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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:05:23 PM

Title: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:05:23 PM
Wanted to see what is the general concensus on the new song

Feel free to share your thoughts ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 03, 2015, 02:08:45 PM
Went for okay, but I would sit between that and the one above it. Honestly, I didn't like it at all on first listen but it's starting to grow on me.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Madman Shepherd on December 03, 2015, 02:09:53 PM
I am way, way, way pleasantly surprised.  I love it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mikeyd23 on December 03, 2015, 02:10:37 PM
I really like it and can't wait to hear the rest of the album...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: chaossystem on December 03, 2015, 02:15:22 PM
Really good.

A little different, but they still sound like them.

It really is a SHAME that the music industry has "moved on," because a song like this is what SHOULD be on the "pop charts!"

Also proves what I've been saying for a long time: DT can do a shorter song that still has their distinctive sound, and can STILL be "prog!"
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:16:04 PM
Cool guys, thanks for voting!!!

Hopefully the options I created are alright ;)

I could always change them and/or add more . . .

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaasMah on December 03, 2015, 02:16:35 PM
That solo! :metal :metal Anyone else feeling Another Day vibe in it?

And the chorus (not sure if its really a chrorus but nvm) definitely reminds me ATC, and thats a great thing.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pragmaticcircus on December 03, 2015, 02:16:42 PM
Reminds me of About To Crash!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mikeyd23 on December 03, 2015, 02:17:37 PM
That solo! :metal :metal Anyone else feeling Another Day vibe in it?

And the chorus (not sure if its really a chrorus but nvm) definitely reminds me ATC, and thats a great thing.

Killer JP solo, really good stuff for sure!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:18:18 PM
Really good.

A little different, but they still sound like them.

It really is a SHAME that the music industry has "moved on," because a song like this is what SHOULD be on the "pop charts!"

Also proves what I've been saying for a long time: DT can do a shorter song that still has their distinctive sound, and can STILL be "prog!"

Exactly! Such a good song imo . . . plus who knew they'd be able to fit so much prog (including the awesome instrumental to end it) into only 4 minutes?! I'm not worried about the track length at all anymore ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:19:36 PM
Reminds me of About To Crash!

Same here!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:20:19 PM
That solo! :metal :metal Anyone else feeling Another Day vibe in it?

And the chorus (not sure if its really a chrorus but nvm) definitely reminds me ATC, and thats a great thing.

Killer JP solo, really good stuff for sure!

Oh damn that solo!!! Man am I hyped to hear the rest of the guitar on this album :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 03, 2015, 02:21:53 PM
I kinda already regret my vote, would've gone for "really like it, can't wait to hear the rest", and I somehow feel like this could potentially get really high on the charts, very accessible stuff.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:23:06 PM
I kinda already regret my vote, would've gone for "really like it, can't wait to hear the rest", and I somehow feel like this could potentially get really high on the charts, very accessible stuff.

I believe I set it where you can re-cast your vote ;) :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DarkLord_Lalinc on December 03, 2015, 02:23:09 PM
I can't see people wisely picking the first option, given that this is a short 4 minute sample of the enormous 2 hour bonanza.

The track is great, tho. It's as good as I hoped it would be!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:24:29 PM
I can't see people wisely picking the first option, given that this is a short 4 minute sample of the enormous 2 hour bonanza.

The track is great, tho. It's as good as I hoped it would be!

Yeah I agree, I would probably pick option 2 . . . but you know there are some fans out there who would . . . ;D :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SuperTaco on December 03, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
I went for the 2nd option. It's not mind-blowingly spectacular, but it's a very good song. I'm going to trust in Bosk and assume that this is only a taste of what we're really in store for.

Now I must limit the number of times I listen to this song before the album comes out. I have a bad habit of overplaying lead singles in the past.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:29:37 PM
I went for the 2nd option. It's not mind-blowingly spectacular, but it's a very good song. I'm going to trust in Bosk and assume that this is only a taste of what we're really in store for.

Now I must limit the number of times I listen to this song before the album comes out. I have a bad habit of overplaying lead singles in the past.

I am the same . . . I really overplay songs to the point that it gets old :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Another_Won on December 03, 2015, 02:31:45 PM
I went with "It's okay, I'll still be interested in the album, just hoping other songs are better"

I don't want that to sound bad because it's not.  It's just ok because it is a single and I understand that.  Most of the DT singles are just OK.  I also don't think it's fair to judge one 4 minute song in the middle of a whole story.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 03, 2015, 02:34:28 PM
I kinda already regret my vote, would've gone for "really like it, can't wait to hear the rest", and I somehow feel like this could potentially get really high on the charts, very accessible stuff.

I believe I set it where you can re-cast your vote ;) :)
Oh yea youre right, changed!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 03, 2015, 02:35:16 PM
Initial thought : Production is probably the best of the Mangini era. Song sounds like Scenes / Six Degrees.

James singing sounds almost exactly like Six Degrees. Wonder if he had any new tuition ?

But overall - great. As others have said - reminds me of About To Crash.

Need to hear the CD version.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:36:45 PM
I went with "It's okay, I'll still be interested in the album, just hoping other songs are better"

I don't want that to sound bad because it's not.  It's just ok because it is a single and I understand that.  Most of the DT singles are just OK.  I also don't think it's fair to judge one 4 minute song in the middle of a whole story.

I hear ya. Don't worry, nobody's judging that :)

And I can totally understand what you mean! I really like it, but yeah some singles really don't sit quite well with me . . .
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:37:38 PM
Initial thought : Production is probably the best of the Mangini era. Song sounds like Scenes / Six Degrees.

James singing sounds almost exactly like Six Degrees. Wonder if he had any new tuition ?

But overall - great. As others have said - reminds me of About To Crash.

Need to hear the CD version.

I agree, sounds a lot better! That's another thing to like about it ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 02:38:13 PM
Some guy posted this on YT and I couldn't agree more:

"At first, I was like "alright this is solid" but by the end of it, I was like "fuck, that was really good!""
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Tom Bombadil on December 03, 2015, 02:38:38 PM
The first 10 second are awesome (really wish they kept going with that). The rest is just okay.

Thinking this album will be a big step up from DT12 though.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Tick on December 03, 2015, 02:46:04 PM
I like the song, but I'm not sure I'm crazy about the Images and Words drum sound. Too early to really say more than that for me.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ResultsMayVary on December 03, 2015, 02:47:32 PM
It's something that is definitely promising to hear from DT. I really enjoyed the song and can't wait to hear the rest. I'm very excited for the album's direction and sound as of right now.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 03, 2015, 02:48:57 PM
Mangini does not trigger his snare.


He has taught himself to play each drum with the exact same velocity each time.

Add in gates and compression and that's what it sounds like.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Raise the Drum on December 03, 2015, 02:49:05 PM
Anyone else got the "the best of times" vibe in the verses?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RMGadelha on December 03, 2015, 02:51:48 PM
The overall SDOIT vibe of this song, the chorus, the solo, the instrumental section at the end, the story bits we got so far... this is already giving me much higher hopes than I had at the time of ADTOE and DT12 singles. Option 2 for me! Amazing!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on December 03, 2015, 02:52:56 PM
Listening right now and since I had no idea they released a song until 5 mins ago I had no time to reflect on what to think. I can honestly say that this is the most interesting first song from an album i've heard from them in a long time and I mean that in a good way. Got me very intrigued for the album!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlackInk on December 03, 2015, 02:56:25 PM
Went with "It's okay, I'll still be interested in the album, just hoping other songs are better", but my actual opinion is somewhere between this and the option above it. It is very rare for a single of any album to be my favorite or even in the top half of the album. They're usually somewhere near the bottom. So yes, it's okay, and I'm definately still interested in the album, but I'm actually pretty sure that I will like other songs more.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 03:01:46 PM
Thanks for all the feedback guys ;D

One thing for sure, I have a very good feeling about this album :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CoT67 on December 03, 2015, 03:04:43 PM
Love it. Reminds me of Don't Look Past Me, About To Crash (reprise) and The Bigger Picture, like they were somehow combined.

It has an "old but new" feeling to it, and while I understand the negative opinions I think that after 30 years of career this is one of the most amazing achievements a band could reach.

They're not going back in time, no Portnoy/Moore getting back or Labrie getting younger in sight, but I think this is an awesome display of what they are right now, what they're capable of, much more than DT12.

Definitely look forward to hearing the rest of the 130~ minutes.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 03:09:29 PM
Love it. Reminds me of Don't Look Past Me, About To Crash (reprise) and The Bigger Picture, like they were somehow combined.

It has an "old but new" feeling to it, and while I understand the negative opinions I think that after 30 years of career this is one of the most amazing achievements a band could reach.

They're not going back in time, no Portnoy/Moore getting back or Labrie getting younger in sight, but I think this is an awesome display of what they are right now, what they're capable of, much more than DT12.

Definitely look forward to hearing the rest of the 130~ minutes.

"old but new" is my sentiments exactly! Kind of like a modern-day take on their old SFaM, SDOIT sound!

I definitely can't wait either ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 03, 2015, 03:10:05 PM
Well, it's unusual, isn't it? Familiar and different all at the same time.

But, it's not a proper song though, or so it seems to me. I suspect it will fit with the album-as-a-whole but by itself the last half seems out of place (if completely awesome).

I will say, I'm really encouraged that JP's guitar volume "feels" to be in the sweet spot this time. Audible but not overwhelming the other musicians.

We shall see :soon:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 03, 2015, 03:11:28 PM
The song is really cool, has me super excited for the whole album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 03, 2015, 03:12:54 PM
Does anyone think that Dystopian Overture will be very similar to The Gift Of Music a la Overture 1928 or will that be too similar ?


I mean - I *know* that as a concept album there will be familiar themes / motifs throughout and that an Overture basically lays out the music to come. . . .
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 03, 2015, 03:15:18 PM
Does anyone think that Dystopian Overture will be very similar to The Gift Of Music a la Overture 1928 or will that be too similar ?


I mean - I *know* that as a concept album there will be familiar themes / motifs throughout and that an Overture basically lays out the music to come. . . .

The chorus of this song would lend well to strings playing in an overture, for sure.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pragmaticcircus on December 03, 2015, 03:17:02 PM
Does anyone think that Dystopian Overture will be very similar to The Gift Of Music a la Overture 1928 or will that be too similar ?


I mean - I *know* that as a concept album there will be familiar themes / motifs throughout and that an Overture basically lays out the music to come. . . .

The chorus of this song would lend well to strings playing in an overture, for sure.

Like 1928 overture to Strange Deja-vu?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 03, 2015, 03:19:11 PM
Does anyone think that Dystopian Overture will be very similar to The Gift Of Music a la Overture 1928 or will that be too similar ?


I mean - I *know* that as a concept album there will be familiar themes / motifs throughout and that an Overture basically lays out the music to come. . . .

Do you mean sonically / stylistically? I don't know, it would be cool to do an overture of the record like 1928, but maybe it will be darker overall to set the tone of the actual environment of the world, rather than combining all the themes. Then GOM will bring the hope of the main character?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 03, 2015, 03:24:20 PM
Apparently this guy loved it!! That's some serious skill man.

https://youtu.be/_7Z5nRqh9ow
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: T-ski on December 03, 2015, 03:26:07 PM
went with "Okay".

just seems like I've heard this song already, just in a different form.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: dparrott on December 03, 2015, 03:40:32 PM
Awesome!  So many changes in 4 minutes!  Kind of a hanger of an ending though, but it leads into the next song I guess.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: phospheneSOI on December 03, 2015, 03:41:05 PM


It really is a SHAME that the music industry has "moved on," because a song like this is what SHOULD be on the "pop charts!"



Interesting opinion lol.

I said on FB earlier and got a lot of likes... I really can't get into the self titled album AT ALL, but though ADTOE was possibly the best album since TOT. However this song is the most pure DT sounding and most excited I've felt since I was waiting for 8V to come out.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 03:57:54 PM
I said on FB earlier and got a lot of likes... I really can't get into the self titled album AT ALL, but though ADTOE was possibly the best album since TOT. However this song is the most pure DT sounding and most excited I've felt since I was waiting for 8V to come out.

The self-titled album took me a while to get into as well, but now I like it better than the first time I listened to it. And coincidentally I have said that ADTOE is my favorite since SDOIT (we were close :lol). But yeah this one got me right off the bat . . . super excited to hear the whole album!!! :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 03:58:52 PM
 Thanks again for all the votes and opinions guys ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:00:19 PM
Apparently this guy loved it!! That's some serious skill man.

https://youtu.be/_7Z5nRqh9ow

Within hours?! That is CRAZY fast :omg:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 03, 2015, 04:00:48 PM
Someone post lyrics :c
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Cable on December 03, 2015, 04:00:52 PM
Very solid vocal melodies.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:02:01 PM
Someone post lyrics :c

Someone asked me for that and I think I made out most of it (I could be wrong).

Maybe someone can correct/add to mine?

Far in the distant future
Beyond the pages of our time
Cold-blooded wicked tyrants
Threaten the freedom of mankind

Corruption, lust, and greed
Define the new nobility
Changing the course of history

Across the vast north empire
Most people struggle to survive
Living a meek existence
(Can’t make out this line)

We are living day to day
Forced to bear the lion’s share
People just don’t have the time for music anymore
And no one seems to care

My friends have seen the chosen one
Our quest for freedom has begun
He will be the answer to our prayers

There walks a guy among us
Who’s seen the writing on the wall
He is the revolution
He’ll be the one to save us all

My brother Gabriel
Is all the hope we need
Shining like a beacon in the dark

(Can’t make out this part) Ravenskill
A reason to believe
Music is the gift he brings
(Can’t make out this line)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:03:22 PM
Very solid vocal melodies.

 :tup to that!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: dparrott on December 03, 2015, 04:04:13 PM
I kinda felt a Looking Glass vibe listening to it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pragmaticcircus on December 03, 2015, 04:06:09 PM
Anyone think this could be an edit (like with Home) and TGOM is actually around 7 minutes? Or it just goes into the next track like predicted?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 03, 2015, 04:08:05 PM
My god, the part where he says Gabriel's name is just so fucking epic.

For some reason, at 2:44 I feel like a hard cut, as if they cut a part ala Constant Motion single version and Home.
I don't think the song exceeds 6 min, in case this wasn't its real duration, just like Strange Deja-Vu
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 03, 2015, 04:09:46 PM
A special person is viewing this thread right now...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheGreatPretender on December 03, 2015, 04:11:30 PM
Not sure if this album's gonna be the next SFAM, but I absolutely love this track. LaBrie killed it on the vocals! It reminds me of the work he did for Frameshift, or something from his Mullmuzzler albums.


A special person is viewing this thread right now...

I hope it's not Mike Portnoy, cause... Well, my avatar.  ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:13:52 PM
A special person is viewing this thread right now...

Who? :huh:

Sorry I'm a newbie :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:14:55 PM
Not sure if this album's gonna be the next SFAM, but I absolutely love this track. LaBrie killed it on the vocals! It reminds me of the work he did for Frameshift, or something from his Mullmuzzler albums.

Oh the vocals are amazing!!! Take that LaBrie haters ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 03, 2015, 04:17:44 PM
*waves at Rainee100*
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:21:04 PM
Oh, JP's wife!!! :omg:

I'm starstruck . . .
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:25:10 PM
Yep *waves as well*. . . amazing to see you!!! :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheGreatPretender on December 03, 2015, 04:25:53 PM
Tell John we all love it!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:27:28 PM
Tell John we all love it!

 :tup to that! The guitar work is phenomenal, and if he wrote the lyrics they are killer!!!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:28:31 PM
 :lol I must sound like the biggest kiss-up in the world right now, right guys? :facepalm: :lol :rollin
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 03, 2015, 04:29:47 PM
:panicattack:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on December 03, 2015, 04:38:08 PM
So far I like it a lot. The mix sounds really good too, definitely better than the last two albums.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jcmoorehead on December 03, 2015, 04:38:23 PM
I love it, listened to it three times already and really can't wait the the full thing. Love those choirs in it and as mentioned awesome guitar work!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: abydos on December 03, 2015, 04:38:28 PM
It's OK, nothing in it grabbed me on first listen and I remember not enjoying some of the instrumental parts, but I am still curious how the rest of the album turns out. Probably won't be listening to it until release, though.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: olddtfan51@gmail.com on December 03, 2015, 04:39:28 PM
I thik this is going to be an epic album. A great song with more  come.  :metal :tup
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 03, 2015, 04:42:41 PM
A great song with more  come.  :metal :tup

:zydar:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: lanemeyer on December 03, 2015, 04:49:43 PM
LaBrie killed it on the vocals! It reminds me of the work he did for Frameshift, or something from his Mullmuzzler albums.

I had the exact same thought as I was listening to it, and it made me very happy.  Definitely solo-album level quality, which I always thought was somehow better than his DT recordings. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: JediKnight1969 on December 03, 2015, 04:53:03 PM
This is my thought:

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AfZ2jO-b8tE/hqdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 04:59:20 PM
Almost 100 votes! Wow . . . :omg:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jjrock88 on December 03, 2015, 05:30:57 PM
I really like it
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CDrice on December 03, 2015, 05:32:11 PM
I just listened to it and must say it was quite disappointing.














Wait... I meant it was astonishing!  :metal

:neverusethis:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: adace on December 03, 2015, 05:36:45 PM
Awesome song! This album can't come out soon enough!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 05:38:15 PM
I just listened to it and must say it was quite disappointing.







