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

[Voices]

In Italy.

Ah, what a relief. 
But what about the listening parties? No updates yet...

[DreamerTV]

The only place where they can see this as an exclusive privilege instead of an opportunity to share an experience (and DT music) is Italy.

Crazy.

[Voices]

The only place where they can see this as an exclusive privilege instead of an opportunity to share an experience (and DT music) is Italy.

Crazy.

That's too bad, I was really looking forward to read new opinions about TA...

[the keyboard wizard]

Do not worry, the French listening party will be fully covered.

[Voices]

Do not worry, the French listening party will be fully covered.

Yeah!

[the keyboard wizard]

But don't expect anything before, let say, 11 PM (GMT + 1). The listening party is scheduled at 3:30 PM so maybe we'll finish at 6 PM. We'll go to a pub with the staff to celebrate one of our staff members' birthday. Then I go home, take care of my little daughter (here she is, discovering for the first time The Gift of Music :
) and then I should be able to log in.

[erciccio]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, the guys invited were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chosen ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

[DreamerTV]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

May i ask which forum?

[erciccio]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

May i ask which forum?

YtseItalia TheRoom on Facebook, you have to join

[DreamerTV]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

May i ask which forum?

YtseItalia TheRoom on Facebook, you have to join

Joined and actually they're saying nothing - nor anything like "bring back portnoy" - at least not commenting the album.
Generally good impressions, but very secretive about details - don't really get why.

[erciccio]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

May i ask which forum?

YtseItalia TheRoom on Facebook, you have to join

Joined and actually they're saying nothing - nor anything like "bring back portnoy" - at least not commenting the album.
Generally good impressions, but very secretive about details - don't really get why.

Yeps, I was referring to the "comments to the reactions"...
In there you can find the "Portnoy ang good old times" staff

[GandL]

wrong tread, ....

[Ben_Jamin]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

Sounds like Italy is The Great Northern Empire.

[DreamerTV]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

Sounds like Italy is The Great Northern Empire.

It's not.
It's just the way they've been educated as DT fans.

[erciccio]

Anyway, I was so pissed off by the general mood of the Italian forums (not by the preview feedbacks themselves, they were extremely concise and "neutral") that I signed-off from every forum/ group, so you have to ask DreamerTv if the "Chosen Ones" will realease some further reaction to the listening party...

[DreamerTV]

Anyway, I was so pissed off by the general mood of the Italian forums (not by the preview feedbacks themselves, they were extremely concise and "neutral") that I signed-off from every forum/ group, so you have to ask DreamerTv if the "Chosen Ones" will realease some further reaction to the listening party...

First of all, i totally understand.
Second, i've already seen them answering, to those who asked "how was it?" "we'll find out together on the release day", so i don't think they'll say anything.
I actually stay there just for the sake of giving correct infos and not let them get lost with their own assumptions, otherwise my places are mainly here - since a long time at this point - and now dt.club.

[Ben_Jamin]

After hearing Moment of Betrayal, since this is the spoiler thread I thought I'd ask/speculate,










it seems act 1 ends with Xander getting kidnapped.

[noxon]

You'll have to wait and see...

[matthewmatt]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

Sounds like Italy is The Great Northern Empire.

Nah, it's just the Revenge of Tuscany.

[thedrumanimal]

Warner Music held a facebook contest here in Germany, you had to claim which is your favourite album and why... 8 winners will take part in a listening session on Friday. AND YES!!!! I won...

[The Stray Seed]

  That's awesome man! May I be the first to ask you a review?

[CoT67]

Well, you'd better not read the reactions to the preview in Italy...

I've read something on an Italian forum, and it's the usual complaining chatter that is the trademark of Italy these days..

The reactions were really neither positive nor negative, but all the comments were in the mood of "it's not the usual DT but is too similar to the usual DT" "it's not as good as the old good times" "bring Portnoy back" "bla bla bla"...

And yes, they guys were not willing to share too much, almost considering themselves the Chones ones that were elected to the Royal Audience of the not-so-Astonishing-as-the-old-good-times Preview.

Sounds like Italy is The Great Northern Empire.

Nah, it's just the Revenge of Tuscany.

The Count of Tuscany 2: This Time It's Personal

[Ben_Jamin]

You'll have to wait and see...

Oh You....

[Kyo]

The Count of Tuscany 2: This Time It's Personal

Let me introduce... Mah brother Gabriel!

[Train of Naught]

The Count of Tuscany 2: This Time It's Personal

Seen that exact same title for a part 2 before, hmm.. 

[chwik]

Strange philosophy of not sharing after the Italian listening party....Anyway, how about the french one? Is it over or is it later this week? Would be cool to hear other peoples reactions other than my own.

[the keyboard wizard]

Strange philosophy of not sharing after the Italian listening party....Anyway, how about the french one? Is it over or is it later this week? Would be cool to hear other peoples reactions other than my own.

