Where’s all the Paralyzed Discussion? Guess I’ll Start

[adamack]

I thought there'd be a topic by now! I thought there'd be one minutes after it's release.

Some quick thoughts:

The good:

I think this is James' best performance of the 3 songs so far. His vocal melodies are more interesting and dynamic than the other songs.

The main riff is cool, and I think Myung sounds really good. Also digging JP's solo - reminds me a ton of the solo in "Forsaken". Relatively short and to the point, but nice. I also like how they nixed any JR solo for a song like this.

I really enjoy the verses. I like that build up/break down (no pun intended) kind of arrangement

The bad:

As mentioned the riff is cool, but it's also nu-metal sounding. Every time I hear the intro, I think... Ooo - WAH- AH - AH -AH!

The song is incredibly safe. This isn't the worst quality, as Forsaken was safe too and I love that song. But a tiny bit more DT flavor would have been nice.

I really don't like the robotic effect on the word "Paralyzed". I get that the song is about AI/robots and the effect makes this key word stand out. But I wish their engineer would pick some better effects as I didn't like the chorus effect on LaBrie in UA either.

Finally, I just don't feel like this song will age well. When stacking it up against their incredible catalog, I probably won't see much of a reason to return to it often. Hope I'm wrong though.

Overall, decent song. It's probably the definition of a 7/10.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

This single has me a little dumb-founded. With UA and FITL I knew pretty quickly how I felt about those, but with this I just don't know what to make of it from my initial listen. No real bad or real good impressions, just colossal indifference. I don't want to overplay it or the other singles before the album's release as I'd need to hear it more in its context, but so far it's a big "meh" for me.

[Kocak]

Here's all the discussion:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=53021.2660

[adamack]

This single has me a little dumb-founded. With UA and FITL I knew pretty quickly how I felt about those, but with this I just don't know what to make of it from my initial listen. No real bad or real good impressions, just colossal indifference. I don't want to overplay it or the other singles before the album's release as I'd need to hear it more in its context, but so far it's a big "meh" for me.

I can see where you're coming from. Maybe since it doesn't really sound like a typical DT song, it's harder to nail down what to think about it. I'm going to try not to listen to it as much either before the album - I've totally played out UA and FitL already.

Here's all the discussion:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=53021.2660

Ah, how sneaky of it. Thanks!

[Dream Team]

This single has me a little dumb-founded. With UA and FITL I knew pretty quickly how I felt about those, but with this I just don't know what to make of it from my initial listen. No real bad or real good impressions, just colossal indifference. I don't want to overplay it or the other singles before the album's release as I'd need to hear it more in its context, but so far it's a big "meh" for me.

I can see where you're coming from. Maybe since it doesn't really sound like a typical DT song, it's harder to nail down what to think about it. I'm going to try not to listen to it as much either before the album - I've totally played out UA and FitL already.

Here's all the discussion:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=53021.2660

Ah, how sneaky of it. Thanks!

So apparently you missed all the UA and FITL discussion that was also in that thread?

[adamack]

This single has me a little dumb-founded. With UA and FITL I knew pretty quickly how I felt about those, but with this I just don't know what to make of it from my initial listen. No real bad or real good impressions, just colossal indifference. I don't want to overplay it or the other singles before the album's release as I'd need to hear it more in its context, but so far it's a big "meh" for me.

I can see where you're coming from. Maybe since it doesn't really sound like a typical DT song, it's harder to nail down what to think about it. I'm going to try not to listen to it as much either before the album - I've totally played out UA and FitL already.

Here's all the discussion:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=53021.2660

Ah, how sneaky of it. Thanks!

So apparently you missed all the UA and FITL discussion that was also in that thread?

Yep, I believe so. I did make a thread about UA though which saw some activity, so I got my discussion fix from that. I was really busy around the time FITL came out so didn't have much time

[wideworldofmike]

Does anyone know what this song is about? The video w robots doesn't really seem like it has anything to do w lyrics, and the track by track video just talks about how Mangini came up w main riff. Would love to know if anything has been posted, or if anyone has any insight, I love this track and have thoughts, but wanted to see if there was any official info out there.

[Lax]

Over the 10 songs, it's the only one that didn't click to me.

