Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[JohnnyLayne]

I'm getting the feeling that Enigma Machine will be the soundtrack for the next installment of the N.A.D.S. adventures.   

[Lark the Starless]

Listening to the whole album for a third time now and starting to familiarize myself more with it.

Another song added to the favorite list is "The Looking Glass." That outro...

Having heard "IT" more times, the "honeymoon" period is kind of over, to an extent. Various parts of the song are very strong and beautiful.

I always have "mood swings" with some of DT's albums. One day I may be feeling kind of "eh" toward one album and the next day I'm completely falling in love with it again. Very strange but that's what happens.

The stretch of "EM," "TBP," and "BTV" is somewhat forgettable to me, so far. I'm having a hard time remembering any melodies or lyrics. I'm sure that'll change with more listens.

Overall, a solid album after 3 listens. I'm sure my mood regarding "DT" will change just like with their other albums, no doubt. 

[jammindude]

Not calling anyone wrong....to each their own...honestly.

But hearing anyone call that outro to TBP "forgettable" is just baffling to me.  I put that outro as an equal to the orchestral section of IT...and right up there with the most beautiful, majestic DT moments in their history.

[PixelDream]

Okay, now that I've heard the record 8 times, early song ranking:

AMAZING

1. Illumination Theory
2. Surrender To Reason
3. The Bigger Picture

GREAT

4. The Looking Glass
5. False Awakening Suite/The Enemy Inside - The one-two punch, FAS is just what TEI needed.

GOOD

6. Behind The Veil
7. Enigma Machine

BAD?

8. Along for the Ride - I still don't really know what to make of this track, I'm just not feeling it.

[PROGdrummer]

....just realized that this is the only Dream Theater album so far that has absolutely no tracks that I feel the need to skip.

I usually skip Another Day when i listen to I&W, Caught in a Web often gets skipped on Awake. Basically all of FII, Misunderstood and Disappear on 6DOIT, Never Enough on 8V, a lot of SC and ADTOE gets skipped, and Rite of Passage. Thats basically a list of songs i never to.

SFAM and ToT are pretty consistently good the whole way through, but this album, every single song is just awesome..... This might be my favorite album that the band has put out.... Time will tell. 

[eviljust]

where's the green on the Another Day part?

[RodrigoAltaf]

Along for the Ride is the least memorable track i this album for me as well. The "Wait for Sleep" to an otherwise perfect masterpiece. I don´t dislike it, it´s just much less impressive when compared to all the rest.

[Whatsername]

Along for the Ride is the least memorable track i this album for me as well. The "Wait for Sleep" to an otherwise perfect masterpiece. I don´t dislike it, it´s just much less impressive when compared to all the rest.

Bad example for me since WFS is one of my favorite songs.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Along for the Ride is the least memorable track i this album for me as well. The "Wait for Sleep" to an otherwise perfect masterpiece. I don´t dislike it, it´s just much less impressive when compared to all the rest.

Bad example for me since WFS is one of my favorite songs.

I like all songs on I&W, but this is the one I end up skipping all the time...

[PixelDream]

I feel that, without sacrificing - far from it - their nature as a progressive/virtuosic metal band, the songwriting and arrangements have been kicked up a notch in efficiency. This album shows a mature, self-aware version of the Dream Theater sound, always with the listener in mind. There's also some very raw emotion to it that I really like.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I feel that, without sacrificing - far from it - their nature as a progressive/virtuosic metal band, the songwriting and arrangements have been kicked up a notch in efficiency. This album shows a mature, self-aware version of the Dream Theater sound, always with the listener in mind. There's also some very raw emotion to it that I really like.

 

[RodrigoAltaf]

 It just dawned on me, after listening to it for the 4344334th time - could they OPEN the set on the new tour with Illumination Theory! How awesome would that be??

[teclas]

....just realized that this is the only Dream Theater album so far that has absolutely no tracks that I feel the need to skip.

I was just thinking the same thing this morning.  And it goes really fast when I listen to it.

[illusionist]

The solo at about 6.32-6.52 in Illumination Theory is one of the best ideas JP had over the last years.But it is incomplete,it could have been developed into an awesome solo,but it is cut short.It reminds me very much of When the water breaks of LTE,which is a perfect track.Wish Petrucci was more inspired on this one and left me speechless.Anyways.

[dparrott]

Caught in a Web often gets skipped on Awake.

    You skip this and not LSOAD or SDV???  Just...wow....we're such an eclectic bunch.

