Illumination Theory... (let's call it appreciation thread)

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I prefer the studio JLB of today vs. JLB of Awake

[wolfking]

Illumination Theory - James LaBrie Awake era AI Voice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xthfC8p2bdw

Wow, this is fucking terrible.  I'm not understanding the point of these.

[Dream Team]

Anything for clicks.

[TAC]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

[Lonk]

I would say that if it was just for clicks...they are doing it with the wrong band and genre 

[Madman Shepherd]

I would say that if it was just for clicks...they are doing it with the wrong band and genre 

And probably are earning $0.00 for it so I think it's probably more for fun.

[hefdaddy42]

All of these AI tracks are pretty much bullshit.

[pg1067]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

Same.

I saw one linked on Reddit the other day where someone re-did all of The Astonishing with different singers doing the various parts.  In theory, that might make that album a lot more interesting, but I was not going to go there.

[Wim Kruithof]

That said, haven't seen SeRoX in a while now, he left the building?

[jingle.boy]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

Same.

Out of curiosity, why?  I find it mildly interesting to see how AI is being used.

[crystalstars17]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

Same.

I saw one linked on Reddit the other day where someone re-did all of The Astonishing with different singers doing the various parts.  In theory, that might make that album a lot more interesting, but I was not going to go there.

Same here as well. I'm 100% not interested.

[pg1067]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

Same.

Out of curiosity, why?  I find it mildly interesting to see how AI is being used.

Fair question.  I've listened to a few of them, and they're just weird.  They're only slightly better than the NOMAC tracks.

[jingle.boy]

Anything for clicks.

Yeah, I am refusing to click on any of these AI generated vocal videos.

Same.

Out of curiosity, why?  I find it mildly interesting to see how AI is being used.

Fair question.  I've listened to a few of them, and they're just weird.  They're only slightly better than the NOMAC tracks.

Weird is putting it kindly.  I think they suck - but I'm not refusing to click on 'em... some of them I just don't have any interest.  Nothing I've heard in any of the others makes me want to finish the listen, or ever come back to it.

[wolfking]

Surely there's more productive things we can do with AI as opposed to recreating The Astonishing! 

[Lonk]

Surely there's more productive things we can do with AI as opposed to recreating The Astonishing! 

Of course there is:

https://youtu.be/_Lrv8qkA7Dk?si=MY2wsmnke8UJvQKJ&t=183

[emtee]

Have to bump this.

As I usually do in anticipation of a new DT album, I've been on a deep dive. This statement could easily be in the "controversial opinions" thread. I think the ethereal section in the middle of IT, that most people say is a buzz-kill to the vibe of the song, is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music DT ever created. I don't know why but I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, seeing and connecting with all those people in my life that I have lost and instead of being sad, I am happy and blessed to be seeing them again. Very weird and very strange but that is the feeling that section elicits.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Have to bump this.

As I usually do in anticipation of a new DT album, I've been on a deep dive. This statement could easily be in the "controversial opinions" thread. I think the ethereal section in the middle of IT, that most people say is a buzz-kill to the vibe of the song, is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music DT ever created. I don't know why but I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, seeing and connecting with all those people in my life that I have lost and instead of being sad, I am happy and blessed to be seeing them again. Very weird and very strange but that is the feeling that section elicits.

You've never posted a more true statement

[TAC]

I don't know. The 60 seconds that directly precedes that part is one of my favorite "minute"s  in their catalog. And for some reason, they decided to stop the song dead in its tracks right then and there.

[hefdaddy42]

Have to bump this.

As I usually do in anticipation of a new DT album, I've been on a deep dive. This statement could easily be in the "controversial opinions" thread. I think the ethereal section in the middle of IT, that most people say is a buzz-kill to the vibe of the song, is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music DT ever created. I don't know why but I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, seeing and connecting with all those people in my life that I have lost and instead of being sad, I am happy and blessed to be seeing them again. Very weird and very strange but that is the feeling that section elicits.

Absolutely love this song. No notes. 

[Setlist Scotty]

It's a great and IMO classic sounding song overall, and I can easily anticipate DT performing the first two parts of it in the future, fading into another track instead of the ethereal section. But there's no way they'll ever do the Cygnus X-1 section with JL - he'll blow his voice out with that section.

[Drinktheater]

This epic still brings me the emotional lift.
I say it aged well for me atleast.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

Have to bump this.

