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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM

Title: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
Interesting.  Though I think I have this at the shop, I'd never actually listened to it until now.  At first, I completely understood why.  I probably tried to listen to it once or twice and turned it off exclaiming loudly that it was total shit.  This time around, I was contemplating starting a thread where I discussed how much I fucking hate when DT tries to sound like U21.  While composing that post, the song continued playing, and it turns out that after the first 2 minutes is over, it's actually a good song.  Once they get out of the U2 mold and start doing their own thing, it gets better and better.  It seems like the entire song is linear.  It just evolves from beginning to end with no section being dominant or repeating.  It's a shame it didn't get more treatment.

1To be fair, I'm not sure it was as much U2 as A Momentary Lapse of Reason era Floyd, but as it turns out, there isn't really any difference.

Regardless, when I get some time tomorrow I'm going to listen to the entire 2 disk set and see what else I've overlooked.  After reading MP's thoughts on FiI, I'm not sure I agree with him about some of it.  BMS-HK-LitS is monumental, and I gather that never would have existed.  It'll be interesting to compare his idea and the finished product. 
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ddtonfire on March 17, 2010, 08:59:16 PM
I have always enjoyed this song. DT really can do anything.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: sonatafanica on March 17, 2010, 09:23:29 PM
Quote from: ddtonfire on March 17, 2010, 08:59:16 PM
I have always enjoyed this song. DT really can do anything.

At the end of the day, I think that's what we all think of DT.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Plasmastrike on March 17, 2010, 09:33:43 PM
Quote from: sonatafanica on March 17, 2010, 09:23:29 PM
Quote from: ddtonfire on March 17, 2010, 08:59:16 PM
I have always enjoyed this song. DT really can do anything.

At the end of the day, I think that's what we all think of DT.

Cue group hug in 3.. 2.. 1..
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: yeshaberto on March 17, 2010, 10:39:11 PM
not one of my favorite songs, but a breath of fresh air
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: tri.ad on March 17, 2010, 11:48:36 PM
Great song, shame it gets overlooked so often. JP's solo at the end is amazing.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 18, 2010, 03:25:54 AM
Quote from: tri.ad on March 17, 2010, 11:48:36 PM
Great song, shame it gets overlooked so often. JP's solo at the end is amazing.
This, I wish they would bring it back into rotation on tour.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ddtonfire on March 18, 2010, 04:54:46 AM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on March 18, 2010, 03:25:54 AM
Quote from: tri.ad on March 17, 2010, 11:48:36 PM
Great song, shame it gets overlooked so often. JP's solo at the end is amazing.
This, I wish they would bring it back into rotation on tour.

It's not metal enough; it haz no ballz.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: KevShmev on March 18, 2010, 06:21:34 AM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
1To be fair, I'm not sure it was as much U2 as A Momentary Lapse of Reason era Floyd, but as it turns out, there isn't really any difference.

Huh?  I am gonna need you to unwrap that one a little more, please. ;)
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Bone_Daddy on March 18, 2010, 07:53:17 AM
Love this tune!

I'd say it's progressive rock.

MP doesn't overplay the skins which is a plus!

Good song for a...

MONTAGE!
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Cool Chris on March 18, 2010, 08:39:05 AM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on March 18, 2010, 03:25:54 AM
This, I wish they would bring it back into rotation on tour.

Back on tour? I didn't know it ever was on tour.

It is a decent B-Side, but I can see why it didn't make the cut, and I don't see any reason it needs to be played live.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: emindead on March 18, 2010, 08:48:26 AM
Edit: I got confused with which song we were talking about.

I don't listen too much about it, but I do hear the U2 vibe.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Quadrochosis on March 18, 2010, 08:53:22 AM
Quote from: KevShmev on March 18, 2010, 06:21:34 AM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
1To be fair, I'm not sure it was as much U2 as A Momentary Lapse of Reason era Floyd, but as it turns out, there isn't really any difference.

Huh?  I am gonna need you to unwrap that one a little more, please. ;)

While I wouldn't go as far as saying there is almost no difference, I can definitely understand the comparison.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: antigoon on March 18, 2010, 10:34:21 AM
Eh, I kinda like when DT tries to sound like U2. Better than when DT tries to sound like Meshuggah, anyway. *runs*
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: El Barto on March 18, 2010, 11:04:07 AM
Quote from: Quadrochosis on March 18, 2010, 08:53:22 AM
Quote from: KevShmev on March 18, 2010, 06:21:34 AM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
1To be fair, I'm not sure it was as much U2 as A Momentary Lapse of Reason era Floyd, but as it turns out, there isn't really any difference.

Huh?  I am gonna need you to unwrap that one a little more, please. ;)

While I wouldn't go as far as saying there is almost no difference, I can definitely understand the comparison.
Painting with too broad a stroke, I suppose.  However, listen to the first 2 minutes of TWiUtB, and try to figure out if it sounds more like generic U2, or any number of songs from post Waters era Pink Floyd.  Remarkable similarity.

