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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Ħ on May 23, 2012, 10:04:23 PM

Title: As I Am
Post by: Ħ on May 23, 2012, 10:04:23 PM
I have an insane love for this song. It's honestly the tightest song I can think of by DT. It stands triumphantly at the peak of their career, going out of the amazing SFAM and SDOIT into daring new territory.


*APPRECIATES MASSIVELY*
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: theseoafs on May 23, 2012, 10:12:07 PM
It's honestly the tightest song I can think of by DT.
I have trouble describing this tune, but "tight" is probably the best word for it. It's a really fun tune that doesn't dwell or overstay its welcome; it gets in, gives you a roundhouse kick to the face, and gets out. One of the reasons TOT is such a strong album.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: The Letter M on May 23, 2012, 10:25:12 PM
Great way to start off TOT, and probably one of their best metal single-type-songs post-SFAM, topping "Constant Motion", "A Rite Of Passage" and "Panic Attack"...although probably on-par with "The Root Of All Evil".

I love what MP calls his tribute to Neil Peart's fills in "Tom Sawyer" after the solo. Good stuff :tup

-Marc.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: theGonz on May 23, 2012, 10:31:12 PM
One of my top ten songs under 10 mins and a kick ass opener!
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: senecadawg2 on May 23, 2012, 10:33:30 PM
A good song for an alarm. This song rocks  :metal
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Tis BOOLsheet on May 23, 2012, 10:34:45 PM
Very good song and great riffs, just bad lyrics and a couple other things.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 23, 2012, 10:37:59 PM
It's a cool song I guess. Nothing special about it, but a very cool groovy main riff.


However I always get annoyed by the long feedback ending, I just always skip it.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: The Letter M on May 23, 2012, 10:50:04 PM
Additionally, I've always wondered how DT would've been taken had they put this song out (with proper label backing) as a radio single? They had the edits, all they needed was the right publicity and push.

-Marc.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Mosh on May 23, 2012, 11:00:36 PM
As I Am was my first DT song, when they played it opening for Maiden in 2010. Instantly made me want to check out their stuff.  :metal

Because of that, I have a soft spot for it, and it's always a fun listen.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: SeRoX on May 23, 2012, 11:03:09 PM
It's an OK song. That's all.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: DebraKadabra on May 23, 2012, 11:10:54 PM
I have an insane love for this song.

You and me both.

The song itself is amazing enough, but for me it's about the lyrics. :metal
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: TheGreatPretender on May 23, 2012, 11:52:10 PM
A good song for an alarm. This song rocks  :metal

Every song I ever had for an alarm has been ruined for me. Associating awesome songs with waking up early and miserable does not work for me.

But yeah, As I Am kicks ass. Best song on Train of Thought.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: SomeoneLikeHim on May 24, 2012, 12:04:53 AM
A decent rocker, but on the bottom half of ToT
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Jay.Ess on May 24, 2012, 12:13:52 AM
I think people tend to overlook the 'simple' side of Dream Theater, and almost feel inclined to dislike certain more straight forward Dream Theater songs.

I love As I Am. Petrucci's solo is mental.  :metal
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 24, 2012, 12:37:42 AM
I have always loved As I Am, and it's always been one of my favourites from the album along with ITNOG. One of their best straight-up metal tunes, nothing excessive, and not attempting to be something else. It's just DT jamming out a great heavy song. Might even be a top 20 DT song for me. :tup :tup
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: YtseJamittaja on May 24, 2012, 01:12:55 AM
I love As I Am. Petrucci's solo is mental.  :metal

And ending :2metal:
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ruba on May 24, 2012, 01:34:11 AM
It's boring. Intro is cool, but then it becomes boring. Solo is very nice.

The ending is horrible. I like feedback guitars, but it is just horrible.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: ? on May 24, 2012, 01:38:27 AM
A good straightforward metal song, JP's solo rocks! :metal I wouldn't rank it very high but it's still much better than Constant Motion.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 24, 2012, 01:41:24 AM
I love the ending. Transitions perfectly to This Dying Soul.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: m0hawk on May 24, 2012, 04:17:07 AM
I love the ending. Transitions perfectly to This Dying Soul.

This. TDS's intro wouldn't be half as awesome without the build-up to it.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: ZKX-2099 on May 24, 2012, 05:25:22 AM
I don't know... it's pretty bad ass.


Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Mladen on May 24, 2012, 05:27:53 AM
It's alright, I guess...
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: obscure on May 24, 2012, 05:29:47 AM
I am deeply in love with ToT!...  'As I Am' is a fantastic metal song... some badass heavy shit!...  and it helped me convert a lot of metal-head friends...
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Another_Won on May 24, 2012, 06:17:38 AM
I really like ToT so this is a perfect opener for the album.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Scorpion on May 24, 2012, 06:29:46 AM
I love TOT, probably due to the fact that ITNOG was the first song that I heard from DT and that I am hailing from the direction of metal instead of progressive rock or something else.

That said, As I Am is really good, but not even close to being the best from TOT. ITNOG, Endless Sacrifice, Vacant and SoC all wipe the floor with it.

Petrucci's solo is mental though, probably among my Top 25 DT solos.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Phoenix87x on May 24, 2012, 07:05:07 AM
I really like As I am and I definitely Love TOT.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: chrisbDTM on May 24, 2012, 07:23:00 AM
i liked the song more after i learned the 'you cant touch the way i play' was aimed at the queensryche replacement guitarist for trying to 'teach' JP a few things
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: iamtheeviltwin on May 24, 2012, 08:21:18 AM
A good song for an alarm. This song rocks  :metal

I used As I Am as an alarm for the past year or so while working away from my family.   The long slow intro really worked to start the wake up process and then when the main riff kicks in, BAM eyes open.  :)

My wife nixed it the minute she finally moved up with me.  :(
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: FlyingBIZKIT on May 24, 2012, 08:39:34 AM
Probably my least favorite from Train of Thought but I still love it to death. It kicks Charlie Sheen in the ass.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: 7thHanyou on May 24, 2012, 09:06:39 AM
Good musically, but the lyrics are hilarious.  Can't say I love this song in light of that.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: hefdaddy42 on May 24, 2012, 09:54:47 AM
It's good, not great.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Sigz on May 24, 2012, 10:12:16 AM
I like it.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ħ on May 24, 2012, 10:33:04 AM
The song itself is amazing enough, but for me it's about the lyrics. :metal
The lyrics are great, some of DT's best. Just straightforward and cutting.

I have always loved As I Am, and it's always been one of my favourites from the album along with ITNOG. One of their best straight-up metal tunes, nothing excessive, and not attempting to be something else. It's just DT jamming out a great heavy song. Might even be a top 20 DT song for me. :tup :tup
Nice description, Blob. Probably in my top 20 as well.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Frost134 on May 24, 2012, 11:13:57 AM
I have an insane love for this song.


I'm sorry to hear that.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: a51502112 on May 24, 2012, 11:23:03 AM
AFAIK, The feedback is supposed to be a "tribute" to South Of Heaven by SSSSLLAAAAAYYYYEERRRRRRRRR!
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Jaq on May 24, 2012, 11:41:02 AM
Not one of my favorites by the band, but given my oft-told story about how when I saw DT open for Maiden and when the first guitar note of As I Am hit the skies dropped rain down on the venue, I'm always going to have a soft spot for it in my heart.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: kirksnosehair on May 24, 2012, 11:43:35 AM
I dig it (https://www.kirksnosehair.com/Portals/0/images/smilies/edhorns.gif)
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Zydar on May 24, 2012, 11:46:59 AM
The first song I really liked from ToT when I was new to the album. A great opener and straight ahead metal track.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 11:51:12 AM
4th best song on DT's 2nd worst album.


I guess that's not bad.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: OsMosis2259 on May 24, 2012, 11:59:40 AM
Most bad-ass track written by DT
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Tis BOOLsheet on May 24, 2012, 12:30:00 PM
4th best song on DT's 2nd worst album.


I guess that's not bad.

Either FII or SC is better than ToT?
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ħ on May 24, 2012, 12:31:14 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 12:32:29 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 24, 2012, 12:36:34 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 12:37:26 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 24, 2012, 12:44:29 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!

OH NO YOU DINT!
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Tis BOOLsheet on May 24, 2012, 12:51:58 PM
(https://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsz873q8ae1r3agt7o1_500.gif)
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Lowdz on May 24, 2012, 02:17:13 PM
great song for me. i love the Black Sabbath feel at the start and JP's solo is all kinds of excellent.

ToT is a strange album for me. I don't play it often, would probably rank it pretty low but I absolutely love every song other than Honor Thy Father. Don't understand it but there you go.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: N4Player on May 24, 2012, 02:30:25 PM
One of their best songs and a great album opener. John Petrucci in "World Domination Mode" is gravy added to that.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 02:48:13 PM
ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!

OH NO YOU DINT!

