What do you 'feel' DT lacks?

[MiracleSleeper]

I'm worried this thread is going to turn into a war zone, but I hope I'm wrong.... Remember this all opinions and personal preference, nothing objective here!

Anyway, as for me... despite DT being my favorite band, the only thing (imo) I've always felt was that they lacked the more 'emotional' side of song writing. Now, when I refer to being "emotional" I'm talking in regards to the type of music that really moves you emotionally, and effects you on an inner, personal level. So as I said, this is more of a subjective criticism than an objective one, because I'm sure plenty of fans are able to internally connect to their music. I definitely feel as though the band creates extremely passionate, vibrant music, but when I'm in an upset mood, or I really need a song to go to, to reflect on some of my issues, I've unfortunately rarely listened to a DT song.

I feel there are a few exceptions though, where DT does capture that inner core of songwriting:

-Space Dye Vest
-Trial of Tears
-Take Away My Pain
-Another Day

And one other thing I'd like to note is that "emotional" doesn't necessarily refer to "sad". Metallica (my original favorite band) I feel wrote so many emotional songs in the 80's that were at the same time heavy as fudge. I can put on, let's say, "Ride the Lightning" and I just 'feel' so many powerful emotions radiating from it. DT has managed to succeed at this several times, but not 'too' often for me.

ps: Go easy on me guys! 

[Xenon]

I don't feel the lack of emotion. At least for me DT12 is the more emotional record they did in the last decade.
But lately I think they lack groove, experimentation, and good production.

[wolfking]

I think as long as DT write and play music they like and enjoy, than I don't think they lack anything.  All bands are different and have different styles, so if I want to hear something that DT doesn't really do, I'll listen to something else.  The last thing I want DT to do is write and play something that's forced.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

A great audio production from start to finish.

[The Nameless One]

Rhythm Guitarist! He can even sing Back-up!

A dedicated Rhythm guitar player, JP will still play all Leads.

[wolfking]

Rhythm Guitarist! He can even sing Back-up!

A dedicated Rhythm guitar player, JP will still play all Leads.

In all my time listening to DT, I have never ever thought once that they needed a rhythm guitarist.

[Xenon]

Rhythm Guitarist! He can even sing Back-up!

A dedicated Rhythm guitar player, JP will still play all Leads.

In all my time listening to DT, I have never ever thought once that they needed a rhythm guitarist.

[MiracleSleeper]

Need a rhythm guitarist?

JP + Two Extra Mechanical Arms = Problem Solved



I may have to draw what that would look like later, lol.

[BlobVanDam]

Rhythm Guitarist! He can even sing Back-up!

A dedicated Rhythm guitar player, JP will still play all Leads.

In all my time listening to DT, I have never ever thought once that they needed a rhythm guitarist.

Likewise. JR fills out the rest of the sonic space perfectly, and the last thing they need is more guitars.

[chaossystem]

Since the departure of Portnoy, I think they've lacked a strong background/harmony vocalist.

Maybe they could bring in Charlie Dominicci to fulfill the role. Or maybe someone who could do backups wherever needed, such as vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards, etc.

Maybe even a female musician to do all of those things. DT has a lot of song parts where the point of view is supposed to be that of a woman. Maybe this would solve that problem...

[Xenon]

Since the departure of Portnoy, I think they've lacked a strong background/harmony vocalist.

Maybe they could bring in Charlie Dominicci to fulfill the role. Or maybe someone who could do backups wherever needed, such as vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboards, etc.

Maybe even a female musician to do all of those things. DT has a lot of song parts where the point of view is supposed to be that of a woman. Maybe this would solve that problem...

bring theresa back 
Even though, I like that idea, I think JP could do that since he's IMO a better singer than MP. But It seems that their vision of music right now is staying true to the records.

[Madman Shepherd]

They lack an adequate amount of James LaBrie lyrics. 

[Anguyen92]

Need a rhythm guitarist?

JP + Two Extra Mechanical Arms = Problem Solved

I may have to draw what that would look like later, lol.

Try to include him playing a four-necked guitar if you can.

[Xenon]

They lack an adequate amount of James LaBrie lyrics.

amen

[BlobVanDam]

Need a rhythm guitarist?

JP + Two Extra Mechanical Arms = Problem Solved

I may have to draw what that would look like later, lol.

Try to include him playing a four-necked guitar if you can.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Since the departure of Portnoy, I think they've lacked a strong background/harmony vocalist.

Was Portnoy a strong backgroung/harmony vocalist?

EVERYONE SURVIVED

ROAR

[adastra]

Tough question!
I have two things that makes DT less DT nowadays

1. Portnoy, but let's not talk about that subject I've tried several years to get over it.

2. When I started listening DT in 2000 my first reactions were something like "DOES THIS KIND OF MUSIC EXIST?!?!" . I felt that again when I heard SDOIT , And again when I heard Octavarium.  and again when I heard The Count Of Tuscany     But yeah, I haven't felt like it with ADTOE and DT12.  I would say that the 2 new albums didn't bring anything new and interesting to the table... Except the orchestral section on IT.

[Xenon]

Tough question!
I have two things that makes DT less DT nowadays

1. Portnoy, but let's not talk about that subject I've tried several years to get over it.

2. When I started listening DT in 2000 my first reactions were something like "DOES THIS KIND OF MUSIC EXIST?!?!" . I felt that again when I heard SDOIT , And again when I heard Octavarium.  and again when I heard The Count Of Tuscany     But yeah, I haven't felt like it with ADTOE and DT12.  I would say that the 2 new albums didn't bring anything new and interesting to the table... Except the orchestral section on IT.