Wait... I meant it was astonishing!  :metal

:neverusethis:

 :lol Astonishing indeed. I haven't been able to stop listening!!! :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 03, 2015, 05:44:59 PM
I just listened to it and must say it was quite disappointing.







Wait... I meant it was astonishing!  :metal

:neverusethis:

 :lol Astonishing indeed. I haven't been able to stop listening!!! :metal
Really? Even my all time favorite songs I can't listen to for more than 2-3 times in a row before getting bored with it, usually not even twice.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: James.v6 on December 03, 2015, 05:46:02 PM
There is something different. I guess The Astonishig album need more time to grow on you.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 05:47:11 PM
If you haven't noticed already, I am a really obsessive person :lol

It's not even healthy at this point ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CDrice on December 03, 2015, 05:49:20 PM
Really? Even my all time favorite songs I can't listen to for more than 2-3 times in a row before getting bored with it, usually not even twice.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but you need to find yourself some better favorites songs.  :angel:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 03, 2015, 05:55:13 PM
Really? Even my all time favorite songs I can't listen to for more than 2-3 times in a row before getting bored with it, usually not even twice.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but you need to find yourself some better favorites songs.  :angel:
:lol

Or you need more music  :censored
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Flacracker on December 03, 2015, 06:23:21 PM
Really great. This is what I have been wanting from Dream Theater. Lyric heavy songs and upbeat. Love the guitar tone too. My all time favorite guitar tone is About to Crash Reprise and this is similar.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DragonAttack on December 03, 2015, 06:26:28 PM
Anyone think this could be an edit (like with Home) and TGOM is actually around 7 minutes? Or it just goes into the next track like predicted?

There are two or three great melodies that SHOULD be repeated, so I hope so.  Or those melodies appear earlier/later in other tracks.  Geez, how many DT tracks are there that you wish were four minutes LONGER?!?!? 

Choir sounds sweet on a very, very well done song.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mrrct on December 03, 2015, 06:29:24 PM
For me, the best first impression for a new DT album since Six Degrees.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DeanTheater on December 03, 2015, 06:31:41 PM
Option 2 for me.  LOVE the solo and instrumental ending.  Cannot wait to hear more!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 03, 2015, 06:35:47 PM
The drum composition is so Mangini, syncing melodically with what the other instruments are doing, cymbals played with stereo effect, not doing many drum fills, and the bass drums really integrated in the orchestration. The cymbals are still quite low for me.  :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ThatOneGuy2112 on December 03, 2015, 06:54:34 PM
Went with "It's not the best song in the world, but I like it.

I'll try to refrain from commenting too much on the production considering it's a YouTube vid, but it's definitely more easy on the ears than DT12 was. It's got a familiar SDOIT vibe about it; a lot of the verses really scream "About to Crash" at me, which isn't a bad thing cause I love that song.

The song itself was good, but I didn't really expect it to be a masterpiece or anything going into it since it's a single. Some of the vocal melodies were rather lackluster while others were surprisingly solid. I found myself enjoying the instrumental passage quite a bit. It may have a definitive beginning and end, but I can see this track fitting really well into a larger narrative for sure. Regardless, it's leaving me waiting for more.   :hat
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Implode on December 03, 2015, 07:01:38 PM
After my first listen, it had me wanting to hear more, which is a really good sign. It felt light and fresh, something that I feel like I haven't heard much of from them in a long time. I feel a bit less worried now.  :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Randaran on December 03, 2015, 07:03:19 PM
Let's just say that I am no longer worried about the 4.5 minute average track length.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: KevShmev on December 03, 2015, 07:04:40 PM
Good song; I liked it.  I thought the ending went off the rails a bit, after the first 2 1/2 minutes had a nice riff and uplifting, catchy feel to it, but this is DT we are talking about :lol, so I am sure it won't bother me after another listen or two.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 03, 2015, 07:08:57 PM
Loved it. I am so pumped for the new album!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wolfking on December 03, 2015, 07:09:53 PM
Not the best song in the world but I like it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: N4Player on December 03, 2015, 07:22:05 PM
Petrucci shines the most on this one. Find it bland otherwise. Too small a piece in the context of such a large release. Doesn't sway my excitement to hear The Astonishing, but I will say as a "single" it is disappointing IMO.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: seasonsinthesky on December 03, 2015, 07:34:30 PM
They did justice to the chocolate cake, I can hear everything Mangini is playing, everybody is on fire. I am very optimistic!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: GasparXR on December 03, 2015, 07:44:59 PM
Does anyone else get a "Don't Look Past Me" vibe from this? That was the song I first thought of when I heard it the first time.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nearmyth on December 03, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
It will be better in context of the album I think, but I really like the direction of it... More complex compositions, that "proggy progression," if you will, that DT is best at and that I sorely missed in DT12. I really believe this will be an enjoyable album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: gmillerdrake on December 03, 2015, 07:52:34 PM
Loved it. I am so pumped for the new album!

:iagree:

They did justice to the chocolate cake, I can hear everything Mangini is playing, everybody is on fire. I am very optimistic!

I'm far from an audiophile and am certain if I paged through the comments I'd find plenty of folks here who think 'the sound is horrible....can't believe they did that or this....blah blah blah...."  but if this song is any indication as to how the rest of the album will sound...I'd be happy with it.

Once again, even in this relatively 'simple' song....Mangini's footwork is incredible. That aspect of his drumming alone outshines the last few efforts of DT's previous drummer.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheGreatPretender on December 03, 2015, 08:06:50 PM
Am I the only one who can't help but appreciate how appropriate it is that we got "The Gift of Music" from Dream Theater this holiday season?  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 03, 2015, 08:11:25 PM
I'm far from an audiophile and am certain if I paged through the comments I'd find plenty of folks here who think 'the sound is horrible....can't believe they did that or this....blah blah blah...."  but if this song is any indication as to how the rest of the album will sound...I'd be happy with it.

Once again, even in this relatively 'simple' song....Mangini's footwork is incredible. That aspect of his drumming alone outshines the last few efforts of DT's previous drummer.

Yeah, Mangini's footwork has always been great especially in how it integrates in the orchestration of the songs. Wish the cymbals are higher in the mix, but it's much improved than the previous two albums. :)

I wish there would be a fatter bass sound, but then again, maybe it's because I am not using my in-ears right now. :)

RIP Replay button. Must have listened to this song more than ten times already.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 08:12:38 PM
Am I the only one who can't help but appreciate how appropriate it is that we got "The Gift of Music" from Dream Theater this holiday season?  :lol

 :lol that's true!!! Best Christmas Present EVER :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 08:14:15 PM
RIP Replay button. Must have listened to this song more than ten times already.  :lol

Ten Times? Slacker . . . I've been pressing the replay button all evening long :lol

 ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 08:16:24 PM
It will be better in context of the album I think, but I really like the direction of it... More complex compositions, that "proggy progression," if you will, that DT is best at and that I sorely missed in DT12. I really believe this will be an enjoyable album.

 :tup to that! DT12 was a good record imo, but this song really is reminiscent of that classic SDOIT/SFaM DT that I love!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 08:17:38 PM
Let's just say that I am no longer worried about the 4.5 minute average track length.

Dude I said the same exact thing earlier! Amazing they can fit that much prog epicness into 4 minutes ;) ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 03, 2015, 08:19:01 PM
I went with the middle option. After only a couple of listens, and without the context of the album, the song is ok on its own so far. No complaints, but didn't wow me yet either. But it's part of a concept album, so I don't expect it to hold up as well individually.

Other people mentioned having an ATC vibe, which I also got (which is a good thing for me), and the instrumental section sounds extremely familiar although I can't quite put my finger on it. It almost sounds like a progression from DT12 back to SDOIT/SFAM. I'm interested to hear how that turns out. I loved the choir.

The Youtube audio quality isn't great, but the production sounds pretty good from what I can tell. It sounds better than the HDTracks version of DT12, I think. The guitars aren't overwhelming, and the drum sound is the best of the MM studio albums so far. You can tell it's mixed by the same guy, but I think they've ironed out the most glaring flaws of DT12.

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 08:20:11 PM
Thanks for all the votes and responses guys, you rock!!! :) :metal

Great to know the general consensus and your opinions ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Mebert78 on December 03, 2015, 08:28:38 PM
Wow. I'm definitely intrigued after listening to this. I LOVE the second half of the song. That riff toward the end reminded me of Opeth a little bit. It's not a typical single, but we have to remember this is just a cog in the wheel of what is The Astonishing. The lyrics really grabbed me too. I'm dying to see where this concept goes. Thank you, DT!

I also want to add that these lyrics are classic Petrucci. What a wonderful writer he is.  He set up the story so well with this track, in my opinion.

And that choir! Damn! Does it get any better than that?

EDIT: Upon further listens, I think Dream Theater is giving us a concept album about a futuristic world without music. I'm also venturing that Nomacs are possibly music-detecting devices? If someone in the Northern Empire is playing music instead of being a productive member of society, it can detect it. I'm just speculating.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: chrisbDTM on December 03, 2015, 08:46:26 PM
kinda whatever for most of it, but then they always deliver the goods when it comes to the signature instrumental break
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 03, 2015, 09:09:25 PM
Am I the only one who can't help but appreciate how appropriate it is that we got "The Gift of Music" from Dream Theater this holiday season?  :lol

They really dropped the ball by not waiting to release this until 6:00 on Christmas morning, Yorkeville time.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 03, 2015, 09:12:31 PM
Does anyone else get a "Don't Look Past Me" vibe from this? That was the song I first thought of when I heard it the first time.

I do.  And that's a good thing.  I probably like DLPM better, but it's close.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 03, 2015, 09:29:10 PM
Anyone think this could be an edit (like with Home) and TGOM is actually around 7 minutes? Or it just goes into the next track like predicted?

There are two or three great melodies that SHOULD be repeated, so I hope so.  Or those melodies appear earlier/later in other tracks.  Geez, how many DT tracks are there that you wish were four minutes LONGER?!?!? 

Choir sounds sweet on a very, very well done song.

A Nightmare to Remember
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 03, 2015, 09:32:15 PM
In sum, I have to say: It's not the best song in the world, but I like it.  I like it better than Enemy Inside, but not sure I like it as good as OTBOA.

That doesn't mean it's bad.  The musical sounds/effects sound a lot better than they have been in a while, JP's solo is awesome, and I love it when bands can make the major scale sound badass.  They did it here without sounding like they were ripping off Rush.  But it sounds kind of like a cookie-cutter DT composition, except a little bit shorter.  I think it's one of those songs that might be more enjoyable as a fragment of a concept album than standing alone.  They don't do anything new here that they haven't done before.

Also, rarely is the first single from DT the best or most interesting song on the album.  They usually play it safe with singles.

The thing I like most about this song is it's general attitude and tone, which is more likely to carry over to the rest of the album.  I guess I'm the least thrilled by its specific composition, which is unique to the song.  So I still have pretty high hopes for the album.  They've hyped this one up pretty well so far, so now it has to meet those expectations!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 03, 2015, 09:35:01 PM
If you listen in while expecting the next track and pretending you just heard the intro, it's even better than Strange Deja-Vu, it's so extremely climatic.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Infinite Cactus on December 03, 2015, 09:50:01 PM
I like it, but I can't believe how obvious the melodyne is at  1:22. Like, just sing that line over.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 03, 2015, 10:01:32 PM
I think it's midfield strong, and I'm hopeful that DT is sticking to their history of releasing the weaker songs first.
Drum sound is better, I'm just apparently not a fan of MM's drum sound and style, period. His machine gun snare and the heavy use of it just doesn't do much for me.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 03, 2015, 10:05:48 PM
About the perception that a few of you think you are hearing a melodyne artifact:  I asked the band, and there is NO melodyne or other effects on that part of the song.  That is purely how James sang the line.  I have this confirmed directly from the band.  They also said they appreciate that the fans dig so deep and analyze the music on such a deep level as that.  But no melodyne. 

One other misconception to clear up:  I have noticed a few people refer to the song as the first "single."  It isn't really a "single."  It is a preview for us to get a sampling of the album. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 10:08:38 PM
About the perception that a few of you think you are hearing a melodyne artifact:  I asked the band, and there is NO melodyne or other effects on that part of the song.  That is purely how James sang the line.  I have this confirmed directly from the band.  They also said they appreciate that the fans dig so deep and analyze the music on such a deep level as that.  But no melodyne. 

One other misconception to clear up:  I have noticed a few people refer to the song as the first "single."  It isn't really a "single."  It is a preview for us to get a sampling of the album.

Oh okay well that clears it up then, thanks for letting us know . . . like I said I know nothing about music production and was just going by what I thought I heard to be some sort of glitch in the production, but I apologize if that has offended anyone . . .

 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 03, 2015, 10:09:37 PM
No, not at all.  But since a few people had said they noticed it, I thought I'd ask the source.  Now we know.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 10:10:13 PM
And I will edit out the single part in my opening comment as to not confuse people. Thanks for the heads up Bosk, you da man :smiley:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 03, 2015, 10:11:04 PM
Just like bosky, I never heard anything peculiar about that vocal line, even when listening for it. I get the suspicion people these days jump the gun in their expectation of autotuning. That is, they think they hear it in places where it doesn't exist.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 03, 2015, 10:13:03 PM
I didn't hear it either.  But then again, I didn't immediately discount it because when songs are so multilayered and multitextured as DT's tend to be, there are often things in there that won't be picked up on at first.  Not sure how I missed it for so long, but by way of example, I NEVER heard the moaning in Home until I saw LSFNY.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: V_R11 on December 03, 2015, 10:14:44 PM
Just listened to it,and didn't like it as much as I had hoped but liked it anyway. I see so much potential in this album and can't wait to hear the rest. After all,this was just four minutes out of it all and I think there'll be a lot of different kinds of songs
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Infinite Cactus on December 03, 2015, 10:15:43 PM
It just sounds like a weird slide. Like an artifact of melodyne or quick autotune. I didn't really know what was up with it. It's a peculiar thing. I still like the song.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 03, 2015, 10:15:44 PM
Of course, itr also doesn't mean DT doesn't use autotune. Of course they do, everybody does. But much more sparingly in studio recordings than people assume. Their live releases, different matter.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 03, 2015, 10:20:23 PM
It takes a village...this much she knows is true...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 10:20:52 PM
On another note, the song is now available in the US! And off I go to Itunes ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bl5150 on December 03, 2015, 10:24:04 PM
I believe the Rolling Stone article referred to it as the "single" and it seemed to be like a semi-official article via the band and so I think that's where the idea of a single came from.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 03, 2015, 10:27:33 PM
Oh, didn't catch that.  Yeah, Rolling Stone is a bit off in that respect then.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ResultsMayVary on December 03, 2015, 10:35:15 PM
It seems like DT chose this song to release because it's the first song with lyrics, it's relatively short to act as a teaser, and it's before you [would] see any recurring themes that would normally be present in the later song (JP confirmed different themes and what not for the different characters).
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheLordOfTheStrings on December 03, 2015, 10:42:58 PM
I think it's fantastic - exactly the sample I needed to hear to be completely confident with the band taking on this vast concept album. The lyrics aren't lame or corny, this piece of music brings me back to Images and Words. I feel a lot of Rush influence in the riffing. Guitar solo is breathtaking. I think this album is gonna be a fuckin 10 out of 10.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 03, 2015, 10:44:39 PM
My sentiments exactly!!! Man what the heck am I gonna do to make these two months go by faster?! :lol

All hail Dream Theater! :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Aythesryche on December 03, 2015, 10:51:21 PM
...given that this is a short 4 minute sample of the enormous 2 hour bonanza.


Well, this line excites me. I'm thinking that this song is pretty damn great, and I'm so excited for the rest of the album. If this is just 4 minutes out of 120+ minutes... It's an incredible prospect. Wow. I'm ready for the rest! I'll be going to the Faroe Islands in early February for a bit of exploration and photography, and this album will do just nicely as the soundtrack.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Anguyen92 on December 03, 2015, 10:53:03 PM
It sounds good.  JLB's vocal sounds spot on.  The instrumental parts in the last part was solid and, part of me thought I was going to hear another verse after that, but then the song was over and I was a bit bummed out, but thankfully, this is just a small piece of the grand scheme of things.

It's a good start.  Did what it needs to do.  Showcase them decent enough in a short amount of time, after over two years of not hearing new material, and get people excited to buy/hear the rest of the album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MacClaus on December 03, 2015, 10:58:25 PM
Overproduced.... Pitched voice.... horrible drum sound. A disappointment.... they will never learn to return to the great sound of Awake.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 03, 2015, 11:42:58 PM
Overproduced.... Pitched voice.... horrible drum sound. A disappointment.... they will never learn to return to the great sound of Awake.

Did you vote? Because the votes in the bottom option did not goo up.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 03, 2015, 11:44:45 PM
Why would you expect them to return to awake? Awake was done when the band was still in their twenties, at the top of their creative peak. It's a fact that people settle down and change their creative approach when they get older - and the world has changed too, with regards to the possibilities and the expectations. I certainly don't want a dt that is stuck in the past. I don't want dt to recreate the old albums over and over.

This track is indicative of a new direction for dt that is completely different from anything they've ever done while staying true to their heritage by being a natural evolution. The track feels like a great way to get into the world and the story, it's got a buildup that engages the listener with a huge payoff  when the choir kicks in. The instrumenta sectionl is melodic and interesting.

