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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: phospheneSOI on January 29, 2016, 05:58:05 PM

Title: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: phospheneSOI on January 29, 2016, 05:58:05 PM
I'm loving the album, I’m so happy the band have put out something where they've actually experimented and taken some risks, and when the album hits it's some of the best stuff they've ever done... but it’s just. too. long.

I want to make an Abridged Version for my Ipod, a “single disc” version that’s easier to digest, especially when it comes to sharing the album with all of my friends who used to love Dream Theater but stopped liking them around Octavarium. All y’alls input would be great.

Despite having listened several times I still feel like I don’t fully know which track is which, or which has song has a particular section or solo I like. Saying that, some songs have sunk in quicker than others. Here’s my abridged versions so far!

01. Descent Of The NOMACS
02. Dystopian Overture
03. The Gift Of Music
04. The Answer
05. A Better Life
06. Lord Nafaryus
07. A Savior In The Square
08. Three Days
09. Brother, Can You Hear Me?
10. The X Aspect
11. A New Beginning
12. Moment Of Betrayal
11. The Path That Divides
12. Our New World
13. Power Down
14. Astonishing

What I'm actually going to do is concentrate on all the tracks that aren't mentioned above for a few days, and see what else makes the cut!
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on January 29, 2016, 06:00:23 PM
But you miss the epic battle and the high point of the story without The Walking Shadow till Our New Wolrd.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: phospheneSOI on January 29, 2016, 06:04:14 PM
But you miss the epic battle and the high point of the story without The Walking Shadow till Our New Wolrd.

I love the song with the sword fight! Like I said it's been hard to take it all in, and I've inadvertently given more time to disc 1 than 2, so this is a work in progress.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: BelichickFan on January 29, 2016, 06:15:59 PM
This is doomed to failure because there's too much good stuff.

For example I could never leave off The Road to Revolution or Losing Faythe, two of my favorites.  But, despite a fine tracklist, you don't have them.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: erwinrafael on January 29, 2016, 06:17:34 PM
Are you trying to make an abridged version with the complete story or just an amazing collection of songs? My own abridged version goes like this this:

The Gift of Music
Lord Nafaryus
Savior in the Square
When Your Time Has Come
Act of Faythe
Three Days
A Life Left Behind
Ravenskill
A Tempting Offer
A New Beginning
Moment of Betrayal
The Path That Divides
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Hymn of a Thousand Voices
Our New World

1 hour 17 minutes :)
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: phospheneSOI on January 29, 2016, 06:19:46 PM
Are you trying to make an abridged version with the complete story or just an amazing collection of songs?

Yeah I'm not considering the story at all, just trying to figure out what would make a great one-disc album (if you ignore the lyrics).
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: erwinrafael on January 29, 2016, 06:26:45 PM
Are you trying to make an abridged version with the complete story or just an amazing collection of songs?

Yeah I'm not considering the story at all, just trying to figure out what would make a great one-disc album (if you ignore the lyrics).

You may try mine, it fits one disc perfectly. :) Hope you would enjoy it.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: DarkLord_Lalinc on January 29, 2016, 06:32:51 PM
The beautiful thing about this thread is that, ironically, right now I can't think of any song I'd remove from the package. Everything fits like a glove to the grand scheme of things.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: phospheneSOI on January 29, 2016, 06:41:32 PM
The beautiful thing about this thread is that, ironically, right now I can't think of any song I'd remove from the package. Everything fits like a glove to the grand scheme of things.

Don't get me wrong, I love it all. I just don't have enough time to really be able to take in the whole 2 hours and 10 experience ALL THE TIME.

Ps. Is that Ragdoll from the Secret Six in your avatar?
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: ariich on January 30, 2016, 01:51:18 AM
Here's a go at a 1-disc version that still has all the key narrative and (in my opinion) best songs:

1. The Gift of Music
2. A Better Life
3. Lord Nafaryus
4. A Savior in the Square
5. When Your Time Has Come
6. Three Days
7. A Life Left Behind
8. Ravenskill
9. A Tempting Offer
10. The X Aspect
11. A New Beginning
12. Moment of Betrayal
13. The Path That Divides
14. The Walking Shadow
15. My Last Farewell
16. Whispers on the Wind
17. Hymn of a Thousand Voices
18. Our New World

It clocks in at 79:48.

