The "Bend The Clock" Thread

[HOF]

Great track, as I mentioned in the main thread, the part at 1:30 when the guitar riff starts along with the hi-hat pattern, sounds like something from Operation Mindcrime. It has that vibe.

I had the same thought.

[HOF]

Giving the album a full listen, because why not.

[dualpalmpilots]

I had tears when the hook came in.

[Northern Lion]

I had tears when the hook came in.

same.

I also love how the solo is 2 1/2 minutes long.  It alone is as long as many pop songs.

[Ben_Jamin]

I knew I would love this song. This is an instant top 10 song for me. It may even go up to top 5.

[bosk1]

...sounds like something from Operation Mindcrime. It has that vibe.

OK, I've gone from "I wouldn't have made that connection, but you having pointed it out, I can see it" to "now I can't unhear it."    But it's not a negative at all; it's just a really cool undeniable similarity, and one that is very interesting in a song that has such a different vibe.

[faizoff]

OK, I've gone from "I wouldn't have made that connection, but you having pointed it out, I can see it" to "now I can't unhear it."    But it's not a negative at all; it's just a really cool undeniable similarity, and one that is very interesting in a song that has such a different vibe.

Yeah, I listened to the OM album yesterday to scratch that itch.

[Öxölklöfför]

The intro guitar reminds me a lot of The passing light of day by Pain of salvation, in a good way. Both soundwise and playwise. Really emotional.

[gborland]

That grungy overdriven guitar tone in the intro is immense. I am so glad JP has been experimenting with different sounds here.

[DeanTheater]

Yes! I finally had a few listens and this song is a cut above the rest.  I stated in the album thread (as did someone else) that this may be their most impactful and well written song since Breaking All Illusions.  I had goosies the entire song.  LOVE THIS TRACK.

[Northern Lion]

Yes! I finally had a few listens this song is a cut above the rest.  I stayed in the album thread (as did someone else) that this may be their most impactful and well written song since Breaking All Illusions.  I had goosies the entire song.  LOVE THIS TRACK.

I agree.  Not only is it a masterpiece, but I do believe it will turn out to be a DT classic.

[Northern Lion]

Maybe someone here can help me out? What is this song about?  I have read the lyrics several times, and I really like the lyrics, but I have no earthly idea what the subject matter is.

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

Are we dreaming into this song is a new top favorite two track duo.

[NoseofNicko]

The guitar solo just might be my second favorite DT guitar solo after The Best of Times!

[Zydar]

Maybe someone here can help me out? What is this song about?  I have read the lyrics several times, and I really like the lyrics, but I have no earthly idea what the subject matter is.

I've read this description online: 

This song is written from the point of view of one who suffers from sleep paralysis episodes. They wish to be free from their terrible dreams, which seem to come at a "witching hour" every night. This person wishes to "bend the clock" so to speak and either skip ahead or go back in time to be free from their episodes. And as time goes by, they are more desperate as the episodes only get worse.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I can't think of the last time JP has just gone for subtle overdrive rather than full clean or full distortion.

Sounds to me like he's using his same lead channel on his Mesa.

[Dedalus]

There's something that bothers me a little bit about the solo part, but it's not the solo itself. I didn't know what it was, but now I've found out. It's the groove.

In A New Beginning Mangini was heavily criticized for following the solo section in a simple, straightforward and repetitive way (which is funny, because the guy who was criticized for playing in a very complicated and exaggerated way, when he does the opposite he is criticized too). In BTC Portnoy does a more inventive accompaniment, with fills and such.

They are different approaches and I honestly don't love the specific performances of either of them in both songs, but that's okay, they are OK performances.

What I think makes all the difference is the bass. I really like Myung's groove in ANB. Petrucci soloing, Mangini following in a simple way... what gives it a special touch is Myung's groove IMO.

In BTC I miss something more interesting done by the bass in the solo section. I think if Myung had done a more interesting groove this part would be better.

In fact, JM and JR could have stood out more in BTC. The track shines with JP and JLB, with Mike doing his part well.

Anyway, these are just a few observations. It's still a great song.

[Northern Lion]

I've read this description online:

This song is written from the point of view of one who suffers from sleep paralysis episodes. They wish to be free from their terrible dreams, which seem to come at a "witching hour" every night. This person wishes to "bend the clock" so to speak and either skip ahead or go back in time to be free from their episodes. And as time goes by, they are more desperate as the episodes only get worse.

I've read this description online:

This song is written from the point of view of one who suffers from sleep paralysis episodes. They wish to be free from their terrible dreams, which seem to come at a "witching hour" every night. This person wishes to "bend the clock" so to speak and either skip ahead or go back in time to be free from their episodes. And as time goes by, they are more desperate as the episodes only get worse.

Thanks so much Zydar! That was really helpful. Now the song makes sense.

[TAC]

Can we Bend The Post so there's only one Zydar quote at a time?

[KevShmev]

I will echo the sentiments I have seen that this song is a standout.  It's a really good song either way, but it really stands out as a melodic gem amongst the sea of metal that mostly devours the rest of Parasomnia.

[bosk1]

I have no worldly idea how anyone could learn the song so quickly, but here's a guitar cover of the song, including the solos, that is great because it highlights a lot of things going on with the guitar that I did not pick up (she's REALLY talented): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqW8giwhJW0

[Trav]

I've teared up every time I've listened to this song. James delivers vocally and lyrically. Everyone is in top form on this one. I love this band.

