Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[philippaopao]

I think the passage of time will overcome the initial "heart over head" excitement type comments from a lot of people in here, that always happen when new music is released, and in a few months time this release will be generally ranked as very "average" in the history of DT's releases.

Come on now, that's a bit arrogant of you to suggest that people who love the album are just excited by new music. You don't like it, and that's cool. Lots of us love it, and that's also cool. And as has been mentioned multiple times, this is probably the most positive reaction the DT fanbase has had to a new album in a VERY long time.

Just hark back to all the over the top and "this is in my Top 3 albums by DT" type comments we got back when SC was released, to see where I'm coming from.
Er, what? A lot of people HATED SC when it came out.

I'm actually curious to know what DT album has made the most "divide" between the fans (or at least here in dtf) where they either love it or hate it with passion, haha

[JPX]

I'm actually curious to know what DT album has made the most "divide" between the fans (or at least here in dtf) where they either love it or hate it with passion, haha

Probably ToT because it essentially aliented the fans who don't like their heavy side.

[emtee]

Having been there since the beginning I would say FII.

[KevShmev]

I'm actually curious to know what DT album has made the most "divide" between the fans (or at least here in dtf) where they either love it or hate it with passion, haha

Probably ToT because it essentially aliented the fans who don't like their heavy side.

That is a common misconception.  The idea that the band's more metal fans loved it and the band's more prog fans hated it, which some have suggested, was totally wrong. 

[jammindude]

Lately, I would say the album with the biggest divide is Octavarium.   

When it was first released, it was praised pretty decently, but very quickly, it became a low point in everybody's mind...and I feel like I saw it near the bottom of everyone's list. 

I for one thought it was average when it came out...but it was also coming on the heels of a "burn out" phase for me where I had been listening to DT pretty much non-stop for 13 years straight. 

But after I took a "DT break" for several months, and then revisited the album, I really became something that was everything I love about Dream Theater in a single album.   Now I think it's my all time #1 favorite album by them.   And I have noticed more and more over the last 3 or 4 years that it is creeping up more people's lists. 

Now it seems that people either put it at the top, or at the absolute bottom.   Once in awhile I'll see someone say it's "meh", but that's pretty rare.  Mostly people either think it's DT's greatest achievement, or their biggest failure.

[stellarnight]

Can't we all accept that each of us have our own opinions and taste for a band with a repertoire as diverse as DT?
The only album which i didn't like (other than WDNDU) was SC and after a few years of denying it's existence, i listened to it in its entirety and it is really not bad. I liked ItPoE though the other songs on the album were less memorable.

By the way, FII is awesome. While DT12 have not blown me away as much as SFAM on first listen, it gave me a better impression than the other albums...and yes that includes I&W

Nothing will replace SFAM though simply because nothing can replace my first experience listening to Dream theater after decades of listening to relatively simple pop music and Nickleback Rock ( I was young and naive back then!)

[krieger]

Lately, I would say the album with the biggest divide is Octavarium.   

It was, for me. After listening to that one I gave up on DT. Luckly, ADTOE came to save the day! 

[ResultsMayVary]

Another song added to the favorite list is "The Looking Glass." That outro...

What outro? The song basically just ends after the final chorus.

Not another PMU joke.. 

[JPX]

I'm actually curious to know what DT album has made the most "divide" between the fans (or at least here in dtf) where they either love it or hate it with passion, haha

Probably ToT because it essentially aliented the fans who don't like their heavy side.

That is a common misconception.  The idea that the band's more metal fans loved it and the band's more prog fans hated it, which some have suggested, was totally wrong.

Huh? There is no misconception. Of course people from both camps liked it, but generally speaking peeople that don't like DT for their metal side didn't enjoy the record (Vacant aside). It's the most one dimensional DT record by far (by their own choice of course) so naturally the division is quite black and white.

[jayvee3]

Holy bananas! This album is seriously MEANT to be heard with some great headphones in 5.1. The mix was not something that bothered me, and to be honest - even after hearing it for all these years about I&W - i'm still not even sure what the heck a triggered drum is supposed to sound like - so that stuff doesn't bother me much. But all I know is when I play the 5.1 mix with my good headphones, it sound mind blowing! Booyahhh! 

[jayvee3]

* yikes, double post *

[Jaq]

I remember Octavarium being savaged when it came out, particularly on the forums on...was it the official site back then? People were saying it was the most godawful album DT's ever done, though to be fair, 99% of that criticism seemed to be delivered at I Walk Beside You. I was actually surprised when I started posting here and found so many people regarded it and FII so highly, since at the time I'm talking about, even WDADU was held in higher esteem.

If people don't like DT12, fine. Isn't going to change the fact that four days in, it's the only album I've played. I love it, and I suspect it's going to sit fairly high in my DT rankings when I re-assess them in a few months once the New Album smell has worn off.

[tapsmiled]

I love the new album, and I agree about Octavarium. That and Black Clouds are my least-favorite albums, and I think a major part of that was MP's heavy influence. I loved his drumming, but I could care less about the rest of the crap from him. I love ToT; I think it is very consistent, probably my #3 behind SFAM and Awake.

[BlobVanDam]

I remember Octavarium being savaged when it came out, particularly on the forums on...was it the official site back then? People were saying it was the most godawful album DT's ever done, though to be fair, 99% of that criticism seemed to be delivered at I Walk Beside You. I was actually surprised when I started posting here and found so many people regarded it and FII so highly, since at the time I'm talking about, even WDADU was held in higher esteem.

There wasn't an official forum back then. I believe that would have been DTF.com. And I recall Octavarium having an overall positive response when it came out, because I didn't like the album at all at first, and I recall most people enjoying it a lot more than I did.

