DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: RazielSR on February 02, 2010, 09:20:06 AM
-
Well, I'm some kind of newbie into DT (more details https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=7272.msg225530#msg225530 ) :)
...And I was listening mainly (since this summer) the let's say "recent" stuff like Octavarium-SC-BC&SL. Awesome albums imo. But then I've been listening to I&W FII, SFAM, 6D0IT, ACOS...I have to say that this albums are amazing A-M-A-Z-I-N-G too.
Well, my least favourite album is ACOS I think. Awake was an album that I was not listening very much. But hey, I think it is (as a whole album) the best for me right now.
Dunno, it's just pure art to me. Fantastic album.
-
:tup
-
Yep, great album. In my top 5. :metal
-
My 3rd favorite, brilliant album indeed. I find it weird that you consider Awake their best album, yet you have listened to it the least. :| ;D
-
Blob will be along shortly to tell you that you're wrong and have bad taste.
:biggrin:
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
-
My favorite DT album and my fav album of all-time. It's a band creatively clicking on all cylinders - musically, lyrically, emotionally, heaviness, softness, beautiful artwork, on and on. A perfect balance of everything IMO.
-
I've recently gained a new appreciation for it, but it still is somewhere in the middle on my DT ranking list.
-
My favorite DT album and my fav album of all-time. It's a band creatively clicking on all cylinders - musically, lyrically, emotionally, heaviness, softness, beautiful artwork, on and on. A perfect balance of everything IMO.
Exactly. That's what I find in this album. My favourite album of all times is Episode by Stratovarius. In this album I feel that balance like in Episode. It is all-in-one.
And yes, It has been the last album I have listened to, and it is my fav one.
If I try to imagine that times... :'( (you know... I was "fan" with ToT for one month and then I was not listening anything more until this summer with the BC&SL thing) so...well, I suppose the people was just amazed with this "new" band. With incredible albums like I&W and Awake... :metal
-
I've recently gained a new appreciation for it, but it still is somewhere in the middle on my DT ranking list.
Pretty much this.
It's got it's moments, but it also has parts then tend to drag.
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
:lol
Great analogy...too bad the opinion that goes along with it is so terrible. :neverusethis:
-J
-
I think
-great lyrics
-great musical ideas
-not the best songwriting in places (scarred, SDV, disjointed)
-phat riffage :)
-Groovy (ciaw)
-Erotomania + voices are amazing
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
:lol
Great analogy...too bad nobody will appreciate it because their opinions are wrong
-
It's my all-time favorite, I'm totally an Awake fanboy. It's just perfect, even with the "Lie" lyrics.
-
Hands down my favorite DT album, and probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite album ever. Everything about it is fantastic, from the opening drum fill of 6:00 to the final piano notes of Space-Dye Vest. I don't think DT will ever top this, but I'd love for them to try
-
Best DT album, imo.
-
I like it. But not as much as most of the others. Probably 7th, 8th?
-
I don't think DT will ever top this, but I'd love for them to try
They're too set in their ways to try anything outside of their comfort zone anymore plus they're just more interested in making other things.
-
I like it. But not as much as most of the others. Probably 7th, 8th?
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
*pulls out checklist*
Awake Is Worse Than
...
642. A six hour drive to Vermont √
643. Squishing a rotten banana √
644. Climbing a mountain only to realize it is a cliff √
-
Top two or three for me. In my opinion this album has the most emotional, most moving songs in DT's catalog. Even though the songs themselves are musically not the greatest, practically every song is heart-wrenching. I wonder how FII would have been with KM...
-
My least favorite, although it still has 2-3 excellent songs. As a whole album I find it boring.
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
*pulls out checklist*
Awake Is Worse Than
...
642. A six hour drive to Vermont √
643. Squishing a rotten banana √
644. Climbing a mountain only to realize it is a cliff √
What' the 543th statement? :D
-
My first thought upon finishing your post: SDoIT is considered old DT now? Shit, I'm getting old...
Second thought: I am also an Awake diehard. Good for you, man. :tup
-
I don't think DT will ever top this, but I'd love for them to try
They're too set in their ways to try anything outside of their comfort zone anymore plus they're just more interested in making other things.
If "other things" means whatever they've done since Awake, then thank God.
-
I don't think DT will ever top this, but I'd love for them to try
They're too set in their ways to try anything outside of their comfort zone anymore plus they're just more interested in making other things.
If "other things" means whatever they've done since Awake, then thank God.
*pulls out checklist again*
Awake Is Worse Than
...
642. A six hour drive to Vermont √
643. Squishing a rotten banana √
644. Climbing a mountain only to realize it is a cliff √
645. Dream Theater itself √
-
I love Awake, but I don't understand how it can be considered a definitive album, a good starting point, or the band's best album. It produced a couple "classic" DT songs and a handful of good ones (like most DT albums do) but it was not their "Golden Age." For every great moment on Awake, there's another that sounds completely awkward and forced. I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
-
For every great moment on Awake, there's another that sounds completely awkward and forced.
You think this is more true of Awake than other DT albums?
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
:rollin. That's a bit backwards.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
:rollin. That's a bit backwards.
Pretty much. People don't love Awake because they are big fans of Kevin Moore and want to fellate anything he has been a part of; they are big fans of Kevin Moore because of his work on albums they love like Awake.
-
Pretty much. People don't love Awake because they are big fans of Kevin Moore and want to fellate anything he has been a part of; they are big fans of Kevin Moore because of his work on albums they love like Awake.
I'm not convinced of that. When there's a line-up change and even the slightest hint of a broken base, there are those newer fans who convince themselves they like the "old school" fan side of the base just to look like they aren't n00bs.
