The Are We Dreaming? Thread (and other musical interludes)

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

When I saw DT was putting a 1 and a half minute song on the album I thought 'this is stupid and a waste of time.'

It's not. It's a very straight forward and short musical piece that works perfectly in the context of THIS album.

There is something very great about the organ playing this simple somber melody at this particular moment. It's the coffee bean cup in Sephora after you've smelled too many heavy fragrances. It's the moment of quiet in the church when you need a break from the incessant car honking.

Anyone else feel similarly about this or other interludes?

[Northern Lion]

100% agree. It fits perfectly into the album and gives some unique atmosphere.

I also found it very calming.I think it's a really nice track.

I am considering using Audacity to splice it together with Bend the Clock, but I haven't decided yet.

[Dedalus]

There is something very great about the organ playing this simple somber melody at this particular moment

I was wondering what it would be like if they used that as a starting point to build a whole song, with that kind of atmosphere. It could result in something really interesting and different for them.

[durga2112]

When I saw DT was putting a 1 and a half minute song on the album I thought 'this is stupid and a waste of time.'

I haven't gotten to this track yet, but are there fans of any band besides Dream Theater who could possibly call a 90 second song a "waste of time"?   

I get what you mean, but it's funny to think that anyone who could sit through a 20-minute song on every second album without batting an eyelash would balk at a 90 second song. 

[gzarruk]

I'm not hearing it (yet), but on one of the interviews with JP, he said that this track is apparently made from reprises of all the album musical themes. Anybody hearing this?

[Kyo]

I'm not hearing it (yet), but on one of the interviews with JP, he said that this track is apparently made from reprises of all the album musical themes. Anybody hearing this?

Yes. 0:18 is the "Terrifying Nightmares" theme and 0:44 is the "Endless Night" theme, both from The Shadow Man Incident.


More here:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php/topic,59315.msg3212860.html#msg3212860

[Pettor]

Absolutely love the interlude! It instantly reminds me of Anna von Hausswolff's Ceremony—and that's the highest compliment. The way it transitions into BTC makes it even more powerful.

I'd love to hear a longer piece with this kind of instrumentation!

[ReaPsTA]

After Broken Man, Dead Asleep, and Midnight Messiah one after another, you're really ready for this.

Love how it's like, liminally calm.

[nobloodyname]

To answer your question directly, BW, yes. And Are We Dreaming? is my favourite 90 seconds of the album at the moment even though I'm enjoying it all.

[Northern Lion]

To answer your question directly, BW, yes. And Are We Dreaming? is my favourite 90 seconds of the album at the moment even though I'm enjoying it all.

Yes, and using it as the lead up to Bend the Clock gives me chills.  A very special section of the album.  I'm not sure they could have made better use of 90 seconds in any other way.

[JLa]

I've been playing this track over and over. It reminds me of a funeral I attended, the organist played something similar as we sat there waiting for the service to start. It's so beautiful.

I kind of wish they had elaborated on it and turned it into a full song, but it's good as it is too.

[RandalGraves]

I quite like the break but wish it was moved up a track (before Midnight Messiah). Night Terror, A Broken Man and Dead Asleep is already a lot to get through.

[ytserush]

Wouldn't mind more of it, It think it works as a counterpoint.

[TAC]

It's fine in the grand scheme of the album.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I really like the melody. JR did right by it by keeping it simple and not playing unnecessary notes (which is sometimes a risk in DT).

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

Who are the voice actors on this album?

[Trav]

The more I listen to the album, the more I appreciate this track. It kinda calms things down after multiple high energy/heavy tracks. And eases you into that opening of BTC yet helps BTC have a greater affect on you.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Who are the voice actors on this album?

I don't know but she sounds hot.

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

I don't know but she sounds hot.

Obligatory damaged DT girl character or spirit for whom there is no hope that we could all have our inner adolescent selves fawn over.

Edit: my fan-fiction take on this track has become that the midnight Messiah character has transformed into a shadow man and he encounters a woman who already has a sleep paralysis. She is the same person from Bend the clock. At the beginning, you hear the shadow man say is that it? In other words, she doesn't become scared. She then says I like your mind and begs him to stay to keep her from being lonely, he says that they never had a chance and she asked are we dreaming? Because she possibly has never dreamed before, just laying awake in bed in paralysis.


* Also apparently the backwards audio is her saying if you leave, I'll never forgive you