A Broken Man - Out December 3rd

[Skeever]

The song's alright. A decent enough vehicle for the instrumental section, which I really enjoyed.
The AI slop is annoying. If the band want to put thoughtless shit behind them on stage that's whatever, but the fact that the visualizer is full of AI generation and errors is something I have a real problem with. In fact, it's why I didn't want to buy the box set. I don't want to own a BluRay with this shit on it, or see the AI artwork blown up to full vinyl scale. It's embarrassing. 

[MirrorMask]

the Shadow Man from the cover spotted around 4:10 in the (soulless and mediocre) video.

Song is alright, I don't want to overplay it 'cause I want to have the full album experience. I'm not salivating over it after just two listens but I'm glad it feels cohesive and not thrown together.

[Skeever]

I don't want to be the dead horse but I really regret watching the visualizer for my first experience because I was so distracted by how bad it was.

I will listen to this song again tomorrow and hopefully forget all about the visual component by then.

Here's my thoughts on what I would like to see for my dream theater visual: just show the guys playing. It's that simple. Put a GoPro on James Labrie's head.

[MirrorMask]

Here's my thoughts on what I would like to see for my dream theater visual: just show the guys playing. It's that simple.

First video was artistic, for the second one they could have really showed the guys playing in the studio, fans would have been all over it.

[MinistroRaven]

When this happens it's not anyone from the band 😉 it's the people running their social media

To me, Dream Theater isn't just the band itself—it's the whole crew behind it, from the techs to the social media team, and of course, the band members. They're all part of what makes Dream Theater what it is! 

[bl5150]

I immediately liked this one more than NT. I like most elements here, just don't think the instrumental section and the rest of the song fit each other well.

What would this song replace in the current set if they play it for the upcoming tour leg?

Exact same.........liked it better than NT on first listen but the bright vibe of the solo didn't match the subject matter/rest of the song IMO.   I find both songs quite listenable but neither have had me rushing back.

[YtseJammer666]

I just tried the new song on Qobuz 24/96, and it doesn't sound any better than the YouTube version. Honestly, the song still isn't leaving a great impression on me, it's actually worse than I thought and IMO one of the weakest DT songs since The Astonishing album.

[Adami]

Felt bored by it. But that's just me.

[Rammstein]

First video was artistic, for the second one they could have really showed the guys playing in the studio, fans would have been all over it.

I think it is a missed chance that they did not film themselves performing it during the soundchecks on their stage.

Regarding a lot of comments (have not heard the song yet) I instantly thought about MPs recent comment on the hyper critical fanbase in the recent interview with Ola 

[ReaPsTA]

I think it is a missed chance that they did not film themselves performing it during the soundchecks on their stage.

Regarding a lot of comments (have not heard the song yet) I instantly thought about MPs recent comment on the hyper critical fanbase in the recent interview with Ola 

It's a good thing to have a fanbase that cares.

[Rammstein]

It's a good thing to have a fanbase that cares.

That's true!

[wolfking]

First listen and honestly, this bored the hell out of me.  There is nothing in this song that sounds like TOT, 6D or SC.  This sounds like something directly off AVFTTOTW.  Maybe like a lot of the songs from that album the melodies need time and repeated listens to show themselves.

I don't find this song heavy at all either and to me lacks energy.  I think I understand the direction and thought process the JP solo took in relation to the subject matter but it feels too contrived.  This song sounds defines 'going through the motions.'  I warmed to NT so maybe this is the same.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

First listen and honestly, this bored the hell out of me.  There is nothing in this song that sounds like TOT, 6D or SC.  This sounds like something directly off AVFTTOTW.  Maybe like a lot of the songs from that album the melodies need time and repeated listens to show themselves.

I don't find this song heavy at all either and to me lacks energy.  I think I understand the direction and thought process the JP solo took in relation to the subject matter but it feels too contrived.  This song sounds defines 'going through the motions.'  I warmed to NT so maybe this is the same.