I don't mean to take away any credit from Awake, but I'm still baffled as to how it has the reputation it does. When I was first getting into DT, someone recommended Awake to me and I almost shelved DT permanently because of it. If I didn't get Images and Words next, I wouldn't be the DT fan I am today.
What's more baffling to me is why people appreciate Kevin for his work on Awake. Just about everything I dislike about the album came from his way: Space-Dye Vest, the lyrics and keyboards on Lie, and some of the lyrics in 6:00. Not saying I hate everything Kev did on Awake-- a lot of it was really really good. But others parts are pretty bad.
You think this is more true of Awake than other DT albums?
Yeah I do. Obviously Systematic Chaos is a special case.
It doesn't really matter. Caught in a Web, A Mind Beside Itself, Lifting Shadows, and Scarred are so awesome that it's never long between listens of Awake for me.
-
When there's a line-up change and even the slightest hint of a broken base, there are those newer fans who convince themselves they like the "old school" fan side of the base just to look like they aren't n00bs.
While I am sure every band has a tinny tiny small amount of fans like that, that is not the norm with DT and their fans. If it were, then When Dream and Day Unite were be fawned over a lot more, right? There is a reason why Images and Words and Awake are as popular with the fans as they are...because they are both tremendous records. And even a lot of newer fans have no problem figuring that out.
I don't mean to take away any credit from Awake, but I'm still baffled as to how it has the reputation it does. When I was first getting into DT, someone recommended Awake to me and I almost shelved DT permanently because of it. If I didn't get Images and Words next, I wouldn't be the DT fan I am today.
Okay, but you are one person. Do you expect everyone to have the same reaction and experience as you?
What's more baffling to me is why people appreciate Kevin for his work on Awake. Just about everything I dislike about the album came from his way: Space-Dye Vest, the lyrics and keyboards on Lie, and some of the lyrics in 6:00. Not saying I hate everything Kev did on Awake-- a lot of it was really really good. But others parts are pretty bad.
To each his own. I think Awake features arguably his best keyboard work to date, as well as some of his best lyrics. If you disagree, rock on. :biggrin:
-
Awake is #1 for me. It was the first DT album I was exposed to (sometime in 1996), but its status at the top does not rest on mere sentiment alone. Additional factors include:
- near perfect combination of heaviness with technicality and progressiveness
- JP's best solo (Voices)
- JLB's vocal performance
- diversity: heavy songs & ballads; short songs & long ones; happy, soaring melodies & dark, disturbing tones; accessible & hard-to-wrap-your-brain-around
- some of their best lyrical work (Voices, SDV), as well as overall lyrical consistency
- the best instrumental
- squeezing the most amount of heaviness out of a simplistic riff EVER (The Mirror)
- galactic cowboys are thanked in the liner notes
- Awake has 5 letters; JESUS has 5 letters...
case closed.
-
It's not that I don't like Awake. It's just that everything else they have done is far better. My main gripe that it doesn't really feel like a proper album. The track listing seems a bit off. I think...
6:00
Caught In A Web
Innocence Faded
The Mirror
Lie
Space Dye Vest
Scarred
Lifting Shadows
Erotomania
The Silent Man
Voices
would have had a much better flow over all.
-
... About Kevin and the line-up change...I didn't know Kevin Moore since I listened to I&W (this summer), so I have nothing emotional in this... At least my opinion is not based in that.
It is just that as a whole album I like Awake a lot and it is my favourite DT album. There are songs in other records that I like more than all the songs in Awake, but as a whole album is the best. So it is my favourite album. And I see the production and mixing extremely "true" and perfect. Sounds like music, you can feel the band, not like almost all the albums nowadays ( I don't mean DT, I mean everybody ) that sounds too much artificial and forced.
Every member of the band sounds clear, for my is the top of DT, as Episode was the top of Stratovarius. I see it like that, it's my opinion. And I have listened in Awake a lot of passages/combinations/solos, etc, etc that I have listened before in other DT albums released later, that's normal, but to me is strange. You know, it is the last album I listened to.
This band is exceptional, seriously. If you listen the whole discography and analize it, it's just amazing.
I just hope to have DT many more years, please.
-
Discovering Awake was really a great experience for me too. Listening to Voices for the first time was as great, or even better than listening to Under a Glass Moon or Take the Time.
-
This band is exceptional, seriously. If you listen the whole discography and analize it, it's just amazing.
I just hope to have DT many more years, please.
Yup, their whole discography is amazing even without analyzing it.
I'm sure they have a lot of more years in them, just think about it, how will the 14th album sound? (and then we will consider BC&SL "old") We have no idea and that's just one of the things that makes DT my favourite band.
BTW; welcome to the forum!
-
Okay, but you are one person. Do you expect everyone to have the same reaction and experience as you?
Sorry. This peeves me. This is a message board, and I'm writing about what I think about an album. That you're reading one person's opinion should pretty much be a given at all times.
-
This band is exceptional, seriously. If you listen the whole discography and analize it, it's just amazing.
I just hope to have DT many more years, please.
I'd rather not :neverusethis:
-
My 9th favourite. Listening to Awake is like scaling a mountain only to find half way through that it's in fact a cliff.
You're supposed to already know its a cliff before you start scaling. :biggrin:
-
Get ready for the universe to implode here but I actually agree with Blob on one thing regarding Awake: I really don't like the lyrics to Lie.
-
Get ready for the universe to implode here but I actually agree with Blob on one thing regarding Awake: I really don't like the lyrics to Lie.
And all this time we thought it was going to be 2012. Turns out it was today.