It's over : I'm finishing to write my report in French and I'll report to you in a few minutes. Great experience btw

[Panar]

Strange philosophy of not sharing after the Italian listening party....Anyway, how about the french one? Is it over or is it later this week? Would be cool to hear other peoples reactions other than my own.

It's over : I'm finishing to write my report in French and I'll report to you in a few minutes. Great experience btw

[RMGadelha]

[the keyboard wizard]

Ok, here I go. Firstly, I won't do a track by track review as it is so difficult to remember all the tracks.

Concerning the pre listening: it started well: I missed my train then a man was on the tracks so the train stopped. Luckily for me, I had planned to arrive early.
Warner music premises are nice and we were in a meeting room with a big table and framed pictures on the wall of famous warner artists (coldplay, david guetta, bruno mars). We had some cakes and a few bottles of juice and coke.
With no further ado, the listening started after confiscating our cellphones.
The listening was kinda exhausting as you need to analyse two hours of musical contents and the lyrics but it was fun. We had a break between the two CDs so you started discussing about the first CD.
At the end of the second CD, I asked the members some questions (what do you think about the album, positive/negative things, what member shines, what did you think about the organisation....) and then we chatted again. After that the staff of Your Majesty stayed with the brand manager to discuss the future events that might take place and we have some cool stuff for the French fans!

Now concerning my views on the album: it's too soon to decide if I really like the album or if it's just ok. First of all: be warned: it is NOT a Dream Theater album. You should not listen to it while expecting to hear a DT album. It is a rock opera, made by DT. I didn't know what it meant when I was reading some reviews stating that it was a rock opera made by DT, but it is true. No long solos, no strange sounds by Jordan (except the NOMACs), nothing really really heavy. It is a rock opera period.
I think the second CD was better as the first CD is sometimes too repetitive (many songs have the same intro: first the piano, then the guitar) BUT you will find many new things in the first CD (tango, swing....). Many songs will make you put your lighters in the air, a bit like The Spirit Carries On. Yeah I definitively think that the Astonishing is something between The Spirit Carries On, The Count of Tuscany and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. So if you think the album is gonna be like the Gift of Music or Moment of Betrayal, you are definitively wrong! it's like TSCO.

The good points: the piano!!! Oh my god, it's so good to hear the sound of a real piano: imagine Rudess playing right in front of you some simple but beautiful melodies with a great sound. LaBrie is gorgeous, he sounds like Freddie sometimes, his singing is sometimes nervous or like an angel or feminine, amazing how diverse he can sound. Petrucci has some great melodies and the acoustic guitar is really amazing. Myung can be heard sometimes and is more audible than in the previous records. The drum sound did not bother me at all. Yes it's still dry but nothing compared with DT12. Everything breathes in that mix and that's for the better.
The story is not that simple: betrayal (no shit, with a song entitled Moment of Betrayal), death....
The bad points: sometimes it's too cheesy: the lyrics and the melodies. Sometimes you feel like you are listening to a Disney OST. I had a laugh during Act of Faythe when the chorus is about her music player. Sometimes I thought I was listening to Aladdin's OST like A Whole New World or Prince Ali. The second bad point is that: yes they took some risks but they didn't push far enough. For example: the tune with the bagpipe is outstanding but is too short.

One of the best track is definitively Our New World. It reminded me of The Way it Used to Be.

So to sum up: do not think it is a pure DT album, no, just imagine it is a rock opera with elements of DT inside. Imagine it's a big The Spirit Carries On/Six Degrees thing. If you don't like the piano, well, get a refund. Do not listen to it once. It's complex, it's demanding. Imagine the kind of Christopher Nolan's blockbusters: everybody could like those movies (it contains the most "easy listening" songs of DT) but you need time to fully appreciate them because of the details of the themes.
Well that's exactly that: a demanding version of The Spirit Carries On made by Christopher Nolan.

[RMGadelha]

I love Chopin and Beethoven, therefore I love pianos. Can't wait!

[BlobVanDam]

I had a laugh during Act of Faythe when the chorus is about her music player.

I admit I cringed at that the first time, but the music is soooooooooo good.

[lovethedrake]

I loved everything about your review until you said it's like a Christopher Nolan movie... that scared me a bit.   Spielberg, Burton, Zemeckis, PTA are great but Nolan... I hope this is not an accurate statement haha.

[Kaiser595]

Really? Memento? Interstellar? Batman? Inception?  Those are great movies!

[the keyboard wizard]

I love Chopin and Beethoven, therefore I love pianos. Can't wait!

Some parts reminded me of Rick Wakeman too.

BTW, the theme in Lord Nafaryus really sounds like the main title of Inspector Gadget (I don't know if the French song is the same in English : well here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFoKXGN94wY the extract starts at 00:04)

@lovethedrake: I chose this comparison because I love Nolan, yes he does super hero movies but they are so deep, so complex, yes, he does science fiction movies but they are complex and demanding too. If you don't like Nolan, just think about Kubrick? I've always compared DT to Kubrick except for the last albums (from SC to DT12)