JP's solo is great and short

I think my main issues are that :
-I don't listen to DT for "straightforward songs" I want to be caught off guard, surprised and sometimes emotional.
-As a guitarist (and a little drummer) and a foreigner, I've always been focused on music and less on vocals/texts, so I would less enjoy singing leaded songs

It's not terrible, but it's a breather in the album to my habits

I'm still working on my ultimate reorganized track order of the album, maybe it will move

[YtseJamittaja]

I really like the intro and song overall but main problem for me is that the song doesn't have clear chorus. It's like pre-chorus which should raise the feeling to melodic high tempo chorus but it just goes to another verse.

[erwinrafael]

I like it. It's in the vein of The Mirror in that it is a drum-led song.

[Shooters1221]

I like the song, it's a good straight forward type. I do however cringe when those modulating background vocals start.

[danoz]

I was listening to this today without usually paying much attention, but in the car...it is huge. Probably one of JPs biggest guitar sounds, along with TBP. Absolutely crushing wall of sound, love it! I read somewhere that it is similar to James solo stuff, that I agree with. Also, that guitar solo, pure class. Well done DT, can't wait to hear one this live!

[erciccio]

The perfet 4 minutes Dream Theater song.

Great intro, great build-up work buy Mangini, killer riff (especially in a car), beautiful melodies, great solo, great background work by Jordan.

One of the best in the album, and their best "short single" ever

[KevShmev]

I like the song, it's a good straight forward type. I do however cringe when those modulating background vocals start.

Yeah, I am not a fan of those background vocals on the later choruses that are being swallowed in effects.  Sounds very unnatural and makes what I already consider somewhat of a skippable song even moreso.  It's not a bad song overall, just kind of there.

[RAIN]

Hands down the best song on the album.  Pure DT, yet short and to the point.  Feels a bit Awake era and that's critically great.  There's nothing more to say.

[Evai]

The 'I am paralyzed' from Panic Attack is even in the same key as this song, it's gotta be intentional

[CirclesSquared]

Easily the worst song off the album for me. Just your average piece of modern metal with no DT intricacies whatsoever.

[MirrorMask]

Pure DT, yet short and to the point.  Feels a bit Awake era and that's critically great.

I agree! my only minor complaint is that the chorus is too short, I get that it's repeated at the end but I wish we had more tension and climax before going into the repeat of "I am paralyzed". But this song is a grower and it's a kickass rocker that becomes addictive with each new listening.

[SuperTaco]

Easily the worst song off the album for me. Just your average piece of modern metal with no DT intricacies whatsoever.

Hands down the best song on the album.  Pure DT, yet short and to the point.  Feels a bit Awake era and that's critically great.  There's nothing more to say.

This is so DTF.

[Architeuthis]

The only thing about the song is it loses steam after the " in your face" build up intro. When it goes into the verse it gets toned down too much,  although I like what the drums are doing there.  There is redemption in the song later, but it just kind of falls off after the intro.

[Anxiety35]

It's a basic song. It's this album's "mainstream appeal" song. A more radio friendly track for rock/metal stations and satellite radio. Did they write it with that in mind? Don't know. I'm not sure DT is a band that writes music and says that they must have one song that appeals to the masses. I think they write what they write and it is what it is.

It's a cool riff. It almost sounds as if it could have been on a James LaBrie solo album. I think it may be one of those songs that will be better live than on the record.

[Iceyice]

Anyone hear 'The Diary Of Jane' similarities?
I know that when i do my next Rock Mix tape, i'm trading those two off  for a few minutes!

[Anxiety35]

Anyone hear 'The Diary Of Jane' similarities?

When the single was released, many comments I read on YouTube compared it to Breaking Benjamin. It was the first thing that came to my mind when I listened to the song as well. Not so much the entire song, but the main riff and when the vocals come in "The anger, the pressure.." that match with the chunky riff underneath.

[RAIN]

Easily the worst song off the album for me. Just your average piece of modern metal with no DT intricacies whatsoever.

Hands down the best song on the album.  Pure DT, yet short and to the point.  Feels a bit Awake era and that's critically great.  There's nothing more to say.

This is so DTF.

Hillarious...