-
It is what it is, but part of me feels bad when I read about the "younger" DT fans having to discover older DT music compared to those of us that have been on this journey since the beginning and discovered each record when it came out. I feel very fortunate to be a 20-year plus fan of this band and a 30-year plus fan of Rush.
-
Awake was the album that got me into Dream Theater, and it's still my favorite DT album, along with Images and Words.
-
Get ready for the universe to implode here but I actually agree with Blob on one thing regarding Awake: I really don't like the lyrics to Lie.
I also don't like the lyrics to Lie. I thought most people didn't ???
-
Awake is my favourite DT album! The atmosphere in the songs is just incredible.
My favourite album of all times is Episode by Stratovarius. In this album I feel that balance like in Episode. It is all-in-one.
I'm a Stratovarius fan too and Episode is my favourite album by them! Maybe not my favourite of all times but really good anyway.
-
Awake is my favourite DT album! The atmosphere in the songs is just incredible.
My favourite album of all times is Episode by Stratovarius. In this album I feel that balance like in Episode. It is all-in-one.
I'm a Stratovarius fan too and Episode is my favourite album by them! Maybe not my favourite of all times but really good anyway.
Episode is my favourite too, with Visions as 2nd.
-
Okay, but you are one person. Do you expect everyone to have the same reaction and experience as you?
Sorry. This peeves me. This is a message board, and I'm writing about what I think about an album. That you're reading one person's opinion should pretty much be a given at all times.
Uh, I am aware of that. :lol :p All I am saying is, just because you had a certain experience with an album doesn't mean that anyone else will.
-
Get ready for the universe to implode here but I actually agree with Blob on one thing regarding Awake: I really don't like the lyrics to Lie.
I also don't like the lyrics to Lie. I thought most people didn't ???
They're not particularly good, no. But I don't think they're any worse than the vast majority of lyrics they've been putting out on the last few albums.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Next time a KM debate comes up, watch as posters reason through why they like/do not like Awake. Ask yourself is these posters are being sincere, of if they're attempting to polarize themselves by taking "sides" in the KM debate. I can't believe no one else sees this going on all the time here (and the internet in general).
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
To any fans here who were listening to DT when Awake came out, was there much made then of the fact that Moore left the band? It seems like a bigger issue to many fans now than it would have been when it happened.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
To any fans here who were listening to DT when Awake came out, was there much made then of the fact that Moore left the band? It seems like a bigger issue to many fans now than it would have been when it happened. I think a few days ago El Barto posted something along the lines of him not knowing until he was waiting in line at the venue.
I wasn't around, but going by Rich's book and some posts I've read in the past, most people didn't even know until the tour. The label kept it under wraps, and those were before the days of the internet so news didn't really travel as fast.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Next time a KM debate comes up, watch as posters reason through why they like/do not like Awake. Ask yourself is these posters are being sincere, of if they're attempting to polarize themselves by taking "sides" in the KM debate. I can't believe no one else sees this going on all the time here (and the internet in general).
Are you always this paranoid?
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
To any fans here who were listening to DT when Awake came out, was there much made then of the fact that Moore left the band? It seems like a bigger issue to many fans now than it would have been when it happened.
I didn't know KM was out until the release of A Change of Seasons.
-
Are you always this paranoid?
???
-
Are you always this paranoid?
???
You don't believe that people are sincere in what they say about Awake, but rather that they have formed a pro-KM cabal to further their goal of making Awake seem better than they really feel it to be?
-
You don't believe that everyone is sincere in what they say about Awake, but rather that some have formed a pro-KM or anti-KM cabal to further their goal of making Awake seem better or worse than they really feel it to be?
This. This is a typical internet fanbase scenario IMO.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
To any fans here who were listening to DT when Awake came out, was there much made then of the fact that Moore left the band? It seems like a bigger issue to many fans now than it would have been when it happened.
I didn't know KM was out until the release of A Change of Seasons.
Exactly. I first heard DT in 1996 (with Awake as my introduction). Their most current release at the time, though, was ACOS, which is similar in keyboard style to I&W, so when I soon reached I&W in the back-catalogue, it didn't sound that much different from ACOS. Of course, FII was different, but we're getting too far afield...
-
You don't believe that everyone is sincere in what they say about Awake, but rather that some have formed a pro-KM or anti-KM cabal to further their goal of making Awake seem better or worse than they really feel it to be?
This. This is a typical internet fanbase scenario IMO.
I think you are mistaken.
-
They're not particularly good, no. But I don't think they're any worse than the vast majority of lyrics they've been putting out on the last few albums.
This
I really like Awake. A lot. Very consistent quality, probably some of the best lyrics in the band's career, and just overall really good. Only thing I don't care for is Jame's singing style on the album. I know I'm going to get hung for that one, but it just sounds too forced and unnatural at times.
-
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I don't give a wet fart about Kevin Moore, but I still think Awake is DT at their best. In fact, I have no idea what you're talking about.
Next time a KM debate comes up, watch as posters reason through why they like/do not like Awake. Ask yourself is these posters are being sincere, of if they're attempting to polarize themselves by taking "sides" in the KM debate. I can't believe no one else sees this going on all the time here (and the internet in general).
It sounds like you already have your mind made up, and you are going to believe whatever you want to, regardless of what I, hef, or anyone else says, so have fun with that. :)
-
You're right. I'm just stubborn and stuck in my ways and have no reason for feeling the way I do :tup
Is there anything else you'd like me to tell you you're right about today?
-
You're right. I'm just stubborn and stuck in my ways and have no reason for feeling the way I do :tup
Is there anything else you'd like me to tell you you're right about today?
