(POLL) What rating do you give to Untethered Angel?

[lonestar]

Based on only 3 listens and the track sounding like they took an old homework assignment, switched a few things around and turned it in as something new just won't do.

I gave it a D.

That a very apt analogy.

[Evermind]

I gave it a D as I've got to practice for hangman for my upcoming roulette.

[erwinrafael]

If you go by the comments, you would have thought that the overwhelming grade is D. 

[jayvee3]

Based on only 3 listens and the track sounding like they took an old homework assignment, switched a few things around and turned it in as something new just won't do.

I gave it a D.

You mean Dream Theater sound like Dream Theater? Wow, who'd have thought...

[Woodworker1]

UA started out as a "B" for me, then transitioned to a "A" after about 10 plays.

Sure, the song is a little predictable, but given the amount of music DT has recorded, it's hard to critisise them for sounding like themselves!

As someone stated in another thread, there is more going on in the song (Beneath the Surface) then is apparent in the first listen.

[Adami]

Based on only 3 listens and the track sounding like they took an old homework assignment, switched a few things around and turned it in as something new just won't do.

I gave it a D.

You mean Dream Theater sound like Dream Theater? Wow, who'd have thought...

I do not believe that is what he meant.

[T-ski]

C.

but C's get degrees. whatever that has to do with anything I'm not sure.

[Adami]

C.

but C's get degrees. whatever that has to do with anything I'm not sure.

Not graduate degrees they don't.

[cramx3]

But they dropped out of Berkley?

[jayvee3]

Based on only 3 listens and the track sounding like they took an old homework assignment, switched a few things around and turned it in as something new just won't do.

I gave it a D.

You mean Dream Theater sound like Dream Theater? Wow, who'd have thought...

I do not believe that is what he meant.

Good for him.

[pretorios]

I give the song a solid B. Love the vocal harmony and the solos. If there's a few things I can criticize: 1) very familiar opening, 2) The drums allow very little space for the other instruments to breathe.

[erwinrafael]

2) The drums allow very little space for the other instruments to breathe.

How so? I think Mangini's restraint especially in JP and JR's solos allowed the other instruments to shine.

[Darkstarshades]

If you go by the comments, you would have thought that the overwhelming grade is D. 

This applies to youtube videos and facebook posts as well.

[noxon]

Just another proof of the silent majority.

[SeRoX]

noxon, just a question considering you hear the album before most of us. Do you think they could choose another song for the first single for the positive feedbacks or UA is still the best for promote? If you can't answer I undertand.

[noxon]

At this point I don't think it matters what they release, there's going to be people bitching regardless. It's impossible to please everyone at this point, as DTs fanbase is so diverse and schizophrenic. I've heard people comment completely opposite things. "Best drum sound by Mangini so far" - "Still crappy drum sound by Mangini". "Finally a good sounding mix" - "This is the worst mix by DT yet". "Perfect, sounds just like DT" - "Shitty, sounds just like DT". How can you even navigate these kinds of comments?

[nikatapi]

At this point I don't think it matters what they release, there's going to be people bitching regardless. It's impossible to please everyone at this point, as DTs fanbase is so diverse and schizophrenic. I've heard people comment completely opposite things. "Best drum sound by Mangini so far" - "Still crappy drum sound by Mangini". "Finally a good sounding mix" - "This is the worst mix by DT yet". "Perfect, sounds just like DT" - "Shitty, sounds just like DT". How can you even navigate these kinds of comments?

That's true, you'll always have people loudly voicing their opinion. And unfortunately, many people are still bitter about MP leaving the band and find opportunities to negatively comment on anything they do.

The production problems on previous releases are not to be ignored, but UA indeed is an improvement.
The body of work that DT have released and the many changes they've been through will inevitably trigger both negative and positive reactions with everything they do. People are still complaining about JR and how he is not KM, so nothing new i would say.

[JLa]

C. Stretching towards a B, but ... they can do better. And C is still great.

[Darkstarshades]

At this point I don't think it matters what they release, there's going to be people bitching regardless. It's impossible to please everyone at this point, as DTs fanbase is so diverse and schizophrenic. I've heard people comment completely opposite things. "Best drum sound by Mangini so far" - "Still crappy drum sound by Mangini". "Finally a good sounding mix" - "This is the worst mix by DT yet". "Perfect, sounds just like DT" - "Shitty, sounds just like DT". How can you even navigate these kinds of comments?

I wonder if someone bitched like that back when SFAM came out.

Btw, I did get the Walk beside the band thing.

[mikeyd23]

At this point I don't think it matters what they release, there's going to be people bitching regardless. It's impossible to please everyone at this point, as DTs fanbase is so diverse and schizophrenic. I've heard people comment completely opposite things. "Best drum sound by Mangini so far" - "Still crappy drum sound by Mangini". "Finally a good sounding mix" - "This is the worst mix by DT yet". "Perfect, sounds just like DT" - "Shitty, sounds just like DT". How can you even navigate these kinds of comments?

So true.

[MirrorMask]

"Perfect, sounds just like DT" - "Shitty, sounds just like DT".

Reminds me of that flowchart about The Last Jedi that was around on the web... it had the question "Do you like the latest Star Wars movie?" and both the YES and NO option pointed as a result to "You're not a true Star Wars fan" 

[Zook]

C. Just average.

[?]

