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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Norwood on May 21, 2010, 11:27:11 AM

Title: Take The Time
Post by: Norwood on May 21, 2010, 11:27:11 AM
So I'm work and Fridays are my favorite day at work, other than for obvious reasons. :)

It's the day I do our company backup procedure which takes a few hours in the data center alone.  So I toss on the headphones and zone out pulling tapes and replacing tapes.  It's kinda neat, it's one of those big robotic machines that rotate arms around a bi cylinder and swap tapes in and out of slots etc.

Anyway, on to my point.  I just got done listening to Take The Time, the studio version from Images And Words and it just blew me away.  Heard it a million times, but you know how that happens sometimes?  You just hear a tune and for some reason it's like the first time you've ever heard it.

I gotta say, of even the live versions of this tune...the studio version is amazing.  More to the point, that entire album is so well produced it's really a great listen.  The channels, sound and clarity of the music is great.   :hefdaddy

So, does anyone think that the studio version of this particular song is better than the live ones?
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Dublagent66 on May 21, 2010, 12:18:41 PM
The 2007 remix is even better.  I strongly suggest picking up The Greatest Hit.  Love it.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: KevShmev on May 21, 2010, 12:22:30 PM
The studio version is amazing, and definitely one of the 10 best songs the band has ever done.  I honestly cannot imagine anyone liking the live versions of this better, especially the more recent ones, but there are always a few out there. ;) :p
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 21, 2010, 12:28:30 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE

And fuck yes Take The Time is a top 10.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Adami on May 21, 2010, 12:31:39 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE

Hollow Years would like to have a word with you.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: El JoNNo on May 21, 2010, 12:58:21 PM
Take Away my pain would also like a word.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Mebert78 on May 21, 2010, 01:10:00 PM
Great song.  The unison solo in the mid section always kicks my lil tush.  I also remember Jordan saying that Kevin's solo in this song was his favorite pre-JR solo and he played it for his DT audition.  

Just wish I knew which DT members wrote the lyrics.  That would be cool to know.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 21, 2010, 01:15:57 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE
This is just not even anywhere close to being a fact.

But yes, Take The Time is awesome, especially the studio version.  It's got something for everyone.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Marvellous G on May 21, 2010, 01:18:12 PM
The kind of song I hope is on the next album; as MP said in some documentary, just a big melting pot of awesome ideas that all fit together really cohesively. Some more funk-prog would be good.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 21, 2010, 01:39:20 PM
Some more funk-prog would be good.
It would be more than good.

It would be

(https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i238/hefdaddy42/funny/excellent.jpg)
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: icysk8r on May 21, 2010, 03:04:45 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE

Hollow Years would like to have a word with you.
Prophets of War would also like to have these words...
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: zmazar on May 21, 2010, 03:12:57 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE


False.

I enjoy most of DT's live versions over their studio.  There's usually a lot more emotion and intensity in my opinion.  By I do agree that TTT is one of the exceptions.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Gadough on May 21, 2010, 03:14:05 PM
Hold it now, wait a minute, come on...just let me catch my breath.

Amazing song, but the music video edit butchered it. Like most music video edits do.

Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: AwakeFromOctavarium on May 21, 2010, 04:27:47 PM
Probably my all-time favorite DT song. Starts with some cool rhythm, then bursts into some heavy stuff. When James Labrie's voice kicks in the sound goes funky and rock, and after the piano interlude, one of the best instrumental parts they have ever done. The guitar-keyboard unison is probably my most favorite unison solo of all time.

But the real emotional part is when Petrucci does that slow solo before the outro chorus.  Orgasmic bends. The outro solo is my all-time favorite Petrucci solo.

Probably the best track off I&W for me.  :tup
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: tri.ad on May 21, 2010, 04:45:51 PM
My second favourite DT song. Love the unison section and the keyboard solo, and JLB's vocal part is nothing short of amazing.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 21, 2010, 05:27:32 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE

Hollow Years would like to have a word with you.

Exception not rule.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Adami on May 21, 2010, 05:30:45 PM
ALWAYS A GOLDEN FACT STUDIO > LIVE

Hollow Years would like to have a word with you.

Exception not rule.

I'm not even sure what you're trying to communicate here.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 21, 2010, 05:36:25 PM
There is always an exception to prove the rule.  :loser:
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Adami on May 21, 2010, 05:37:19 PM
There is always an exception to prove the rule.  :loser:

That is much better put than "exception not rule".
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 21, 2010, 05:42:09 PM
Figured the saying was well known... ah well.