Aw, I liked your original post better. Chastising me for being sarcastic, and then throwing some sarcasm back at me in your edit...That is quality, man. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
To answer your question, not at the moment, but if something comes to me, you will be the first person I tell. :coolio
And please note that I mean no harm or have no ill will. :)
-
Why on earth are you talking to me about a post I edited? Is this some contest to look cool on the internet? Let it go. Along with the notion that Awake and the songs on it ever win the top spot on fan polls.
-
Oh great, another derailed thread in the name of KM. :lolpalm:
-
Not hard considering PC made that blatant, juicy bait statement.
-
You all suck and Awake kicks ass. Fuck you. :metal
-
^
That, exactly.
-
Not hard considering PC made that blatant, juicy bait statement.
I don't get how I'm the one baiting when I just said my opinion and moved on. I didn't quote anyone in my initial post nor did I question anyone's opinions or try to invalidate them. It's not like I called anyone else or their opinions "backwards," "paranoid," or "stubborn;" nor did I remind anyone that their opinion (obviously) was "just an opinion" as if the truth were out there somewhere else. People said those things to me. So how am I the one who is baiting? Is it because you disagree with my initial opinion you wanna blame this mess on me?
I absolutely love Awake. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I didn't. Awake is fantastic. I think it's definitely overhyped by a small minority who more often than not unite behind it and are disappointed with post Kevin DT, but that doesn't take away from it's awesomeness.
-
Listen, PC, I know you're an intelligent person as are most of us here so when you slap
I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
on the end of a reasonable argument don't get mad at me for calling you out. You know mentioning Kevin stirs up a hornets nest and how pigeon holing everyone who adores Awake with a sentence like that provokes similar reactions. Come on, man, I figured you would've known better than that.
-
I know what you mean, but I honestly stand by what I said and don't think I was out of line. If Kevin hadn't left Dream Theater, fans would probably have thought differently about Awake. The controversy surrounding Kevin leaving, the real (or perceived) change in the direction of the band, and how that has brutally divided the fanbase has consequences. People who come online and discover that there's this rift between fans tend to see Awake as the last good DT album before things started going downhill. If it weren't for the internet fans, people probably wouldn't know the rift was even there and would probably be less inclined to feel that they should have some strong (positive/negative) feelings about Awake.
-
I've been a fan since the beggining(since I&W came out if that counts) and have been watching this same argument about KM be rehashed thousands of times. It used to be the same on the official forum and I suppose that it will never change. Some of the things that have been said in these arguments are just plain silly. I think that this is a good example.
PC, I'm not trying to pick on you or start a fight, but I think that you need to realize that each of the guys that have sat behind the keys for this band have brought completely different styles and different feel to the sound of the band. Some people are simply going to prefer what he brought to the equation over what the others have. There doesn't have to be an agenda behind it. It's just an opinion about what is most pleasing to someone's ear.
-
I know what you mean, but I honestly stand by what I said and don't think I was out of line. If Kevin hadn't left Dream Theater, fans would probably have thought differently about Awake. The controversy surrounding Kevin leaving, the real (or perceived) change in the direction of the band, and how that has brutally divided the fanbase has consequences. People who come online and discover that there's this rift between fans tend to see Awake as the last good DT album before things started going downhill. If it weren't for the internet fans, people probably wouldn't know the rift was even there and would probably be less inclined to feel that they should have some strong (positive/negative) feelings about Awake.
Or maybe they would just listen to the fucking album and like it better (or worse) than other albums.
-
We need someone to power metal cry "Kevin Moooooore" and record it so everytime a KM debate starts, we can just link to it and the infinite failure that ensues will be so great everyone will leave the thread permanently, thus saving them from themselves.
-
Or maybe they would just listen to the fucking album and like it better (or worse) than other albums.
I never said people don't do that. I'm just saying people also get influence by what they read online. And because I said it in a context that can possibly (but inaccurately) be construed as saying something (remotely) negative about Awake, everyone's bitching out at me. As soon as I said that, everyone started trying to pigeon hole me when what I'm saying is actually pretty common sense. Can we please stop talking about this now?
-
I didn't think you were saying anything negative about Awake. But you definitely seemed to be saying something about the fans who prefer Awake over the rest of DT's catalogue.
If that was not your intent, then I apologize for my lack of reading comprehension.
-
No, I should have been clearer in my first post. I really didn't mean "all" fans of Awake. Your reading comprehension is fine.
(I have a feeling you already know that ;))
-
No, I should have been clearer in my first post. I really didn't mean "all" fans of Awake. Your reading comprehension is fine.
(I have a feeling you already know that ;))
:angel:
-
Perpetual Change, I think you need a hug. :)
-
:facepalm:
Well, I just hope that PC knows that I don't give a fuck the KM thing, etc, etc.
I just like Awake, because I consider Awake the best DT album.
I'm not saying that they went downhill,because that's false imho. That's another question and in every band is the same.
I bought all the DT albums some months ago and I'm listening to them step by step, and I came to this conclusion: I think awake is the best DT album. It is that difficult to accept?
:-[
-
I don't know about you guys, but I like Awake because KM was in the band. I don't even like the music. omgomgomg
-
It was sometime last year that I truly "discovered" Awake. I had had the album for years, but for some reason, it just finally CLICKED with me. I guess because it followed Images And Words, I always put it off as something that probably wasn't as good as IAW was, but after many listens straight-through, the whole album clicked for me. The songs, the flow, the sounds... and none of this KM-debate even mattered. The MUSIC itself clicked with me, and I didn't care about the whole thing behind the band at the time. It was music... so that's what I appreciated.
-Marc.
-
Perpetual Change, I think you need a hug. :)
haha, thanks. I'm better now, I promise.