EDIT: Swapped out Losing Faith for When Your Time Has Come so that the segue works.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Dreamer on January 30, 2016, 02:21:58 AM
I agree, its way too long. Twice as long as it needs to be. I want to make a 1CD version too.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: The Curious Orange on January 30, 2016, 03:16:41 AM
Gobsmacked no one has included "Chosen" or "Begin Again" - 2 of my early favourites for best song on the album...
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: DragonAttack on January 30, 2016, 06:22:40 AM
I do enjoy seeing others playing 'producer'.  I'll use these listings later to guide me on my next listen(s).

I've chopped 1-3 tracks off of every DT album other than 'Octavarium', though I hardly listen to the title track when I start listening at song 1.

So, for TA, I think I'm just going to treat it as six album sides (songs 1-5,6-10,11-16, 17-20, 1-6, 7-14).  Listen to 'side 1' 4-5x before moving on.  Develop favorite 'sides' from that.  Kind of like The Beatles White Album.  99% of the time, I'll spin side one or side three.  And those are only 20 minutes each.  It'll be interesting to compare my favorites to those listed here later on.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: MirrorMask on January 30, 2016, 06:28:51 AM
I think too in the future I will make a slight abridged version, so that I could listen to it for the 90-95 minutes it takes me to do the roundtrip each day to and back from work.  But the first times I'll listen it all until I will have figured out all the songs  :coolio
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Enigmachine on January 30, 2016, 07:34:15 AM
I made a 'Dystopian Edition' than keeps the more high energy songs for my dad to listen to and came up with:

1. Dystopian Overture
2. The Gift of Music
3. A Better Life
4. Lord Nafaryus
5. Three Days
6. A Life Left Behind
7. A Tempting Offer
8. A New Beginning
9. 2285 Entr'acte
10. Moment of Betreyal
11. The Path That Divides
12. The Walking Shadow
13. My Last Farewell

Length: 58:57

I would personally also add 'A Savior in the Square / When Your Time Has Come', 'Ravenskill' and 'Whispers on the Wind' to bring it to 16 tracks and 75:07 (a normal DT album length), as well as having a downer ending where Gabriel loses his voice and Faythe dies rather than the Deus Ex Machina of 'Hymn of a Thousand Voices' where the music brings her to life... because reasons.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: KevShmev on January 30, 2016, 07:40:10 AM
Being someone who makes CDs for my car, there is no way all of this will make it on to my newer one.  DT is one of the few artists that I need two CDs for (mp3 CDs where you get 700 MB), and the two of them are already filled up, so when I update them here shortly, I will likely pick the best 15 songs or so from this to put on there.  The NOMAC songs have no shot.  :lol :lol
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Rickharris1011 on January 30, 2016, 09:18:31 AM
I made a 'Dystopian Edition' than keeps the more high energy songs for my dad to listen to and came up with:

1. Dystopian Overture
2. The Gift of Music
3. A Better Life
4. Lord Nafaryus
5. Three Days
6. A Life Left Behind
7. A Tempting Offer
8. A New Beginning
9. 2285 Entr'acte
10. Moment of Betreyal
11. The Path That Divides
12. The Walking Shadow
13. My Last Farewell

Length: 58:57


I would add the second half of Heaven's Cove right before Path that Divides.  When james kicks in with "under the glow"... possibly  the ballsiest part of the whole record. 
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Enigmachine on January 30, 2016, 09:23:42 AM
I made a 'Dystopian Edition' than keeps the more high energy songs for my dad to listen to

This didn't work, unfortunately. He still doesn't like it. :-\
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: JRuless on January 30, 2016, 09:49:24 AM
The best would be to cut it down to the different passages, not a plain song divider.
You'll be able to make compacter songs without losing the essence.