 :loser:
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Adami on May 21, 2010, 05:43:09 PM
There's plenty of bands/songs that are better live than in the studio.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: contest_sanity on May 21, 2010, 06:31:20 PM
I prefer the studio version of this amazing song, my favorite off of Images and Words.  The most spectacular bit, and one of my all-time favorite Dream Theater moments, is the guitar at around 33 seconds: JP begins the same riff 4 times but each time ends with a different variation.  Just that little section encapsulates Dream Theater at their best.  Love it :metal
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ScioPath on May 21, 2010, 06:57:53 PM
This song is amazing. It was my first DT song aside from the popular ones (These Walls, Panic Attack, PMU)
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: DarkEternalNight on May 21, 2010, 09:51:30 PM
This song is amazing. It was my first DT song aside from the popular ones (These Walls, Panic Attack, PMU)
Didn't realize These Walls were popular.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: glaurung on May 21, 2010, 09:52:31 PM
One of my favorites for sure. It's a really fun song to try and sing along to in the car. :lol
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Jamesman42 on May 21, 2010, 10:57:45 PM
I avoid this song a lot, but I do love it. I really just don't listen to IaW that much anymore. I should change that.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 22, 2010, 03:02:30 AM
I avoid this song a lot, but I do love it. I really just don't listen to IaW that much anymore. I should change that.
Yes you should.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: ScioPath on May 22, 2010, 05:38:25 AM
This song is amazing. It was my first DT song aside from the popular ones (These Walls, Panic Attack, PMU)
Didn't realize These Walls were popular.
Well its one of the songs people know about. Where I live its considered popular.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 07:55:50 AM
I avoid this song a lot, but I do love it. I really just don't listen to IaW that much anymore. I should change that.

Yeah. This kinda sums up my situation. Lately, if I'm listening to DT, it's Black Clouds, Train of Thought, Octavarium, or Awake. Or something live. I think there's just more "instant gratification" on those albums than Images.

But Take the Time is indeed a cool song.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Darkes7 on May 22, 2010, 07:58:47 AM
Nothing special on the album. The live version is way better in every possible way.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Ultimetalhead on May 22, 2010, 08:02:13 AM
One of their best songs, easily. It's just amazing in every single way.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 08:06:29 AM
Between James singing it all gravely on the Images tour, terribly after his accident (See: OIALT) and awesomely (but abridged) lately (see: CiM), I can't imagine how anyone could like a particular live version better than the studio one. But yeah. 
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Darkes7 on May 22, 2010, 09:03:11 AM
Because it actually stands out unlike the studio version which basically melts together with the rest of the album.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 22, 2010, 09:14:23 AM
Because it actually stands out unlike the studio version which basically melts together with the rest of the album.
I don't know what that means.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Darkes7 on May 22, 2010, 09:15:30 AM
Studio version has nothing really interesting.

The live version actually has energy and the whole song really springs to life.

Is this clearer?
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: glaurung on May 22, 2010, 09:22:25 AM
I disagree.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: reneranucci on May 22, 2010, 09:28:10 AM
Itīs clear, but itīs not true. The studio version has plenty of interesting things. A really well-constructed song plus all the brilliant elements already mentioned in this thread.

Regarding live versions, from the ones Iīve heard I like the Once in a Livetime the most. I know James was not in top form but I donīt care about vocals that much, and the ending part is very rocking, and all the instrumental breaks and piano sections are really good. The Live in Tokyo version is good, and Iīd take it over the Chaos in Motion version.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 09:29:37 AM
While I can see how Take the Time is overshadowed by the better long songs on the album (Pull Me Under, Metropolis, and Learning to Live), I can't see how it's lacking in energy. It's just the weakest out of 4 songs which could all easily be in any DT fan's top 5.

In My Opinion, of course.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Darkes7 on May 22, 2010, 09:51:57 AM
Don't want to start another TTT debate (except that it's not even close to my top 30, not to say top 5), but I really prefer the live version. It just sounds more energetic, more powerful, it just manages to grab me. I don't know the exact reason, but that's the general impression I have.

Vocals aren't as perfect but I don't mind at all.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Marvellous G on May 22, 2010, 09:54:53 AM
While I can see how Take the Time is overshadowed by the better long songs on the album (Pull Me Under, Metropolis, and Learning to Live), I can't see how it's lacking in energy. It's just the weakest out of 4 songs which could all easily be in any DT fan's top 5.

In My Opinion, of course.

You'd rank PMU above TTT? Each to their own, but I've always thought of PMU as one of the weaker links on Images & Words.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Plasmastrike on May 22, 2010, 10:02:50 AM
Actually I think PMU is thee weakest link on Images.

Speaking of TTT live, I really love the performance on CiM. The ending drags a bit, but whatever it's a live show and it looks like they were having a blast.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 10:04:25 AM
While I can see how Take the Time is overshadowed by the better long songs on the album (Pull Me Under, Metropolis, and Learning to Live), I can't see how it's lacking in energy. It's just the weakest out of 4 songs which could all easily be in any DT fan's top 5.

In My Opinion, of course.

You'd rank PMU above TTT? Each to their own, but I've always thought of PMU as one of the weaker links on Images & Words.