-
I don't know about you guys, but I like Awake because KM was in the band. I don't even like the music. omgomgomg
Srsly
I only got into DT because I heard KM was in the band.
-
I know what you mean, but I honestly stand by what I said and don't think I was out of line. If Kevin hadn't left Dream Theater, fans would probably have thought differently about Awake. The controversy surrounding Kevin leaving, the real (or perceived) change in the direction of the band, and how that has brutally divided the fanbase has consequences. People who come online and discover that there's this rift between fans tend to see Awake as the last good DT album before things started going downhill. If it weren't for the internet fans, people probably wouldn't know the rift was even there and would probably be less inclined to feel that they should have some strong (positive/negative) feelings about Awake.
I disagree. I thought the keyboardist on Awake sounded bored out of his mind even
before I really knew the band history. I guess one man's "tasteful keyboard parts"
is another man's "generic 'dark' metal synth strings everywhere". Seeing how I
dislike most of the material on the album, I understand Kevin's lack of interest.
Seeing how most songs on Awake don't stray far from the standard verse-chorus
structure (in contrast to the more inventive stuff on I&W) I've always wondered if
the music was deliberately dumbed down to appeal to more listeners or whether the
material was just underdeveloped (maybe due to the lack of interest on behalf of
Kevin). As a follow-up to I&W the album certainly seemed like a step back to me.
-
I don't know about you guys, but I like Awake because KM was in the band. I don't even like the music. omgomgomg
Itīs my least favorite album just because KM is on it.
-
That's a dumb reason to hate it.
-
'Specially given how passive the man was. Awake was largely MP, JP and JM's baby. If you want to dislike an album because Kevin Moore's on it, hate Images and Words!
-
'Specially given how passive the man was. Awake was largely MP, JP and JM's baby. If you want to dislike an album because Kevin Moore's on it, hate When Dream and Day Unite!
fixed :biggrin:
-
Hahahaha.
Well, yes. That's the easy solution. :lol
-
If you want to dislike an album because Kevin Moore's on it, hate Images and Words!
If you want to dislike an album because Kevin Moore's on it, hate When Dream and Day Unite!
fixed :biggrin:
or Memory Hole 1.
-
Awake is a great album but I believe it has the weakest keyboard parts out of all the DT albums except for ToT.
-
Awake is a great album but I believe it has the weakest keyboard parts out of all the DT albums except for ToT.
What do you mean, weakest?
-
Least flashy (cause we're ignoring the atmospheric component apparently).
-
Least flashy (cause we're ignoring the atmospheric component apparently).
That's the only thing I could think of. I mean, yes, they are less bombastic than on any other DT album, but they are perfectly suited to the songs on Awake.
-
I just think they are the least interesting out of all the DT albums. Again except for ToT.
-
Awake is a great album but I believe it has the weakest keyboard parts out of all the DT albums except for ToT.
What do you mean, weakest?
I think that's why i like KM's work. I love keyboards in music, but I like when keyboards aren't in-your-face and are used for atmospheric and subdued purposes. That was Kevin's forte.
-
I know what you mean, but I honestly stand by what I said and don't think I was out of line. If Kevin hadn't left Dream Theater, fans would probably have thought differently about Awake. The controversy surrounding Kevin leaving, the real (or perceived) change in the direction of the band, and how that has brutally divided the fanbase has consequences. People who come online and discover that there's this rift between fans tend to see Awake as the last good DT album before things started going downhill. If it weren't for the internet fans, people probably wouldn't know the rift was even there and would probably be less inclined to feel that they should have some strong (positive/negative) feelings about Awake.
I disagree. I thought the keyboardist on Awake sounded bored out of his mind even
before I really knew the band history. I guess one man's "tasteful keyboard parts"
is another man's "generic 'dark' metal synth strings everywhere". Seeing how I
dislike most of the material on the album, I understand Kevin's lack of interest.
Seeing how most songs on Awake don't stray far from the standard verse-chorus
structure (in contrast to the more inventive stuff on I&W) I've always wondered if
the music was deliberately dumbed down to appeal to more listeners or whether the
material was just underdeveloped (maybe due to the lack of interest on behalf of
Kevin). As a follow-up to I&W the album certainly seemed like a step back to me.
Yup. (with exceptions of course; I really like the backing keys in Lifting Shadows and the stuff in the middle of Erotomania)
-
It took me about a year and a half to like/get/appreciate Awake. I love it now. Probably my #3 or so :P - I feel like there's just a lot of this sortof subtle unity throughout the whole thing in a way the other DT albums overshoot or come up short of
-
EPIC THREAD RESURRECTION
I'm curious as to people's song rankings for Awake. I think right now, I'd have to go with
1. Voices
2. The Mirror
3. Space-Dye Vest
4. 6:00
5. Erotomania
6. Scarred
7. Lie
8. Cut in a Whale
9. The Silent Man
10. Lifting Shadows
11. Innocence Faded
-
1. Space-Dye Vest
-
1. Innocence Faded
2. The Mirror
3. Erotomania
4. The Silent Man
5. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
6. 6:00
7. Lie
8. Caught In A Web
9. Voices
10. Space-Dye Vest
11. Scarred
-
I find it really tricky to rank a lot of the songs on Awake. Although the best stuff on the album isn't among my favourite DT tracks, the whole thing is so consistent, it's difficult to order the songs.
1. Voices
2. Scarred
From here on out it gets hard :lol I'd probably have The Mirror at #3 and TSM & LSOAD down at the bottom I guess, but everything else is really interchangeable.
It's the one album I'd really struggle with when trying to rank the songs.
-
Really can't rank awake songs. Well, at least I can't...