On the album it follows an overture which I assume will introduce the overarching themes we will hear on the album, that act kinda like the intro credits to a movie or tv show. This track is where the journey truly begins. And it does it in a masterful way.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Octavarious on December 04, 2015, 12:16:05 AM
Why would you expect them to return to awake? Awake was done when the band was still in their twenties, at the top of their creative peak. It's a fact that people settle down and change their creative approach when they get older - and the world has changed too, with regards to the possibilities and the expectations. I certainly don't want a dt that is stuck in the past. I don't want dt to recreate the old albums over and over.

This track is indicative of a new direction for dt that is completely different from anything they've ever done while staying true to their heritage by being a natural evolution. The track feels like a great way to get into the world and the story, it's got a buildup that engages the listener with a huge payoff  when the choir kicks in. The instrumenta sectionl is melodic and interesting.

On the album it follows an overture which I assume will introduce the overarching themes we will hear on the album, that act kinda like the intro credits to a movie or tv show. This track is where the journey truly begins. And it does it in a masterful way.
Agree 100%
On the melodic line side: yes, ATC feeling all over, but also a "you'll never rule me now, though you may stand upon my grave" deja-vu somewhere along the 1st part? Am I the only one?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MacClaus on December 04, 2015, 12:30:48 AM
Why would you expect them to return to awake? Awake was done when the band was still in their twenties, at the top of their creative peak.

I mean the production and mix. The last DT records are overproduced with tons of keyboard layers.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 12:34:03 AM
The keyboards are buried on recent DT albums. It's the wall of guitars that are the problem.

The mix on TGOM sounds more balanced.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Polarbear on December 04, 2015, 12:39:46 AM
It's Ok.

I could be cool, within the context of the album. But as a standalone song, it's not that great. And like the last couple of albums, the mix sounds pretty bad.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: The Presence of Frenemies on December 04, 2015, 12:50:22 AM
I'll put it this way: If this is clearly one of the...oh, eight best tracks on the album, I'll probably be at least a little disappointed (the part of me that wants to expect over-the-top greatness will be, anyway). But if it's one of the eight worst tracks, then holy hell is this going to be something.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 12:55:45 AM
I'll put it this way: If this is clearly one of the...oh, eight best tracks on the album, I'll probably be at least a little disappointed (the part of me that wants to expect over-the-top greatness will be, anyway). But if it's one of the eight worst tracks, then holy hell is this going to be something.

As they're not officially calling this a single, I think the choice of this track is based on being reasonable length, that works standalone, that doesn't give away anything about the story, hence them choosing one of the first tracks (and possibly the first with lyrics).
Not that they'd put a weak song out first (or even record/release a song they felt was weak in the first place), but they were possibly more limited than usual in what song to release, unlike the usual situation where it sounds like a song is written with being a "single" in the back of their mind.
And it goes without saying that we're hearing it out of context. If I'd heard Strange Deja Vu out of context, I may not have thought it was indicative of a great album, but every song has its role.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 04, 2015, 12:55:58 AM
The keyboards are buried on recent DT albums. It's the wall of guitars that are the problem.

The mix on TGOM sounds more balanced.

Yes. The guitars on DT12 were a bit too upfront and exhausting.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: 54_diplomats on December 04, 2015, 01:03:46 AM
went with "Okay".

just seems like I've heard this song already, just in a different form.

Kinda how I feel about it as of now. I might need to listen to it a few more times though.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 04, 2015, 01:08:08 AM
Not calling it a single is just a technicality. A single would indicate an actual "product, while this is just the release of the first track of an album as a preview. The difference is subtle and mostly business-y.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Zydar on December 04, 2015, 01:08:46 AM
It's okay, I bet it's better in context of the album. I can't really judge the mix or production from a Youtube clip.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 01:16:08 AM
Not calling it a single is just a technicality. A single would indicate an actual "product, while this is just the release of the first track of an album as a preview. The difference is subtle and mostly business-y.

It is only a technicality (if even that), but from the band's perspective, I think there is the distinction of it being more of a small teaser of a larger piece, rather than an album of individual songs where they've written and chosen a song to appeal to a larger market to sell an album.
From our perspective it's a trivial difference, but the concept album / rock opera thing does change the thought process for the band.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 04, 2015, 01:27:26 AM
Not calling it a single is just a technicality. A single would indicate an actual "product, while this is just the release of the first track of an album as a preview. The difference is subtle and mostly business-y.

Quite. It's a "sample" which you can buy. Therefore it's a product. Therefore it's not a sample ??
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaiseTheKnife on December 04, 2015, 01:41:19 AM
Calling it now: In all irony, this will be the "single" that gets Dream Theater their first Grammy win.

Good song that will probably sound better within the overall context of the album.  The call and response solos at the end are daring and unexpected, and I'm on board with it.

I'm really digging James' performance - Explorers Club, Mullmuzzler (1:53) (and maybe even a lil Maiden).  Maybe the best he's done in years.

Jordan's orchestration at 2:53 is very engaging, and the patches sound like his usual palette with some tweaks.  That whole instrumental section is very Pleasant Shade of Grey (with a touch of New Math/OSI)

Production wise, it's "meh, with improvements."  The guitar tone has less chocoate frosting, which is good.  More breathing room, less brickwall, but the drums may be too present and overwhelming.  Gosh, I really miss Andy Wallace.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: AboutToCrash on December 04, 2015, 02:00:27 AM
As an obvious about to crash fan I really like the song! But it's kinda how Metropolis Pt 2 seems to me, I don't really enjoy it half as much as stand alone tracks, and considering there are 33 other tracks it's really best to listen to the concept as a whole, I couldn't resist though when it came out even though I said I would hahaha
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 02:09:29 AM
Production wise, it's "meh, with improvements."  The guitar tone has less chocoate frosting, which is good.  More breathing room, less brickwall, but the drums may be too present and overwhelming.  Gosh, I really miss Andy Wallace.

Andy Wallace, the guy responsible for their worst mixed album this side of WDADU?
Kevin Shirley is still responsible for all of my favourite sounding DT albums, but I think Richard Chycki has found his sound with DT with this one.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 04, 2015, 02:13:33 AM

Andy Wallace, the guy responsible for their worst mixed album this side of WDADU?

Yeah that album sounds very demoey and unbalanced.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 04, 2015, 02:13:47 AM
Kevin Shirley is still responsible for all of my favourite sounding DT albums, but I think Richard Chycki has found his sound with DT with this one.
Really hard to tell just yet, but it definitely has the potential to be the one where he's managed to refine his style with them and get a really good sound out. Time will tell.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaiseTheKnife on December 04, 2015, 02:32:29 AM
Production wise, it's "meh, with improvements."  The guitar tone has less chocoate frosting, which is good.  More breathing room, less brickwall, but the drums may be too present and overwhelming.  Gosh, I really miss Andy Wallace.

Andy Wallace, the guy responsible for their worst mixed album this side of WDADU?
Kevin Shirley is still responsible for all of my favourite sounding DT albums, but I think Richard Chycki has found his sound with DT with this one.

Agree to disagree, but I will admit it's a polarizing mix. After the balls of BCSL, it took a moment to embrace the ADTOE mix, but ultimately,  I found the keyboard heavy mix refreshing.

I will add that the performance Rich is pulling/capturing from James in the Gift of Music is spectacular - so the chemistry is palpable and invaluable.  Give him credit for that.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 04, 2015, 02:43:26 AM
As for the mix, I think it sounds infinitely better on head phones than through the crappy computer speakers I listened with yesterday. I'll be very well pleased if the entire album sounds like this!

Against my better judgement, I'm starting to feel stirrings (you know what I mean) for this album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pettor on December 04, 2015, 02:56:23 AM
I am so happy for this! The album got me very excited when details started to emerge to the point I felt afraid of even hearing this. What if it was just a normal riff song with the same same? Will this album just be a concept album with the DT we have heard so many times? But no, this is EXACTLY the DT I love!

James is on fire with wonderful melodic lines. Not sure when he sounded this awesome before!?! DT has often had this "talk singing" songs lately like The Shattered Fortress, The Enemy Inside etc. I like those song a lot but the melodic prog is what made me fall in love with DT to begin with. It sounds like a modern SDOIT / SFAM and that is the best thing that could happen imo.

There is just so much to this song in only 4 minutes. And it doesn't feel stressed, just very well planned out. And great guitarr solo and love the choir part backing up James.

If my hype level was high before it's exploding right now. How the hell do I wait until Januari now?

Only strange part is why Youtube still get these low quality mp3 files uploaded? We know it doesn't have to be this way ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 04, 2015, 02:58:32 AM
Definitely sounds a bit better listening on Spotify.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 04, 2015, 03:01:47 AM
Definitely sounds a bit better listening on Spotify.

I'll need to give that a listen. Stat.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 03:04:28 AM
Definitely sounds a bit better listening on Spotify.

Thanks for the tip. Didn't even think of that. Even the free version is 160kb/s which is already much better quality than Youtube.

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pettor on December 04, 2015, 03:06:12 AM
Yes thank you! Spotify sounds a lot better actually! There were so many artifacts on the Youtube-version that is not there on Spotify  :tup

Loving the choir  :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CoT67 on December 04, 2015, 03:11:17 AM
Production wise, it's "meh, with improvements."  The guitar tone has less chocoate frosting, which is good.  More breathing room, less brickwall, but the drums may be too present and overwhelming.  Gosh, I really miss Andy Wallace.

Andy Wallace, the guy responsible for their worst mixed album this side of WDADU?
Kevin Shirley is still responsible for all of my favourite sounding DT albums, but I think Richard Chycki has found his sound with DT with this one.

They still had Paul Northfield onboard and they didn't make the album sound like BC&SL... while this one was definitely not the most balanced mix ever in the history of DT (that goes either to FII or SDOIT IMHO), it had a "powerful, brickwall" sound that was much more dynamic and natural in comparison to the Chycki "everything in your face" mixes.

Guitars had much more top end in the previous albums, keyboards had more presence and the drums obviously didn't sound as triggered/compressed. The stereo image was usually really good.

I just hope they'll eventually go back to a real, open and organic sound instead of going for the "in your face" thing.

EDIT: And just for the record, I really think the TGOM mix is better than DT12 and much more appreciable. I guess that as long as the music's right, TA will still be an amazing album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: YtseJohn on December 04, 2015, 06:26:15 AM
Spotify URL
https://play.spotify.com/track/3QwqRd3vM8ya0PD5GYnwRA
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 04, 2015, 06:30:53 AM
Definitely sounds a bit better listening on Spotify.

Thanks for the tip. Didn't even think of that. Even the free version is 160kb/s which is already much better quality than Youtube.

It sounds great with the upgraded (extreme) quality. You can definitely hear the difference between that and the YouTube version.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 04, 2015, 06:36:27 AM
In particular, the parts are all a bit clearer - I can definitely hear the choir parts more easily on Spotify.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 04, 2015, 06:43:18 AM
In particular, the parts are all a bit clearer - I can definitely hear the choir parts more easily on Spotify.

That was the part I was most excited to hear on the higher quality stream, because it got particularly smooshed on Youtube, being a denser section.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nikatapi on December 04, 2015, 06:53:28 AM
Bought the iTunes version, definitely better than the YouTube stream, that was expected. Still the sound lacks some bass and oomph, it's a little sterile and cymbals could be louder, but it's a definite improvement over DT12. I'm pretty sure the bass drums are triggered, and i would prefer something more punchy and less clicky.
JR is very present in the mix, and guitar is less overpowering, which is great since it gives more balance.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Randaran on December 04, 2015, 06:58:45 AM
Bought the iTunes version, definitely better than the YouTube stream, that was expected.

Same here, and I agree. The piano is much more audible on this version, and the "popping" on the youtube stream is gone.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mikeyd23 on December 04, 2015, 07:07:59 AM
Just listened to the Spotify version, much better than YouTube. The mix definitely feels more balanced and less in your face than DT12.

This record really has the potential to sound very good sonically.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 04, 2015, 07:08:11 AM
Man that riff at 3:24. More please.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 04, 2015, 07:12:10 AM
The mix definitely is better (listened on Google Music), only drawback is it made stick out the drums too. And I'm really starting to dislike them already on that tune.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 04, 2015, 07:15:58 AM
I think the drums are the right volume, and dig the performance, but I'm not sure how to describe it. It's like the don't ring out...they just hit and clip off. Is this what audiophiles are talking about when they mention "gated" drums?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: tofee35 on December 04, 2015, 07:16:31 AM
I like the song a lot. There's so much potential. JP's tone is so early 2000's JP, which was my favorite JP. I'm mostly happy that the lyrics aren't in the same medieval tongue as the emails. The drums/drumming is sort of too rigid and abrupt for the flowing movement of the song. It holds back the song a bit. I think it's 75% production and 25% the placement of snare/bass hits. If I were to guess, the snare and bass are triggered which may be why the overheads for the cymbals are low (to avoid leakage). I know very little about engineering, but that' how it sounds to me.

-Tof
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pebsie on December 04, 2015, 07:40:42 AM
I'm apparently alone in this opinion, but I fucking loved it!
The choir sounds fantastic, as do the orchestra and I was really getting the concept themes.

High hopes that this'll be as good as SFAM. We'll see...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 04, 2015, 07:50:55 AM
I'm apparently alone in this opinion, but I fucking loved it!

Since that is clearly the majority opinion, I'm not sure how you are "alone."  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 04, 2015, 07:52:19 AM
Everyone just loves it, he fucking loves it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 04, 2015, 07:57:00 AM
Oh, good point.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Plasmastrike on December 04, 2015, 07:58:46 AM
Kinda blown away. Great melodies and what an instrumental section. Soaring song. Only downside for me is the drum tone, but damn can't wait for the album
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ? on December 04, 2015, 07:59:44 AM
Option 3

Not a particularly astonishing song and most likely sounds better in the album context, but I like the upbeat vibe, and the production sounds like a huge improvement over DT12.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Voices on December 04, 2015, 08:11:36 AM
Option2 only because I think this album will not compare to any of their previous. I'm really hyped and hopeful.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Art on December 04, 2015, 08:16:20 AM
Option 2, i really liked the song as a stand alone piece, but i think in the context of the album it will be even better. Love the SDOIT/SFAM vibe, and that the single is not another "metal" song.

As for the production, based on the You Tube video, i already like it a lot more than the recent stuff, especially the drums. That, for me, was the major concern with the album, and i think they improved a lot.

I am super hyped for this record!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 04, 2015, 08:32:10 AM
Option 2.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nekov on December 04, 2015, 08:33:47 AM
I like it until the solo, after that it just seems to be their doing prog just for the sake of it. Maybe in the context of the album it will get better.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: YtseJohn on December 04, 2015, 08:34:47 AM
Option 6:
(https://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=62191316)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: matthewmatt on December 04, 2015, 08:35:37 AM
Option 4. There's nothing wrong about it, but I'm not enamoured. However, every time I've heard any DT song released before the album, I didn't like it. Some I learned to appreciate, some not that much, but I'm definitely still hyped and excited about the album!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: FiberglassMoon on December 04, 2015, 09:04:43 AM
Is there a general consensus about the mix/production for this song?  In full disclosure, I haven't actually listened to the song.  I'm taking a different approach for this album and holding off on listening to anything until the release date. Scrolling through the thread there seems to be a mixed reaction to the production - some people saying it's an improvement over DT12, some saying it's more of the same.

With 130 minutes of music I think it's really important, more so than on any other album, that the mix is on point.  I felt that DT12 would have been an easier listen if each instrument had more room to breathe.  I got Devin Townsend-esque wall-of-sound vibes from the mix.  By the end of the album I was sonically exhausted.  With an additional 60 minutes of material on TA I really hope they return to the SFAM or SDOIT style so I can enjoy the whole thing straight through.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: energythief on December 04, 2015, 09:37:36 AM
Musically, amazing. Lyrically, it's well... Better than TCOT. How's that for a nice way to say it?


I voted "OK".
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: As I Am on December 04, 2015, 09:57:43 AM
Good song....nothing special....may be better in the context of the whole album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 10:05:22 AM
Is there a general consensus about the mix/production for this song?  In full disclosure, I haven't actually listened to the song.  I'm taking a different approach for this album and holding off on listening to anything until the release date. Scrolling through the thread there seems to be a mixed reaction to the production - some people saying it's an improvement over DT12, some saying it's more of the same.

With 130 minutes of music I think it's really important, more so than on any other album, that the mix is on point.  I felt that DT12 would have been an easier listen if each instrument had more room to breathe.  I got Devin Townsend-esque wall-of-sound vibes from the mix.  By the end of the album I was sonically exhausted.  With an additional 60 minutes of material on TA I really hope they return to the SFAM or SDOIT style so I can enjoy the whole thing straight through.

That's a good question! Maybe we should start a new poll on that :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 10:10:44 AM
I'm apparently alone in this opinion, but I fucking loved it!