Would be fun to have the different record tracks as we had with BC&SL.
Someone could work it out to a flawless 1 CD synopsis of TA.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: RuRoRul on January 30, 2016, 12:43:40 PM
Playing around with creating an abridged version myself, here is what I arrived at - trying to balance keeping the best stuff (in my opinion) with preserving the most crucial plot points from the songs and a decent flow. I haven't tried listening to it in this form yet (it has been hard enough to fit in a few listens of the full album) so I'm not sure if there are any stupid song transitions in it:

1. Descent Of The Nomacs
2. Dystopian Overture
3. The Gift Of Music
4. The Answer
5. A Better Life
6. Lord Nafaryus
7. Savior In The Square
8. Three Days
9. A Life Left Behind
10. Ravenskill
11. A Tempting Offer
12. A New Beginning
13. The Road To Revolution
14. Moment Of Betrayal
15. The Path That Divides
16. The Walking Shadow
17. My Last Farewell
18. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
19. Our New World

Length: 82 minutes

The run of songs up to Lord Nafaryus works well, some of the best material on the album and introduces most of the characters. Descent Of The Nomacs is kept (the sole Nomacs track that is, all others are cut) as it serves as a nice introduction and keeps the flavour of the Nomacs - it could be cut easily enough though.

A Savior In The Square remains, which contains the crucial meeting. My experience was that following on from Savior In The Square, after the great start to the album, things got a little dull - When Your Time Has Come, despite containing the crucial lines ("When you're facing the path that divides...") isn't one of the strongest songs imo, and following it up with Act Of Faythe, while it does a good job of character introduction really slows things down a bit too much. Transfer a little of the content from WYTHC to SITS, and maybe some of Act Of Faythe's to A Life Left Behind, and this part of the album can be done without losing all the pacing (and saving more time for the good stuff).

In my version we go straight from A Savior In The Square to Three Days which is one of the absolute highlights of the album imo. Brother Can You Hear Me is a nice moment, but it is perhaps a bit obvious that Ahrys and the rebels will back Gabriel so I don't think it justifies quite a lengthy track that is perhaps a little boring, imo. Also, since we have cut Act Of Faythe, we now essentially leave the rebels and go back and follow the empire characters after SITS / Three Days. A Life Left Behind is actually not one of my favourite songs on this so far, but it contains too crucial plot points for me to cut in this version, and now serves as our proper introduction to Faythe's POV as well.

Then we move onto Ravenskill and A Tempting Offer, which are key songs for the story and pretty good imo. I like Chosen and The X Aspect, but not quite enough to justify the extra pure character introspection in reaction to Ravenskill and A Tempting Offer.

A New Beginning is a given from quality and plot point of view, while The Road To Revolution and its roundup of character conflicts helps make up for a couple of the cut songs. No need for a recapping instrumental in this version so it's cut, and we jump straight into Moment Of Betrayal. The scene is set well enough at the beginning of The Path That Divides, so unfortunately we lose Heaven's Cove. Begin Again is probably the worst offender on the album for not really adding anything storywise so it is an easy decision to cut, so we now have a run with a lot of momentum coming up to the climactic moment with Moment Of Betrayal - The Path That Divides - The Walking Shadow.

My impression of the album is that once it gets to The Walking Shadow, it seems to have a quite drawn out ending section with a lot of quite similar songs and not that much new added or happening in the story. Cutting Losing Faythe and Whsipers On The Wind alleviates this a bit - we now have My Last Farewell immediately followed by Hymn Of A Thousand Voices where the people rally to Gabriel and help him save Faythe. Out of Our New World and Astonishing, I think Our New World is slightly stronger as the closer so it finishes the album.