I admit that I spent some time listening to it to reach the point that it clicked me...after that happened, Awake is one of my favorite albuns from DT.
-
Really can't rank awake songs. Well, at least I can't...
I admit that I spent some time listening to it to reach the point that it clicked me...after that happened, Awake is one of my favorite albuns from DT.
I admit, I'm having some trouble understanding this post 100% :-\
-
I got in to DT just before Awake was released.
I vaguely remember hearing that KM had left a little while before ACOS came out. Some of the guys at college were talking about how they'd recruited Yngwies Keys player.
I remember feeling disapointed. I saw KM on the Images tour. I'd never heard such fast unsion type lines and really understood how a keyboard player could be as much a part of the equation as guitarist (I was very young).
I do also remember not completely taking to Derek. In hindsight I really appreciate what he brought to the table and he is a tremendous talent and seems like a really stand up guy.
As far as Awake goes; I loved the contrast to I&W. It was a lot darker but I picked up very quickly at the lack of inyerfaceness from the keys.
I love the TTT and Metropolis fast, fusiony unison parts and they'd just seemed to be left off the table on Awake. Hearing about KM's departure sorta made sense as I do feel that the keys just weren't as relevant as they could have been to the whole album. Much more subdued.
As for who's at the helm keys wise. I couldn't give a hoot as long as his name is Jordan Rudess. Love DS now that I can appreciate the turmoil the band were in at the time and for what he brought to the band. I really love KM's work on I&W. Frankly though, I just don't see how anyone could argue against JR. The man has been part of DT for so long and was vitally involved in two of their greatest albums - Scenes and SDOIT.
-
It's not that I don't like Awake. It's just that everything else they have done is far better. My main gripe that it doesn't really feel like a proper album. The track listing seems a bit off. I think...
6:00
Caught In A Web
Innocence Faded
The Mirror
Lie
Space Dye Vest
Scarred
Lifting Shadows
Erotomania
The Silent Man
Voices
would have had a much better flow over all.
Wait, wut :hat
-
KM = MAGIC.
-
My favorite DT album. In my top 5 favorites of all time. Took forever to click after I&W but when it did...BAM! I wouldn't change a
single second of it with the exception of SDV which I sometimes skip.
-
If you`re a newbie, you got to understand this:
I&W, AWAKE, SFAM AND SDOIT ARE PERFECTION.
-
I'd disagree about SFAM.
-
If you`re a newbie, you got to understand this:
I&W, AWAKE, SFAM AND SDOIT ARE PERFECTION.
Cuz, you know, music isn't taste-subjective or anything ::)
-
I don't find any DT album perfect. I&W and Awake come very close, though.
-
If you`re a newbie, you got to understand this:
I&W, AWAKE, SFAM AND SDOIT ARE PERFECTION.
No they're not, 6:00 has an old lady rapping over the top of it.
-
:lol
-
Really can't rank awake songs. Well, at least I can't...
I admit that I spent some time listening to it to reach the point that it clicked me...after that happened, Awake is one of my favorite albuns from DT.
I admit, I'm having some trouble understanding this post 100% :-\
My english is poor. I can't rank Awake songs, that's enough. :-X
-
... 6:00 has an old lady rapping over the top of it.
:lol
-
After being on the fence for many years as to whether I&W or Awake was my favorite DT album, I finally settled on Awake a couple of years ago.
I think every song is strong, and the album flows very well. I really love the darker, more metal feel introduced on this album. I'm a big fan of the atmospheric sounds that KM used on this album. It's kind of surprising to hear that he was very detached during the making of Awake, considering his contributions, which I consider to be pretty good.
-
I rank Awake as my fave DT album, although my fave songs are from other albums. But as a whole, and its listenability, Awake from front to back is their best album.
(Subject to change on Sept 24th)
-
If you`re a newbie, you got to understand this:
I&W, AWAKE, SFAM AND SDOIT ARE PERFECTION.
Cuz, you know, music isn't taste-subjective or anything ::)
LBC is really good in stating his own opinon as a fact :|
On topic: Awake is awesome. My fourth favoutite DT album after SFAM, 8VM and TOT.
-
I loved when I first listened to it. I went like "wow, this one is better than I&W". Well, today I don't like it. It just didn't stand the test of time for me. I don't know what happened.
-
I loved when I first listened to it. I went like "wow, this one is better than I&W". Well, today I don't like it. It just didn't stand the test of time for me. I don't know what happened.
I thought you only have been into them for a couple of months? How can you talk about the "test of time"?
-
I loved when I first listened to it. I went like "wow, this one is better than I&W". Well, today I don't like it. It just didn't stand the test of time for me. I don't know what happened.
I thought you only have been into them for a couple of months? How can you talk about the "test of time"?
:rollin
-
I loved when I first listened to it. I went like "wow, this one is better than I&W". Well, today I don't like it. It just didn't stand the test of time for me. I don't know what happened.
I thought you only have been into them for a couple of months? How can you talk about the "test of time"?
One year now. I started to listen to all their albums chronologically... Since last august. And all I've been doing is listening to DT over and over again. I guess I have listened to all of their albums 20 times each so far... Awake fell during this process...
-
Awake is an album that takes a lot of time to get into.
-
I'll always love Awake. Such a GOOD sounding album (kick ass drum/bass sound & performance, quadruple tracked badass guitars..) and James' singing is unreal - the highs of Innocence Faded especially, hearing and seeing him nailing it on Score many years later was pure joy. As a whole, I think Awake is Dream Theater's most distinctive album. It made a bold move, getting rid of the light, shiny qualities of I&W, almost entirely in favor of a dark approach.