A couple members have posted they hear View but which song on there do you think is ABM is most similar to?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It's a good thing to have a fanbase that cares.

Yes and to balance off the hyper critical there are even more extremely loyal fans who will pretty much support whatever some do. It has its pros and cons like anything else.

[CodyWanKenobi]

Very cool track. James sounds great! The rhythm reminds me of YYZ, which is cool, and I really like that they added what sounded to me like a reprisal of the verse section from Night Terror (though, I could be wrong about that - I'll have to give it another listen). Overall, my initial impression is much better than it was for NT, though I've since come to like NT more and more as I've given it more listens.

[wolfking]

A couple members have posted they hear View but which song on there do you think is ABM is most similar to?

Instantly reminded me of something like SG or ATM.

[TAC]

This sounds like something directly off AVFTTOTW.

Agreed.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Instantly reminded me of something like SG or ATM.

Interesting.

Separately one really cool thing I experienced was the visualizer scene during the Steve Morse solo section. It really helped me make sense out of what had seemed to be a totally random section in an already disjointed sounding song. Now I feel it makes *some* sense in the narrative of the song.

[wolfking]

Interesting.

Separately one really cool thing I experienced was the visualizer scene during the Steve Morse solo section. It really helped me make sense out of what had seemed to be a totally random section in an already disjointed sounding song. Now I feel it makes *some* sense in the narrative of the song.

I listened through Spotify, so I'll check the visualizer later on.

[misterbiscuit]

Sadly it's sounding to me like a rejected track from AVFTTOTW. If I'm honest I'm a bit tired of JP's clean, homogenised production (compare this to 6DOIT!!!!!) and the chuggy single note verses with melodies that just meander over the top.

Loved Night Terror, but this has deflated my excitement for the new album somewhat.

[wolfking]

but this has deflated my excitement for the new album somewhat.

Same.  I'm hoping the song grows but all excitement I had has pretty much gone.

[XJDenton]

The mix sounds a little...anaemic, like the guitars are barely there at times. Overall its...fine, but its definitely covering well trodden ground musically.

And the visualiser definitely had a "student who has just discovered midjourney" feel.

[Setlist Scotty]

Personally I love the new song. IMO, waaaaayyy better than NT. NT is OK, but not something that grabs me even to this day. It's just a middle of the road song that I would rate similarly to Constant Motion. This is definitely a step up and is more appealing to me. Love the whole thing, from the Oceansize-ish intro to the verses, chorus and JR's keyboard instrumental parts. The only thing I take issue with is the guitar solo and the instrumental the band is playing underneath it that just does not fit the rest of the song at all. That section is great but would be much better suited in a completely different song. So for me, it does take the song down a couple notches, not unlike how I feel about the Zappa section in Beyond This Life, which doesn't really fit, IMO, even if I've gotten used to it being a part of the song (as I'm sure will be the case here).

[Setlist Scotty]

I'm sure this will put me in the line of fire too, but I can honestly say with personal experience, that Setlist Scotty is about as far from a "fucking elitist piece of shit" as you can get. 

very much so

Thanks for the kind words guys - much appreciated. 

[gzarruk]

Thanks for the kind words guys - much appreciated. 

And I second (or third?) their words.  Long live Scotty!

[wolfking]

I've listened to the new song 15 times already and am more and more blown away by each listen than the previous. This might be the greatest song DT ever wrote. Hopefully JLB gets another grammy for this one!

I'd probably agree with you if this was the only song they had ever wrote.

[Progmaniac1988]

Gets better and better as the day goes on. Love it. I love JR's soundscapes, and I'm going to say it. MP is a beast. His performance is ferocious on this song! I love it. I'm just enjoying these guys playing together.

That solo section may end up in a top 5 fav DT solo sections... I'll let it digest a bit more tho lol.

I got no issue with the production. It's alittle treble high, but not to a point where it bothers me. My ears ajust after a few seconds...