What can I say? It's the song that made me fall in love with DT and give their album, Awake (which was my first and collecting dust on my shelf), another try. Even though I didn't see the video until at least 2002.  ;D

As far as Images ranking goes, mine is probably something like:

Learning to Live
Metropolis
Pull Me Under
Surrounded
Take the Time
Wait for Sleep
Another Day
Under a Glass Moon
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Marvellous G on May 22, 2010, 10:24:31 AM
Actually I don't know why I'm questioning you here, PMU got me into DT too and that's actually very close to my I&W rankings. I'm not really sure which I prefer out of the two now, TTT has that awesome funk but PMU is one of the better straightforward songs they've written. [/indecision]
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 22, 2010, 10:26:56 AM
Studio version has nothing really interesting.

The live version actually has energy and the whole song really springs to life.

Is this clearer?
Well, I definitely understand preferring a live version of a song to a studio version.  I just don't understand the studio version of this particular song "melting together with the rest of the album."  But I don't want another fucking debate.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: antigoon on May 22, 2010, 10:31:09 AM
How isn't the studio version interesting? It has the best verse in the song and the least extra bullshit. The version they play now is fun and all, but really? There's no comparison in my opinion.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: orcus116 on May 22, 2010, 10:33:18 AM
The studio version is definitely interesting. It's arguably the most fun song they've ever recorded.

Nothing special on the album. The live version is way better in every possible way.

Except for when Jordan solos.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: antigoon on May 22, 2010, 10:34:45 AM
:icy:
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 12:45:06 PM
The studio version is definitely interesting. It's arguably the most fun song they've ever recorded.

Nothing special on the album. The live version is way better in every possible way.

Except for when Jordan solos.

Pretty much this. I don't mind Jordan having fun with it, but there's nothing wrong with the original solo, and it'd be nice to see him play it properly.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: KevShmev on May 22, 2010, 04:26:51 PM
Between James singing it all gravely on the Images tour, terribly after his accident (See: OIALT) and awesomely (but abridged) lately (see: CiM), I can't imagine how anyone could like a particular live version better than the studio one. But yeah. 

The problem with the newer live version is a) Portnoy singing the opening verse is just a really bad decision, and b) the "take the time" harmonies sound not good at all.  My brother has the CIM DVD, and a while back I was at his house watching it, and when "Take the Time" came on, we reached a point in the song where we both realized they were butchering an absolute classic, we both looked at each other with a WTF look, my brother said, "Next!," and we went on to the next song.

You'd rank PMU above TTT? Each to their own, but I've always thought of PMU as one of the weaker links on Images & Words.

Heh, we'll let's be honest...being the weakest link on I&W is like being the least attractive woman at the Miss Universe pageant.  Something or somebody has to be in last, but they are all top notch, relatively speaking. :tup :tup
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: BRGM on May 22, 2010, 04:43:22 PM
I've never really liked PMU, don't know why really, it's the most boring DT song since JLB joined.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: orcus116 on May 22, 2010, 04:44:35 PM
Whaaaaaaat? Never heard that one before.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 04:55:24 PM
The problem with the newer live version is a) Portnoy singing the opening verse is just a really bad decision, and b) the "take the time" harmonies sound not good at all.  My brother has the CIM DVD, and a while back I was at his house watching it, and when "Take the Time" came on, we reached a point in the song where we both realized they were butchering an absolute classic, we both looked at each other with a WTF look, my brother said, "Next!," and we went on to the next song.

Well, the obvious problem with this is that regardless of how poorly it came across on the CiM DVD, I'm sure that performance was a blast for whoever was in the audience that night. As for pretty much all the other songs on the CiM DVD.  That goes for lots of live albums though. It's just so hard to capture the energy and magic on film or CD. Plus, all the mistakes the band or the singer made become obvious, whereas members of the audience probably would not have been able to tell.

But I agree that John and Mike on the chorus is pretty weak. James should just do a "You sing here" part with the fans, since that's likely to be the song most people are excited to hear on the more recent setlists anyway.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 22, 2010, 07:03:41 PM
The problem with the newer live version is a) Portnoy singing the opening verse is just a really bad decision, and b) the "take the time" harmonies sound not good at all.  My brother has the CIM DVD, and a while back I was at his house watching it, and when "Take the Time" came on, we reached a point in the song where we both realized they were butchering an absolute classic, we both looked at each other with a WTF look, my brother said, "Next!," and we went on to the next song.
Agreed.  That's one reason I much prefer the studio version.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: KevShmev on May 22, 2010, 07:11:01 PM
In regards to PC's point,, I have never understood why the crowd has never collectively done the "take the time" chorus at live shows.  I mean, it makes perfect sense, yet they never do it (or enough don't do it to where it is noticeable).