Oh I went there, I took pictures and met the prime minister.....hell I'm even thinking about moving there. What's up now?
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ħ on May 24, 2012, 05:07:31 PM
ToT is a strange album for me. I don't play it often, would probably rank it pretty low but I absolutely love every song other than Honor Thy Father. Don't understand it but there you go.
It is a weird album. But I'd say Honor Thy Father is almost as good as As I Am (which is my fave from the album)!
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: lumpy33 on May 24, 2012, 08:30:54 PM
love the song, and the album.  a lot.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: 1neeto on May 24, 2012, 09:07:36 PM
That song is special to me because TOT was my first DT love. It's an in your face heavy song. Don't see why anyone would hate on it.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Zook on May 24, 2012, 09:16:41 PM
It's good, not great.

That. The chorus is pretty boring though.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 09:17:46 PM
It's good, not great.

That. The chorus is pretty boring though.

It was pretty indicative of DTs pattern for straight up metal songs, where they have high energy verses, then go to half time for the chorus and lose all energy.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Zook on May 24, 2012, 09:58:13 PM
I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: seasonsinthesky on May 24, 2012, 10:29:15 PM
i think AIA is pretty great, given the album it's on; if more of the songs on TOT were pared down in length like this one, it would've been much better, imo. however, measured up against the best/my favourite DT songs and moments, AIA doesn't stand much of a chance whatsoever.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Adami on May 24, 2012, 10:29:48 PM
I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

Oh sorry, I meant their more straight up metal singles. The ones with 1 chorus, not the 12 minute songs that 7 different choruses.

So, As I Am, Constant Motion, Right of Passage, etc.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Jaffa on May 24, 2012, 11:04:30 PM
Train of Thought is my second-or-third favorite Dream Theater album.   :metal

... I know that isn't really the point of the thread.  But I felt the album could use some support.

Anyway, AIA is a badass song. 
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: TheGreatPretender on May 24, 2012, 11:14:47 PM
Anyway, AIA is a badass song.

Well, to those who understand, right?
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: DebraKadabra on May 24, 2012, 11:43:05 PM
:slowclap:
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: BlobVanDam on May 25, 2012, 01:07:55 AM
:slowclap:

......I extend my hand....
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: DebraKadabra on May 25, 2012, 01:10:44 AM
*le sigh*

To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am
Not under your command
I know where I stand
I won't change to fit your plan
Take me as I am

Better? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: a51502112 on May 25, 2012, 05:22:56 AM
JLB live: "You cannot touch the way I play." (Points to JP.) :metal
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: comment on May 25, 2012, 06:00:00 AM
I remember the sense of anticipation when I first listened to this song as it opened with the sound from the end of 6DOIT.  Great tie in and opener for ToT.  Love this song.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Implode on May 25, 2012, 07:24:12 AM
I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

I think the reason for that is while the feel of the song slows down, the meter changes as well. The chorus is in 3 with syncopated emphases on beat 1 and the and of 2 that almost create a polymeter feel. Dream Theater does this often, and while feeling slower, it still drives forward.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: ddtonfire on May 25, 2012, 07:52:12 AM
I think it's great. The lyrics are great and witty and the solo is one of JP's more fun ones to play.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Zook on May 25, 2012, 01:13:50 PM
I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

Oh sorry, I meant their more straight up metal singles. The ones with 1 chorus, not the 12 minute songs that 7 different choruses.

So, As I Am, Constant Motion, Right of Passage, etc.


OF COURSE! Yeah, if it's one thing those songs have in common, it's the bland choruses.

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

I think the reason for that is while the feel of the song slows down, the meter changes as well. The chorus is in 3 with syncopated emphases on beat 1 and the and of 2 that almost create a polymeter feel. Dream Theater does this often, and while feeling slower, it still drives forward.

(https://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100108063233/uncyclopedia/images/archive/b/b5/20100108063328!Exploding-head.gif)
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ħ on May 25, 2012, 06:24:12 PM
I like how James sometimes sings "you can't touch the way we play." It's like a statement to all the naysayers who think DT sucks because they have technical skill but no soul.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Implode on May 25, 2012, 06:25:24 PM
(https://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100108063233/uncyclopedia/images/archive/b/b5/20100108063328!Exploding-head.gif)

 :lol

Though I should mention that it's nothing new. Triple meters have always been easy going with a persisting sense of flow and drive. Hence the minuet.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Kosmo on May 26, 2012, 07:11:45 AM
Never liked it for some reason.
Title: Re: As I Am
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 26, 2012, 11:32:23 AM
I'll listen to it every now and then, but it's my least favorite from ToT.