Rush, but more to do with the songwriting and it's place in their discography. For example, it's pretty technical, but just in order to serve a purpose in the songwriting. Many of the songs are pretty concise, but there is a prog-epic on the last third of the album. It's a really positive album. Dream Theater has talked about why they made a self-titled album, and, Rush had talked about how Moving Pictures felt like a real "arrival" for them. All just fun stuff to think about, and obviously I wish DT lots of success with this one!

Also, I got a chance to listen to the FLACs of the ADTOE, and I am betting that the drums are going to be awesome once we get away from the streaming sites.

Anyway.... glad to be part of the forum!

[Kotowboy]

I don't know if I'm raving too early, but in terms of songwriting alone, this at least surpasses every Roadrunner era album so far. Or so it seems on 2nd listen.

[Dream_Theater01]

I think this album is going to have to grow on me.

[Scorpion]

So far, I'm liking what I'm hearing. I'm not blown away by anything, but I bet that has yet to come. My favourites so far are Surrender to Reason, Beyond the Veil (though the final chorus is a little weird) and The Bigger Picture. Haven't gotten to IT yet, I've been busy.

[Dark Castle]

HO.LEE SHIT. MIKE MANGINI IN ENIGMA MACHINE, ESPECIALLY WHERE HE JUST GOES NUTS.

Yeah, I love this album, not even through my second listen, but I think this is a Top 3'er for me.

[Orthogonal]

Haven't listened yet, but to those who think Illumination Theory sounds disjointed (which it very well may), you can't really cite A Change of Seasons as an example of a "smoothly flowing" epic.  ACoS is my favorite DT song, but quite frankly it's full of abrupt transitions and strange pace changes.

-J

Disjointed epics are pretty standard for DT. Everything from ACOS to 8V to ITPOE are just different thematic sections stapled onto each other and IT is no different. That's just the way they write 'em. Some better than others, but if you enjoy this aspect of DT writing, I don't see why you would like IT a lot more or a lot less than previous epics.

[jonny108]

After many a beer, me and Alice have finally listened to the album.  If ever they wanted an album that summarises their career, it is this. Throughout our first listen we heard references to the highlights to every album to date, from Scenes to BC&SL. Our jaws hits the floor at the orchestral section in IT. The Bigger Picture is a definite favourite so far. The cat enjoyed it too.

Off to the GTAV midnight release soon. Toodles shit lords

[chwik]

Listening to the string section in IT and looking at the new background on this forum (the planet part) gave me goosebumps. It somehow fit together like in a documentary of our wonderful universe. I understand why DT called this album cinematic.

[Mat JB]

F***ing amazing.

[serrano]

Hard piece to bite, it will take a lot of spins before I can rank it. I think this is definitely not DT playing safe. Love behind the veil on first listen. And, holy shit Mangini!

After 2 listens I can only say it's rock solid.

[ResultsMayVary]

Dream Theater presents "Dream Theater: Mangini Unleashed."

[ReaperKK]

Just finished my first listen. Honestly I've been falling out of DT for a long time because my tastes have changed and ToT was the last album I loved. This album is actually one that I can see myself putting on every once in a while. It's great, it's heavy, it's not over the top. Truly this is my favorite DT album. The easter egg is beautiful, I'm going to cut it out and put it as it's own song.

My musical tastes and DT's music have long disconnected, our paths finally cross again at this album.

[chrisbDTM]

sent TLG and STR to my dad to check out. He's been to DT shows with me but still doesn't listen to them (besides the ACOS covers  ) on his own. He's the biggest Rush fan, maybe he'll dig it

[ask_the_lonely]

This album is, in my opinion, the best and most consistent effort since SDOIT *drops the mike*

[cyberdrummer]

I knew the main theme in Illumination Theory reminded me of something: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ADAxhhNaWbI#t=133

[Kotowboy]

Haha.

What is this drop the mike business ? i see it everywhere.