As for the solo, I like the way it ends, but don't care for the beginning of it at all.  
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Bombardana on March 18, 2010, 11:46:03 AM
Quote from: antigoon on March 18, 2010, 10:34:21 AM
Eh, I kinda like when DT tries to sound like U2. Better than when DT tries to sound like Meshuggah, anyway. *runs*
I'm waiting for them to perfectly fuse the two in the next album.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Jamesman42 on March 18, 2010, 12:31:12 PM
From what I remember, this song is very fun and good.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: orcus116 on March 18, 2010, 05:48:22 PM
If U2 made the song (at least the beginning) it'd be a bonafide hit. I've always liked the song regardless though.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: 2Timer on March 18, 2010, 06:05:18 PM
Quote from: Cool Chris on March 18, 2010, 08:39:05 AM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on March 18, 2010, 03:25:54 AM
This, I wish they would bring it back into rotation on tour.

Back on tour? I didn't know it ever was on tour.

It is a decent B-Side, but I can see why it didn't make the cut, and I don't see any reason it needs to be played live.

The jam at the end is why it needs to be played live. That one bend up to a G JP does halfway through would provoke some pretty cool faces from him if it was played live.
It is a really cool song; something completely different from them, which works very well from time to time.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: KevShmev on March 18, 2010, 07:32:28 PM
Call me crazy, but I just cannot wrap my head around the idea that U2 and A Momentary Lapse of Reason sound similar (assuming I am interpreting that correctly). ???

Oh, and the keyboard solo in this song is totally Camel-esque (given the keyboard tone and style, not the actual melody).  I remember thinking that the first time I heard this song. 
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: King Postwhore on March 18, 2010, 08:14:03 PM
Everytime somebody does a staccto, muted picking wirh delay & reverb it's U2ish. Well I guess that's Edge's signature sound but Come on!!!!  Good song that, to me wasn't fully flushed out.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: xeper on March 18, 2010, 09:14:48 PM
One of my favorite DT rarities, definitely something different for them. Tracks like this are why I'm grateful for the official bootleg series.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ZKX-2099 on March 19, 2010, 06:08:28 AM
I would have gladly traded Anna Lee or Take Away My Pain for it to be on the CD.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 19, 2010, 09:34:08 AM
Quote from: Cool Chris on March 18, 2010, 08:39:05 AM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on March 18, 2010, 03:25:54 AM
This, I wish they would bring it back into rotation on tour.

Back on tour? I didn't know it ever was on tour.
It was played live twice on the third European leg of the FII tour (the Rotterdam Fan Club show and the show from La Bataclan in Paris recorded for Once In A LIVEtime) and 5 times on the "Intimate Evening With Dream Theater" shows in December 1998.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Samsara on March 19, 2010, 02:00:41 PM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
Interesting.  Though I think I have this at the shop, I'd never actually listened to it until now.  At first, I completely understood why.  I probably tried to listen to it once or twice and turned it off exclaiming loudly that it was total shit.  This time around, I was contemplating starting a thread where I discussed how much I fucking hate when DT tries to sound like U21.  While composing that post, the song continued playing, and it turns out that after the first 2 minutes is over, it's actually a good song.  Once they get out of the U2 mold and start doing their own thing, it gets better and better.  It seems like the entire song is linear.  It just evolves from beginning to end with no section being dominant or repeating.  It's a shame it didn't get more treatment.

1To be fair, I'm not sure it was as much U2 as A Momentary Lapse of Reason era Floyd, but as it turns out, there isn't really any difference.

Regardless, when I get some time tomorrow I'm going to listen to the entire 2 disk set and see what else I've overlooked.  After reading MP's thoughts on FiI, I'm not sure I agree with him about some of it.  BMS-HK-LitS is monumental, and I gather that never would have existed.  It'll be interesting to compare his idea and the finished product. 

I agree that BMS-HK-LiTS is monumental and glad we got that.

I rather enjoyed The Way it Used to Be on first listen, however. I totally hear the U2 vibe, but to me, it's a nice change of pace. The song breathes (as do many of the songs on FII), which in this fan's opinion, is something we need more of.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: 02T on March 20, 2010, 11:16:48 AM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
It seems like the entire song is linear.  It just evolves from beginning to end with no section being dominant or repeating.  It's a shame it didn't get more treatment.


It's called "through composed" where a song doesn't repeat choruses or verse forms.  Common in classical music.  Not a problem with the song.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: El Barto on March 20, 2010, 12:15:53 PM
Quote from: 02T on March 20, 2010, 11:16:48 AM
Quote from: El Barto on March 17, 2010, 08:30:15 PM
It seems like the entire song is linear.  It just evolves from beginning to end with no section being dominant or repeating.  It's a shame it didn't get more treatment.


