Listening Parties for The Astonishing ***SPOILERS***

[noxon]

I was not aware that Another Day was about the death of a parent, you learn something every day. Will have to go back and look at those lyrics again. Great to hear everyone is enjoying the album, can't wait to hear it on 29th. Am actually seeing Steven Wilson that night but will try to squeeze a couple of listens.

Another day dealt with the cancer illness of JP's father, while take away my pain dealt with the actual death.

[dparrott]

What songs are good enough to be singles?

[ariich]

Great reading all this info about the album, I'm excited a lot for it! Thanks chwik!

Yeah, my excitement level for this album has actually been raised thanks to the recent info from the listening party and the initial reviews. It seems to be the kind of album I "want" from DT.

I can't quite decide how excited I am. Most comparisons seem to be to SFAM and SDOIT - the latter is my top DT album but the former is pretty low down. Though I'm assuming the comparisons are based on sound rather than anything else.

[noxon]

There are no singles on this...

[CDrice]

What about The Gift of Music?

[T-ski]

lots of intriguing info in this thread.

thanks to chwik and noxon for their thoughts.

[emtee]

The most important I can possibly ask...

How is it from a sonic perspective?

Would you rate in (sonics only) ahead of the last 2 RR albums?

Would you rate it on par with what YOU consider their best sonically?

Thanks!!

[ariich]

The most important I can possibly ask...

How is it from a sonic perspective?

Would you rate in (sonics only) ahead of the last 2 RR albums?

Would you rate it on par with what YOU consider their best sonically?

Thanks!!

Surely it's only possible to make this judgement when listening on the same equipment you normally use, and in particular that you've used for other DT albums. Otherwise differences can reflect the equipment and calibration.

[emtee]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

[shadow1psc]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

I don't think even the best sound system in a bar/pub is going to match up to a critical listening environment with proper headphones and amplification...

[rab7]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

I don't think even the best sound system in a bar/pub is going to match up to a critical listening environment with proper headphones and amplification...

Which brings up an important question: What's the absolute best way to listen to this album (and other albums for that matter)?

I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser earbuds just for this experience, and they sound fantastic. I'm hearing things stand out that have never stood out in the 6 years I've known DT.

In terms of quality, what's the optimal way to listen from these choices: CD, FLAC, WAV, 320 kbps Mp3?

[Evermind]

Out of these I think CD is the best, but don't quote me on this one.

[BlobVanDam]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

I don't think even the best sound system in a bar/pub is going to match up to a critical listening environment with proper headphones and amplification...

Which brings up an important question: What's the absolute best way to listen to this album (and other albums for that matter)?

I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser earbuds just for this experience, and they sound fantastic. I'm hearing things stand out that have never stood out in the 6 years I've known DT.

In terms of quality, what's the optimal way to listen from these choices: CD, FLAC, WAV, 320 kbps Mp3?

CD, FLAC and WAV are all lossless, so they will all sound equally perfect to the source. 320kbps MP3 isn't technically as high quality being a lossy format, although in practice very few people would ever tell the difference, so I don't see a problem with any of those formats.
The best listening experience will come down to preference and budget. I personally prefer over the ear headphones to speakers and earbuds for listening to music, but each to their own.

[shadow1psc]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

I don't think even the best sound system in a bar/pub is going to match up to a critical listening environment with proper headphones and amplification...

Which brings up an important question: What's the absolute best way to listen to this album (and other albums for that matter)?

I recently bought a pair of Sennheiser earbuds just for this experience, and they sound fantastic. I'm hearing things stand out that have never stood out in the 6 years I've known DT.

In terms of quality, what's the optimal way to listen from these choices: CD, FLAC, WAV, 320 kbps Mp3?

Unless you've spent multiple thousands of dollars, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between FLAC, WAV and CD. Maybe even 320 mp3s.

As far as 'best' way to listen, that's always going to be subjective. Different setups will color the music. If you want flat, natural 'the way the band intended', a good pair of open back headphones and quality solid state dac/amp combo will do. I have two setups, one for work and one for home. At home I'm rocking Sennheiser HD 600s and an Aune T1 mk2 tube DAC +amp. That is my 'fun' setup - many people will tell you that while the HD 600s are incredibly high fidelity and accurate, their EQ out of the box is a little more 'fun' than flat. Couple that with any sort of tube anything in your chain, and you're coloring the sound in ways that will excite certain frequencies (down to the type of tube used).

At work I've got a few different pairs of AKG (one open, semi open and closed back) paired with an old Headroom Micro Stack (DAC/AMP, solid state). This is my 'reference' setup that gives a very flat EQ response and lots of clarity. Sound stage varies based on which pair of headphones I'm using.

If I had to choose only one, I'd choose my home setup every time, but the tube I'm using at the time will be different from album to album.

[ariich]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

Well, yes I was thinking that too, but it can give a false positive - i.e. "it sounded fantastic" because it was on a high quality system that was set up to sound good for that album.

Plus, people have different preferences. I hate there being too much bass in my sound set up, others love it.

[Woodworker1]

Thank you very much for answering; based on your reply I don't think I have ever been more excited for an album than this one.  The cheesy animation is completely forgotten/forgiven.

I'm very happy to hear about the increased use of acoustic and clean guitar sounds.  The recent thread on one of my favorite instrumental albums, "Evening With Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci", prompted me to listen to that album again and appreciate even more the chemistry between Jordan and John.

So my question is this: do any songs on "The Astonishing" remind you of "Evening With Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci"?

