The Looking Glass Discussion Thread

Tick · October 21, 2013, 10:24:17 AM

Is it even possible that no one started a thread was maybe the best song on the album?

In any event, I couldn't find one so here is one.

I have heard it said that this song has a Rush vibe to it. I would give that tag to Surrender To Reason.

This opening riff sounds like a riff Eddie Van Halen would have played on 5150. That's what I think of anyhow.
Anyhow. I don't know why no thread for this track besides an acoustic one? For shame doc, for shame.

Podaar · October 21, 2013, 10:37:00 AM

This is currently my favorite from the new album but I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow. Whenever it comes up on rotation I must adjust the volume knob up and sing along!

I'm very glad we're having this discussion.

maquee · October 21, 2013, 10:40:16 AM

The track I always end up getting back to. James' vocals truly shine in the chorus.

As for the Rush vibe, melodically, lyrically and structurally speaking, it is quite reminescent of "Limelight"...which is not a bad thing!

Tom Bombadil · October 21, 2013, 10:40:35 AM

Great song. It's really grown on me since my 1st listen, and now I think its one of the best on the album.

And you might want to change Thead to Thread

The Stray Seed · October 21, 2013, 10:57:15 AM

I was struck with awe since the first listen. This song is just glorious!!

Tick · October 21, 2013, 11:02:11 AM

Yeah, but does anyone else hear the opening riff as an Eddie Van Halen riff?

cyberdrummer · October 21, 2013, 11:14:14 AM

Definitely the best song on the album in my opinion.

adamack · October 21, 2013, 11:17:30 AM

This was the first song I heard on DT12 aside from the singles.

I'll never forget...I was so excited to hear another song from the album. It was a day before DT streamed DT12.

On my first listen, I was extremely disappointed. I said to myself, "There's no way I'll ever like this song, as much as I want to and as hard as I try."

I wanted to like it so bad, so I kept listening to it.

It wasn't until last week that it finally clicked, and now I think it's awesome!

JP's riffing and tone sound amazing. The main riff sounds so lush and big. Chocolate cake. It has a vibe similar to the beginning/main riff of About To Crash (Reprise). Both are huge, optimistic sounding kick ass riffs. Just another style to be cemented in the repertoire of JP's bag of tricks. A reason why he is one of the most versatile guitarists ever.

And as mentioned, JLB sounds amazing as well.

Also, in my humble opinion I believe it is the most well-written song on the album. Great usage of metaphors, and an approach that is not too direct, yet easy enough to decipher what the song is about.

It is still probably my third-to-least favorite on DT12 (with Enigma Machine and False Awakening Suite being under it), but that does not mean much considering the greatness of the album.

So happy to finally say I'm a fan of this song!

YtseCullen · October 21, 2013, 11:19:00 AM

My favourite song by far and I keep coming back to listen to it almost all the time. Wicked song!

KevShmev · October 21, 2013, 11:19:25 AM

Quote from: Tick on October 21, 2013, 11:02:11 AM
Yeah, but does anyone else hear the opening riff as an Eddie Van Halen riff?

I think it is more like he took the Limelight riff, bent it into a pretzel, and then played it, but now that you mention it, he does throw some EVH-like gymnastics in there as well.

Anyway, really good tune! Definitely one of their most accessible songs ever.

flintdragon · October 21, 2013, 11:52:33 AM

What's wrong with me? I can't get into this song at all for 3 reasons which is just stuck in my head.

1. opening riffs keeps reminding me of the Alan Parsons song "In the Real World".
2. The "gravity" measure also reminds me of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked musical.
3. The ending is the worst ending I've heard from DT (end of chorus then 4 quarter note hits).

I just can't shake it and the song is ruined for me.

gmillerdrake · October 21, 2013, 12:18:41 PM

I dig the song a lot. I think sonically it's great but really what I like about it the most is (to me) the lyrics are speaking specifically about Portnoy.....how he handled the split and what HE thinks about himself.

Then again.....I could just be turning those lyrics into that because they are just vauge enough where you could insert ANY egotistical personality who turned his/her back on those who got you there into that song.

I just like to believe its DT's way of firing back at him for being a jerk to them in the wake of the split. without having to specifically call him out.

JiM-Xtreme · October 21, 2013, 12:47:20 PM

Great song, but I certainly don't think it's the best on the album. Love the chorus, I just wish there was more variation in the lyrics. I also wish the song ended properly.

Tick · October 21, 2013, 12:55:56 PM

Quote from: JiM-Xtreme on October 21, 2013, 12:47:20 PM
Great song, but I certainly don't think it's the best on the album. Love the chorus, I just wish there was more variation in the lyrics. I also wish the song ended properly.

The song end fine for me. The song that I am not thrilled with the very end is The Enemy Inside.

Nearmyth · October 21, 2013, 01:34:50 PM

Great song. I think a fade out of the chorus riff would have been a MUCH much MUCH better ending for the song.

VincentMDO · October 21, 2013, 01:50:26 PM

Best song on the album. I always get chills on the ending of Petrucci's solo and the comeback of "You're caught up in your gravity..."

wolfking · October 21, 2013, 01:52:02 PM

It's one of my favs too. I love the chorus and James sounds especially special here. The only thing is, it's hard to get past the blatant Limelight connections in the riff.

BlobVanDam · October 21, 2013, 07:43:54 PM

Quote from: Tick on October 21, 2013, 10:24:17 AM
This opening riff sounds like a riff Eddie Van Halen would have played on 5150. That's what I think of anyhow.
Anyhow.