I've always thought DT were the most interesting when they're operating a bit outside of their comfort zone. That's why I'm a bit more fond of records like Awake, FII and SDOIT than for example SFAM or ADTOE.
-
my favorite album too. At first I really didn't like it that much because of the airy string sounds from moore and the weird popping snare and labrie gritty voice all the time. but the more I listened to it, the more I started to love it, and all those things I just mentioned became fitting and added to the experience.
-
Awake is my 3rd favourite DT album probably. It has JLB's best vocals, the best mix, some of the best keyboards and some awesome songs. The only reasons that it's in 3rd place are that I generally like the songs on 6DOIT and I&W more (with some exceptions of course) and that the atmosphere is so... different that I can't always listen to it.
-
the atmosphere is so... different that I can't always listen to it.
This is the reason why it is "only" #4 for me
-
1. Space-Dye Vest
2. 6:00
3 The Mirror
4. Lie
4. Voices
4. Caught In A Web
4. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
4. The Silent Man
4. Scarred
10. Erotomania
11. Innocence Faded
-
the atmosphere is so... different that I can't always listen to it.
This is the reason why it is "only" #4 for me
The atmosphere is part of the reason it's my #1 :D
-
Awake was the album which made me fall totally in love with DT; I had already listened to I&W but it hadn't really clicked with me. I actually bought the cassette version and the first time I listened to it I was blown away. I wasn't sure it was the same singer of I&W due to the different vocal approach.
Then when, thanks to a friend, I discovered that the CD version had another song on it and it turned out to be the one I liked the most, for me the album reached perfection.
It has a great album opener, a great instrumental, very dark and intense songs like Voices and Scarred, and the last three songs of the album for me are my favorite way to close an album ever.
JLB is incredible, especially in LSOAD and IF. I remember listening to innocent faded over and over and wondering how could it be possible for anybody to sing like that.
Moreover, I really love how the samples are used, especially 6:00 and the parts from "a room with a view" in SDV.
Another thing I like a lot is that there are concise songs instead of songs long just for the sake of being long; I hope this will be true also for DT12.
I love most of what DT has released afterwards, but no album is for me a musical journey so emotional as Awake. For sure the fact I fell in love with it when I was younger makes it closer to my heart.
-
the atmosphere is so... different that I can't always listen to it.
This is the reason why it is "only" #4 for me
The atmosphere is part of the reason it's my #1 :D
Well, the atmosphere is superb and makes it a standout album, but I'm not always in the mood for such an atmosphere.
-
SDV
Scarred
6:00
Voices
Caught In A Web
The Mirror
Erotomania
Innocence Faded
Lie
Lifting Shadows
Silent Man
-
I'm not sure I could rank them, since I rate the best songs similarly, so I'll go with the tried and true DTF tier system.
Great-
The Mirror
Caught In A Web
Innocence Faded
Voices
The Silent Man
Good-
Erotomania
6:00
Welcome to the wasteland-
Lie
Lifting Shadows
Scarred
Space Dye Vest
Wasn't that informative?
-
I love it from 6:00 until The Silent Man (minus Erotomania), but the end drags for too long. It's in the middle on my DT ranking list.
-
I think the only thing that would make me love the album a lot more if it was ordered like this:
6:00
Erotomania
Voices
Silent Man
Caught In A Web
Innocence Faded
Lifting Shadows
Scarred
The Mirror
Lie
Space Dye
-
Ranking:
1. Scarred
2. Voices
3. Space-Dye Vest
4. 6:00
5. Erotomania
6. The Mirror
7. The Silent Man
8. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
9. Caught in a Web
10. Lie
11. Innocence Faded
-
Okay let's do this:
1. Space-Dye Vest
2. The Mirror
3. 6:00
4. Scarred
5. The Silent Man
6. Innocence Faded
7. Caught In A Web
8. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
9. Lie
10. Erotomania
11. Voices
-
Alrighty:
Scarred
Voices / Space Dye Vest
Erotomania
Lifting Shadows Off A Drea
6:00
The Mirror
The Silent Man
Innocence Faded
Lie
Caught In A Web
-
Okay let's do this:
1. Space-Dye Vest
2. The Mirror
3. 6:00
4. Scarred
5. The Silent Man
6. Innocence Faded
7. Caught In A Web
8. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
9. Lie
10. Erotomania
11. Voices
You are the worse kind of person
-
Okay let's do this:
1. Space-Dye Vest
2. The Mirror
3. 6:00
4. Scarred
5. The Silent Man
6. Innocence Faded
7. Caught In A Web
8. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
9. Lie
10. Erotomania
11. Voices
FUCK THIS WHORE
:P
-
I know :marriageanalogy:
-
My rankings for Awake would be...
1. The Mirror
2. Voices
3. Caught In A Web
4. Scarred
5. 6:00
6. The Silent Man
7. Innocence Faded
8. Erotomania
9. Space Dye Vest
10. Lie
11. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
-
Every time this album comes up as a topic I tell this story...
My first exposure to Dream Theater was "Images & Words" around 1992-ish
That album just completely blew my mind. I listened to it over and over for months and months.
When "Awake" came out, I bought it and HATED it! I wanted "Images & Words II" "Awake" was such a different sounding album. I just never took the time to get to know it. Fast forward a few years and one day I'm looking through the CDs at the record store and I see "Metropolis Part II: Scenes From a Memory" and I was THRILLED!! :eek (https://www.kirksnosehair.com/Portals/0/images/smilies/banana.gif)
For the next several months, the only thing in my CD player was SFAM. I had not even bothered to purchase "Falling Into Infinity"
Around the time that they released "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" I saw them in concert for the first time and it was "An Evening With Dream Theater" and they did a few tunes from "Awake" including "Erotomania" "Voices" and an epic version of "The Silent Man" and I was blown dafuq outta my seat :eek :eek :eek :hefdaddy
For the next three months the only disc I listened to was "Awake" and pretty soon it was in my top 3 where it is today. :hat
-
Awesome, Kirk!