I would say that happens when you listen to a band for many years without a great musical change. You get used to them.
But maybe that's just me. Anyway I do find fresh things in dt12

[erwinrafael]

Recognition.

[Nekov]

JP going back to his I&W/Awake style of playing. He used to do some really interesting stuff back in those days.

[SeRoX]

IMO, the lack of emotion is due to nothing but keyboard. Jordan is awesome musician but he lacks of writing intense, atmospheric and emotional passages. Actually this is the thing I miss since KM has left the band. I guess, Jordan is so technical musician for me which is not bad but also not my cup of tea.

[BlobVanDam]

IMO, the lack of emotion is due to nothing but keyboard. Jordan is awesome musician but he lacks of writing intense, atmospheric and emotional passages. Actually this is the thing I miss since KM has left the band. I guess, Jordan is so technical musician for me which is not bad but also not my cup of tea.

SDOIT alone has more atmospheric and emotional playing from JR than anything KM ever did.

[SeRoX]

To me, not.

[BlobVanDam]

Regardless, to say that JR lacks atmospheric or emotional passages is so ridiculously wrong, and ignorant of his incredible contribution to the band through the years.

[SeRoX]

OK.

[KevShmev]

I think JR does a really good job with the atmospheric stuff, but it's easy to overlook it cause his solos are often noisy messes. Sure, he has some wonderfully emotional solos, but they are the exceptions, not the norm, since, more often than not, his solos are just noisefests where he sounds like he is trying to bend notes into submission, and it's a shame, cause they often detract from the many good contributions he adds to the DT mix.

[efx]

I'm in agreement with KevShmev. I'm staying out of the emotional aspect argument of things since that's just purely subjective but there's two sides to JR to me.

You have the textural aspect and different sounds that he uses which I think is amazing and fits the songs perfectly. His chord work is also cool. But the solos rarely grab me and while he's been a lot better on ADTOE and DT I still think KM's solos stick in my head better. KM also wrote great lyrics which is another feather in his cap.

In the end DS is my favorite anyways so

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Kevin Moore

[TAC]

As far as JR being atmospheric, I think what he does on TCOT is fantastic.

I think as long as DT write and play music they like and enjoy, than I don't think they lack anything.  All bands are different and have different styles, so if I want to hear something that DT doesn't really do, I'll listen to something else.  The last thing I want DT to do is write and play something that's forced.

I agree. I'm not sure they are lacking anything. These last two albums have been rally strong for such a variety of reasons.

[hefdaddy42]

Saying they "lack" anything seems to be missing the point.  Every musician "lacks" something.  That's why there are so many acts/bands/artists.  Anything "lacking" from DT is something I wouldn't be going to DT for anyway, I would be getting it from someone else.

[JediKnight1969]

Saying they "lack" anything seems to be missing the point.  Every musician "lacks" something.  That's why there are so many acts/bands/artists.  Anything "lacking" from DT is something I wouldn't be going to DT for anyway, I would be getting it from someone else.

THIS.

Altough some naked chicks on the album covers wouldn't hurt anyone.

Just sayin'...

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

This guy gets it.

[SuperTaco]

Rhythm Guitarist! He can even sing Back-up!

A dedicated Rhythm guitar player, JP will still play all Leads.

In all my time listening to DT, I have never ever thought once that they needed a rhythm guitarist.

I used to think they needed a rhythm guitarist, but overtime that opinion changed to "JP needs to overdub less". I think it could really help the music breathe more if he didn't layer the guitars so much in certain parts. He's insanely talented and has a thick live sound, but he's still only 1 guitarist. I'd like it if he kept his sound a bit more "grounded" next time around. ...It's funny I say that, because some of their best musical moments have been really big and full in sound.

EDIT: JP mentioned in an interview recently that he enjoys the dynamic of guitar/keyboard interaction over 2 guitars. This is exactly what I feel DT lacks (only a bit though). I'd like if JP focused more on interacting with JR and creating more soundscapes together, as opposed to playing "individually". I hope that came across right xD

[mikeyd23]

I used to think they needed a rhythm guitarist, but overtime that opinion changed to "JP needs to overdub less". I think it could really help the music breathe more if he didn't layer the guitars so much in certain parts. He's insanely talented and has a thick live sound, but he's still only 1 guitarist. I'd like it if he kept his sound a bit more "grounded" next time around. ...It's funny I say that, because some of their best musical moments have been really big and full in sound.

I don't know if I'd say JP overdubs too much, but I'd certainly agree that less guitar overdubs is a much better option for DT than ever bringing in a second guitarist.

[Ħ]

I think JR does a really good job with the atmospheric stuff, but it's easy to overlook it cause his solos are often noisy messes. Sure, he has some wonderfully emotional solos, but they are the exceptions, not the norm, since, more often than not, his solos are just noisefests where he sounds like he is trying to bend notes into submission, and it's a shame, cause they often detract from the many good contributions he adds to the DT mix.

Agreed, and I'll go further and say that this is the worst thing about DT right now. JR's solos often amount to mindless scribbling and frittering between a few key notes, without rhyme or reason. It is a shame, because we all know he is a true virtuoso capable of true elan and beauty.