*Official* A View from the Top of the World discussion thread

[Herrick]

I think it's a great album. It's thick, dense, technical, yet still melodic, and every sing is endearing.
It does take a few listens to wade through everything, especially a song like Sleeping Giant.

I like it a lot more than Distance Over Time.

So do I easily, and there's a lot on Distance Over Time that I like.

Oh yeah I like it too. I listened to it last week for the first time in a long time and I still liked it about as much as I did when it first came out. I feel like Rudess keyboards were kind of subdued on Distance Over Time.
The latest album just gets better and better for me.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Every album since SC has had at least one amazing solo. I am not hearing one on View that's up there with say Best of Times, Breaking All Illusions, Behind the Veil, etc

I absolutely think the solo on Invisible Monster is among JP's best.  It may not be "amazing" in terms of shredding, but it's beautifully melodic and builds to a perfect conclusion.  It also has that 'song within a song' quality to it that I love.

All depends on one's criteria for a great solo, I guess.

At the suggestion of another poster I created a top 10 JP solos thread. If you decide to check that out you'll see that my top 10 does not prioritize shreddy solos. In fact, 2, maybe 3 could be considered shreddy. Others' lists vary quite a bit.

Invisible Monster has a good solo. I just don't think it comes anywhere near JP's best. When I think of the best JP solos I am thinking of Breaking All Illusions, Best of Times, Spirit. IB does not approach that tier in my opinion.

[wolfking]

I even like the solo in Transcending Time.  The super fast shredding part makes me laugh everytime because it's so random.   

I don't know what JP was thinking during that part of the solo.  He's better than that.

[Podaar]

I even like the solo in Transcending Time.  The super fast shredding part makes me laugh everytime because it's so random.   

I don't know what JP was thinking during that part of the solo.  He's better than that.

Scary thought? He believed that's exactly what the moment called for and he loves it.

[crystalstars17]

Breaking All Illusions

We agree about something! 😁

I love this song on so many levels, it's one of my favorites. Seriously seeing it played live from second row in 2017 was life changing. I hope they bring it back again.

I also love Invisible Monster. This song doesn't get enough love.

[Jamesman42]

Listen #3: This feels more like a JLB solo album than DT. I think that's why I am not connecting with it as much. Also just feels very loud and lacking some dynamics. Will keep listening this week.

[WilliamMunny]

I even like the solo in Transcending Time.  The super fast shredding part makes me laugh everytime because it's so random.   

I don't know what JP was thinking during that part of the solo.  He's better than that.

Man, talk about hitting the proverbial nail on the head.

If someone said, "Hey James, you used to worship at the alter of JP, what gives?"

I'd play them the solo to "Transcending Time," as it pretty much sums up everything I've grown tired of with JP's playing.

Again, he's an amazing player, and Lord knows he forgot more about guitar this morning than I'll ever know, but I think his quest to 'bench press 1000' on guitar has taken his playing to a place that doesn't really move me much these days.

That said, I'm listening to A View (on vinyl) as I type these words, and man, has this record continued to grow on me. It's a damn fine listen. Not necessarily a top-tier album, but it's gotten more listens from over this past year than nearly any other album I own.

[KevShmev]

I think the "I can't help myself but to shred a little in what is supposed to be a melodic solo" gene has always been a part of JP's musical DNA.  See: the solos in Another Day, The Spirit Carries On and the live Hollow Years from Budokan.  Don't get me wrong, I am a big of Petrucci, but there are definitely times where I wish he'd show a little more restraint than feeling the need to shred just for the sake of shredding.

[TAC]

but there are definitely times where I wish he'd show a little more restraint than feeling the need to shred just for the sake of shredding.

I don't think that's it. I think that's just the way he hears it going.

[WilliamMunny]

but there are definitely times where I wish he'd show a little more restraint than feeling the need to shred just for the sake of shredding.

I don't think that's it. I think that's just the way he hears it going.

I agree, and more power to him.

And yes, it's always been a component of his playing, but trust me, his proficiency, speed, and overall tightness as a player has improved since the early days. In that regard, his playing feels (to me) way more clinical than, say, on FII or Awake.

Again, this is totally a 'me' issue, not a JP issue. I still love the band, but it's been a while (or a decade) since a DT solo made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I think solos like TSCO are so good because they take you on a journey and build up into a climax, which is the shreddy part. Without it, that solo just is not the same.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Listen #3: This feels more like a JLB solo album than DT. I think that's why I am not connecting with it as much. Also just feels very loud and lacking some dynamics. Will keep listening this week.

This has to be one of the most head-scratching comments I've ever seen on this forum - and I've seen a lot!

How does View in any way sound like a JLB solo record? It has all the hallmarks of a DT album and everything one should expect from the guys, which is not to say it's automatically amazing. In fact it is a little too by the book DT if I had to find a fault with it. I don't see how the album has any more or less dynamics than any other DT record? Front to back it's probably darker and heavier than most but there are moments of relief - Invisible Monster, Transcending Time, a chunk of the big epic - that are comparable to prior works. It doesn't have a ballad so is that what you meant? I don't hear how they departed from their established style on this one in any way shape or form.

I am not expert in JLB solo material, but I just really don't get the comparison here. 

[Jamesman42]

Because the music isn't interesting and it seemed more interested in supporting JLB singing whatever he is singing. I know the music is DT, but it doesn't feel like the DT, but as I have said, I fell out of them after the self-titled.

[TAC]

It's as DT as anything they've done in a long time.

[Jamesman42]

I mean, again, it's progressive metal, I know it's DT, but it lacks personality from my few listens. I am still giving it some more chances.