Since that is clearly the majority opinion, I'm not sure how you are "alone."  :lol

I think he means he picked the first option while most picked the second. Yeah, not the best wording by me :facepalm: . . . obviously there are people who love it a bunch but still won't compare it to SFAM. I probably won't change it because so many people already voted but just know people you can fucking love it and still be option number 2, and can still like it and be option number 4 ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 10:14:24 AM
Man, just bought it on Itunes (only cuz I had computer issues last night) and it's unbelievable!!! CANNOT STOP LISTENING :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 04, 2015, 10:16:25 AM
That's a good question! Maybe we should start a new poll on that :)
I think you'll love the Polls/Survivors subforum  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 10:22:41 AM
 :lol Then I'll have to check that out! ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wolven74 on December 04, 2015, 11:06:51 AM
I love the song for what it is, but it definitely feels incomplete to me. The fastest 4 minutes ever. I've listened to all the versions available, and I'm glad that the ITunes version is crisper. I can clearly hear the choir, and the piano and orchestration are smooth. I still think the snare is a little too out front, but one thing DT has done on every album is change the drum sound. Every release has taken more than one spin to get used to the new sound. I'm excited to hear other tracks. Context is king in a Rock Opera.  :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DragonAttack on December 04, 2015, 11:11:03 AM
108,000 views on the official ytube version as of 1pm Eastern Standard Time (for the benefit of the clock guy).  I've helped with five listens. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kix on December 04, 2015, 11:15:53 AM
The more I listen to it, the more things I notice/pick up on each time. It's fair to say I have played it a lot.  :D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: The Presence of Frenemies on December 04, 2015, 11:23:45 AM
Listened to it on Spotify, my fourth or fifth listen overall. The sound definitely seems to coalesce better there than it did in the original YouTube upload.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 04, 2015, 11:32:09 AM
Listened to it on Spotify, my fourth or fifth listen overall. The sound definitely seems to coalesce better there than it did in the original YouTube upload.

Well yes. Youtube audio is compressed to all hell.

My bro did an experiment once. He uploaded an audio file which was several GB then he downloaded the file again from YouTube and it was only a few hundred MB.

Spotify audio is around 256kbps.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: FsF on December 04, 2015, 11:53:25 AM
Hope it turns out those robot guys hid everyone's intruments behind a waterfall.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mike099 on December 04, 2015, 12:05:30 PM
Cannot decide if I want to hold off and not listen until the release date. 

Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

I thought they should have won last year, but realizing that it is just a popularity contest. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 04, 2015, 12:14:09 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines.  Yes managed to do it without selling out.  Megadeth did it on a number of songs on Countdown to Extinction without sounding sappy.  Even King Crimson managed to churn out some radio hits that were unique, interesting, and catchy all at the same time.

I hope they don't feel required to put a proggy, polyrhythmic, chromatic jam in every song just because.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 04, 2015, 12:15:03 PM
Yea I have no clue what makes a song grammy worthy, White Limo winning over OTBOA was comprehendable, as OTBOA isn't the most mainstream stuff you've ever heard, but I think this one falls into that category a bit better.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 04, 2015, 12:17:23 PM
No, not Grammy worthy, not by a long shot.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: lonestar on December 04, 2015, 12:20:55 PM
It's a good track, but with this album it's gonna be all about context. Just waiting for the full product to really pass judgement.



On a side note, I had a friend on FB say that the lyrics were cheesy as hell, to which I responded "It's a sci fi themed concept album from DT, what'd you expect, Fish era Marillion?" .... sigh...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ResultsMayVary on December 04, 2015, 12:21:53 PM
I love it for the 4 minutes out of 130 minutes of music that it is. I'm very interested to see how it meshes with the rest of the album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CharlesPL on December 04, 2015, 12:31:03 PM
I decided not to listen to any pre released material.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 04, 2015, 01:12:32 PM
Listened to it on Spotify, my fourth or fifth listen overall. The sound definitely seems to coalesce better there than it did in the original YouTube upload.

Well yes. Youtube audio is compressed to all hell.

My bro did an experiment once. He uploaded an audio file which was several GB then he downloaded the file again from YouTube and it was only a few hundred MB.

Spotify audio is around 256kbps.

Extreme quality is 320kbps, High Quality is 160kbps, Normal Quality is 96kbps.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 04, 2015, 01:27:23 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 01:28:34 PM
Man Bosk you are killing me here!!! :lol

Can't wait!!! :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 04, 2015, 01:34:47 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

That tease is the equivalent of a girl taking one breast out and telling me the milk is in the other one.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 04, 2015, 01:35:57 PM
:spitcoffee:  <-milk
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 04, 2015, 01:37:04 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

I was just about to reply that I wouldn't rule something like that out elsewhere on this album, given David Campbell's presence.  I can't wait.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nicmos on December 04, 2015, 01:41:23 PM
A little Epicloud vibe with the choir section.

Anyway, much much better than The Enemy Inside.

Sounds great for 4 minutes out of a 120-minute double album.  Has the proggy elements but they don't dominate the song.  Even at the end the melody isn't totally sacrificed.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 01:42:45 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

That tease is the equivalent of a girl taking one breast out and telling me the milk is in the other one.

That is one strange metaphor, but . . . yeah :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ResultsMayVary on December 04, 2015, 01:43:17 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

OH, COME ON!  >:(
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on December 04, 2015, 01:45:51 PM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

That tease is the equivalent of a girl taking one breast out and telling me the milk is in the other one.
(https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/forumavatars/avatar_6593_1447853313.jpg)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 04, 2015, 02:39:51 PM
Realistically - the grammys is a popularity contest, and you'll only win if you're the most popular kid in school...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 02:46:03 PM
Yep . . . wish that DT had a grammy to their name, but in reality it doesn't really matter - they don't mean anything.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: matthewmatt on December 04, 2015, 02:52:44 PM
That tease is the equivalent of a girl taking one breast out and telling me the milk is in the other one.

What did I just read?  :o
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 04, 2015, 02:54:47 PM
Realistically - the grammys is a popularity contest, and you'll only win if you're the most popular kid in school...

Well, I was a huge nerd in 8th grade until I got two friends and my brother to play a Metallica song live for the talent show--which normally consisted of 2nd graders doing rudimentary dance routines to Disney songs, and 5th graders trying to break a board with karate.

Being suddenly popular isn't all that bad.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 04, 2015, 02:58:50 PM
BTW, this is all on VHS, and I was planning on getting it transferred to digital format over Christmas so I can post it on youtube.

It's hilarious.  I'll post a link here if I can get this done.  It was over 20 years ago though.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 03:02:56 PM
That's cool! Yeah link us when you've got it up ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Architeuthis on December 04, 2015, 04:03:07 PM
Wow. I'm definitely intrigued after listening to this. I LOVE the second half of the song. That riff toward the end reminded me of Opeth a little bit. It's not a typical single, but we have to remember this is just a cog in the wheel of what is The Astonishing. The lyrics really grabbed me too. I'm dying to see where this concept goes. Thank you, DT!

I also want to add that these lyrics are classic Petrucci. What a wonderful writer he is.  He set up the story so well with this track, in my opinion.

And that choir! Damn! Does it get any better than that?

EDIT: Upon further listens, I think Dream Theater is giving us a concept album about a futuristic world without music. I'm also venturing that Nomacs are possibly music-detecting devices? If someone in the Northern Empire is playing music instead of being a productive member of society, it can detect it. I'm just speculating.
I wonder if the priests of the Temples of Syrinx are controlling the Nomacs? This album seems it may be inspired by 2112 a bit. That's a good thing! 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nicmos on December 04, 2015, 04:20:13 PM

This album seems it may be inspired by 2112 a bit.

No shit, do you think?  :P

I agree Architeuthis, I think it is a good thing.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Architeuthis on December 04, 2015, 05:44:14 PM
Maybe we'll be astonished if at the very end of the album we hear,, WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL , said 3x.  I think it will have a more positive outcome. :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 05:47:49 PM
Oh man that would be great if that happened :lol

Yeah I think DT purposely made it a bit similar to Rush's concept as a tribute to them, just like they do with certain music passages ;)

I wonder if there are any direct hints to 2112 in the lyrics? :corn



Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 04, 2015, 06:10:11 PM
Finally listened to the song with my in-ear phones which I left at home.  :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ori.elias5 on December 04, 2015, 06:10:33 PM
I decided not to listen to any pre released material.

Same here.

I will also take a break from the forum as i don't want to get the spoilers..  the best way to enjoy it without being biased.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 06:13:12 PM
Finally listened to the song with my in-ear phones which I left at home.  :metal

I'm assuming you were blown away, right? ;D I certainly was! :D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 06:13:35 PM
I decided not to listen to any pre released material.

Same here.

I will also take a break from the forum as i don't want to get the spoilers..  the best way to enjoy it without being biased.

Awesome guys! Keep up the dedication!!! :metal
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TAC on December 04, 2015, 06:16:49 PM
I think if I were given 4 minutes to explain what Dream theater was about, I'd play The Gift Of Music.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 04, 2015, 06:17:05 PM

This album seems it may be inspired by 2112 a bit.

No shit, do you think?  :P

I agree Architeuthis, I think it is a good thing.

It's nearly 2112

In fact it's 2014
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jammindude on December 04, 2015, 06:31:06 PM
I've heard the song a couple of times now, but I haven't read all the way through this thread.

It's really good, and it does whet my appetite to hear the song more in context, but does anyone else think that it doesn't feel....done?   Like it's not a whole song?   In the context of the album, this could actually be a good thing, but as a single it feels weird.   Like the song just ends without finishing.     It would be like if About to Crash was released as a single.   Ever heard AtC as a stand-alone track?   It doesn't really work because of the way it ends.   This new track reminds me of that. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 04, 2015, 06:41:32 PM
Yeah it does have that sort of feeling like there's something more to come . . . if they had added a third verse and chorus it would have made more sense as a stand-alone song (I think someone brought that up actually) but it looks like that's not what they're going for . . . and apparently from what Bosk said they don't consider this a single but more of a "snippet." So I think of it more like a trailer is to a movie, and that feeling was put there on purpose to keep you wanting more. Just my theory :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Ben_Jamin on December 04, 2015, 08:47:48 PM
TGoM shouldnt be seen as a single, more a snippet. It's like when actors go on late night talk shows and they show a scene. Which this song is good and leaves you wanting to hear the rest, it does its job.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Madman Shepherd on December 04, 2015, 10:41:06 PM
It's interesting to note that about 75% of people here have either a positive or very positive view of this song according to the poll. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Ħ on December 04, 2015, 11:57:21 PM
I dunno, I don't really like it. Maybe I'll need to hear it in the context of the album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nel on December 05, 2015, 12:38:33 AM
I already love it more than anything I heard on the s/t, so that's a good sign. Fun track.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on December 05, 2015, 01:46:11 AM
Is the song grammy worthy?  If not there is probably a boat load of others that could be released.

It's not the type of composition that's going to win grammys.  DT deserves to be nominated, and I think OTBOA probably deserved to win.  But in order to win, I think you need more of a combination of prog/pop.  I don't want DT to go commercial or anything, but I don't think it would kill them to write one still pretty proggy song with a couple of addicting hooks and melody lines. 

There is one song in particular that I have heard that is perhaps the biggest ear worm DT have ever written.  Once it got inside my head, it would not let go, and I found myself involuntarily humming/singing it nonstop.  Major hooks in that one.  Not saying it is a grammy winner, because you never know--so much of that is also just luck.  But it definitely has the addicting hooks and melody that you mention.

If anyone's seen bosk irl recently, pay attention to if he's humming something. That may be our key!  :D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on December 05, 2015, 01:48:15 AM
Realistically - the grammys is a popularity contest, and you'll only win if you're the most popular kid in school...

Well, I was a huge nerd in 8th grade until I got two friends and my brother to play a Metallica song live for the talent show--which normally consisted of 2nd graders doing rudimentary dance routines to Disney songs, and 5th graders trying to break a board with karate.

Being suddenly popular isn't all that bad.

What song?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 05, 2015, 01:49:52 AM
That's cool! Yeah link us when you've got it up ;D

It was at a Catholic school, so some of the more strict teachers that didn't know about it before got really mad because they thought it was satanic or something.  One walked out during the show.  Luckily the ones putting it on were a lot cooler...it was Wherever I May Roam.  They just asked to see the lyrics, and deemed them to be fine.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 05, 2015, 02:02:42 AM
I've heard the song a couple of times now, but I haven't read all the way through this thread.

It's really good, and it does whet my appetite to hear the song more in context, but does anyone else think that it doesn't feel....done?   Like it's not a whole song?   In the context of the album, this could actually be a good thing, but as a single it feels weird.   Like the song just ends without finishing.     It would be like if About to Crash was released as a single.   Ever heard AtC as a stand-alone track?   It doesn't really work because of the way it ends.   This new track reminds me of that.

That's one of the reasons why I didn't rate it higher.  I guess it's not fair to do that knowing it's just a snippet of a concept album.  But all I have now is the track standing alone, so it is what it is.  I also agree with the poster above that, given 4 minutes to explain what DT was about, this is a good example.  But that sort of makes it a bit uninspiring for those who already know what DT was about.  It's about exactly what you would expect out of your average DT song, except shorter.  IOW, I like it, but it's nothing special so far.  Not really anything new about the sound.  The choir is somewhat unique, but they've had mini-choirs before.  The dirty distorted organ is somewhat fresh compared to the sounds they typically have used in the last 15 years.

I'm more inspired by the fact that the Rolling Stone article told me David Campbell was hired to help write/produce the album.  That alone has raised my hopes for this album more than this new track (which again isn't bad at all, but I think it's just average by DT's already high standards).
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: YtseJamittaja on December 05, 2015, 08:38:28 AM
I predict (or hope) that they will use TGOM chorus in the other songs as well. Or at least I hope, it would be a waste of great chorus used only once at the album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: lumpy33 on December 05, 2015, 08:41:01 AM
i think the new track is fantastic, vintage dream theater.  the constant time signature shifts are always my favorite part about them, and this tune doesn't disappoint.  i didn't think i could be this excited for anything other than the new star wars movie, but i'm really looking forward to the new album now.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 05, 2015, 08:43:01 AM
I predict (or hope) that they will use TGOM chorus in the other songs as well. Or at least I hope, it would be a waste of great chorus used only once at the album.
I actually think that main riff during the verses sounds a lot like the recurring SFAM theme one starting out as the Overture 1928 main riff, maybe that's a returning theme in the album aswell.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Sycsa on December 05, 2015, 08:57:00 AM
Been listening a lot to it in the last couple of days, I'm very impressed. It's a refined, confident and mature effort, really sounds like an inspired veteran band. Tasteful melodies, very pleasant mix, no wankery, no excess. Jordan's got some really nifty and fresh sounds (that solo duel at the end is amazing), the drums are huge and dynamic (I wish the snare was a bit more organic, but the kick sound is great. The cymbals also sound a lot better than on the last 2 studio albums, I especially like the huge snare + china hits, it was one of my favorite aspects of MM's playing live, glad they finally captured that in the studio). Listening to the song is an exciting, fresh and unexpected journey in and of itself, I can't wait to experience the album in its entirety.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: lucasembarbosa on December 05, 2015, 09:33:29 AM
HELP ME

MY REPLAY BUTTON GOT STUCK SINCE TGOM'S RELEASE

Can't stop listening to it... Very nice improvement on the sounds! The nice approach to the story allied to the amazing music we've got makes me think we'll have a new SFaM soon. Voted on first option, high hopes are really HIGH

btw, for the past days I've listened only to this song. Will do it until it bores me (what I seriously doubt)...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Randaran on December 05, 2015, 09:48:09 AM
HELP ME

MY REPLAY BUTTON GOT STUCK SINCE TGOM'S RELEASE

Put the video in a private playlist with no other videos, and set it to autoplay. Now, you no longer need to press 'replay'! :neverusethis:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 05, 2015, 10:36:11 AM
Could you please put the "official" current lyrics in the main post?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 05, 2015, 10:39:00 AM
Nvm, Spotify, lol, sry.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: chwik on December 05, 2015, 10:41:15 AM
Been listening a lot to it in the last couple of days, I'm very impressed. It's a refined, confident and mature effort, really sounds like an inspired veteran band. Tasteful melodies, very pleasant mix, no wankery, no excess. Jordan's got some really nifty and fresh sounds (that solo duel at the end is amazing), the drums are huge and dynamic (I wish the snare was a bit more organic, but the kick sound is great. The cymbals also sound a lot better than on the last 2 studio albums, I especially like the huge snare + china hits, it was one of my favorite aspects of MM's playing live, glad they finally captured that in the studio). Listening to the song is an exciting, fresh and unexpected journey in and of itself, I can't wait to experience the album in its entirety.

Share your sentiments. Might I also add that Mr. Myung has some nifty bass work in this song.

JP in the Rolling Stone article:

"there's kind of a juxtaposition throughout the album of this sort of noise music, this music made by the Noise Machines, this artificial intelligence, and how that compares to the music that Dream Theater is playing as our musical score, which has real piano, real organ, real orchestra, real choir, real instruments."

I think the part from 2:44 - 3:15 in The Gift of Music is an example of jutxaposition that JP is refering to. There is clearly some atonal "noise" on top (juxtaposed) of various string instruments + rest of band. Numerous fractal sonic battles like this throught the album is ace in my book.     
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 05, 2015, 10:47:58 AM
I think if I were given 4 minutes to explain what Dream theater was about, I'd play The Gift Of Music.

I concur. There really is a bit of everything in that song. The clean intro, the heavy riffing, choir singing, James' brilliant vocals, unsyncopated and syncopated melodies, intriguing lyrics. It's concise and to the point but leaves you wanting to know more about what's going on.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 05, 2015, 10:52:58 AM
Out of all the songs that end in an instrumental, The Gift of Music is probably better than Fatal Tragedy.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaasMah on December 05, 2015, 11:18:06 AM
Out of all the songs that end in an instrumental, The Gift of Music is probably better than Fatal Tragedy.

