New Album “Distance Over Time’, First Set of 2019 Tour Dates announced!

[BelichickFan]

I just read a one paragraph synopsis (one paragraph, definitely not a review) on ProgressiveEars - I think almost anyone who reads that will be happy and very much looking forward to February 22.

[dream75]

I also read  But strangely the guy repeats the word melody several times but never talks about heavy 

[BelichickFan]

I also read  But strangely the guy repeats the word melody several times but never talks about heavy 

He doesn't.

However this line: "It's essentially the opposite of The Astonishing in just about every way it can be" kind of implies it 

[Dream Team]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

[JustDefyYou]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

He didn't say "the previous album" or reference The Astonishing, he is referring to a number of their prior releases he felt had excessive soloing.

[BelichickFan]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

I'm hoping they're along the lines of Ministry of Lost Souls and Best of Times.  Those are some of JP's most melodic, soaring solos IMO.

[pg1067]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

"Previous albums" is both plural and non-specific.  Even if the author intended to include TA -- which is only the most recent previous album (singular) -- the comment obviously included more than one album.

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

I'm hoping they're along the lines of Ministry of Lost Souls and Best of Times.  Those are some of JP's most melodic, soaring solos IMO.

I hope there is nothing on this album that is even remotely like either of those songs, both of which are bottom 5-10 DT songs IMO.

[Peter Mc]

That's the second person I've seen mention soaring melodic JP solos which makes me excited. Was a little worried with all the talk of it being a heavy album that it would be a shredfest like Train Of Thought. Don't get me wrong, I love to see JP blowing us away with his skills but I also love his more epic moments such as the solo in Lines In The Sand or The Best Of Times.  Ideally like soaring melodic solos with shred within them.

[bosk1]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

I'm hoping they're along the lines of Ministry of Lost Souls and Best of Times.  Those are some of JP's most melodic, soaring solos IMO.

I hope there is nothing on this album that is even remotely like either of those songs, both of which are bottom 5-10 DT songs IMO.

Those two songs rank very low for me as well.  But the point was about the solos.  Notwithstanding that the songs themselves may rate very low, do you not think the solos are pretty incredible?  That would surprise me.  Or is it just more along the lines of that, since you don't listen to the songs, you don't really have a clear recollection of the solos?

[pg1067]

People say such ridiculous things. So according to this guy JP plays soaring, melodic leads and there isn't as much "pointless" soloing unlike "previous albums". Does this idiot not realize that The Astonishing was their previous album, which was full of melodic leads and very little shredding?? I really hate it when people don't know what they're talking about.

I'm hoping they're along the lines of Ministry of Lost Souls and Best of Times.  Those are some of JP's most melodic, soaring solos IMO.

I hope there is nothing on this album that is even remotely like either of those songs, both of which are bottom 5-10 DT songs IMO.

Those two songs rank very low for me as well.  But the point was about the solos.  Notwithstanding that the songs themselves may rate very low, do you not think the solos are pretty incredible?  That would surprise me.  Or is it just more along the lines of that, since you don't listen to the songs, you don't really have a clear recollection of the solos?

The latter, although I recall listening to TBOT specifically to hear the solo after reading folks (either here or on the MP boards) gushing over it, and I recall not thinking it was anything special (although even JP's "nothing special" solos are better than most solos).

[bosk1]

That makes sense.  I figured that might be it, which is why I asked.  I'm in a fairly similar boat, although I have listened to them enough that I know the solos a bit more (simply from listening to their respective albums).

[BelichickFan]

TBOT solo is my favorite part of anything Dream Theater has done.  From 11:07 on, in particular.  But the whole thing is incredible to me.  Not to sound too corny but it feels like JP is reaching into the sky with that solo.  And the solo recaps the song brilliantly.  The high point of Dream Theater for me.

As for TMoLS, no doubt the song is longer than it needed to be - and definitely not my favorite - but another fantastic "outro" solo.

[As I Am]

IMO, The Best of Times is an AWESOME song. Also, Ministry of Lost Souls should have been an awesome song, but something got lost in translation, leaving it mediocre.

[Darkstarshades]

TMOLS is the longest ballad ever.

Certified by Darkstarshades world records.