[ariich]

No Octavarium's release was definitely on the official DT.net forum. I remember because that was when I joined.

[BlobVanDam]

No Octavarium's release was definitely on the official DT.net forum. I remember because that was when I joined.

Yeah I think you're right. I'm associating it with the plain green forum theme, which I recall being DTF.com, but I think there was a specific Octavarium forum theme on dt.net, with a banner and such.

[Shadow2222]

I'm still loving this album. The ONLY thing that really bothers me is the, IMO, bad vocal performance near the end of IT. The, "never know, never know, never know," section.

[countoftuscany42]

I'm still loving this album. The ONLY thing that really bothers me is the, IMO, bad vocal performance near the end of IT. The, "never know, never know, never know," section.

this is the only thing kind of bothering me too 
not so much that its bad, its just a bit overkill and cheesy.  I like that in james, but I've heard it before, and it just kills the songs climax for me   

[Progmetty]

The chorus to The Bigger Picture has been stuck in my head since the other night but I only know the first line "Shed your light on me" so I found myself making up lyrics that sounds like/rhymes with the chorus and they were:
Shed your light on me (back vocals: shed your light on me baby)
Don't raise your voice to me
Keep your hands where I can see
The bigger picture

[Miyazaki74]

Okay, so I was one of the few that came in here and bashed the album however I just finished listening to this album again since Tuesday and I have to say it finally clicked with me after like 6 listens. I don't know why it took me song long to like it since I usually like a new DT release from the first or second listen. This really is an amazing sounding album and I was totally wrong to bash it. I 'm not sure where I'd rank it since it just clicked with me but it's definitely better than anything they've done post SDOIT including ADTOE. So I just want to say that I was wrong and great job DT, this may be a DT classic.

[Whatsername]

Okay, so I was one of the few that came in here and bashed the album however I just finished listening to this album again since Tuesday and I have to say it finally clicked with me after like 6 listens. I don't know why it took me song long to like it since I usually like a new DT release from the first or second listen. This really is an amazing sounding album and I was totally wrong to bash it. I 'm not sure where I'd rank it since it just clicked with me but it's definitely better than anything they've done post SDOIT including ADTOE. So I just want to say that I was wrong and great job DT, this may be a DT classic.

This makes me so happy to see!

[Kotowboy]

To me this is easily the best Roadrunner album and probably my favourite since Octavarium.

Aren't those two statements the same?

I guess but Octavarium is my favourite album so far.

[nikatapi]

Ι really like the intro to "Behind The Veil". That's a very cool sound by Jordan,  justified my curiosity about the Seaboard instrument.

[TAC]

Ι really like the intro to "Behind The Veil". That's a very cool sound by Jordan,  justified my curiosity about the Seaboard instrument.

That literally might be my favorite moment on the album. It is spectacular.

[YtseJamittaja]

Ι really like the intro to "Behind The Veil". That's a very cool sound by Jordan,  justified my curiosity about the Seaboard instrument.

It is spectacular.

[mikeyd23]

Okay, so I was one of the few that came in here and bashed the album however I just finished listening to this album again since Tuesday and I have to say it finally clicked with me after like 6 listens. I don't know why it took me song long to like it since I usually like a new DT release from the first or second listen. This really is an amazing sounding album and I was totally wrong to bash it. I 'm not sure where I'd rank it since it just clicked with me but it's definitely better than anything they've done post SDOIT including ADTOE. So I just want to say that I was wrong and great job DT, this may be a DT classic.

Its weird how music can just click like that sometimes, its happened to me with DT records and tons of other music as well... Happy to hear you are enjoying it!

[Öxölklöfför]

The same fans who think that BC&SL was a masterpiece ??

I will follow your advice, and listen to it again and again and again and again...

I don't know about the others, but I hold I&W and Awake as DT's best efforts, and I feel that DT12 is not far from those achievments.

That sounds great, keep listening :-)

[illusionist]

Apart from the album itself,how i wish JP did a group project,something like LTE again.An instrumental album,where the guitars don't need to be 'Dream Theater',keyboards don't have to sound like apps and the musicians push each other to the limits of their instrument and their imagination.An album full of fresh ideas and approach.I remember from the drummer auditions,he could get along with Thomas Lang.And after the DT album is done,he will have some time.Hoping...

[jammindude]

The same fans who think that BC&SL was a masterpiece ??

I will follow your advice, and listen to it again and again and again and again...

No....  I've been a fan since '92, and I thought BCSL was a lower tier album (and SC was just terrible).   But this album is just breathtakingly good. 

[7StringedBeast]

After about 10 listens, I'm loving the album.  It's growing and growing every time I hear it.  There is just so much to digest with it though.  Really strong album.

[Zydar]

I am actually starting to enjoy Along For The Ride. I didn't really like it when it first came out.

[Shadow2222]

I am actually starting to enjoy Along For The Ride. I didn't really like it when it first came out.

I find it very interesting that so many people either still don't like that song or are just now having it click.

It was honestly one of the very first tracks to click for me, and I didn't even listen to it until the full album stream.

[Thematt202]

^ likewise.  It's a great, uplifting, feel good semi-ballad.  I'm sure it's gonna work really well in a live setting.

[jyoung320]

Coolest Nugget so far for me is The Looking Glass throwing back to Limelight with the intro and the lyric content. Whereas Limelight was about the pain of living in the public eye, TLG is about those who admire themselves for how popular they are, and the ways fame has inflated their ego to the point where they can't associate with the world when their 15 minutes are up.

[Mebert78]

We're now four days into being able to hear the album, and not an hour has gone by while I've been awake in which I haven't been listening to this album.