[nick_z]

It's a real nice song, for sure. Having read the comments before hearing it I was maaaybe hoping for a melodic song more in a 90s DT style (you know, something like Lifting Shadows  ), but especially in the vocal melodies department it's clear that this fits more in the post-(and including) SFAM DT mold.

Having said that, there are so many wonderful moments in here. The intro guitar - quite different for JP, as many have already observed. And that Queensryche-like riff and hi-hat pattern...a little something that gives the songwriting an unexpected, exciting twist. I love it when DT does stuff like that. JP's lead melody after the first chorus, over that main riff. And the solo...it truly is a thing of beauty.

Even just by virtue of sounding so different than the rest, it certainly was one of the standouts after the first few listens to Parasomnia for me. Good stuff.

[ytserush]

Not just the song, but most of the rest of the album really. Petrucci has broken out of his rut and is using more tools from his tool box.

[brakkum]

Not just the song, but most of the rest of the album really. Petrucci has broken out of his rut and is using more tools from his tool box.

This is what I noticed as well, I really enjoyed it

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

There's something that bothers me a little bit about the solo part, but it's not the solo itself. I didn't know what it was, but now I've found out. It's the groove.

In A New Beginning Mangini was heavily criticized for following the solo section in a simple, straightforward and repetitive way (which is funny, because the guy who was criticized for playing in a very complicated and exaggerated way, when he does the opposite he is criticized too). In BTC Portnoy does a more inventive accompaniment, with fills and such.

They are different approaches and I honestly don't love the specific performances of either of them in both songs, but that's okay, they are OK performances.

What I think makes all the difference is the bass. I really like Myung's groove in ANB. Petrucci soloing, Mangini following in a simple way... what gives it a special touch is Myung's groove IMO.

In BTC I miss something more interesting done by the bass in the solo section. I think if Myung had done a more interesting groove this part would be better.

In fact, JM and JR could have stood out more in BTC. The track shines with JP and JLB, with Mike doing his part well.

Anyway, these are just a few observations. It's still a great song.

I have to listen to ANB because I can't remember it.

The solo I thought of when I listened to BTC was At Wit's End. 2 soaring melodic solos to take you out of the song. You can hear the same things you're talking about though. MM plays relatively little with a couple fills later on in the solo. MP is playing a lot of fills which I think are overdoing it for this specific solo/moment. A small detail but nonetheless something I noticed while I was trying to pay attention to what JP was doing.

[Northern Lion]

Not just the song, but most of the rest of the album really. Petrucci has broken out of his rut and is using more tools from his tool box.

I thought this as well.

[Zydar]

After spending the weekend with the album, it's my favourite track right now. 

[NoseofNicko]

Ok this is one of their best songs in a long time, that chorus is almost as great as the solo!

[BeatriceNB]

There's something that bothers me a little bit about the solo part, but it's not the solo itself. I didn't know what it was, but now I've found out. It's the groove.

In A New Beginning Mangini was heavily criticized for following the solo section in a simple, straightforward and repetitive way (which is funny, because the guy who was criticized for playing in a very complicated and exaggerated way, when he does the opposite he is criticized too). In BTC Portnoy does a more inventive accompaniment, with fills and such.

They are different approaches and I honestly don't love the specific performances of either of them in both songs, but that's okay, they are OK performances.

What I think makes all the difference is the bass. I really like Myung's groove in ANB. Petrucci soloing, Mangini following in a simple way... what gives it a special touch is Myung's groove IMO.

In BTC I miss something more interesting done by the bass in the solo section. I think if Myung had done a more interesting groove this part would be better.

In fact, JM and JR could have stood out more in BTC. The track shines with JP and JLB, with Mike doing his part well.

Anyway, these are just a few observations. It's still a great song.

The problem is not Myung, neither are the fills. The problem is the lack of a "driving pulse" using the hi-hats or ride; the lack of it makes the section feel like it drags a lot. Listen to Comfortably Numb, The Spirit Carries On and At Wit's End for comparison.

[Zydar]

I've had the chorus in my head all morning now, that's a good sign. 

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Great track, as I mentioned in the main thread, the part at 1:30 when the guitar riff starts along with the hi-hat pattern, sounds like something from Operation Mindcrime. It has that vibe.

The chorus of this track is really catchy and I really love the piano parts.

Dude... That was my first thought too! Harkens back to "I Don't Believe in Love". "Bend the Clock" is quite solidly my favorite track on the album as of now. The Petrucci solo is nice but my favorite aspect of the song is actually everything that comes before... Beautiful, bluesy, catchy, hooky, and melodic.

A lot of times the way I judge Dream Theater songs is with the question "Could I see them playing this on their farewell tour"? I could totally see "Bend the Clock" making the cut.

[LCArenas]

This is easily the best song on the album for me. JLB outdid himself with the lyrics here. Loved it as instantly as I heard it!

[hefdaddy42]

This song is fantastic.  The only thing I don't like about it is that the first 90 seconds or so are so gorgeous that I wish there was more of that in the song (although I think the transition into the meatier guitar part is fantastic).

[Phoenix87x]

I think its my favorite song on the album