Obviously keeping individual songs as they are isn't the ideal way to shorten it, and it'd be better trimming or rearranging certain parts. This was my best effort at preserving the full story and as much of the good music as possible, as well as improving the pacing from my perspective, and getting it almost down to single CD length. I'd do it quite differently if I just wanted to make an album out of my favourite songs without regards to the story.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: MirrorMask on January 30, 2016, 12:47:51 PM
I heard the album only once so it's hard to see if I agree with you or not, but I appreciate to see like-minded people who like to analyze the music and think long about it when certain choices have to be made! (I find myself doing these kind of long discussions with myself while organizing compilations that I listen in my trip to and from work, I always organize them like if they were setlists of shows, I swear there must be some bands that put less efforts in their actual setlists than me while I create compilations for myself  :D )
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on January 30, 2016, 03:38:03 PM
ACT I
01. Dystopian Overture
02. The Gift Of Music
03. A Better Life
04. Lord Lafaryus
05. A Savior In The Square / When Your Time Has Come
06. Three Days
07. A Life Left Behind
08. Ravenskill
09. A New Beginning
10. A Tempting Offer
ACT II
11. Moment Of Betrayal
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow / My Last Farewell
14. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
15. Our New World

Total: 79 minutes
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: pcs90 on January 30, 2016, 07:58:50 PM
While I will definitely not be doing this, I will say that for the people who have audio editing software, I recommend cutting parts out of songs instead, rather than just cutting all of a song. For example if you don't want Heaven's Cove on there because of the long intro, just cut most of it so it goes straight into the vocal section. You can shorten that song by several minutes. Same goes for many others.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: KevShmev on January 30, 2016, 08:17:17 PM
I haven't heard a single song I would want to edit.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: pcs90 on January 30, 2016, 08:19:38 PM
I haven't heard a single song I would want to edit.
Agreed, I love the whole thing. In fact, I wish it was longer if anything. But it seems like if someone wanted to shorten it, that would be the best way to do it.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Mebert78 on January 30, 2016, 09:00:00 PM
I noticed that some of your abridged versions ended with "Our New World," and I happen to be listening to that song right now. It makes a great closing track.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Bertie_Wooster on January 31, 2016, 12:07:01 AM
I would keep "The Astonishing" just the way it is.
The only album edits I would do is take the best songs out of Black clouds and sytematic chaos and combine them into an awesome album.

1.  In the presence of enemies 1
2   Ministry of lost souls
3.  In the presence of enemies 2
4.  Wither
5.  A rite of passage
6.  The best of times
7.  The count of Tuscany.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: JoeMLennon on January 31, 2016, 06:48:25 AM
How about cutting down to a listenable chunk in one sitting by lead character...  More of a mix approach from a character's POV...  Still add in a couple of the other narrator led songs to help the story still kinda make sense

This could be a Gabriel point of view.....
1. Dystopian Overture
2. Gift of Music
3. The Answer
4. A Savior in the Square
4a. When Your Time Has Come
5. Brother Can you Hear Me?
6. Ravenskill
7. Chosen
8. Road to Revolution
9. Moment of Betrayel
10. Heaven's Cove (cause I like this one)
11. Path that Divides
12. My Last Farewell
13. Whispers on the Wind
14. Hymn of 1000 Voices
15. Our New World

total: 68 minutes

You could similar for the Empire, Faythe, Rebels, Narrator driven storylines and they all clock in around 70 to 80 minutes and can vary on what you leave in vs. take out
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: BlobVanDam on January 31, 2016, 09:38:39 PM
Eventually I'm probably going to crop the album to the songs I like (I don't care about story), which at the moment would be this-
(https://www.blobvandam.com/link/ta_playlist.jpg)

When Your Time Has Come is mostly only included because it's connected to A Saviour in the Square. The Answer is mostly included because I like everything around it so it can tag along with that big beautiful chunk of music. And I'd keep one Nomac track just because the BLORP makes a cool setup for Dystopian Overture.