First half I agree, and I might even like this JP solo a bit more, but FT instrumental is just soooo good. Especially the ending, One of my favorite DT moments.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on December 05, 2015, 11:48:31 AM
The muffled little dual thingy between JR and JP at the end is really cool.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: phospheneSOI on December 05, 2015, 01:19:51 PM
Theory

The weird vocal effect when JLB sings "time" - is an NOMAC causing that? Sorta like a post-modern thing where the NOMACS "attack" the album?

Bit of a stretch, but it's so odd they've added the effect it makes me want to believe there's a reason behind it. Petrucci's Rolling Stones interview where he talks about the NOMACS making electronic music and it contrasting against the music of DT adds a little weight.



Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Dream Team on December 05, 2015, 01:22:53 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Tomislav95 on December 05, 2015, 01:24:56 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?
It's not how hard it is, it's what Mike/band likes.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 05, 2015, 01:29:20 PM
Theory

The weird vocal effect when JLB sings "time" - is an NOMAC causing that? Sorta like a post-modern thing where the NOMACS "attack" the album?

Bit of a stretch, but it's so odd they've added the effect it makes me want to believe there's a reason behind it. Petrucci's Rolling Stones interview where he talks about the NOMACS making electronic music and it contrasting against the music of DT adds a little weight.

 :lol :rollin Maybe so! I think you might of figured out the debate ;)

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Agalsed on December 05, 2015, 01:30:04 PM
After listening to it several times (the itunes version) I am floored. I think this album is going to be incredible. The "my brother Gabriel" part is incredible! I can't wait to hear the rest. (Voted option #1 btw.)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 05, 2015, 01:31:02 PM
I know!!! I am super excited :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: chwik on December 05, 2015, 01:41:54 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Runei on December 05, 2015, 01:49:34 PM
Calling it now, the ending section that starts at 3:23 is the most beautiful thing they've ever written. I hope it is a recurring theme, maybe even the main theme of the album.

I just noticed there's actually a full orchestra backing the band, it's a bit low in the mix but you can notice some brass that are quite tasty.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 05, 2015, 01:57:45 PM
Calling it now, the ending section that starts at 3:23 is the most beautiful thing they've ever written. I hope it is a recurring theme, maybe even the main theme of the album.

I just noticed there's actually a full orchestra backing the band, it's a bit low in the mix but you can notice some brass that are quite tasty.

Very much reminds me of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence . . . the riff in the instrumental section of Blind Faith and the Keyboard Section in The Great Debate come to mind for me. Indeed a very beautiful part!!! :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Öxölklöfför on December 05, 2015, 02:20:18 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?
It's not how hard it is, it's what Mike/band likes.

This. The drum sound is very similar to the one on I&W, which seems to be a preference for the band (and especially for JP, I really think that he prefer A "Images and words'y" drum sound). If I were to be a bit conspiratorial I would think that the absence of MP "finally" made it possible to use that kind of drum sound.

I like it a lot, and I think it works especially well with the futuristic theme of The Astonishing.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Runei on December 05, 2015, 02:42:27 PM
It just occurred to me that 'solo battle' at the end probably represents the conflict at the heart of the album, the artificial sounds of the NOMACs as the keyboards on the left channel, and the music of Gabriel as the guitar on the right channel.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 05, 2015, 02:51:38 PM
So JR is the bad guy...
He's leaving DT, confirmed.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 05, 2015, 02:54:37 PM
Yeah, JR is the bald-headed evil genius that designed the NOMACS for Nafaryus :lol

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 05, 2015, 02:58:26 PM
I really like the name Ravenskill, after hearing JLB sing: "Shepherd of Ravenskill"
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Destiny Of Chaos on December 05, 2015, 04:51:59 PM
Absolutely love the song!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 05, 2015, 06:03:31 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...

Less processed (ie. less studio tweaking) with more dynamics.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 05, 2015, 07:14:06 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...

It means the music was made pesticide free with minimal GMOs (Genetically Melodyned Orchestrations) and they allowed John Myung a few acres of space to run around before locking him back up for the day.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 05, 2015, 07:27:35 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...

It means the music was made pesticide free with minimal GMOs (Genetically Melodyned Orchestrations) and they allowed John Myung a few acres of space to run around before locking him back up for the day.

 :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CDrice on December 05, 2015, 07:31:47 PM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...

It means the music was made pesticide free with minimal GMOs (Genetically Melodyned Orchestrations) and they allowed John Myung a few acres of space to run around before locking him back up for the day.

:rollin

However I must admit that took me a second to understand what you were talking about.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nicmos on December 05, 2015, 07:39:23 PM


It means the music was made pesticide free with minimal GMOs (Genetically Melodyned Orchestrations) and they allowed John Myung a few acres of space to run around before locking him back up for the day.

I don't think Myung will ever feel like he has enough range, even after he adds the 9th string to his bass...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 05, 2015, 09:42:09 PM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: chwik on December 06, 2015, 02:55:44 AM
Reminds me too much of The Looking Glass.

How hard is it to get an organic drum sound?

Could you elaborate what you mean by organic? I see this word thrown around alot, without it beeing further specified...

It means the music was made pesticide free with minimal GMOs (Genetically Melodyned Orchestrations) and they allowed John Myung a few acres of space to run around before locking him back up for the day
Eco-friendly and renewable then; sustainable and no growth music covered in cowshit
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: thosava on December 06, 2015, 03:05:56 AM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?

For me, the Looking Glass feels much more safe. There is an energy and playfullness in The Gift of Music that i don't find in The Looking Glass. I also love the way TGOM builds from the very first verse, all the way untill the solo, where TLG feels much more like a typical verse-chorus song. I'm not saying that i don't like TLG but TGOM is much better.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Tomislav95 on December 06, 2015, 03:23:52 AM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?

For me, the Looking Glass feels much more safe. There is an energy and playfullness in The Gift of Music that i don't find in The Looking Glass. I also love the way TGOM builds from the very first verse, all the way untill the solo, where TLG feels much more like a typical verse-chorus song. I'm not saying that i don't like TLG but TGOM is much better.
This and also, TLG reminded us all of Limelight by Rush while TGoM is more Dream Theater than anything else.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 06, 2015, 03:40:49 AM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?
Certainly not - if anything, out of context from the rest of the album the instruemental feels a little out of place.

The Looking Glass is just not a very interesting song (in my opinion). Having a similar vibe/style does not mean being of similar quality.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nefarius on December 06, 2015, 04:46:43 AM
When "The Enemy Inside" was released during the last album cycle on SoundCloud and YouTube, listening to it fatigued me to so much right from the first time I almost immediately disliked it. Even knowing and understanding the underlying production issues and additional compression on SC and YT didn't help, it just felt too strenuous and taxing to enjoy the song for the relentless force and awesome live show opener it is. I was unable to appreciate certain songs and sections until I bought the HD tracks version of the album. Still the mix itself remained cluttered and the album didn't get the same amount of spins that previous releases got by a long shot

Listening to "The Gift Of Music" for the first time on YT felt very different. Being able to discern individual details and getting a pretty dynamic mix of a tune with room to breathe, even in its compressed YT state, was a very promising surprise indeed. And although I'm perfectly happy with the production listening to the 320kbps box set pre-order download I really hope for an even better and yet more dynamic HD tracks release.

I really feel like those four minutes are somehow more of a statement and representation of "what DT is all about" than what they claimed the self titled album to be. It's DT now with DT history shining through, pretty good the first time but growing with every spin.

And even though I really like the song so far it seems like it's but a teaser for what they're yet to unleash. :o

Greetings...
Nef
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 06, 2015, 04:53:29 AM
The first few times i listened to DT's selftitled, I thought to my self: WTF is this? I can't remember a single melody. There's nothing here! Worst album EVER. The fact that it's as loud and busy as it is, combined with the watermark artifact, just made the whole listening experience a complete downer to me. I had to struggle to reset my brain from that initial disappointmen, and look beyond the sound quality and into the songs themselves to see what actually was happening.

The first time I heard the new tracks from TA, I was completely blown away with the clarity and the openness in the sound. There's so much more breathing here! Even though it's actually even more busy considering you have strings, brass and choirs in the bedding of the track, it just invites a listen.

The only thing i'm not terribly fond of is the machine gun snare.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 06, 2015, 06:06:52 AM
The only thing i'm not terribly fond of is the machine gun snare.

You know what, I've finally found waht buggers me in TGoM : it's not so much the snare sound as the overuse of the snare by MM.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 10:37:32 AM
When "The Enemy Inside" was released during the last album cycle on SoundCloud and YouTube, listening to it fatigued me to so much right from the first time I almost immediately disliked it. Even knowing and understanding the underlying production issues and additional compression on SC and YT didn't help, it just felt too strenuous and taxing to enjoy the song for the relentless force and awesome live show opener it is. I was unable to appreciate certain songs and sections until I bought the HD tracks version of the album. Still the mix itself remained cluttered and the album didn't get the same amount of spins that previous releases got by a long shot

Listening to "The Gift Of Music" for the first time on YT felt very different. Being able to discern individual details and getting a pretty dynamic mix of a tune with room to breathe, even in its compressed YT state, was a very promising surprise indeed. And although I'm perfectly happy with the production listening to the 320kbps box set pre-order download I really hope for an even better and yet more dynamic HD tracks release.

I really feel like those four minutes are somehow more of a statement and representation of "what DT is all about" than what they claimed the self titled album to be. It's DT now with DT history shining through, pretty good the first time but growing with every spin.

And even though I really like the song so far it seems like it's but a teaser for what they're yet to unleash. :o

Greetings...
Nef

I couldn't agree more about TGOM!!! DT12 has kind of growed on me (at first I was similar to you) but I can already feel that this may be an album for the ages. Gives me a really positive feeling about this latest venture :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 10:48:58 AM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?

I agree with the others. But to be fair this is a good question to bring up! :tup

TLG was by all means a good song, but nothing great to me. Just like as another here said, not the same energy and ambitiousness that makes Dream Theater Dream Theater for me. I still enjoy a listen to that track, but TGOM I'm just addicted to!!! It just has that special factor to it that reminds me of my favorite era of DT (SFAM-SDOIT-TOT). So I guess it's all personal preference for me :angel:

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 06, 2015, 11:18:03 AM
Yeah The Gift Of Music sounds a lot less compressed overall. So it's easy to listen to.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Estiui on December 06, 2015, 12:54:37 PM
DAT CHOIR.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 01:42:25 PM
DAT CHOIR.

ikr!!! :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 01:46:36 PM
So 309 votes . . . I think that's a sizable sample of DT fans! ;)

229 Love it/Really like it

76 like it/think it's okay

and 4 are disappointed

Looks like the song was a success by the band! Thanks everyone for taking the time to vote!!!

Y'all rock :metal

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 06, 2015, 02:34:53 PM
ikr
Is this even a real thing? I see you use it quite a lot, but I've literally never noticed anyone else use it ever.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 06, 2015, 02:35:50 PM
ikr
Is this even a real thing? I see you use it quite a lot, but I've literally never noticed anyone else use it ever.

It's a word in his native language.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 02:45:53 PM
ikr
Is this even a real thing? I see you use it quite a lot, but I've literally never noticed anyone else use it ever.

 :lol :rollin

It means "I know, right?" It must be an abbreviation just us millennials use . . . sorry for the confusion :biggrin:

ikr
Is this even a real thing? I see you use it quite a lot, but I've literally never noticed anyone else use it ever.

It's a word in his native language.

. . . or we can go with that. Yeah, I'm native in NOMAC speak :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 06, 2015, 02:46:56 PM
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/IKR
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 06, 2015, 02:49:56 PM
I believe it's a word originating from the twitters or some other futuristic website.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 02:56:24 PM
 :lol yep I know, I'm the poster child for everything that's wrong with my generation :rollin
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 06, 2015, 03:05:56 PM
ikr
Is this even a real thing? I see you use it quite a lot, but I've literally never noticed anyone else use it ever.

 :lol :rollin

It means "I know, right?" It must be an abbreviation just us millennials use . . . sorry for the confusion :biggrin:
Oh I'd worked out what it meant, I've just never seen it before.

I guess people don't really use abbreviations like that here, except sometimes ironically. :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: phospheneSOI on December 06, 2015, 03:10:13 PM

I really feel like those four minutes (TGOM) are somehow more of a statement and representation of "what DT is all about" than what they claimed the self titled album to be.

Nef

Yes, yes, yes! I am so with you on this.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 06, 2015, 03:11:00 PM
:lol yep I know, I'm the poster child for everything that's wrong with my generation :rollin
Don't sweat it I'm 19  :P
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 03:17:07 PM
 :)

I'll chill it a bit with the abbreviations considering we have a diverse group of people here (different nationalities, different age groups, etc...). I know you guys are just joking around and it's no big deal but still don't want to confuse any people :angel:

On the other hand, I really need to refresh myself with DT-related abbreviations. I know all the albums but sometimes a song abbreviation is brought up and I'm like "whaaat" :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 06, 2015, 03:22:50 PM
This album is gonna suck for abbreviations. We've never had 34 new ones at one time  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 06, 2015, 03:28:30 PM
On the other hand, I really need to refresh myself with DT-related abbreviations. I know all the albums but sometimes a song abbreviation is brought up and I'm like "whaaat" :lol
:lol Yeah, that at least is the one thing we have in common.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: phospheneSOI on December 06, 2015, 03:30:24 PM
This album is gonna suck for abbreviations. We've never had 34 new ones at one time  :lol

I'm a fan of the abbreviations usually, but when I've seen "TA" on here a few times I keep thinking people are talking about Transatlantic.

I just listented to TGOM again and have decided it's ALL about the choir. Sure they whole track is great, but that choir sounds giving it the old Devin vibes is just taking it to another level. It's something DT have never done before, and it's just so fucking awesome.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 06, 2015, 03:31:04 PM
This album is gonna suck for abbreviations. We've never had 34 new ones at one time  :lol
At least now we know why they decided to call the final track Astonishing without The, they didn't want to confuse DTF with the The Answer/The Astonishing mixup, man Dream Theater is such a caring group of people.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Gpals71 on December 06, 2015, 04:07:15 PM
It just occurred to me that 'solo battle' at the end probably represents the conflict at the heart of the album, the artificial sounds of the NOMACs as the keyboards on the left channel, and the music of Gabriel as the guitar on the right channel.

Yeah!!!
The "Battle" from 3:38 to 3:54 is so cool. I hope for more of that
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 06, 2015, 04:21:46 PM
They hinted in the promotional emails that they reprogrammed one of the Nomacs, that ending solo dual between Rudess and Pertucci sounds like possible allusions to that?? regular Nomacs are supposed to create noise, that solo by Rudess is actually quite melodic but very computerish sounding. Anyone have more speculation with what the Empires Nomacs music will sound like?

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Rodni Demental on December 06, 2015, 04:22:28 PM
DotN    
DO    
TGOM
Ta   
ABL   
LN   
ASITS
WYTHC
AoF
TD
THS
B,CYHM    
ALLB   
R can no longer just be Repentance, even though I'm fairly sure it didn't get abbriviated that way very much.   
ATO    
DD   
TXA     
ANB    
TRTR   
2285E    
MOB
HC   
BA   
TPTD   
MC   
TWS     
MLF
LF   
WOTW    
HoaTV   
ONW
PD   
Ass

Hmm, just wanted to do that to get a visual on them. This is gonna seriously hurt my brain...    :rollin

The only ones that are instantly standing out to me at the moment are Brother, can you here me and The Road To Revolution. I guess TA looks familiar but I assume we'll have to separate The Astonishing with The Answer similarly to Train of Thought and Trial of Tears. TGOM looked weird to me a few times today but it's sinking in.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 06, 2015, 04:33:17 PM
You think TGOM looks weird but you narrow "Astonishing" down to "Ass"? :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 04:57:54 PM
 :lol I'm gonna have to get used to saying "Ass" every time I refer to a song ;D

But seriously good job on figuring the abbreviations out! These could work :)

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Rodni Demental on December 06, 2015, 04:58:34 PM
Yeah lol. I guess we can't really abbreviate that one properly (that's why I left out Chosen and almost Ravenskill). Although we got creative with 8vm so I put my best creative foot forwards and thought for Astonishing... Ass. :P
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jsbru on December 06, 2015, 05:08:27 PM
Love the positive feedback for the song, which makes me wonder why a lot do not like TLG as much even if it has the same vibe. Is it the instrumental?

TLG is my favorite song from DT12 (although TBP keeps creeping up on it).  Even so, TLG does immediately scream "Rush," whereas TGOM immediately screams "Dream Theater."

I think both are great songs.  TGOM keeps getting better every time I play it, and every time I hear it in better resolution.  You almost have to listen to it with headphones on to hear all the little details.  It still gives me this feeling like it's under-developed as a stand alone track, though, and it will sound a lot more satisfying in the context of the entire album.  Which of course is the whole point of this album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Fritzinger on December 06, 2015, 05:49:56 PM
Since I haven't listened to the song, and the only concern I have is the sound of the drums:
Can anyone please tell me if the snare and bass drum sorta sound like DT12 (wich is almost as horrible as I&W) or like any other album? I don't doubt that TA will be a monumental masterpiece (I am a fanboy), but I am concerned about the drum sound.
Please anyone give me a detailed description of bass drum and snare drum :D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 06, 2015, 06:16:10 PM
The kicks, to me, sound like typical triggered kicks, similar to DT12, but with a bit more volume. The snare still sounds gated, but sounds a bit more organic compared to DT12. I really do miss the crack of a snare in DT. To me, it is an improvement over 12, but still think it needs work.