[ReaperKK]

I think TMOLS is a way better song than TBOT. The TBOT does have a killer solo though.

I also really love the outro of TMOLS.

[rab7]

I think TMOLS is a way better song than TBOT. The TBOT does have a killer solo though.

I also really love the outro of TMOLS.

I used to like the outro, until I watched a video about how it was a uniquely modified version of a "4-chord song". Now I LOVE IT.

[Darkstarshades]

I think TMOLS is a way better song than TBOT. The TBOT does have a killer solo though.

I also really love the outro of TMOLS.

Problem I have with TBOT is that I find it difficult to relate, when I experiencied a loss a while ago I had to hear the song pretending it didn't have so many MP-specific lyrics.

[MirrorMask]

The Ministry of Lost Souls is the epitome of all the contrasting opions on DT. I think it has it all:

- People who like the song as a whole
- People who dislike the song as a whole
- People who like the main part of the song, but dislike the solo
- People who dislike the main part of the song, but like the solo

Probably the ending solo is the sole unifying factor.

[bosk1]

The Ministry of Lost Souls is the epitome of all the contrasting opions on DT. I think it has it all:

- People who like the song as a whole
- People who dislike the song as a whole
- People who like the main part of the song, but dislike the solo
- People who dislike the main part of the song, but like the solo

Probably the ending solo is the sole unifying factor.

Yeah, it's a great solo.  I dislike the song as a whole.  But the instrumental section itself is brilliant, and so is the outro solo.  If those had been in a "better" [subjective] song, they could have pushed it to over-the-top awesome. 

[Darkstarshades]

Sometimes I wonder if the instrumental section to TMOLS was written because the band didn't want to have another ballad in the album so close to Repentance. (Edit: It seems Repentance was written last, but maybe it was already considered? Whathever just a thought)

Literally, the instrumental section feels so disconnected to the rest of the song, if you showed it to someone who hasn't heard the song, there's no way that person would've known it was actually a balladesque song in disguise.

The song up until the instrumental begins is roughly 6:30 minutes, way more than most ballads, and in this time it grows up pretty greatly up to its own climax, you could have a radio edit and cut it right there and it would have been a full song to me.

[ToT-147]

No 'new album thread' is complete until there's some discussion about how TMoLS feels "disconnected", right?..

Ok, I'll play..

Literally, the instrumental section feels so disconnected to the rest of the song, if you showed it to someone who hasn't heard the song, there's no way that person would've known it was actually a balladesque song in disguise.

I think that's kind of the whole point of doing it, don't you think?.. They're expert musicians, is not that they didn't know how to put that section in one song and randomly put it in there just for the sake of it.. As you mentioned, maybe they did it because there already was a long ballad in the album, and didn't wanted to do another one (even when they have very different structures and a very different vibe as well)..

But, as I've said many times, having that type of element within a song where the instrumental section seems to come from nowhere or at least it's very unexpected (thus why it feels like is from another song, which logically speaking makes no sense) is something DT did in other songs too.. Beyond this Life has it, Endless Sacrifice has it and Sacrificed Sons has it.. And, IMO, these four songs as a whole (and particularly the break-moments) are awesome just like they are, and mostly because they are like that..

[Darkstarshades]

No 'new album thread' is complete until there's some discussion about how TMoLS feels "disconnected", right?..

Ok, I'll play..

Literally, the instrumental section feels so disconnected to the rest of the song, if you showed it to someone who hasn't heard the song, there's no way that person would've known it was actually a balladesque song in disguise.

I think that's kind of the whole point of doing it, don't you think?.. They're expert musicians, is not that they didn't know how to put that section in one song and randomly put it in there just for the sake of it.. As you mentioned, maybe they did it because there already was a long ballad in the album, and didn't wanted to do another one (even when they have very different structures and a very different vibe as well)..

But, as I've said many times, having that type of element within a song where the instrumental section seems to come from nowhere or at least it's very unexpected (thus why it feels like is from another song, which logically speaking makes no sense) is something DT did in other songs too.. Beyond this Life has it, Endless Sacrifice has it and Sacrificed Sons has it.. And, IMO, these four songs as a whole (and particularly the break-moments) are awesome just like they are, and mostly because they are like that..