I just hope as a whole the album has at least some emotional moments like octavarium, learning to live, count of Tuscany, goodnight kiss/solitary shell...
The songs released so far have a darker vibe which is cool. I just hope as a whole we get some "feels" too

[Hanz Gruber]

I never thought that I would long for the days of "The Atonishing"  The first Dream Theater album that I disliked was A View from the Top of the World because there was no melody or memorable verses in any of the songs. This forgettable song sounds like a B-Side or it could be off of that album.  Whatever happened to catchy / memorable songs from Dream Theater? Only 4 songs are left to listen that have vocals?  Take me back to Awake or even Falling to Infinity. I would prefer memorable songs again personally and some emotional impact like many songs off of their past albums. Their past B-Sides (Cleaning Out the Closet) blows this away.  Where has the "feel" gone? The last album and this album (so far) has felt soulless.

[TAC]

I'd probably agree with you if this was the only song they had ever wrote.

 

[King Postwhore]

I never thought that I would long for the days of "The Atonishing"  The first Dream Theater album that I disliked was A View from the Top of the World because there was no melody or memorable verses in any of the songs. This forgettable song sounds like a B-Side or it could be off of that album.  Whatever happened to catchy / memorable songs from Dream Theater? Only 4 songs are left to listen that have vocals?  Take me back to Awake or even Falling to Infinity. I would prefer memorable songs again personally and some emotional impact like many songs off of their past albums. Their past B-Sides (Cleaning Out the Closet) blows this away.  Where has the "feel" gone? The last album and this album (so far) has felt soulless.

Stop smoking dope.

[wolfking]

I never thought that I would long for the days of "The Atonishing"  The first Dream Theater album that I disliked was A View from the Top of the World because there was no melody or memorable verses in any of the songs. This forgettable song sounds like a B-Side or it could be off of that album.  Whatever happened to catchy / memorable songs from Dream Theater? Only 4 songs are left to listen that have vocals?  Take me back to Awake or even Falling to Infinity. I would prefer memorable songs again personally and some emotional impact like many songs off of their past albums. Their past B-Sides (Cleaning Out the Closet) blows this away.  Where has the "feel" gone? The last album and this album (so far) has felt soulless.

Besides the Astonishing part, I kind of agree with you.  Although, I will say, I absolutely hated A View when it came out and agree, no melodies or anything really memorable.  Over time, I did grow to appreciate it a little more.  It's middle to lower tier DT for me, but after the longest time, I warmed to it and spin it more regularly than I ever thought I would when it came out.  Still have no idea why there is so much love for songs like SG and ATM, but everything else are pretty good songs.

One listen and as I said, I was instantly reminded of those two songs so I can see what you mean about this feeling like a b-side to that album.  Night Terror grew on me, but yes, this one feels pretty lifeless and a band going through the motions.  I'll give it time though.  I'll listen to it one or two more times than will wait for the album and try and go in open minded.

[TAC]

I'm kind of digging it. Feels like an LTE song with some crammed in vocals. Musically, I can get behind this sort of thing, but the vocals are such an afterthought here.

Night Terror took a handful of listens to sink it, so hopefully A Broken Man will start making sense arrangement wise once I can break it all down.

[wolfking]

I'm kind of digging it. Feels like an LTE song with some crammed in vocals. Musically, I can get behind this sort of thing, but the vocals are such an afterthought here.

Night Terror took a handful of listens to sink it, so hopefully A Broken Man will start making sense arrangement wise once I can break it all down.

This.  I probably should refrain from commenting until a few more listens at least.  I'm hoping for it to grow myself.  Always happy to admit being wrong.

[PROGdrummer]

The single artwork gave me Gentle Giant vibes    the intro sounds alot like Dillinger Escape Plan to me, that was my immediate thought. I like how wacky this one is. I get LTE, 6DoiT and SFaM era vibes in the instrumental section and the rest of the tune sounds like any banger from Distance Over Time.

The lyric "now I wish I had never been born" made me remember being 15 years old.

[lovethedrake]

I get major Viper King vibes from the Petrucci solo which is funny considering the song and subject matter.