This is like when people got on my case for disliking SFAM

[TAC]

It's a dense album, and I find that it has a ton of personality.

You're not the only one that hasn't connected with it.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I mean, again, it's progressive metal, I know it's DT, but it lacks personality from my few listens. I am still giving it some more chances.

This is like when people got on my case for disliking SFAM

No no, I am not getting on your case for not liking it. I am just perplexed that you think it doesn't sound like DT but rather like JLB solo work. View sounds about as by the book for DT as could be.

People fall out of love with bands all the time so not digging it is not unusual or even something I could criticize.

[Jamesman42]

It sounds more generic, I guess is what I am trying to say, with JLB's classic vocals on top.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It sounds more generic, I guess is what I am trying to say, with JLB's classic vocals on top.

ah, ok. I understand that!

[Herrick]

I even like the solo in Transcending Time.  The super fast shredding part makes me laugh everytime because it's so random.   

I don't know what JP was thinking during that part of the solo.  He's better than that.

I never really paid attention to that solo but after reading these posts, I just listened to that solo and it doesn't sound random at all. The beginning of that super fast shredding part reminds me of neoclassical metal stuff like Yngwie.

I don't think it's one of Petrucci's greatest solos but it definitely has structure and purpose. It's not like of of those drunken-sounding SLAYER or Nile solos.

[DoctorAction]

I mean, again, it's progressive metal, I know it's DT, but it lacks personality from my few listens. I am still giving it some more chances.

This is like when people got on my case for disliking SFAM

Took a while for it to click with me (wasn't for a month or so of trying it, coming back, etc) but I would say it's a very "DT" album. It does have a unique vibe, but like most of their albums do. View and DoT are where the Mangini era successfully comes together, imo. Well worth persisting with. 🙂

[Jamesman42]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

[crystalstars17]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

I respectfully disagree. The solo in The Alien, the groundbreaking Awaken the Master, the epic title song... I think these are "defining moments", along with songs like Answering the Call and Invisible Monster.  The whole album practically qualifies as a defining moment (and nevermind the winning of a Grammy, and all...). ✨

[nobloodyname]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

I think it's a perfectly fine and enjoyable album but it certainly lacks the diversity present in some of their earlier albums. I think that's mostly down to the secret sauce that was lost a few years ago.

[Jamesman42]

I respectfully disagree. The solo in The Alien, the groundbreaking Awaken the Master, the epic title song... I think these are "defining moments", along with songs like Answering the Call and Invisible Monster.  The whole album practically qualifies as a defining moment (and nevermind the winning of a Grammy, and all...). ✨

I will say Awaken the Master would be the track I would keep if I had to keep one and delete the rest.

[KevShmev]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

I think it's a perfectly fine and enjoyable album but it certainly lacks the diversity present in some of their earlier albums. I think that's mostly down to the secret sauce that was lost a few years ago.

Okay, but does have an album have to be diverse to be worthy and/or great?  I would say no.  Sometimes, an album can be great by capturing a vibe and staying in it for the duration.  On the flip side, Octavarium is probably one of their most diverse albums from a stylistic song to song standpoint, but I still view it as one of their least best.  (I would take probably the five best songs off A View... over every song from Octavarium that isn't called Octavarium)

[TAC]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

I think it's a perfectly fine and enjoyable album but it certainly lacks the diversity present in some of their earlier albums. I think that's mostly down to the secret sauce that was lost a few years ago.

I don't know that I agree with this. Now I would say that AVFTTOTW is probably the least diverse of the MM Era, but the other four albums are very diverse.

[gzarruk]

I will give it that it has a unique vibe. It's just that it doesn't have any staying power and lacks defining moments that was a hallmark of the DT of old.

I think it's a perfectly fine and enjoyable album but it certainly lacks the diversity present in some of their earlier albums. I think that's mostly down to the secret sauce that was lost a few years ago.

Okay, but does have an album have to be diverse to be worthy and/or great?  I would say no.  Sometimes, an album can be great by capturing a vibe and staying in it for the duration.  On the flip side, Octavarium is probably one of their most diverse albums from a stylistic song to song standpoint, but I still view it as one of their least best.  (I would take probably the five best songs off A View... over every song from Octavarium that isn't called Octavarium)

There's serious wisdom here

[KevShmev]

Haha, thanks!

And to be clear, I am not trying to start an 8V vs A View conversation; I am merely using my subjective opinions of both to demonstrate that diversity is not necessarily needed to make an album great.  Don't get me wrong, I can name many albums that are great, with a broad range of styles being one of the main reasons why it is so good, but I can also name many that are great that are not diverse.  There are many ways to skin a cat and make a good record. 

[Glasser]

I can't wait for a live album from this tour.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I can't wait for a live album from this tour.

Did they say that they're doing one on this tour?

[Glasser]

I can't wait for a live album from this tour.

Did they say that they're doing one on this tour?

No but I'm hoping for an announcement soon that they are. I just have a good feeling.

[Jamesman42]

Being pretty unfamiliar with half of DT's MM-era stuff still, how would you guys rank it from ADTOE onward?

From what I have heard:

1. ADTOE
2. s/t
3. View

[faizoff]

Mine would be
1. Events
2. Time
3. Theater
4. View
5. Astonish

All albums are 9/10 for me, just varying degrees of preference.

[TAC]

I can't wait for a live album from this tour.

Did they say that they're doing one on this tour?

No but I'm hoping for an announcement soon that they are. I just have a good feeling.

This sounds like an informed opinion.