The drums never detracted from 12 for me and they won't for this one either.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 06, 2015, 07:07:11 PM
I want to make the argument that they sound great both natural and triggered. I&W is pretty much perfect, but so is SFAM and they couldn't be on more opposite ends of the spectrum.

It's like saying blue is better or worse than red.

You could stick an iPhone in the middle of the room and record these guys and they could make art.

gift of music is on steroids. Every aspect of their music and career is in there somehow. The musical decisions made, note/register selection is seamless and it's so nuanced on every level.

JP and JR are like a singular organism at this point. I think this will be their greatest album, can't wait to see them when they come to NY. I hope they play radio city again!!

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 06, 2015, 07:11:32 PM
Since many are comparing The Gift of Music to About to Crash, I decided to play them on a loop on my commute to work. They indeed have a lot of similarities. :) I love how the differences in Portnoy and Mangini's drumming really show when you listen to the two songs. Portnoy loves his cymbals. Mangini loves his bass drums.  Portnoy loves inserting fills. Mangini loves going up and down the scale with the other instruments.  I am happy that  we get to hear two great drummers with different styles in the Dream Theater repertoire.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 06, 2015, 07:13:14 PM
My personal assessment is that the drums remain the weakest part in the mix. The snare is indeed gated with a ton a reverb on it, and the bass drum during the instrumental section sounds a bit like a typewriter. Better than on DT12, but still suffering from a lot of the same issues.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 06, 2015, 07:16:22 PM
Since many are comparing The Gift of Music to About to Crash, I decided to play them on a loop on my commute to work. They indeed have a lot of similarities. :) I love how the differences in Portnoy and Mangini's drumming really show when you listen to the two songs. Portnoy loves his cymbals. Mangini loves his bass drums.  Portnoy loves inserting fills. Mangini loves going up and down the scale with the other instruments.  I am happy that  we get to hear two great drummers with different styles in the Dream Theater repertoire.


Does anyone remember the surveys they were sending out to us on social media about a year/year and a half ago about our favorites / preferences? I think we are going to hear the results of that on this album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 06, 2015, 07:38:37 PM
The fact that Octavarium won the epic polls just got me hyped.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 10:25:16 PM
I want to make the argument that they sound great both natural and triggered. I&W is pretty much perfect, but so is SFAM and they couldn't be on more opposite ends of the spectrum.

It's like saying blue is better or worse than red.

You could stick an iPhone in the middle of the room and record these guys and they could make art.

gift of music is on steroids. Every aspect of their music and career is in there somehow. The musical decisions made, note/register selection is seamless and it's so nuanced on every level.

JP and JR are like a singular organism at this point. I think this will be their greatest album, can't wait to see them when they come to NY. I hope they play radio city again!!

Well for me the production has never really mattered that much. And yeah like you said in certain situations it just boils down to personal taste rather than a mix being "good" or "bad."

And even to aspects less subjective - I'd rather have the better mix but unless the sound quality is complete garbage it really isn't a deal breaker to me :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 06, 2015, 10:32:26 PM
Does anyone remember the surveys they were sending out to us on social media about a year/year and a half ago about our favorites / preferences? I think we are going to hear the results of that on this album.

I haven't been following DT social media that long. What were they asking exactly?

Your theory sounds pretty cool if I'm understanding it right :)

The fact that Octavarium won the epic polls just got me hyped.

I really hope his theory is true then!!!


Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Podaar on December 06, 2015, 10:34:11 PM
My personal assessment is that the drums remain the weakest part in the mix. The snare is indeed gated with a ton a reverb on it, and the bass drum during the instrumental section sounds a bit like a typewriter. Better than on DT12, but still suffering from a lot of the same issues.

I haven't liked the sound of the kick drum on the last two albums and it looks like this one will be the same. It's just too clipped for my taste. Not that it will take away from my overall opinion of the songs. It's just something I notice (with distaste) on the periphery.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on December 06, 2015, 10:58:09 PM
Does anyone remember the surveys they were sending out to us on social media about a year/year and a half ago about our favorites / preferences? I think we are going to hear the results of that on this album.

I haven't been following DT social media that long. What were they asking exactly?

Iirc, they would post a picture of an album one whatever day it was released & say "Today is the xth anniversary of y," & then a question like "what's your favourite track?", "what's your favourite section of the epic?", "what do you remember most about this album?", "where were you when this album released?", etc.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 06, 2015, 11:09:57 PM
My personal assessment is that the drums remain the weakest part in the mix. The snare is indeed gated with a ton a reverb on it, and the bass drum during the instrumental section sounds a bit like a typewriter. Better than on DT12, but still suffering from a lot of the same issues.

I haven't liked the sound of the kick drum on the last two albums and it looks like this one will be the same. It's just too clipped for my taste. Not that it will take away from my overall opinion of the songs. It's just something I notice (with distaste) on the periphery.

I think they are going for an Images and Words sound for the drums. If you listen to The Gift of Music back to back with Under a Glass Moon, you can hear the similarities.

It would be interesting if they would do a different drum sound (or overall sound) for Empire songs.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: fischermasamune on December 06, 2015, 11:11:18 PM
I like the "music battles" like the one in the end (Gabriel =  Petrucci vs NOMACs = Rudess). Hopefully there will be more in the other tracks.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 06, 2015, 11:15:37 PM
My personal assessment is that the drums remain the weakest part in the mix. The snare is indeed gated with a ton a reverb on it, and the bass drum during the instrumental section sounds a bit like a typewriter. Better than on DT12, but still suffering from a lot of the same issues.

I haven't liked the sound of the kick drum on the last two albums and it looks like this one will be the same. It's just too clipped for my taste. Not that it will take away from my overall opinion of the songs. It's just something I notice (with distaste) on the periphery.

I think they are going for an Images and Words sound for the drums. If you listen to The Gift of Music back to back with Under a Glass Moon, you can hear the similarities.

It would be interesting if they would do a different drum sound (or overall sound) for Empire songs.

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 06, 2015, 11:39:17 PM
I think they are going for an Images and Words sound for the drums. If you listen to The Gift of Music back to back with Under a Glass Moon, you can hear the similarities.

It would be interesting if they would do a different drum sound (or overall sound) for Empire songs.

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.

My guess that they are intentionally going for an I&W style of drum sound is because Rich Chycki has already mixed Mangini's drums before with quite different results (Elements of Persuasion) and Mangini has gone on record that the EoP sound is an amped up version of how he actually hears his drums (his favorite mix is actually Mullmuzzler 2). If they are still not going with the EoP drum sound that Mangini actually likes, then maybe they are intentionally targeting a particular sound.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 06, 2015, 11:59:48 PM
That sound is far closer to drums from other non-DT albums than I&W, no idea why you would think they were specifically trying to make it sound like that album but I'm pretty confident they are not.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 07, 2015, 12:02:21 AM
I think they are going for an Images and Words sound for the drums. If you listen to The Gift of Music back to back with Under a Glass Moon, you can hear the similarities.

It would be interesting if they would do a different drum sound (or overall sound) for Empire songs.

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.

My guess that they are intentionally going for an I&W style of drum sound is because Rich Chycki has already mixed Mangini's drums before with quite different results (Elements of Persuasion) and Mangini has gone on record that the EoP sound is an amped up version of how he actually hears his drums (his favorite mix is actually Mullmuzzler 2). If they are still not going with the EoP drum sound that Mangini actually likes, then maybe they are intentionally targeting a particular sound.

EoP was a decade ago for a different band and style, and probably a different drumkit (certainly a different snare). I don't see the relevance of how his drums sounded on EoP or whether he liked it. The drums sound like a minor tweak to the DT12 sound, and we know MM didn't have much input on how they sounded there.

And even ignoring that, it's a huge leap to connect this to IaW, given they don't even sound that similar. The only similarity is that neither one sounds organic/dynamic, and that's very common with metal mixes these days.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 07, 2015, 12:08:39 AM
That sound is far closer to drums from other non-DT albums than I&W, no idea why you would think they were specifically trying to make it sound like that album but I'm pretty confident they are not.

What non-DT Mangini albums sounded like the drum in The Gift of Music?

Try listening to TGOM back to back with the songs Lost from Elements of Persuasion (a song that emphasizes bass and snare hits so you can compare with TGOM). Then listen to TGOM back to back with Under a Glass Moon.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 07, 2015, 12:37:00 AM
The drum sound is definitely a throwback to I & W
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: wideworldofmike on December 07, 2015, 12:46:46 AM
... And it's awesome. They can borrow from themselves as much as they want. That song is out of control amazing.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 07, 2015, 02:01:21 AM
That sound is far closer to drums from other non-DT albums than I&W, no idea why you would think they were specifically trying to make it sound like that album but I'm pretty confident they are not.

What non-DT Mangini albums sounded like the drum in The Gift of Music?
I wasn't referring to Mangini specifically, I meant other albums generally. It's definitely not an uncommon sound.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 07, 2015, 03:20:41 AM

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.

There's more snap in this snare than on DT12.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 07, 2015, 03:26:30 AM

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.

There's more snap in this snare than on DT12.

True! And what's even better, I think the music has a lot more room to breathe than on DT12.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 07, 2015, 03:39:03 AM
Yes. If the drums sounded a lot more natural - the production would be much closer to classic DT.


But based on The Gift Of Music - The Astonishing will be the best produced of the Mangini era.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 07, 2015, 04:10:11 AM

I don't think there's any intentional similarity between the drum sound on this album and IAW, they just both happen to have snares with zero dynamics. It's not too different from DT12, just without the mastering compression destroying it.

There's more snap in this snare than on DT12.

The limiting and compression on DT12 really killed the snare sound. It's snappier on the HDTracks version, and another improvement here due to the better production.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jimbosile on December 07, 2015, 04:11:04 AM
The bit from 3:22-3:40 gets me every fucking time
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 07, 2015, 04:44:41 AM
Dat kwayer, goys, dat kwayer! Really poppy, in a good way, almost gospel-like! I love it. In any case, something DT hadn't done before if I'm not mistaken.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Destiny Of Chaos on December 07, 2015, 10:10:16 AM
I cannot get this song out of my head, and that's a good thing.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 07, 2015, 10:43:37 AM
I cannot get this song out of my head, and that's a good thing.

I can't either and I've listened to it only 4 times. When I remember the chorus with the choir part, I always feel like snapping my fingers or clapping my hands as in a gospel choir.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Paintbox on December 07, 2015, 11:25:13 AM
I cannot get this song out of my head, and that's a good thing.
I still can quite easily, at first I'm singing it in my mind, and after a while I find out I eventually switched to sing TLG or ATC, somehow even A place in your world by FC.
Anyway I really like the song, especially the instrumental ending. I did not give much attention to the lyrics and I won't mind if they'll be cheesy or not, but I think James's voice sound quite metallic as in DT12
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Runei on December 07, 2015, 12:25:15 PM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TheLordOfTheStrings on December 07, 2015, 01:14:51 PM
I blame Rich for the snare sounds. Some mixers INSIST on using triggers. Chris Lord-Alge is a good example.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 07, 2015, 01:20:12 PM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)

Thanks for putting the work into this Runei!!! Interesting to hear :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DreamTension on December 07, 2015, 02:37:30 PM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)

Awesome!  I really enjoyed that, thank you!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaasMah on December 07, 2015, 03:27:21 PM
I think that if were gonna have a nomac vs real music battle, the bebot solo has to make a return :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Estiui on December 08, 2015, 03:20:36 AM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)

Wow, that's nice! How did you do that?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SuperTaco on December 08, 2015, 08:48:07 AM
In those isolated versions of the outro solo, I can hear the brass/orchestral bits that go along with the bass/rhythm more clearly.. Sounds great. They can use the orchestra to fill space left underneath a solo.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nicmos on December 08, 2015, 09:39:53 AM
I think that if were gonna have a nomac vs real music battle, the bebot solo has to make a return :lol

Bebot, the Jar Jar Binks of The Astonishing...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 08, 2015, 09:42:05 AM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: nattmorker on December 08, 2015, 09:59:39 AM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention

The more I listen to TGOM the more I'm convinced that's the case, if that'd be the case, it's pretty pretty cool.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Runei on December 08, 2015, 10:39:19 AM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)

Wow, that's nice! How did you do that?

It's quite simple, the synth and the guitar are mixed far left and right, what you're hearing is just the right channel and the left channel separately.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Estiui on December 08, 2015, 11:52:02 AM
Here, I isolated the guitar from the synth solo at the end of the track, so you can better appreciate what's going on.

Guitar (https://clyp.it/lj40g5u2)
Synth (https://clyp.it/irtuecxa)

Wow, that's nice! How did you do that?

It's quite simple, the synth and the guitar are mixed far left and right, what you're hearing is just the right channel and the left channel separately.

Damn, you're right! I was starting to thing that the "isolating tracks from an audio file" problem was kind of solved and was about to cry...  :rollin
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Destiny Of Chaos on December 08, 2015, 12:22:04 PM
It is interesting to read the high praise that TEI was getting upon its release as compared to TGoM........

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=38349.735
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 08, 2015, 12:24:12 PM
Cool to see those reactions, but yeah obviously the majority is going to be more pleased when it's the only thing they've heard on that album, they don't have other songs to compare it to.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 08, 2015, 12:55:23 PM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention
No, that's just pure speculation extrapolated from the tiny portion of the album that we've heard.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 08, 2015, 01:48:24 PM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention
No, that's just pure speculation extrapolated from the tiny portion of the album that we've heard.

Yes. In my experience there are two kinds of people.

1. Those that can extrapolate from very limited data
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 08, 2015, 08:22:03 PM
BUT WHAT'S THE OTHER KIND OF PERSON, KOTOWBOY? DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING! :neverusethis:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 08, 2015, 08:36:12 PM
BUT WHAT'S THE OTHER KIND OF PERSON, KOTOWBOY? DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING! :neverusethis:

Was leaving out the second type of person part of the joke? I'm all confused :lol

Leave it to me . . . I even had to google what extrapolate meant, let alone do I understand the statement :facepalm: :rollin
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 08, 2015, 11:27:19 PM
BUT WHAT'S THE OTHER KIND OF PERSON, KOTOWBOY? DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING! :neverusethis:

He left us on a cliffhanger! Aaaarrrggghhh! The suspense is already enough with the wait for the new DT! Don't do that to us, Kotow!!!Pleeeaaaasssseeee!!!!

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 09, 2015, 05:44:07 AM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 09, 2015, 05:46:19 AM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol

I hope it's obvious that I was kidding. :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 09, 2015, 05:47:06 AM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol

I hope it's obvious that I was kidding. :lol

Well I know YOU were, but I'm not sure about the others.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: The Astonished on December 09, 2015, 07:24:40 AM
Am I the only one who thinks that the last part JLB sung in TGOM was his best vocally the best since SFAM? Just...astonishing.  ;D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SeRoX on December 09, 2015, 07:48:00 AM
Am I the only one who thinks that the last part JLB sung in TGOM was his best vocally the best since SFAM? Just...astonishing.  ;D

Sadly, the only thing I like about this song is JLB's vocal performance. Other than that... meh. But overall I get that SDOIT/SFAMish vibe.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: EraVulgaris on December 09, 2015, 07:52:11 AM
Listened to it a little more and I really like it. Love the optimistic, upbeat approach. The moment the chorus kicks in works really well and I really enjoy the short instrumental part at the end. Can't wait for january. :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 09, 2015, 08:11:35 AM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention

Why would you assume that?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: fischermasamune on December 09, 2015, 10:46:35 AM
I assumed it because TGOM is setting the theme, so it introduces the situation and the hero of the Ravenskill. I thought the end was an example of him fighting the  NOMACs, or they trying to shut it down with their noise, and was hoping for more of those.

I may be wrong but I don't have any privileged info to know for sure (like Bosk possibly does).
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 09, 2015, 11:01:56 AM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention

Why would you assume that?
*Puts hands above head*
Don't shoot. I wasn't assuming it, I just kept reading that Petrucci was Gabriel and Rudess was the NOMAC. I just thought I had missed something
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 09, 2015, 11:14:33 AM
 :lol

I'd be worried  Admiral Motti.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TAC on December 09, 2015, 11:16:36 AM

Sadly, the only thing I like about this song is JLB's vocal performance. 

Gee, that's a shock. :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 09, 2015, 12:29:29 PM
:lol

I'd be worried  Admiral Motti.
I don't know why, but I read bosk's posts in a confrontational tone  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: ariich on December 09, 2015, 12:43:46 PM
So it is to be assumed that the synth at the end is a NOMAC? I think that's really cool if it was the intention

Why would you assume that?
*Puts hands above head*
Don't shoot. I wasn't assuming it, I just kept reading that Petrucci was Gabriel and Rudess was the NOMAC. I just thought I had missed something
This is DTF, people love to randomly speculate based on nothing.

Not saying it can't possibly be the case, just that there is no evidence or even indication that it is.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 01:02:06 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that the last part JLB sung in TGOM was his best vocally the best since SFAM? Just...astonishing.  ;D

The song and the vocal performance is definitely a return back to my personal "golden age" of Dream Theater. SFAM, SDOIT . . . it definitely is astonishing - in a good way :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 01:03:48 PM

Sadly, the only thing I like about this song is JLB's vocal performance. 