C

Doesn't really have a "wow" factor, but there's nothing wrong with the song either (though I do wish JLB's vocals weren't so effect-laden).

[Darkstarshades]

I'm still thinking if the other songs in the album will have as many effects on the voice as this one, in that case, that would be shitty as hell.

[TL]

Probably a C. The mix is super frustrating because when I really focus in, there are parts that I quite like. But if I'm just listening to the song normally, a lot of those cool and interesting bits fall by the wayside. Basically, they've recorded a pretty good song, but they put the pieces together in a way where it's difficult to appreciate.

The mix and mastering certainly aren't terrible, but they leave a lot to be desired. Some elements sound muffled, and it leaves a decent song sounding less impressive than it could. I'm still super excited about the new record. I just wish it sounded better (I remember having similar feelings about DT12, Good music stifled by sub par production. Though this isn't as bad at least). It's especially frustrating because as complicated as my thoughts were on The Astonishing, I felt the production on that album was a big step in the right direction. This song sounded less clear than that.

I was listening to the song on a streaming service I subscribe to. After it finished, a DT song from the early/mid 90s came on. The clarity of the mix was night and day. Nuances and details were just so much clearer, and this was from the same source, so it wasn't a matter of low quality online video versus local FLAC or anything. It really struck me, and bummed me out a little bit since it made it pretty clear that Untethered Angel would probably sound leaps better with a slightly better mix.

I'm still greatly looking forward to the rest of the record. It's just a bummer that the mixing is what it is.

[MirrorMask]

Standing firm in my decision to listen to the album as a whole, I have to say it's easier than expected to just wait.

The hardest part is the day when the single is out - new music is officially out there and you're there biting your nails thinking that if only you'd want it, you could just listen to it like anybody else.... once the first 2 days have gone, it's all back to normal (as in "the new album isn't out yet"), and it's way easier to just wait 

[Bertielee]

Standing firm in my decision to listen to the album as a whole, I have to say it's easier than expected to just wait.

The hardest part is the day when the single is out - new music is officially out there and you're there biting your nails thinking that if only you'd want it, you could just listen to it like anybody else.... once the first 2 days have gone, it's all back to normal (as in "the new album isn't out yet"), and it's way easier to just wait 

The same here. I even tend to forget there's an album coming out in February.

B.Lee

[SuperTaco]

I was initially kinda disappointed, but like so many of their songs have, it grew on me like moss on fallen trees.

Went with B, because I'm sorta thinking about the scope of the whole album. This won't be the best song, but it will still be a solid track at the end of the day.

[Darkstarshades]

DoT is not the album we deserve, it's the album we need.

[Shooters1221]

But they dropped out of Berkley?

Which one?
Berkeley, or Berklee. Sorry, I know, but I just had to in good spirit.

I'll give it an "A", can't wait for the rest of DoT.

[red barchetta]

It's D for me.

+
*Clearer drum sounds comparing Mangini's era albums.
*Audible bass sound.

-
*Overproduced vocals. (Not that James is bad but the production is so bad.)
*Unnatural solo duelling between Jordan and John.
*It's more than just a resemblance that it sounds like Outcry, especially the first half.
*Clearer drum sound but yet again it's so ordinary nothing exciting.
*So generic guitar tones.
*I simply don't love Jordan solos anymore. They were great on Scenes and SDOIT but then... I mean they are so long and sounds out of place most of the time. Guess it's not my cup of tea.

Totally agree.  No improvement about the drums and bass sound.  And about the song, to me it's repetitive, déjà vu melody.  I'm curious about what will be the album.  And until I heard about the setlist they will perform, I'm not buying any tickets.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I think that the bit between the first and second chorus is absolutely outstanding. Hopefully, that is a good enough a description that people know what I am taking about. It makes me think about Ravenskill, where my favorite part of the song - the banging riff near the end - is only played for like 30 seconds. Stop teasing me, dammit!

Interestingly, I played the song in my car the other day and felt like the bass was kind of low. But there are people saying the bass is actually really audible. Maybe I just have a personal problem...

[bosk1]

I think that the bit between the first and second chorus is absolutely outstanding. Hopefully, that is a good enough a description that people know what I am taking about. It makes me think about Ravenskill, where my favorite part of the song - the banging riff near the end - is only played for like 30 seconds. Stop teasing me, dammit!

  Yup.  You've seen my posts about my exchange with JP over that bit in Ravenskill, right?

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I think that the bit between the first and second chorus is absolutely outstanding. Hopefully, that is a good enough a description that people know what I am taking about. It makes me think about Ravenskill, where my favorite part of the song - the banging riff near the end - is only played for like 30 seconds. Stop teasing me, dammit!

  Yup.  You've seen my posts about my exchange with JP over that bit in Ravenskill, right?

Ah, yes. I think I have. Did he agree that the riff was really good, but they just wanted to keep it short, or did he have no idea that it would hit people the way it did?

[TAC]

I think that the bit between the first and second chorus is absolutely outstanding. Hopefully, that is a good enough a description that people know what I am taking about. It makes me think about Ravenskill, where my favorite part of the song - the banging riff near the end - is only played for like 30 seconds. Stop teasing me, dammit!

  Yup.  You've seen my posts about my exchange with JP over that bit in Ravenskill, right?

I didn't!