Thing is none of these instrumental sections you named feel so disconnected to the song as TMOLS, you could have as well named BAI and Metropolis and that's clearly not the case.
And Mirrormask opened a thread for this so let's take it there.

[Tony From Long Island]

I've got no one to to go the Beacon Theater show with    :-(       All of my DT friends have moved off of Long Island!!!

[Lonk]

I've got no one to to go the Beacon Theater show with    :-(       All of my DT friends have moved off of Long Island!!!

At least your tickets didn't get cancelled 😒 

But maybe someone from the forum can go with you

[nikatapi]

Hopefully we'll start getting some news/reviews coming in in the coming days...
Feels like a long wait till the release!

[RoeDent]

What news is there apart from a possible second track? We know the tracklisting, the album cover. It feels like an eternity since we heard the first single. And there's still 7 weeks until the release. Heck, this pre-album thread has lain dormant for 9 days, so even DTF has run out of stuff to speculate about the album. Or was it a Christmas ceasefire?

[noxon]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

[Architeuthis]

What news is there apart from a possible second track? We know the tracklisting, the album cover. It feels like an eternity since we heard the first single. And there's still 7 weeks until the release. Heck, this pre-album thread has lain dormant for 9 days, so even DTF has run out of stuff to speculate about the album. Or was it a Christmas ceasefire?

This forum is like a bee hive. It gets stirred up for a while and gets swarmed with posts, and then gets all calm and dormant when the novelty of a subject wears off. I guess there's only so much to talk about.
This is just the calm before the storm. As soon as February 22 arrives,  watchout!! 🐝🐝

[dream75]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

Strange (Deja) review 

[nikatapi]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

I'd love to see some more reviews and interviews to be honest. Just to get an idea about the songs, structures, if there's anything new or if it's a "safe" DT album. I'd love to see interviews with Mike, how he approached songwriting, recording, why he put his cymbals so high, all the nerdy stuff 

[Dream Team]

That's a hilariously bad review  . My goodness you weren't kidding with the guy vomiting out obscure references as similes every 3rd phrase.

[RoeDent]

What news is there apart from a possible second track? We know the tracklisting, the album cover. It feels like an eternity since we heard the first single. And there's still 7 weeks until the release. Heck, this pre-album thread has lain dormant for 9 days, so even DTF has run out of stuff to speculate about the album. Or was it a Christmas ceasefire?

This forum is like a bee hive. It gets stirred up for a while and gets swarmed with posts, and then gets all calm and dormant when the novelty of a subject wears off. I guess there's only so much to talk about.
This is just the calm before the storm. As soon as February 22 arrives,  watchout!! 🐝🐝

I guess we're in the eye of the storm. And yep, I am bracing myself to defiantly swim against the tide as people once more flabbergast me with their criticisms.

[YtseJamittaja]

Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

When we will hear another single?

[The Letter M]

Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

Despite the less-than-typical song lengths, do the new songs still have the signature sounds that DT is known for, past and present? Do the longer songs of the album still evoke an epic feel, even if they're under 10 minutes long? And do any of the songs sound like instant DT classics?

What news is there apart from a possible second track? We know the tracklisting, the album cover. It feels like an eternity since we heard the first single. And there's still 7 weeks until the release. Heck, this pre-album thread has lain dormant for 9 days, so even DTF has run out of stuff to speculate about the album. Or was it a Christmas ceasefire?

This forum is like a bee hive. It gets stirred up for a while and gets swarmed with posts, and then gets all calm and dormant when the novelty of a subject wears off. I guess there's only so much to talk about.
This is just the calm before the storm. As soon as February 22 arrives,  watchout!! 🐝🐝

I guess we're in the eye of the storm. And yep, I am bracing myself to defiantly swim against the tide as people once more flabbergast me with their criticisms.

That's a good analogy. I guess we are in a bit of a calm here, but you're right - in the coming 6-8 weeks, we will probably see another gradual rise in activity in this forum. Heck, I haven't visited the DT side of these forums in YEARS, but when news of DOT started hitting, I came back to check it all out, and it's been fun revisiting these discussions and topics!

-Marc.

[fadetoblackdude7]

Do James' vocals on the rest of the album have the same reverb effect like in UA? Or is it just that one song?