Does any of the songs remind me of complete songs from Evening with JP & JR?

Not per se, but there are themes, sections and motives throughout the album with that vibe. You can really feel the chemistry between JR & JP in this album. In my opinion, this album reeks of a relaxed and close relationship between two good friends that also happens to be world class in their respective instrument. It was a clever desicion to write the album on only piano and guitar in a closed environment. For example; if heavy parts sounds good with only piano and with a clean guitar, you can be damn sure it will sound good when distortion is applied.

[BlobVanDam]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

Well, yes I was thinking that too, but it can give a false positive - i.e. "it sounded fantastic" because it was on a high quality system that was set up to sound good for that album.

Plus, people have different preferences. I hate there being too much bass in my sound set up, others love it.

A crap sounding album would actually sound worse on a good setup, unless you're not used to decent listening equipment, in which case you probably shouldn't be judging an album's sound anyway.
On the flip side though, a great sounding album could sound crap on bad equipment, and it would be hard to tell whether it's the album or the equipment without a frame of reference.

But let me save you some time. It sounds great.

[emtee]

Good point.

I guess I assumed the listening parties were generally done in places with decent sound systems though.

Well, yes I was thinking that too, but it can give a false positive - i.e. "it sounded fantastic" because it was on a high quality system that was set up to sound good for that album.

Plus, people have different preferences. I hate there being too much bass in my sound set up, others love it.

A crap sounding album would actually sound worse on a good setup, unless you're not used to decent listening equipment, in which case you probably shouldn't be judging an album's sound anyway.
On the flip side though, a great sounding album could sound crap on bad equipment, and it would be hard to tell whether it's the album or the equipment without a frame of reference.

But let me save you some time. It sounds great.

Thanks BVD. Coming from you that means a lot. I was going to wait until I heard more comments after release day but I figure
I'll go ahead and pre-order.

[chwik]

Great reading all this info about the album, I'm excited a lot for it! Thanks chwik!

Yeah, my excitement level for this album has actually been raised thanks to the recent info from the listening party and the initial reviews. It seems to be the kind of album I "want" from DT.

That was my thought when leaving the listening party. I wanted to hear it again immediately, and that says alot after 130 min. Maybe I am drinking my own coolaid, but there was someting special with this; just so much finesse - nothing seemed redundant, it flowed effortlessly.

As for the sound, definitely the best sounding RR album. Trumphets and all :-)

[BlackInk]

Cool. Despite all my griping about stuff, I actually am really interested to hear this thing.

[ericoml]

There is something like this, with choir?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGSX7DlDLBg&feature=youtu.be&t=2m40s

I swear I can hear the choir singing "Nafaryus" like that instead of "Kratos"

[SystematicThought]

I'm looking forward to hearing the jazz swing section. I read over on MP's site that the swing section leads directly to blast beats. Is that true or exaggerated?

[BlobVanDam]

I'm looking forward to hearing the jazz swing section. I read over on MP's site that the swing section leads directly to blast beats. Is that true or exaggerated?

Noxon mentioned it earlier, and I can confirm it myself.

[RMGadelha]

Oh man, DT blast beats!

[dparrott]

There are no singles on this...

Maybe instead of the traditional singles and music video, they'll release another trailer/commercial.  I can't see an album of this size only promoted with touring.  RR are going to want to get as much as they can with this one.

[Enigmachine]

I'm looking forward to hearing the jazz swing section. I read over on MP's site that the swing section leads directly to blast beats. Is that true or exaggerated?

Noxon mentioned it earlier, and I can confirm it myself.

That sounds wonderful. 

[BlobVanDam]

I'm looking forward to hearing the jazz swing section. I read over on MP's site that the swing section leads directly to blast beats. Is that true or exaggerated?

Noxon mentioned it earlier, and I can confirm it myself.

That sounds wonderful. 

Oh it's glorious.

[dparrott]

That Italian review described a song as heavy metal circus music!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

That Italian review described a song as heavy metal circus music!

I can see that annoying a couple of folks 'round these parts. 

[RMGadelha]

That Italian review described a song as heavy metal circus music!

Oh, metal circus?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j_mDsBTQnE

[mike099]

That Italian review described a song as heavy metal circus music!

I can see that annoying a couple of folks 'round these parts. 

Damn, it is going to sound like early Haken 

[chwik]

Chwik, can you forsee certain tracks of The Astonishing becoming fan favourites/must for setlists?

Yes I can, but it is to difficult to be spesific which songs at the moment.

[emtee]

Here is another question gang. I'm currently listening to the HufPo interview with JP and he says this is JLB's tour de force. He mentions
the 8 different characters and the need for different vocals.

Can you guys really tell a strong difference between JLB's normal voice and the change between characters?

Thanks

[shadow1psc]

Chwik, can you forsee certain tracks of The Astonishing becoming fan favourites/must for setlists?

Yes I can, but it is to difficult to be spesific which songs at the moment.

How would you describe JLB's characterizations? Listening to this interview, JP says it's one of his best performances to date, and that he really ran with the whole in character thing. Is that just pr hype, or was he... astonishing  ?

[chwik]

James Labrie really delivers. Top notch performance. He brought the characters to life, at the same time sounding like James. You can hear that he enjoyed singing on this album, and I am not surprised. It seems that a rock opera really suits James as a vocalist. Felt kind of the same vibe I get from the cover of "tenement funster/flick of the wrist/lily of the valley" they did on the 2nd disc of BC&SL