Distance over time- an interesting review!!!

[RodrigoAltaf]

Check it out: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/dream-theater-distance-over-time/

[Max Kuehnau]

Good review. Far too many factual inaccuracies though.

[The Curious Orange]

Well, I've only heard the first 3 songs, and while I wouldn't quite describe them that way, I kind of agree with the sentiment behind that review. I liked the rocket shedding stages analogy though!

[RodrigoAltaf]

Good review. Far too many factual inaccuracies though.

I thought it was an interesting read, and not just because I also write for the same website and because John is my friend. But what kind of innacuracies did you find?

[erwinrafael]

I don't know how to take seriously a review where Paralyzed is discussed without discussing Mangini's drumming in that song. Or to describe the trashy start of FitL as sounding like any other contemporary DT song.

[Max Kuehnau]

Good review. Far too many factual inaccuracies though.

I thought it was an interesting read, and not just because I also write for the same website and because John is my friend. But what kind of innacuracies did you find?

You're right, I found it to be an interesting read too. Now these dreaded factual inaccuracies: Victoria died in 1928 (not 1929,in a parallel universe in Room 137 maybe ), there are 4 J's in the band (Jordan, James, JP, JM), "Into The Light" (should be Fall Into The Light, but we know that), D/T is the 14th album (not the 15th)  And now something else I've come across I found strange, but there may be some logic behind it: These sportspeople analogies. I wonder what they mean. But I like that the review seems to be rather a positive one overall, which I think is a good thing. And I'm not saying your colleague did a bad job or you did or anyone, don't confuse that please. Loved the interviews with James and Jordan.

[jayvee3]

Positive enough review, just littered with the aforementioned mistakes, no mention whatsoever of "Out of Reach" and reads entertaining enough, but could strip it back a little on all the analogies. The only other thing that bothers me, and this can be said of multiple reviews- I don't care what Haken and co. personally do. I've come to read a DT review as I like that band. As hard as I've tried, I just don't care for those other bands, therefore if they truly are doing something different, it's lost on me as their music simply doesn't resonate with me. I just don't know why you'd have to really even mention other bands. Apologies if that all comes across as a bit negative- I'm actually very chilled  - just a few general thoughts. Peace 

[The Curious Orange]

It is very difficult to describe music without reference to other bands. You do need to say "sounds like Led Zeppelin" or "sounds like The Beatles" and just hope that your readers are familiar with those bands.

[erciccio]

Good review. Far too many factual inaccuracies though.

I thought it was an interesting read, and not just because I also write for the same website and because John is my friend. But what kind of innacuracies did you find?

You're right, I found it to be an interesting read too. Now these dreaded factual inaccuracies: Victoria died in 1928 (not 1929,in a parallel universe in Room 137 maybe ), there are 4 J's in the band (Jordan, James, JP, JM), "Into The Light" (should be Fall Into The Light, but we know that), D/T is the 14th album (not the 15th)  And now something else I've come across I found strange, but there may be some logic behind it: These sportspeople analogies. I wonder what they mean. But I like that the review seems to be rather a positive one overall, which I think is a good thing. And I'm not saying your colleague did a bad job or you did or anyone, don't confuse that please. Loved the interviews with James and Jordan.

...and I don't think it's a nylon string guitar in FITL interlude, should be an acoustic...

Nice review anyway.

[erciccio]

Or to describe the trashy start of FitL as sounding like any other contemporary DT song.

At most you could describe it as "other contemporary Metallica" ...if the review had been written in 1988

[lovethedrake]

I loved that review...  clearly written by a fan that was able to be objective and didn't just throw out the typical cookie cutter crap we always see in reviews.

[Moor]

"Jim Clark won more Formula 1 and 2 races than any driver in history, and yet no one expected it. Tom Brady has a higher statistical probability of playing in an AFC playoff than most people do of making it to work on time. Hank Aaron hit a hell of a lot of home runs, but no one expected it on every hit."

Exactly my thoughts about the new album...  Kiddin...great review !

[MinistroRaven]

Sorry for hijacking the thread, I started a different one

[TheOutlawXanadu]

At the end of this this particular write-up, the reviewer says:

The real enemy of Dream Theater remains Dream Theater, for setting the bar to Olympic pole-vaulting heights, and then setting the expectations for fans and us in the press to somehow meet or exceed that. It may not be realistic to expect that.