[PixelDream]

Some artificial sounding JLB vocals here and there, some weird moments, but all in all this freakin' slays. Illumination Theory's whole instrumental intro is through the roof!

[chrisbDTM]

i caved. listening to IT now

this song is a riff factory so far

[eosforum]

Best one of the RR era by far. Not as jaw dropping or as diverse or as atmospheric as some older albums, but what a mature and balanced combination of all these elements! Also, concise and cinematic as never before. Congrats DT and especially JP. As a player,  composer and producer I feel he had a real breakthrough with this one

[chwik]

The first riffs in Enigma Machine!  Took me several listens, but man does this one rock! Love it!

[alexofsweden]

5th time listening to the album= This album blows my mind its so freeeeakin great!! Shoulda been the I&W follow-up album 
The Looking Glass chorus might be their best chorus ever

[chrisbDTM]

5 minutes into IT. i wish the rest of the album was on the level that the first 5 mins of this song is

[Shine]

I wish James would have kept using that "megadeth" vocal style throughout the entirety of Behind the Veil. It just sounds so cool, and then he switchs to a typical voice after. Kind of a let down.

[AngelBack]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, and I just had to get in on all this excitement!

I already had a good chuckle about the "DT12" controversy. Hmmmmm, how about TSTA (The Self Titled Album) ??

Anyway, not that anyone asked, here's what I think about the new album. I sort of see it as the Moving Pictures of their discography. Not because of any nods to Rush, but more to do with the songwriting and it's place in their discography. For example, it's pretty technical, but just in order to serve a purpose in the songwriting. Many of the songs are pretty concise, but there is a prog-epic on the last third of the album. It's a really positive album. Dream Theater has talked about why they made a self-titled album, and, Rush had talked about how Moving Pictures felt like a real "arrival" for them. All just fun stuff to think about, and obviously I wish DT lots of success with this one!

Also, I got a chance to listen to the FLACs of the ADTOE, and I am betting that the drums are going to be awesome once we get away from the streaming sites.

Anyway.... glad to be part of the forum!

Welcome!! You picked a crazy time to join, but this is an awesome place.  BTW, does(did) your dad make some high end audio products and briefly marry a certain (hot for her age) movie star?

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, and I just had to get in on all this excitement!

I already had a good chuckle about the "DT12" controversy. Hmmmmm, how about TSTA (The Self Titled Album) ??

Anyway, not that anyone asked, here's what I think about the new album. I sort of see it as the Moving Pictures of their discography. Not because of any nods to Rush, but more to do with the songwriting and it's place in their discography. For example, it's pretty technical, but just in order to serve a purpose in the songwriting. Many of the songs are pretty concise, but there is a prog-epic on the last third of the album. It's a really positive album. Dream Theater has talked about why they made a self-titled album, and, Rush had talked about how Moving Pictures felt like a real "arrival" for them. All just fun stuff to think about, and obviously I wish DT lots of success with this one!

Also, I got a chance to listen to the FLACs of the ADTOE, and I am betting that the drums are going to be awesome once we get away from the streaming sites.

Anyway.... glad to be part of the forum!

Welcome!! You picked a crazy time to join, but this is an awesome place.  BTW, does(did) your dad make some high end audio products and briefly marry a certain (hot for her age) movie star?

LOL, I'm just a wanna-be audiophile and I couldn't think of a good name using McIntosh or Krell!

[maximumrocker]

About 4 listens through. Definitely not disappointed, the cinematic addition really gives it a fresh feel. The album as a whole just plows no draggy parts, and actually feels quite short now...

Seriously cant wait to hear this stuff live! 

[chrisbDTM]

no one warned me of the RIFFERY in IT. this is the sickest thing ive heard DT play in a long time

[jyoung320]

About 4 listens through. Definitely not disappointed, the cinematic addition really gives it a fresh feel. The album as a whole just plows no draggy parts, and actually feels quite short now...

Seriously cant wait to hear this stuff live! 

I agree, it's going to be so good live.