-
Awesome story Kirk!
It was a "difficult" album for me also.
I was blown away as Kirk with Images And Words, after that I was blown away with ACOS and my third purchase was Awake.. I was baffled!
I was trying to appreciate it but I found it a strange difficult album and one day it just clicked!!
It's still in my holy trinity of DT albums to this day.
A masterpiece beyond belief!
-
I really think "Awake" is the definition of a "creeper" album. :hat
-
I think 'Voices' might be my favorite JP solo ever (within a song that is, not something like 'Goodnight Kiss' which almost centers around is and is otherworldly amazing). In that 'Voices' solo I almost get a bluesy vibe..'I'm feelin' ya bro!'.
-
Awake is what got me into Dream Theater.
Back when it came out I heard "Lie" on the radio and thought it sounded neat. The DJ didn't announce the name of the band so I didn't know who it was until I heard it again and they finally said the name. (this was before the internet)
I went to the local CD and bought it. It was pretty amazing. My dad was a big Yes fan and he walked in during Scarred and thought it was awesome. I bought all of their albums on release day since.
(Side note - I ordered Images and Words through Columbia House and liked it a lot too. I found out that they had another CD before that and finally tracked down an Import of "When Dream and Day Unite" and paid good money for it. I had no idea that the singer was different until I heard his voice. I remember being very disappointed that James wasn't singing and thought Charlie sounded like a Steve Perry wannabe. hahaha. I liked the songs but never could get into Charlie's voice.)
-
My favorite DT album :heart
1. Voices (A+)
2. Erotomania (A)
3. The Mirror (A)
4. The Silent Man (as you can see, the A Mind Beside Itself trilogy is highly regarded :) ) (A)
5. Innocence Faded (B+)
6. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (B+)
7. Scarred (B)
8. Space-Dye Vest (B)
9. Lie (B)
10. Caught in a Web (B-)
11. 6:00 (B-)
-
Happy 22nd anniversary to Awake! An incredible album from start to finish with a closing track that still gives me chills even after all these years.
-
Happy 22nd anniversary to my all-time DT fave!
B.Lee
-
Spider-Man is so awesome.
-
Happy Birthday Awake :heart
Top 3 or top 2 DT album for me. :tup
-
I love Awake, but I don't understand how it can be considered a definitive album, a good starting point, or the band's best album. It produced a couple "classic" DT songs and a handful of good ones (like most DT albums do) but it was not their "Golden Age." For every great moment on Awake, there's another that sounds completely awkward and forced. I think people's attachment toward Kevin may have had more to do with all the Awake luvin that goes on than anything else.
I can't agree. I love Awake, and it wasn't until SFAM that I even paid attention to the names of the band members, so I certainly wasn't pining for the "old school".
-
Well, it's a comment from 6 years ago.
-
"I don't know about you, but I'm feelin' 22." - Awake
-
Became a fan after seeing the band in 2003. Bought 'Six Degrees', fell in love with Disc 2, and then purchased I&W and 'Awake'. I rank it high up, it has its weak points (to me), but 'Erotomania' is easily a Top 15 favorite DT track. My version for the past six years or so, and still give it a spin 2-4 times a year, is
6:00
Caught in a Web
To Live Forever
Erotomania
Voices
The Silent Man
Lie (45 edit)
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
Scarred
-
Scarred is probably my all time favorite Dream Theater song. Love everything about it. :metal
-
I have nothing but unconditional love and unmitigated praise for Awake, it will always rank along with SFAM and the obvious I&W at the top of my favoritr DT albums :hefdaddy :tup
Awake contains the song that made me go "Hey, these guys aren't actually bad" - The Mirror. My cousin had tastes more developed by me at the end of the previous millennium and he sneaked DT songs to fill up cassette tapes he was doing for me, and The Mirror, 4 months after I thought it was a bad song, finally clicked and started the avalanche effect of me discovering DT.
The whole album is great from start to finish, I'm absolutely taken by every side of this record: the songs, the sound, James being a badass kickass singer with his raspy vocals :metal, EVERYTHING.
Voices also is one of my all time DT favorite songs, right there with Metropolis. I couldn't even offer a proper ranking 'cause I think all the songs are equally awesome, and I would never get tired of this album.
Hail and praise Awake! :hefdaddy
-
I have nothing but unconditional love and unmitigated praise for Awake, it will always rank along with SFAM and the obvious I&W at the top of my favoritr DT albums :hefdaddy :tup
Awake contains the song that made me go "Hey, these guys aren't actually bad" - The Mirror. My cousin had tastes more developed by me at the end of the previous millennium and he sneaked DT songs to fill up cassette tapes he was doing for me, and The Mirror, 4 months after I thought it was a bad song, finally clicked and started the avalanche effect of me discovering DT.
The whole album is great from start to finish, I'm absolutely taken by every side of this record: the songs, the sound, James being a badass kickass singer with his raspy vocals :metal, EVERYTHING.
Voices also is one of my all time DT favorite songs, right there with Metropolis. I couldn't even offer a proper ranking 'cause I think all the songs are equally awesome, and I would never get tired of this album.
Hail and praise Awake! :hefdaddy
That sums it up for me! :metal
B.Lee
-
Awake is the only DT album I honestly go back to annually, everything else is way more rarer for me nowadays.