[Whatsername]

Caught in a Web often gets skipped on Awake.

    You skip this and not LSOAD or SDV???  Just...wow....we're such an eclectic bunch.

Who besides Blob would skip SDV???

Just kidding, but we are an eclectic bunch!

[MetalJens]

It just dawned on me, after listening to it for the 4344334th time - could they OPEN the set on the new tour with Illumination Theory! How awesome would that be??

Wont happen, and honestly I don't think it would be so awesome to start with such an epic song...

[Podaar]

Who besides Blob would skip SDV???

*raises hand*

[Whatsername]

Who besides Blob would skip SDV???

*raises hand*

I was kidding. I know that it's not a universally loved song.

[Scorpion]

Listening again. Man, FAS has really grown on me a lot, I love it as an intro.

[Lowdz]

istening to STR and listening to the lyrics...
Now if you were to surrender to reason, what would angels (restless or otherwise) have to do with anything? They are pretty far away from "reason" for me... Great song though. JM and his inner Geddy in full swing under the solo 

[eviljust]

I really can't stop to listen to TBP. Seriously, I've been looking for moments like that for years now.

[ResultsMayVary]

Behind The Veil is definitely a song that sneaks up on you. Pretty good chorus and verses and then the instrumental section/solos rips your damn face off. 

[Kotowboy]

Listening again. Man, FAS has really grown on me a lot, I love it as an intro.

I love final fantasy so FAS & EM are both ok my me ! 

[snapple]

The guitar riff in The Looking Glass is so fucking awesome

[TAC]

The solo at about 6.32-6.52 in Illumination Theory is one of the best ideas JP had over the last years.But it is incomplete,it could have been developed into an awesome solo,but it is cut short.

I love that part too. Yes, too short.

[Zyzzyva17]

It just dawned on me, after listening to it for the 4344334th time - could they OPEN the set on the new tour with Illumination Theory! How awesome would that be??

Here's how I would do it if I were DT:

1. Open with Illumination Theory, but end it before the ambient section.
2. Play the rest of the show.
3. After they go off stage, the orchestra section plays from the speakers.
4. Then, they play the rest of IT as the encore.

This also solves the problem of how to get the middle section in. The only problem with it is that there's a 99 percent chance they'll start with FAS, and a good chance they'll go into TEI after that. Although, if they do 2 sets, then there's still room for my idea.

[Lowdz]

Behind The Veil is definitely a song that sneaks up on you. Pretty good chorus and verses and then the instrumental section/solos rips your damn face off. 

It's the chorus that struck with me the most on first listen.

Very happy with the album so far.

[PROGdrummer]

Caught in a Web often gets skipped on Awake.

    You skip this and not LSOAD or SDV???  Just...wow....we're such an eclectic bunch.

I ADORE Lifting Shadows
And Space Dye Vest was one of the first songs by the band that i heard abd quite frankly it has never gotten stale. Will never pass up a chance to hear this song again.

[AngelBack]

It just dawned on me, after listening to it for the 4344334th time - could they OPEN the set on the new tour with Illumination Theory! How awesome would that be??

My money is on FAS(obviously) followed as it is on the record with TEI then something from 8V or TOT.

There is an aussie on board that prolly already knows.....

[jammindude]

Caught in a Web often gets skipped on Awake.

    You skip this and not LSOAD or SDV???  Just...wow....we're such an eclectic bunch.

Skip the best song on the album? (LSOAD??)   HERESY!!!

[Lucien]

My song ranking:

Illumination Theory
Surrender to Reason
The Bigger Picture
Enigma Machine
Behind the Veil
The Looking Glass
Along for the Ride
False Awakening Suite
The Enemy Inside

The thing is that they're ALL amazing. I still love The Enemy Inside. DT12 is my favorite album by them now, because of just HOW MANY GREAT SONGS there are.

[bosk1]

The only problem with it is that there's a 99 percent chance they'll start with FAS, and a good chance they'll go into TEI after that. Although, if they do 2 sets, then there's still room for my idea.

Well, they are doing "evening with" shows again, so I can guarantee two separate sets.  There's no way they don't take a break in the middle of the show.  So your idea could very well happen.  I kinda like your idea.

[Lucien]

The easter egg feels like credits to a live dvd. Foreshadowing? 


Even if they aren't, I predict Illumination Theory will be the set closer/encore.

[dparrott]

I'm not always in the mood for LSOAD, not saying it's bad.