I don't really hear a strong similarity, but I can sorta hear what you mean.

No idea how this song got looked over! A well written song, and I like it, although the style doesn't quite suit me. The abrupt ending is a slight niggle since it was brought up, but aside from that a very solid song. Catchy chorus too.

stellarnight · October 21, 2013, 08:09:03 PM

I actually liked the idea behind the ending.
It fits well with the theme of the song. Fame is transient. It can be taken away in a whim.
The song ends abruptly so it is a rather perfect juxtaposition.

Still can't beat the TBP for me though:)

1neeto · October 21, 2013, 08:44:18 PM

EVH? That riff is almost a complete rip off of Limelight. Song is good, I remember liking it a lot during the first few listens. but now it has faded a bit.

Tom Bombadil · October 21, 2013, 09:25:56 PM

Quote from: stellarnight on October 21, 2013, 08:09:03 PM
I actually liked the idea behind the ending.
It fits well with the theme of the song. Fame is transient. It can be taken away in a whim.
The song ends abruptly so it is a rather perfect juxtaposition.

Still can't beat the TBP for me though:)

I like looking at songs in context with their lyrics, and you make a really great point here. I never thought about it like that before, but it's a pretty cool interpretation of why the ending is so abrupt.

The Stray Seed · October 22, 2013, 01:28:34 AM

Quote from: stellarnight on October 21, 2013, 08:09:03 PM
I actually liked the idea behind the ending.
It fits well with the theme of the song. Fame is transient. It can be taken away in a whim.
The song ends abruptly so it is a rather perfect juxtaposition.

Still can't beat the TBP for me though:)

I thought the same thing, and I really like the ending

OsMosis2259 · October 22, 2013, 06:42:22 AM

Such an uplifting track

ddtonfire · October 22, 2013, 08:41:05 AM

I think it's more of a Lifeson riff at the beginning, but I can kind of see where you get a 5150 vibe. It's a great track and I never skip it when it comes on.

Not a huge fan of the ending; it was obviously a conscious decision, but it comes across as kind of lazy and thoughtless.

hefdaddy42 · October 22, 2013, 08:43:21 AM

It's good, but it's probably my least favorite on the album.

adamack · October 22, 2013, 09:02:07 AM

As for the Limelight similarities, I think Stephen Colbert says it best:

https://youtu.be/QquTUR9nbC4?t=2m16s

I believe that DT were more so emulating Rush than imitating them. JP and others in the band have referenced that TLG has a Rush influence, and I see it as them paying homage to them more than ripping them off or plagiarizing Limelight.

If they would have tried to hide it, refrain from giving Rush credit, or dismiss the similarities when brought up, that would be blatant imitation.

Just a thought...

1neeto · October 23, 2013, 11:39:54 PM

Quote from: adamack on October 22, 2013, 09:02:07 AM
As for the Limelight similarities, I think Stephen Colbert says it best:

https://youtu.be/QquTUR9nbC4?t=2m16s

I believe that DT were more so emulating Rush than imitating them. JP and others in the band have referenced that TLG has a Rush influence, and I see it as them paying homage to them more than ripping them off or plagiarizing Limelight.

If they would have tried to hide it, refrain from giving Rush credit, or dismiss the similarities when brought up, that would be blatant imitation.

Just a thought...

Yep emulating, giving a shout-out, They have done this quite often in the past. That TGD riff when the lyrics go "life to save life", is extremely similar to Tool's 46&2. Even the "run to the light" sounds a bit like "run to the hills". DT has never been shy to give a nod to any band who may have influenced them at the moment. This song in particular though is the only one I can recall where JP came with with an almost identical riff.

nikatapi · October 24, 2013, 05:04:49 AM

Great track, i really love Mike's drumming on this, very intricate and interesting.

jayvee3 · October 24, 2013, 05:38:40 AM

Monster track, absolutely love it. Kinda has a rush meets innocence faded feel for me, and is currently my phone ringtone, so I get to hear that awesome opening riff a whole bunch! :-)

Sycsa · October 24, 2013, 06:45:55 AM

Quote from: Nearmyth on October 21, 2013, 01:34:50 PM
Great song. I think a fade out of the chorus riff would have been a MUCH much MUCH better ending for the song.

Nah,fade-outs are the cheapest,most uncreative way to end a song. The ending is fine as it is.

MarkFitDT · October 24, 2013, 12:44:19 PM

Brilliant, concise song. One of the best on the album. Love it.

ddtonfire · October 24, 2013, 03:34:41 PM

Quote from: Sycsa on October 24, 2013, 06:45:55 AM
Nah,fade-outs are the cheapest,most uncreative way to end a song. The ending is fine as it is.

Gustav Holst disagrees

gm5k · October 24, 2013, 04:18:36 PM

Never thought about the EVH similarity in that opening riff, but I can definitely hear it now. It's in the those higher notes that he plays on the 2nd half of the guitar phrases, not the lower ones that sound like a Rush riff. An awesome combination.

LTE3 · October 24, 2013, 04:45:47 PM

Wow, I am in the minority here. I think it is the worst song on the album. I only enjoy the bass break out section. I am just happy it is a short song so I can get to the others. I would never skip it but it is my least fav on the album.

ishak540m · October 24, 2013, 06:13:44 PM

Quote from: VincentMDO on October 21, 2013, 01:50:26 PM
Best song on the album. I always get chills on the ending of Petrucci's solo and the comeback of "You're caught up in your gravity..."

I always have to sing along with the delayed "digging up a gold mine" line. Every time. It's a sickness.

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The Looking Glass Discussion Thread