I kind of understand this line of thinking, but I respectfully disagree with it. To me, this is just setting yourself up for disappointment. What band, fourteen albums in, delivers their best? I am sure there are some examples, but it is exceedingly rare. At this juncture in their careers, if you expect Dream Theater to exceed the bar set by albums like I&W, Awake, SFAM, etc., you are kind of expecting them to do something that few/no other bands have done, and then getting disappointed when the inevitably do not pull it off.

[MirrorMask]

At Wit's End is described as quite heavy, but the review to which the thread is dedicated mentions piano balladish parts.... how does the song actually goes? (for the reviewers who already heard it)

[rab7]

there are 4 J's in the band (Jordan, James, JP, JM)....These sportspeople analogies. I wonder what they mean.

I think at that point he was talking about the instrumentalists at this point. "Mike Mangini is the real deal, and puts down the intense time signatures and beats with the 3 J's as well as anyone conceivably ever could." He's referring to Mike's cohesion with John, John, and Jordan.

As for sportspeople analogies, he's saying that you won't expect every legendary sportsperson to do amazing things at every opportunity (e.g. We're not expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to get a hat trick every single game that we watch him), so we shouldn't expect DT (the athlete) to make a new SFAM (or whatever you consider their magnum opus) everytime they put out a new record

At Wit's End is described as quite heavy, but the review to which the thread is dedicated mentions piano balladish parts.... how does the song actually goes? (for the reviewers who already heard it)

Fall Into the Light is overall heavy, but has the beautiful melodic part in the middle, so I assume they mean At Wit's End has some similar changes

[Max Kuehnau]

ah that's what the analogy was about. Now I understand. Sorry about that then.

[bosk1]

At Wit's End is described as quite heavy, but the review to which the thread is dedicated mentions piano balladish parts.... how does the song actually goes? (for the reviewers who already heard it)

It has both.  This song really does a lot of different things, and does them well.  This is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  Might be the best song on the album.

[Samsara]

I'm really anxious to hear Pale Blue Dot...

[Zydar]

Pale Blue Dot and Barstool Warrior has me the most intrigued.

[bosk1]

Barstool Warrior...sonically, I would compare it to Blind Faith, The Bigger Picture, and The Looking Glass. 

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done. 

[jayvee3]

It is very difficult to describe music without reference to other bands. You do need to say "sounds like Led Zeppelin" or "sounds like The Beatles" and just hope that your readers are familiar with those bands.

Referencing bands or songs for describing similarities etc. is understandable. Referencing bands to highlight what they are doing is more innovative and fresh than a band that has been around for 14 albums is pointless...

[MirrorMask]

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done.

Early Symphony X or latter Symphony X?

[Dream Team]

I don't know how to take seriously a review where Paralyzed is discussed without discussing Mangini's drumming in that song. Or to describe the trashy start of FitL as sounding like any other contemporary DT song.

I hope you meant thrashy, not trashy.

[Dedalus]

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done.

[LKap13]

Good news then. Symph X is my second favorite band 

[gzarruk]

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done.

Early Symphony X or latter Symphony X?

Hopefully, latter

[lucasembarbosa]

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done.

Early Symphony X or latter Symphony X?

Hopefully, earlier

FTFY

Divine Wings of Tragedy and Odyssey send their regards

[gzarruk]

Pale Blue Dot is the best Symphony X song DT has ever done.

Early Symphony X or latter Symphony X?

Hopefully, earlier

FTFY

Divine Wings of Tragedy and Odyssey send their regards

Paradise Lost and Iconoclast are my SX favorites, so I respectfully disagree 

[dream75]

At Wit's End is described as quite heavy, but the review to which the thread is dedicated mentions piano balladish parts.... how does the song actually goes? (for the reviewers who already heard it)

It has both.  This song really does a lot of different things, and does them well.  This is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  Might be the best song on the album.

I listened to about 2 minutes of At Wit's End 😁 In my opinion it will be the best of the album 

[a51502112]

The "stabbed rat" part of the review made me LOL.

[Herrick]

Hardcore DT Hipsters? What does that mean?