As I usually do in anticipation of a new DT album, I've been on a deep dive. This statement could easily be in the "controversial opinions" thread. I think the ethereal section in the middle of IT, that most people say is a buzz-kill to the vibe of the song, is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music DT ever created. I don't know why but I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, seeing and connecting with all those people in my life that I have lost and instead of being sad, I am happy and blessed to be seeing them again. Very weird and very strange but that is the feeling that section elicits.

Illumination Theory is absolutely fantastic. It's my third favorite epic of theirs. The middle orchestral section is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. The way they blend all the different parts together, with seamless transitions...A+++

[three__days]

Unfortunately this one has never hit home with me. The opening portion - the orchestral intro and the first (quite modern-sounding) riff are pretty good. The rest though... I find the vocal melodies in particular aren't very strong, the quieter orchestral section is a bit... saccharine, the outro is nothing new. Idk, it doesn't come together for me or justify its length.

Would love to see the intro in a medley 

[Vicez]

Have to bump this.

As I usually do in anticipation of a new DT album, I've been on a deep dive. This statement could easily be in the "controversial opinions" thread. I think the ethereal section in the middle of IT, that most people say is a buzz-kill to the vibe of the song, is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music DT ever created. I don't know why but I feel like I'm floating on a cloud, seeing and connecting with all those people in my life that I have lost and instead of being sad, I am happy and blessed to be seeing them again. Very weird and very strange but that is the feeling that section elicits.

Not controversial at all! 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It was a really good choice i think because first of all it was a new idea for them and second the execution was good. The orchestral piece is beautiful in melody but it's actually driving the song forward. There's a clear beginning middle and resolution.

[Tyrannosaurus Chicken]

It was a really good choice i think because first of all it was a new idea for them and second the execution was good. The orchestral piece is beautiful in melody but it's actually driving the song forward. There's a clear beginning middle and resolution.

Agreed. After A Change of Seasons and Octavarium, it's my favorite epic. I like it much more than The Count of Tuscany.

To be clear, I love The Count of Tuscany, musically. The lyrics aren't my cup of tea, so it drops it down a notch.

[Adami]

I actually really dig about 3/4 of this song.

I really dislike the ending where it becomes (in my humble opinion) generic soaring DT with some of the most cliche life lesson lyrics. Love before that though.

[gzarruk]

I really dislike the ending where it becomes (in my humble opinion) generic soaring DT with some of the most cliche life lesson lyrics. Love before that though.

Not directed at you, but I find it funny that in the other thread people were complaining about the anti climactic ending of A View, and here we have the complete opposite criticism for IT's ending

[Adami]

Not directed at you, but I find it funny that in the other thread people were complaining about the anti climactic ending of A View, and here we have the complete opposite criticism for IT's ending

I haven't listened to View enough times to comment on it. So I dunno.

I like their epic endings. I love ACOS, 8vm, 6DOIT and even though I don't like the song in general, the ending to TCOT ain't bad.

It's the cliche generic vocals and lyrics that really just turned me off. Again, my opinion.

[Parasomnia]

Not directed at you, but I find it funny that in the other thread people were complaining about the anti climactic ending of A View, and here we have the complete opposite criticism for IT's ending

AVFTTOTW has a unique song structure out of the 20 min epics. The idea of the grand climax at the end doesn't fit the actual theme/lyrics of the song either.
Anyhow in terms of prog epics, A View is a good case study in musical form because it is very effective at doing what it's trying to do, it's an error on the part of listeners if they expect the narrative to end when the protagonist reaches the peak.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

AVFTTOTW has a unique song structure out of the 20 min epics. The idea of the grand climax at the end doesn't fit the actual theme/lyrics of the song either.
Anyhow in terms of prog epics, A View is a good case study in musical form because it is very effective at doing what it's trying to do, it's an error on the part of listeners if they expect the narrative to end when the protagonist reaches the peak.

Indeed. Ends with almost a kind of suspenseful variant of the opening theme as if to say ' i conquered it this time but until the next thrill...'

[wolfking]

I really dislike the ending where it becomes (in my humble opinion) generic soaring DT with some of the most cliche life lesson lyrics. Love before that though.

To me this is one of the best moments in DT's history, James too.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

To me this is one of the best moments in DT's history, James too.

Same! It's actually my favorite ending to any DT song ever.

[wolfking]

Same! It's actually my favorite ending to any DT song ever.

It literally gives me chills each time.  It might be my fav moment from James ever.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It literally gives me chills each time.  It might be my fav moment from James ever.

Same again. I've never been a huge James fan but in that ending I find myself thinking these are the moments you have this vocal type for.