That's a bit over 57 minutes. It's a shame that's less than half of the complete album, because if this was the entire thing, it would rank up there with ToT and Octavarium, and ahead of everything since.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Progmetty on January 31, 2016, 10:07:27 PM
I'm one of the people that thought this album should have had a third CD so there's nothing I'd take out of the 2 we have.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: ariich on February 01, 2016, 12:03:33 AM
I don't understand you, Blob. :lol
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: BlobVanDam on February 01, 2016, 01:37:12 AM
I don't understand you, Blob. :lol

Nobody does, Rich. Nobody does.   :'(
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: ariich on February 01, 2016, 03:17:16 AM
I don't understand you, Blob. :lol

Nobody does, Rich. Nobody does.   :'(
That doesn't mean I love you any less.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: The Curious Orange on February 01, 2016, 04:42:10 AM
I understand you perfectly, Blob.  What I think of as "side one" - that is everything through to Three Days - is actually pretty good. After that, less so. My abridged version would be the same as yours, only I'd add A Life Left Behind, Moment of Betrayal and Begin Again, and probably ditch Road to Revolution.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Bertielee on February 01, 2016, 04:51:00 AM
In other words, guys, you're turning TA into a concept album (length-wise). Honestly, I could also do without songs such as Brother Can You Hear Me? or Act of Faythe to name a few.

B.Lee
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: BlobVanDam on February 01, 2016, 04:53:56 AM
I understand you perfectly, Blob.  What I think of as "side one" - that is everything through to Three Days - is actually pretty good. After that, less so. My abridged version would be the same as yours, only I'd add A Life Left Behind, Moment of Betrayal and Begin Again, and probably ditch Road to Revolution.

The Road To Revolution is mostly bits of other songs (since it's pulling together all of the story threads to finish off Act I), but the Faythe section alone is enough for me to keep it. The mellotron(?) bit is lovely.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on February 01, 2016, 04:56:38 AM
I don't understand you, Blob. :lol

Nobody does, Rich. Nobody does.   :'(
That doesn't mean I love you any less.

:hug:
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: dparrott on February 11, 2016, 10:26:44 AM
Here's my version:

(https://tacrec.50webs.com/dttgom.jpg)
THE GIFT OF MUSIC
A BETTER LIFE
LORD NAFARYUS
THREE DAYS
A LIFE LEFT BEHIND
A NEW BEGINNING
MOMENT OF BETRAYAL
HEAVEN'S COVE
THE PATH THAT DIVIDES
THE WALKING SHADOW
MY LAST FAREWELL
OUR NEW WORLD
SOUNDS OF THE NOMACS
REMIX OF THE NOMACS
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: RAIN on February 11, 2016, 10:48:14 AM
Descent of the Nomacs   1:11   
Dystopian Overture           4:51   
The Gift of Music           4:00   
The Answer                   1:53   
A Better Life                   4:39   
Lord Nafaryus                   3:28   
A Savior In the Square   4:14   
When Your Time Has Come   4:19   
Three Days                   3:44   
Brother, Can You Hear Me?   5:11   
A Life Left Behind           1:42   Edit
A Tempting Offer           4:20   
The X Aspect                   2:13   Edit
A New Beginning           7:41   
The Road to Revolution   3:35   
2285 Entr'acte                   2:20   
Moment of Betrayal           6:12   
Heaven's Cove                   4:20   
Begin Again                   1:03   Edit
The Path That Divides           4:54   
The Walking Shadow           2:58   
My Last Farewell                   3:44   
Hymn Of A Thousand Voices3:39   
Our New World                   4:12   
Nomacs Ending                   1:26   My Own edit of Nomac Pieces…


I prefer to think that everything isn't glorious at the end, and the Nomacs are not gone (there's always some machine not shut down...think Terminator).
Kind of a huge offset to the happy ending in Our New World. Great contrast.