Gee, that's a shock. :lol

I know, your average hipster prog fan would usually say the opposite :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 01:06:51 PM
:lol

I'd be worried  Admiral Motti.
I don't know why, but I read bosk's posts in a confrontational tone  :lol

 ;D Bosk is an awesome mod, but you definitely don't want to be in disagreement with him. I would know :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 01:09:22 PM
This is DTF, people love to randomly speculate based on nothing.

True words my friend! And no one is more of a speculation king here than DTF's self-proclaimed resident whack-job!!! :biggrin:

So which astonishing disk do you think will be Metropolis Pt. 3 and which part will be Octavarium Pt. 2??? :P :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: The Presence of Frenemies on December 09, 2015, 01:16:54 PM
Interestingly I thought James' performance on the song is one of his weaker turns. When he goes into the higher registers here, he sounds a lot like he does in his worse live moments (tonally; obviously he's not way flat or anything). I really hope that isn't the case on the rest of the album. It did intrigue me that JP said in the interview that singing Gabriel's parts is supposed to be like "a 25-year-old James LaBrie." Which could be amazing if he can pull it off.

Of course, being a 25-year-old James LaBrie, he should totally break into a Winter Rose song right in the middle of the album. Just, out of nowhere, the bridge of "Never Let Me Go." :neverusethis:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: TAC on December 09, 2015, 01:22:43 PM
I thought James sounded great.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 01:26:51 PM
I thought so as well . . . ;)

I guess it's subjective though . . . 

 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 09, 2015, 02:13:39 PM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol

I hope it's obvious that I was kidding. :lol

Well I know YOU were, but I'm not sure about the others.

Do you really think I was serious? Not sure if serious yourself.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: RaasMah on December 09, 2015, 03:03:36 PM
I loved this song from the first listen, but today it was another level. Finaly got to hear it with good headphones and man, this is just awesome. The choir part especially, really gave me the chills. I hope we get to hear alot of that in the full album.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 09, 2015, 04:43:07 PM
:lol

I'd be worried  Admiral Motti.
I don't know why, but I read bosk's posts in a confrontational tone  :lol

 ;D Bosk is an awesome mod, but you definitely don't want to be in disagreement with him. I would know :lol

???
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 09, 2015, 05:56:50 PM
You scary son of a....
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 09, 2015, 06:00:02 PM
Apparently you've made an impact on him.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 09, 2015, 06:05:10 PM
Awe bosk1 is a great guy.  As long as you are not agressive you'll be fine here.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SystematicThought on December 09, 2015, 06:08:02 PM
Awe bosk1 is a great guy.  As long as you are not agressive you'll be fine here.
Are you talking to Nomaniac?

I already knew he was cool. I just read his post as confrontational, because...


...I'm a sensitive soul  :millahhhh
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bl5150 on December 09, 2015, 06:08:24 PM
Mystery Machine?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 06:11:00 PM
Don't worry, all in joke ... if you haven't noticed yet I am a strange person with an equally strange sense of humor :lol

No offense meant to our leader Bosk  :angel:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 09, 2015, 06:12:14 PM
Awe bosk1 is a great guy.  As long as you are not agressive you'll be fine here.
Are you talking to Nomaniac?

I already knew he was cool. I just read his post as confrontational, because...


...I'm a sensitive soul  :millahhhh

Yes I am. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 09, 2015, 06:16:26 PM
Awe bosk1 is a great guy.  As long as you are not agressive you'll be fine here.

Be! aggressive!  B.E. aggressive!  B.E.! A.G.G.! R.E.S.S.I.V.E.!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 06:18:17 PM
 :lol looks like I caused yet another controversy with my clumsy words . . . apologize for that ;)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 09, 2015, 06:19:16 PM
Actually, I had quite forgotten anything about that song other than the chorus.  Now that that post made me revisit it on YouTube and I am recalling the lyrics a bit more...vividly...just ignore that last post.  :lol
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 09, 2015, 06:20:45 PM
Yeah all of y'all are really cool . . . it's nice to have a social media site where everyone's got their s**t together if you know what I mean :D
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 09, 2015, 06:21:38 PM
Yeah all of y'all are really cool . . . it's nice to have a social media site where everyone's got their s**t together if you know what I mean :D

:angry: i am by far the coolest-er !
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 09, 2015, 07:10:06 PM
Awe bosk1 is a great guy.  As long as you are not agressive you'll be fine here.

Be! aggressive!  B.E. aggressive!  B.E.! A.G.G.! R.E.S.S.I.V.E.!

 :lol

Perfect.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 10, 2015, 05:50:11 AM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol

I hope it's obvious that I was kidding. :lol

Well I know YOU were, but I'm not sure about the others.

Do you really think I was serious? Not sure if serious yourself.

B.Lee

One can never tell.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 10, 2015, 06:39:28 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/Af7UqDQ.gif)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 10, 2015, 07:40:20 AM
:clap:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 10, 2015, 08:07:18 AM
I'm not sure if people are kidding or they really didn't get the joke.  :lol

I hope it's obvious that I was kidding. :lol

Well I know YOU were, but I'm not sure about the others.

Do you really think I was serious? Not sure if serious yourself.

B.Lee

One can never tell.

 :justjen

Back to topic : I like everything on TGoM except the drums. The mechanical side of MM is beginning to bugger me.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on December 10, 2015, 09:17:16 AM
What exactly do you mean by mechanical?
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 10, 2015, 11:00:34 AM

Back to topic : I like everything on TGoM except the drums. The mechanical side of MM is beginning to bugger me.

B.Lee

Must be a pain in the ass ! :neverusethis:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 10, 2015, 11:36:56 AM
What exactly do you mean by mechanical?

Well, you know, I don't know exactly how to say it, but I guess it's his over the top precision that is beginning to annoy me, it's not organic. Plus, on a different level, his overuse of the snare also annoys me.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 10, 2015, 12:33:49 PM
You know, before I joined this site, I heard people complain about a drummer being too sloppy, but never about being too precise :lol

All kidding aside though, I understand where you're coming from B.Lee :) Mangini's style can often be an "acquired taste" for some - when I first heard him completely unchained on DT12 it took me a while to fully appreciate it . . .
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 10, 2015, 12:38:51 PM
Fyfe Ewing the original drummer for Therapy? was known for being metronomic and smack on the beat but his drumming never lacked groove or dynamics.

Mangini's problem is that he's trained himself to sound like a drum machine.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 10, 2015, 12:45:38 PM
That's where I'm blessed to not be a musician . . . I don't really take notice of stuff like that. Really I wish I had the attention span to learn an instrument (or at least stop wasting money on instruments I'll never play :lol) but since I'm not exposed to that world and don't have a "musical ear" it's kind of hard to tell a drum machine from regular drums without focusing, and to me Mangini is not that different from other drummers other than his preciseness. I understand where you guys are coming from though, and you guys would definitely know better than me (which makes me wonder why I'm even still rambling on, right? :lol) 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 10, 2015, 01:36:19 PM
Well, you know, Nomaniac, I was really extatic when I learned that MM was to be DT drummer. 3 albums in, I'm feeling like Kotow : his playing is too mechanical and robotic. Granted, the precision is super human but I'm really beginning to find his playing lifeless. And I definitely think that it drags TGoM down, and it's a shame as it would be a great track otherwise.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: OleMP on December 10, 2015, 02:30:22 PM
To me it seems that when people start complaining about Mangini being too precise, they're complaining just to complain. And to be perfectly honest, I think its just total bs. But each to his own, of course. What Mangini brings to the table that I really like is these small intricate details in the orchestration. Details you very easily miss at first, but that you discover when you have heard the songs several times. That's always something I have enjoyed in music, discovering new details for each time I listen to a piece of music. And then actually seeing how he does it never ceases to amaze me.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 10, 2015, 02:33:16 PM
I'm not complaining. I have no problem with his drumming on A Dramatic Turn of Events and on DT12 it was mainly Rich Chycki and Petrucci who made his kit sound like that.

The Gift Of Music is a good happy medium.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BelichickFan on December 10, 2015, 02:37:56 PM
The irony that some here consider Mangini, himself, to be a NOMAC.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 10, 2015, 03:02:31 PM
The irony that some here consider Mangini, himself, to be a NOMAC.

Maybe it's not such a crazy theory after all, now that we're on the topic :lol

To me it seems that when people start complaining about Mangini being too precise, they're complaining just to complain. And to be perfectly honest, I think its just total bs. But each to his own, of course. What Mangini brings to the table that I really like is these small intricate details in the orchestration. Details you very easily miss at first, but that you discover when you have heard the songs several times. That's always something I have enjoyed in music, discovering new details for each time I listen to a piece of music. And then actually seeing how he does it never ceases to amaze me.

I really enjoy his playing as well. And like I said I don't have much knowledge when it comes to musicianship and production so I will cease to comment on the matter and let those of you more educated on it continue to discuss . . . but to be honest I think they are bringing up a fair point and I don't think they're "complaining just to complain." We know Mangini has a unique style and I think it's fair to say that it's not your particular taste. It seems like a valid to argument to me . . . no offense meant though :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DreamTension on December 10, 2015, 03:19:31 PM
IMO,

I think JP has a vision in his mind of what the drums should sound like.  On ADTOE, they were mixed pretty low and didn't really have much personality. I think that's fine considering where the band was at that point.

For DT12, I definitely see a specific "Sound" that JP wanted for those songs. Not only the drums, but everything. I personally feel the snare detracts from some of the songs, but that's a matter of taste.  Overall for DT12, I feel like it has a "Sonic Identity" that ADTOE lacked. Whether you like it or not is subjective, but I can see how it fits the overall theme of the album. 

For TGOM, I can really hear a new sound from DT. I think the "mechanical" drumming is going to fit this album perfectly and I totally love the overall sonic vibe on the song!  I think JP really had a vision for this album and so far it sounds like he really pulled it off much better than DT12. 

I think the drumming sounds robotic to some people not only because of Mangini's playing style, but also because if the sound of his drums.  I think JP has more say in the drum sound than MM.

I'm really excited for The Astonishing!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 10, 2015, 03:35:16 PM
There's a reason why a drum machine sounds bad when you try to program your drums instead of having a real drummer play them..

It's inhuman to hit all notes at the same velocity. It's inhuman to hit them exactly on time. The best drummers add some swing to their tempo, so that they're a bit off  at times, which will create anticipation. The dynamic variation helps with listening fatigue - if you hear the exact same sound for a length of time the brain tries to "drown it out". It becomes noise and you get tired from listening.

Mangini is at times too much like a drum machine on the studio albums. That's what we're referring to when we say he's mechanical. He's an excellent drummer, and has technique few of us could dream of. But to me there's something a bit lifeless about the way the drums sound.. It's like having the greatest virtuoso just read the sheet music and add no personality to his performance.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CoT67 on December 10, 2015, 05:29:46 PM
IMHO Mangini does great things with his kick drum patterns and certain odd grooves, but apart from that his parts seem to generally be "simple" and set compared to the more natural, shifting patterns of the Portnoy before SC.

After all, this being set and "simple" is a trend I also noticed in the way the "new" Petrucci style sounds (after Octavarium), in which is solos and riffs tend to be just a tiny bit more predictable than the ones he wrote in the past, especially if you look at them in detail and from a technical standpoint... but there's also quite a bit of difference in the musical one (much less jazzy/fusion influence after SFAM and the LTE albums).

Last thing though, I don't understand the so called overuse of the snare drum by Mangini. Portnoy was using it all the time in the past, the difference was that he was slightly more unpredictable in his snare drum hit placing during a riff, while Mangini is pretty much set on a few rigid patterns to execute. I guess it still counts as "mechanical" playing after all.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 10, 2015, 07:05:14 PM
To me it seems that when people start complaining about Mangini being too precise, they're complaining just to complain. And to be perfectly honest, I think its just total bs.

To me it seems that when people don't understand an opposing opinion, they feel the need to try and dismiss it entirely.
It's not BS at all.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 10, 2015, 07:07:24 PM
For TGOM, I can really hear a new sound from DT. I think the "mechanical" drumming is going to fit this album perfectly and I totally love the overall sonic vibe on the song!  I think JP really had a vision for this album and so far it sounds like he really pulled it off much better than DT12. 

My personal opinion here, but I totally disagree. At least for the rebel side of songs, which TGOM clearly is, the instrumentation should be organic, raw, from the heart. That supposedly is what the struggle is about. TGOM's drumming was, I'm sorry, completely mechanic.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 10, 2015, 07:09:50 PM
IMHO Mangini does great things with his kick drum patterns and certain odd grooves, but apart from that his parts seem to generally be "simple" and set compared to the more natural, shifting patterns of the Portnoy before SC.

The funny thing about MM's drum patterns is that some of them sound simple, but when you play them, you realize that he has been using a lot of limb combos that it's hard to play.

With MP, on the other hand, a lot of fills sound complicated, but when you play them, they are actually quite simple.

They really just have different musicalities. MM loves bass drum patterns. MP loves hi-hats. MM loves orchestrating in sync with the other instruments. MP loves creating patterns distinct from the other instruments and inserting fills. They are just different.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 10, 2015, 07:57:27 PM
There's a reason why a drum machine sounds bad when you try to program your drums instead of having a real drummer play them..

It's inhuman to hit all notes at the same velocity. It's inhuman to hit them exactly on time. The best drummers add some swing to their tempo, so that they're a bit off  at times, which will create anticipation. The dynamic variation helps with listening fatigue - if you hear the exact same sound for a length of time the brain tries to "drown it out". It becomes noise and you get tired from listening.

Mangini is at times too much like a drum machine on the studio albums. That's what we're referring to when we say he's mechanical. He's an excellent drummer, and has technique few of us could dream of. But to me there's something a bit lifeless about the way the drums sound.. It's like having the greatest virtuoso just read the sheet music and add no personality to his performance.

Okay I see . . . thanks for clarifying for those of us who aren't musically versed Noxon :)

I understand now - and it's a fair point! ;)

He does have a mechanical way of going about playing, and apparently it gets to some more than others (like for example since I'm not a musician I don't notice it as much).

But it's still true - and it's an entirely valid to point that out.



Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Nomaniac on December 10, 2015, 08:09:17 PM
And to the other perspective, it really is subjective. MM isn't MP like erwinrafael said . . . things are going to be different. Some enjoy it more, some don't . . . and it is completely fair to voice your opinions. Nothing wrong with that :biggrin:

And how much do the drum sound has to do with Mangini's style and how much it has to do with the production is another point brought up. I won't get into that since I don't know what the hell I'm talking about :lol but both are a factor here . . . I wonder how Mangini's style would sound with a more classical DT production? :huh:

Anyways, you guys can go back to debating :corn

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 10, 2015, 08:16:19 PM
And how much do the drum sound has to do with Mangini's style and how much it has to do with the production is another point brought up. I won't get into that since I don't know what the hell I'm talking about :lol but both are a factor here . . . I wonder how Mangini's style would sound with a more classical DT production? :huh:

For  me, his style stuck to the same elements as before, but he does sound more mechanical in the DT records and I think it is more of a production issue. Listen to this sample of his work before DT. You will hear the same style, but it sounds more dynamic:

https://youtu.be/tRP_MgMCIao?list=PL05F4EEA0696BF420

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on December 11, 2015, 02:04:06 AM
Yea I too think it's more a production issue than his playing. If his drums would have sounded more streamlined and slick like this for example:

https://youtu.be/iocdFlUgzl0?t=22m35s

or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TThjCNsMT4

I don't think people would complain that he sounds mechanical. As a drummer myself I can agree that the production sounds processed very much like MPs kit on I&Ws but in terms of his playing I don't think it's sounds more mechanical than anything DT done in the past. End of the day though it's all about taste.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CoT67 on December 11, 2015, 03:47:32 AM
IMHO Mangini does great things with his kick drum patterns and certain odd grooves, but apart from that his parts seem to generally be "simple" and set compared to the more natural, shifting patterns of the Portnoy before SC.

The funny thing about MM's drum patterns is that some of them sound simple, but when you play them, you realize that he has been using a lot of limb combos that it's hard to play.

With MP, on the other hand, a lot of fills sound complicated, but when you play them, they are actually quite simple.

They really just have different musicalities. MM loves bass drum patterns. MP loves hi-hats. MM loves orchestrating in sync with the other instruments. MP loves creating patterns distinct from the other instruments and inserting fills. They are just different.

I totally agree.
Reading my post again makes me look like I was bashing MM, in fact it was just a personal observation based on how MM parts fit in the whole picture of a DT song. As you've said, MP's ones tended to be a lot more independent (IMHO with mixed results), and that's what everyone has been used to since the beginning.

Honestly, I do love the sort of modern, very technical influence MM brought to DT. It's been a good refresher after, for example, the more metal-y sixteenth-note straight kick patterns of Portnoy in his last two albums, and to me his playing feels much more inspired overall than the last MP albums.

The only thing that bugs me a bit about the new sound overall is that it feels a bit more straightforward than in the past, but I don't think MM's all to blame for it, I think it's just the new DT's general attitude to songwriting.

That said, I think that with at least 28 more songs to listen to (not counting the NOMACS ones for now), there has to be some more variety to it, so it's quite early to judge the overall sound now. Either way, I'm sure I'll really enjoy TA, regardless of any "technical" issues.