I don't doubt that the song is fun live in any form, but that says probably more about the overall crowd being excited about the song itself than the actual performance.  I could probably name some songs by various bands that I got into big time live, simply because it was that song being played, and I couldn't honestly say if the actual performance was any good or not; sometimes, you are just so excited to hear a song, that you zone out, rock out, and your own personal enjoyment of the song being played makes it more difficult to focus on how well the song is actually being performed. 
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Pirate on May 22, 2010, 07:25:45 PM
One of the eight reasons why IaW is my favourite album ever. Among even the top three reasons, for sure.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Perpetual Change on May 22, 2010, 07:49:58 PM
In regards to PC's point,, I have never understood why the crowd has never collectively done the "take the time" chorus at live shows.  I mean, it makes perfect sense, yet they never do it (or enough don't do it to where it is noticeable).

I hate the crowds at DT shows. They're sad.  No one is willing to give the band the obsess over 24/7 any love when they're finally at the concert. I don't even want to get started.  Both times I saw them I was the only one around me who seemed to like the band.

Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: orcus116 on May 22, 2010, 07:56:05 PM
I can easily see most people that go to a DT show being timid people so just cause they're not pumping fists or singing along doesn't mean they're into it. That being said for as much as the band might try to be active they've never come across as being as interactive as most bands are. Their concerts are more recitals than rock shows in that regard.

Maybe that's one of the reasons why I love OIALT because even on CD the show sounds fun as all hell. The band seems like they're having a blast and you can hear the energy in the audience. I just don't get that vibe anymore, though it could be for a number of reasons from the complexity of the songs to the age of the bands to just the setlist maybe being dull.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 22, 2010, 08:59:31 PM
In regards to PC's point,, I have never understood why the crowd has never collectively done the "take the time" chorus at live shows.  I mean, it makes perfect sense, yet they never do it (or enough don't do it to where it is noticeable).

I hate the crowds at DT shows. They're sad.  No one is willing to give the band the obsess over 24/7 any love when they're finally at the concert. I don't even want to get started.  Both times I saw them I was the only one around me who seemed to like the band.


Nerds.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: antigoon on May 22, 2010, 10:16:22 PM
Newer live DT audio mixes also have barely any crowd noise. It's annoying as hell.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Azyiu on May 23, 2010, 04:07:18 AM
Newer live DT audio mixes also have barely any crowd noise. It's annoying as hell.


By "newer" are you referring to something like Chaos In Motion onward? If so, I agreed. I am not sure if I am the only one who feel this way, but I thought the mixing in both Score and Live @ Budokan are way better examples of how DT should sound live!
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: MirzekDT on May 23, 2010, 05:27:41 AM
Newer live DT audio mixes also have barely any crowd noise. It's annoying as hell.


By "newer" are you referring to something like Chaos In Motion onward? If so, I agreed. I am not sure if I am the only one who feel this way, but I thought the mixing in both Score and Live @ Budokan are way better examples of how DT should sound live!

Are you serious??? As far as I know it's because it wasn't recorded for majority of concerts from those five on CIM :lol It doesn't have anything to do with how loud the crowd was there...

BTW I prefer the ATCO Demos TTT to the ordinary IAW version it has so much more energy but even IAW version has a lot of energy
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Scar on June 03, 2016, 10:42:04 PM
You know, the if I have to pick the candidate for most memorable Images and Words song, the award would have to go to TTT.

Why you may ask?

"We decided to write a song about everything we'd been going through for the past three years - looking for a new singer, a new label & new management - just all the changes we made & all the frustrations we went through...but, have it coming from each of our four different perspectives. So, we broke it up, and said 'Okay, you take the 1st verse, you take the 2nd verse,' went away, wrote lyrics about our feelings about all the stuff we were going through, and then put it together. Then [we] wrote the chorus together. That was the 1st time we had ever done that, and it's the only song on the album where the lyrics were actually written by everybody."
-Mike Portnoy

The ONLY song to be written by all the band members and it is hella good. You have to love everything about the song. The introduction, the bass hook, the sampling, the solo's, the verse, and much more!

You can see the aggressiveness in the first verse, the mellowness of the bridge, the epic unison and instrumental section, and Kevin Moore's solo.

Dream Theater didn't give up and they prospered and they created a wonderful song. If I was forced to rank Take the Time, I'd put it at #1 with the rest of the songs.  :angel:

If I wasn't cheating and had to brutally honest, this song would be my third favorite song. Though they are all perfect one way or another.
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Dream Team on June 04, 2016, 04:57:42 AM
Holy thread bump Batman!
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: seasonsinthesky on June 04, 2016, 05:33:21 PM
Yeah, that's a super old post per song for the first side of I&W. When will side 2 be resurrected?!
Title: Re: Take The Time
Post by: Scar on June 04, 2016, 08:23:44 PM
Pretty soon I hope  :P