Here's another controversial opinion: I simply cannot stand The Spirit Carries On, and yet it seems they choose to play it every time I see them.
I agree with this. Like almost everything on SFAM Its such a blatant rip off, makes it hard to stomach.
About DT not letting MP back, MM+DT is pretty much a band devoid of any sort of attitude, just a band of music nerds. At least Portnoy brought an aspect of showmanship and attitude to the overall brand, and DT is missing that right now.
Rip-off of what?
I would like to hear this, also. Scenes From A Memory isn't one of my favorite DT albums, but I hardly consider it derivative.
Rage Against the Machine, Tool and the obligatory Zappa rips in there. Hard. I must apologise for the Spirit Carries On claim; I was getting at the John & Theresa Solo spot thing in Live Scenes; Great Gig in the Sky much.
Nothing on SFAM sounds like RATM at all to me. First time I've ever heard that one!
And there's only one song that sounds sort of Tool influenced, and only because it uses the generic metal scale that every metal band uses, and Tool is the go-to band for any metal that doesn't specifically sound like any other metal band, because Tool is the most bland generic metal band around.
I've never heard any Zappa, but I know the instrumental section from BTL was intentionally inspired by Zappa, and it's one of my favourite parts of the album, so I can't say I have a problem with them drawing inspiration there.
DT usually does a good job of taking their influences and adding their own signature sound to it.
And TSCO is better than anything by the band that inspired it. Controversial opinions!