It's called "through composed" where a song doesn't repeat choruses or verse forms.  Common in classical music.  Not a problem with the song.
I wasn't suggesting it was a problem with the song.  It's precisely what I like about it.  I lament that they didn't decide to keep the song and really turn it into something badass.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: millahh on March 21, 2010, 08:21:50 AM
I get way more of a Floyd vibe than U2.  The verses distinctly remind me of Run Like Hell (JM is doing a dead-on Waters impression for most of it), and the guitar solo seems to be a direct reference to later Gilmour.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: TAC on March 28, 2010, 11:01:23 AM
Quote from: yeshua4 on March 17, 2010, 10:39:11 PM
not one of my favorite songs, but a breath of fresh air

I agree.

I definitely don't pick up a Pink Floyd vibe in this song. And it's not as U2ish as Speak To Me. It's a B-side all the way.

And Bart..excellent use of a footnote!  :lol
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: RaiseTheKnife on March 31, 2010, 03:32:30 AM
[
[/quote]It was played live twice on the third European leg of the FII tour (the Rotterdam Fan Club show and the show from La Bataclan in Paris recorded for Once In A LIVEtime) and 5 times on the "Intimate Evening With Dream Theater" shows in December 1998.
[/quote]

I saw it live at Toad's Place on the Evening With leg.  Same night they played Where Are You Now for the first time.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: PC269 on March 31, 2010, 05:56:24 PM
How do I acquire this song?
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 31, 2010, 06:13:21 PM
Quote from: PC269 on March 31, 2010, 05:56:24 PM
How do I acquire this song?

https://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=26&idcategory=6
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: cyberdrummer on February 03, 2013, 04:30:03 AM
I've been listening to Cleaning Out the Closet a lot recently, and this track has moved up to my second favourite behind Raise the Knife. Great tune.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 03, 2013, 04:54:14 AM
Another song that should have been on FII instead of some of the utter dreck that plagues that album (I'm looking at you, Burning My Soul)
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Mladen on February 03, 2013, 05:47:36 AM
Quote from: cyberdrummer on February 03, 2013, 04:30:03 AM
I've been listening to Cleaning Out the Closet a lot recently, and this track has moved up to my second favourite behind Raise the Knife. Great tune.
This.

Quote from: kirksnosehair on February 03, 2013, 04:54:14 AM
Another song that should have been on FII instead of some of the utter dreck that plagues that album
And this. Although I wouldn't say utter dreck, but songs that aren't nearly as awesome as The Way it used to be. I adore this song from start to finish. Top 50 material for sure.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: wasteland on February 03, 2013, 06:19:01 AM
Amazing bump! I love this song and I was thinking that it should deserve another tour of the stage sometime soon! :)
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Prog Snob on February 03, 2013, 06:54:58 AM
Quote from: kirksnosehair on February 03, 2013, 04:54:14 AM
Another song that should have been on FII instead of some of the utter dreck that plagues that album (I'm looking at you, Burning My Soul)

Agreed!   The Way It Used To Be is one of my favorites from that era.  When I listen to FII and I hear songs like BMS and YNM, it makes me sometimes wonder what they were thinking when the B-sides clearly trumped most of the 'A sides.'
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: The Letter M on February 03, 2013, 09:36:21 AM
This song is tied with "Speak To Me" for being both behind "Raise The Knife" as top B-Side from the FII sessions. All three should have EASILY been on FII instead of songs like BMS, JLMB and YNM. And if had to have gotten the final version of TAMP (because the original Demo was so much better), you could get rid of that, too, to make room for the 3 B-Sides.

-Marc.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ddtonfire on February 03, 2013, 09:44:27 AM
I think it's a great JLB spotlight. Nothing crazy, just really solid and really Canadian.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Lolzeez on February 03, 2013, 09:50:22 AM
Quote from: cyberdrummer on February 03, 2013, 04:30:03 AM
I've been listening to Cleaning Out the Closet a lot recently, and this track has moved up to my second favourite behind Raise the Knife. Great tune.
THIS. The song is awesome.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Sketchy on February 03, 2013, 09:57:51 AM
The bass in the second verse and the end solo just make it massively brilliant.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ? on February 03, 2013, 10:02:27 AM
Not a particularly special song to me, but I'd take it over New Millennium any day.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Scorpion on February 03, 2013, 11:43:37 PM
Quote from: ? on February 03, 2013, 10:02:27 AM
Not a particularly special song to me, but I'd take it over New Millennium any day.

Exactly this.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: Infinite Cactus on February 04, 2013, 05:33:13 AM
One of my favorite DT songs.
Title: Re: The Way it Used to Be
Post by: ZirconBlue on February 04, 2013, 06:36:16 AM
Love, love, love this song!