EDIT: My BRUTAH is a drummer and from what I remember of him talking about MM vs MP's parts, he tended to agree to your opinion. I guess drummers have much more say than guitar players on this issue  :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Rickharris1011 on December 11, 2015, 07:07:15 AM
I really like the song.  Intro riff reminds me of WDADU, but not in a bad way.  Just haven't heard that right hand pattern from JP in a while.  I love the choir.  I think it would be awesome if there was meaningful choir throughout the album.   but I really love JR's distorted organ tone right around 2:58.  I hope to hear more of this too!!!

Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Plasmastrike on December 11, 2015, 09:13:53 AM
When the choir comes in as well as when the solo starts and continues. Both goosebump moments everytime. Still not feeling the drum production at all which is unfortunate but absolutely loving the songwriting in The Gift Of Music.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlackInk on December 11, 2015, 09:26:39 AM
Don't know if it's been mentioned here before, but the main verse/theme reminds me of Blind Faith. If I'm humming along, when JLB says "far in the distant future" or the other times that melody comes, I almost always say "sorry you must excuse me" instead.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: bosk1 on December 11, 2015, 09:29:53 AM
I hadn't notice the similarity in phrasing there, but yeah, good catch.  I doubt it was intentional, but definite similarity in phrasing there.  Similar melody as well, albeit in a different key.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Edergilmour on December 11, 2015, 09:51:05 AM
One week after listening to the song I think I can write a definitive comment about it. I took some time with this one because at first I loved TEI, but it turns out that I ended up not liking it that much.
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).
The mix is still not perfect but it doesn't spoil the listening like it happened with the last one. I have to say that the songwriting here is solid and that is what got me officially hyped to hear the rest of the album.  :tup
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 11, 2015, 10:26:04 AM
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Enigmachine on December 11, 2015, 02:15:29 PM
I loved the song. If the rest of the album maintains this level of quality, I will be very happy with it. Mike Mangini's performance sounds great to me as well; there are a lot of subtleties in his playing that really add to the song and I do not mind his ultra precise and consistent style.

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.

I actually think even when The Astonishing comes out and turns out to be excellent, I will probably still think that DT12 is an incredibly good album and much more than a steppping stone. It may not be that groundbreaking, but IMO it still lives up to my initial expectations.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 11, 2015, 04:39:01 PM
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.

I don't think this at all. They know how to write short songs as they've had many in their past. Every album has short songs and a lot of their longer songs could be broken into smaller songs because of the way some of them are arranged.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pax on December 11, 2015, 04:57:18 PM
So, I've been listening to this song for some time now, and I can say I really like it, unlike the first time I heard it (it was just an ok song then). They've progressed since self-titled in terms of writing short songs, back then, songs sounded much shorter than they needed to be, this song is pretty short, but sounds as long as it should. However, I'm afraid we'll only have short songs like this one... They might have learned to write short songs, but I don't want every song like that

Btw, did they ever do keyboard/guitar independent solos at the same time, like in this song? I'm fascinated with that solo...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 12, 2015, 12:40:46 AM
Btw, did they ever do keyboard/guitar independent solos at the same time, like in this song? I'm fascinated with that solo...

My memory may fail me, but I don't recall them ever doing that.

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: erwinrafael on December 12, 2015, 09:20:02 AM
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.

I don't think this at all. They know how to write short songs as they've had many in their past. Every album has short songs and a lot of their longer songs could be broken into smaller songs because of the way some of them are arranged.


You know what, you're right. I stand corrected. Surrounded is the perfect example.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Edergilmour on December 12, 2015, 10:00:18 AM
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.

Don't get me wrong, I like that album a lot! It's just very different from what I expected regarding the way that band promoted it.

I can agree to what you said.  :)
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Octavarious on December 12, 2015, 12:31:34 PM
Please compare from 0:47 "Changing the course of history"
With
"Though you may stand upon my grave" from Outcry.
Sounds the same, note by note...
Anyway very short... So no big problem (and that was the best part of Outcry which I don't like much for the rest).
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: AngelBack on December 12, 2015, 03:50:36 PM
Still absolutely loving it.  Listened on better gear today and oh my...Mr Myung is playing some incredibly tasty lines on the verses and chorus...
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 12, 2015, 08:09:04 PM
I can now confirm that the old DT magic is really into TGOM. It just has a lot of what DT does best in under 5 minutes (Isn't that what DT12 was supposed to be? haha).

I think Dream Theater the album was the practice they needed to be able to write short songs that eventually allowed them to write a 34-song double album. So I would not really be laughing at DT12. It was a step they had to take to get to this point.

I don't think this at all. They know how to write short songs as they've had many in their past. Every album has short songs and a lot of their longer songs could be broken into smaller songs because of the way some of them are arranged.


You know what, you're right. I stand corrected. Surrounded is the perfect example.

That is definitely one of the best examples. Others come to mind such as Another Day, Afterlife, Innocence Faded, Lifting Shadows Off A Dream, These Walls, Wither, This Is The Life, and if you break down Six Degrees to its smaller parts, both About To Crash songs.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 14, 2015, 01:05:43 PM
Like a lot of Dream Theater's better music (imho, of course) this song's intricacies take time to fully absorb.  Also, I'm not a huge fan of singles from concept albums because they often fall much flatter than intended without the context of other songs surrounding it. 


I know they have to release a single to pimp the album, but I preferred the old days when we'd get a 2 or 3 minute tour of highlights from the entire album rather than one full track. 


That's just me, though.  You know, like get off my lawn!  :P
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: lucasembarbosa on December 14, 2015, 08:04:56 PM
Took some time to notice the brass section in the beginning of the song, when full band comes in. Amazing. No. ASTONISHING
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 15, 2015, 12:08:27 AM
Took some time to notice the brass section in the beginning of the song, when full band comes in. Amazing. No. ASTONISHING

It's those things that made me like DT. The small things you discover after multiple listens. ASTONISHING  :biggrin:

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Implode on December 15, 2015, 09:36:49 AM
I should also say, I've really liked all of the past first single/song releases from the past couple albums. I think for sure I can say I like this one better than I liked TEI when it first came out, but it's a close fight between this and OTBOA's release. Right now I'm leaning TGOM just slightly.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 15, 2015, 09:38:09 AM
Honestly I liked TEI much more when it just came out than this song, so :metal

But this one's great too.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Kotowboy on December 15, 2015, 09:49:25 AM
My very first impression of The Enemy Inside was  :omg: oh my fuck - those drums !!! Because they were so loud.

I got really tired of them being so present on the album after a while though.

The Gift Of Music mix is a LOT more balanced.

AND I listened to it on my iPod the other day and noticed that even on full volume - it was as quiet as my own music. So that means it's not mastered stupidly loud.

It does seem to have more breathing room - probably to accommodate the orchestra and choir - but whatever. It sounds great overall.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: DarkLord_Lalinc on December 15, 2015, 09:52:20 AM
Please compare from 0:47 "Changing the course of history"
With
"Though you may stand upon my grave" from Outcry.
Sounds the same, note by note...
Anyway very short... So no big problem (and that was the best part of Outcry which I don't like much for the rest).

Don't let Thiago Campos see this.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Implode on December 15, 2015, 10:22:19 AM
I noticed that upon my first listening too.  :lol

But that has happened with their music dozens of times before over the decades. It's nothing new or significant.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: emtee on December 16, 2015, 10:37:10 AM
It's been about 2 weeks now, are you guys liking it more, less or the same?

I think it's a good solid DT song but I'm not blown away by it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 16, 2015, 11:24:52 AM
It's been about 2 weeks now, are you guys liking it more, less or the same?

I think it's a good solid DT song but I'm not blown away by it.

I think that's a good statement about it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 16, 2015, 11:39:36 AM
It's been about 2 weeks now, are you guys liking it more, less or the same?

I think it's a good solid DT song but I'm not blown away by it.
Roughly the same, I think it's good but nothing makes it oustanding.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: noxon on December 16, 2015, 11:40:10 AM
What would it take for a DT song, after 12 albums and some 140 unique compositions that DT has released over the years, to blow you away? I think at this point in time it's an impossible task unless they COMPLETELY divert from their style and start doing some polka-pop-progressive-fusion.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Implode on December 16, 2015, 11:53:22 AM
After two weeks, the choir section is still top tier. The rest is above average, so all in all, still a good song. That's my official rating right now: good.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: emtee on December 16, 2015, 11:57:56 AM
What would it take for a DT song, after 12 albums and some 140 unique compositions that DT has released over the years, to blow you away? I think at this point in time it's an impossible task unless they COMPLETELY divert from their style and start doing some polka-pop-progressive-fusion.

That is truly an unanswerable question because it's all about how music affects you. I don't want DT to stray from their style, it's not fair
to expect that. Sometimes music just hits you a certain way and recently 2 bands with even longer careers really moved me. Iron
Maiden and Rush. Many songs from their last 2 albums blew me away. So it's certainly not impossible. Matter of fact I feel VERY
strongly that there will be songs on this DT album that blow me away.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: rumborak on December 16, 2015, 12:07:00 PM
What would it take for a DT song, after 12 albums and some 140 unique compositions that DT has released over the years, to blow you away? I think at this point in time it's an impossible task unless they COMPLETELY divert from their style and start doing some polka-pop-progressive-fusion.

My personal enjoyment of DT always came from the fact that they took great strides between albums. IAW->Awake->FII->SFAM->6DOIT->ToT was a continuous roller-coaster ride of "holy shit, this completely different again". For better or for worse, they stopped doing that when they signed with RR, and since then it's been incremental changes.
That for me puts a natural limit on how much I can enjoy new DT albums. It's also the reason why Steven Wilson and Opeth have steadily increase in my rating, and DT has slowly dropped.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 16, 2015, 01:23:26 PM
What would it take for a DT song, after 12 albums and some 140 unique compositions that DT has released over the years, to blow you away? I think at this point in time it's an impossible task unless they COMPLETELY divert from their style and start doing some polka-pop-progressive-fusion.

My personal enjoyment of DT always came from the fact that they took great strides between albums. IAW->Awake->FII->SFAM->6DOIT->ToT was a continuous roller-coaster ride of "holy shit, this completely different again". For better or for worse, they stopped doing that when they signed with RR, and since then it's been incremental changes.
That for me puts a natural limit on how much I can enjoy new DT albums. It's also the reason why Steven Wilson and Opeth have steadily increase in my rating, and DT has slowly dropped.

The fact that they do change, sometimes drastically, from album to album does tend to alienate a lot of people. If you're someone who's a completely metalhead, you're not going to find everything they do appealing. If you like their more melodic and Rush-sounding side, there is going to be a lot that doesn't appeal to you. If you think they play songs that are far too long and have far too much self-indulgent wankery, you're going to dislike many of their songs. I don't think they can appeal to everyone every time, so they make the music they love, hoping to keep the same fans while gaining new ones. They aren't always going to hit the mark. Constructive criticism like Rumbo's is always welcome and intriguing to process, because he makes some valid points. Dream Theater have been around for over thirty years and most of us who have been fans since the beginning, or at least since Images and Words, have probably had drastic changes in musical tastes. Eventually, certain music falls out of favor and gets replaced. It happens to all of us.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: BlobVanDam on December 16, 2015, 06:14:56 PM
It's been about 2 weeks now, are you guys liking it more, less or the same?

I think it's a good solid DT song but I'm not blown away by it.

I haven't felt like listening to it since it came out, so the same. I agree with your second sentence.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Darkstarshades on December 16, 2015, 06:17:24 PM
DT14's lead single will be 2 minutes long...  :hat
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: CDrice on December 16, 2015, 06:26:04 PM
DT14's lead single will be 2 minutes long...  :hat

Canadian Rap with a 1 minute bebot solo confirmed!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Cyclopssss on December 17, 2015, 01:01:39 AM
I really like it. It has a lot of different 'feels' to it. The second half kicks into proggyness gear nicely. Very neat intricate section.  :hefdaddy Feel a great moodswing coming up right at the ending there, though.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Ben_Jamin on December 27, 2015, 02:04:42 AM
I'm getting a good These Walls Vibe, that I don't think no one snapped about.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Joshgirouard on December 28, 2015, 05:41:25 PM
I'm really loving it . After listening to it on my phone for a few weeks I thought the sound quality and balance was meh , but I just got beats headphones and there is so much more going on and I am amazed at myungs sound . He's spot on it seems , him and mangini are meshing really well . ( at least on TGOM so far )
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Gadough on December 29, 2015, 03:55:04 AM
I've only listened to it a few times, but my immediate thoughts are 1) Wow, this is fast...very uptempo! A good thing! and 2) Mangini has more punch in the mix compared to the previous two albums. Again, a positive move forward.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 29, 2015, 06:38:49 AM
Agreed.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 29, 2015, 06:53:28 AM
Agreed.

Hagrid? Well, we all know you're a Harry Potter fan, but..Wait, did you write "Agreed"? Sorry, my mistake!
On topic, good song and overall good mix, but I can't get used to MM's playing. Sorry, but it sounds very uninspired to my ear, as untrained as it is. Hope the rest is better and this is coming from someone who was really happy at MM having the drummer seat.

B.Lee

EDIT : rather than uninspired, I would say too "metal" on this somewhat "light" track.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: palmeiras on December 29, 2015, 06:56:27 AM
Great song. Great mike mangini drumming.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: MarkFitDT on December 29, 2015, 07:23:11 AM
Great song. Great mike mangini drumming.

agreed on both points.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: The Boomr on December 30, 2015, 01:29:28 PM
It's been about 2 weeks now, are you guys liking it more, less or the same?

I think it's a good solid DT song but I'm not blown away by it.

I gotta say, this is my favorite DT single they've released since I've been around (which is admittedly only since SC). I instantly liked this track the very first time I listened to it. I worried that maybe it was just initial excitement...but no! Every day at work I give it a few listens and every time, I fucking love it, haha. I really was not a fan of TEI, and the album was only marginally better for me. I liked OtBoA pretty well, not a favorite or anything, but good for a single, and over time, ADToE became one of my favorite albums. But not right away. With how much I'm absolutely loving TGOM, I can only imagine how amazing the rest of the album is going to be for me...I'm so fucking excited!
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 30, 2015, 01:37:04 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Train of Naught on December 30, 2015, 01:40:44 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.
Pretty much this, haven't spun it to death just yet, although I gotta admit when it comes on randomly with shuffle I don't turn it off.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Prog Snob on December 30, 2015, 01:46:00 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.
Pretty much this, haven't spun it to death just yet, although I gotta admit when it comes on randomly with shuffle I don't turn it off.

This exactly.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 30, 2015, 01:50:08 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.
Pretty much this, haven't spun it to death just yet, although I gotta admit when it comes on randomly with shuffle I don't turn it off.

This exactly.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Enigmachine on December 30, 2015, 01:53:24 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.

How many times have you listened to it? I've listened to TGoM three times (five if covers are included).
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: King Postwhore on December 30, 2015, 01:56:29 PM
3 times so far and that was early on.  It will seem fresh to me.  It's important on this album with the storytelling as well.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: mike099 on December 30, 2015, 02:10:47 PM
I have not listened yet and plan to listen to both disks January 29 with my best headphones.  Of course I have thought about holding of until I see them in Cincinnati in April.  My wife says this idea is just 'bat shit crazy'.  I told her that phrase applies to our son's in laws. 
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: KevShmev on December 30, 2015, 09:39:01 PM
I really liked the single but I've purposely stayed away to keep if fresh.  This is an album you replay from start to finish a ton of times.  If I listen to a single too much before an album comes out, I tend to skip it.

Agreed. I think I've listened to it only three or four times as well.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pragmaticcircus on December 30, 2015, 10:05:54 PM
Am I the only one who hears: "we are living day to day, forced to beg and lie in shit"? It's bothered me that I keep hearing that even when I checked out the real lyrics  :(
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jjrock88 on December 30, 2015, 11:13:22 PM
I had only listened to it twice when it was released and haven't played it since.  I'll wait till the album is released.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Pragmaticcircus on December 31, 2015, 02:36:56 AM
I had only listened to it twice when it was released and haven't played it since.  I'll wait till the album is released.

I haven't heard it in three weeks and I can still remember it  >:(
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: SwedishGoose on December 31, 2015, 02:53:51 AM
I think I have listened four or five times a couple of weeks ago... liking it a lot... no more listens now until the album drops
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Bertielee on December 31, 2015, 05:05:07 AM
I had only listened to it twice when it was released and haven't played it since.  I'll wait till the album is released.

I haven't heard it in three weeks and I can still remember it  >:(

Is it a bad thing or you're just angry at the fact that since you remember it, it won't be new the next time you hear it?

B.Lee
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: AVFTTOTW on November 16, 2021, 10:33:57 PM
This song is very much still like About To Crash Pt3 to me.
One of the softer sections sounds like Far From Heaven as well.
The ending bit sounds like Breaking All Illusions.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: Dublagent66 on November 18, 2021, 09:31:19 AM
It's not the best song in the world, but I like it.  I like the video too.
Title: Re: What Are Your Thoughts On "The Gift of Music?"
Post by: jjfumbly on January 04, 2022, 10:28:20 AM
This song is amazing. It only gets BETTER as time goes on. Corruption, lust and greed define the new nobility. I don’t need to explain how well that has aged. Music is a driving force. Let’s make OUR NEW WORLD one filled with rock and roll.