Total Time:  91:49 (Much like the length of Iron Maiden's Book of Souls)   
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: dparrott on February 11, 2016, 10:56:29 AM
I got ANB fading into MOB.  Sounds killer.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: RuRoRul on February 11, 2016, 11:06:27 AM
Playing around with creating an abridged version myself, here is what I arrived at - trying to balance keeping the best stuff (in my opinion) with preserving the most crucial plot points from the songs and a decent flow. I haven't tried listening to it in this form yet (it has been hard enough to fit in a few listens of the full album) so I'm not sure if there are any stupid song transitions in it:

1. Descent Of The Nomacs
2. Dystopian Overture
3. The Gift Of Music
4. The Answer
5. A Better Life
6. Lord Nafaryus
7. Savior In The Square
8. Three Days
9. A Life Left Behind
10. Ravenskill
11. A Tempting Offer
12. A New Beginning
13. The Road To Revolution
14. Moment Of Betrayal
15. The Path That Divides
16. The Walking Shadow
17. My Last Farewell
18. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
19. Our New World

Length: 82 minutes
Having actually had the chance to listen to different abridged versions (and while I normally don't complain much about albums being "too long", something presented like this that really wants you to listen to it as a complete story really needs it), I discovered some things that don't work (such as Savior In The Square's not working without When Your Time Has Come) at all, and some things that do:

1. Dystopian Overture
2. The Gift Of Music
3. A Better Life
4. Lord Nafaryus
5. A Savior In The Square
6. When Your Time Has Come
7. Thee Days
8. Ravenskill
9. A New Beginning
10. A Tempting Offer
11. Moment Of Betrayal
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow
14. My Last Farewell
15. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
16. Astonishing

Runtime: 75 mins

Obviously if you look at that list and see your favourite songs missing then it's not for you, but if you're looking for something that gives you the whole story, keeps most of the good stuff (imo) and is pretty well paced and can be listened to in the same time as a regular album, then this is pretty good.

Some key things I discovered; while I thought I needed A Life Left Behind to cover Faythe and Daryus leaving, but actually Ravenskill feels a bit more dramatic listening to it with "the stranger's" identity not explicitly stated to begin with, and having it come out over the course of the song. Plus, Three Days - Ravenskill - A New Beginning is absolutely packed quality and plot-wise, and while it may seem as though it could be rushed actually it just feels like it has cut out the fluff.

Also I moved A Tempting Offer to after A New Beginning, partly because I found it worked well as part of that run and partly because with some of the other songs cut, it works well as a sort of twist after the positive A New Beginning rather than before it. My only problem I have had with the playlist is that the flow from 2285 Entr'acte into Moment Of Betrayal - MOB doesn't really sound right following any song, and I have tried it with multiple options other than 2285 Entr'acte (Road To Revolution, A New Beginning, and currently A Tempting Offer). I was even considering throwing in The X Aspect before it for the bagpipes, but basically the problem is where the track cuts off, I think the start of MOB will always sound very abrupt as part of a playlist where it doesn't follow 2285 Entr'acte.

Also I used Astonishing instead of Our New World as a closer, though in theory either could work. Personally I am not as impressed with Our New World as some others seem to be, and while I don't think Astonishing is that amazing either, it works better a closer and actually feels like a slightly less cheesy ending story wise than just closing with Our New World.

I realise there's some good stuff missing (and it'd be easy to add individual track like The Answer, Heaven's Cove, The X Aspect here and there without impacting it too much), and I still listen to the full album when I have the time and feel like I can make it through all of the material without getting anxious to listen to the superior early Act I stuff again by the time I get to Losing Faythe... but for anyone else like me who sometimes wants to listen to the story but in a (slightly) more concise format, I thought I'd share my experience.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: kaos2900 on February 11, 2016, 11:15:14 AM
I've removed all of the Nomac tracks except for the opener and I also removed Whispers in the Wind as it just seems out of place and unnecessary.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Scorpion on February 11, 2016, 11:40:34 AM
My abridged version doesn't really care for the story at all, but it goes like this:

Dystopian Overture
The Gift of Music
Lord Nafaryus
A Savior in the Square
When Your Time Has Come
Three Days
A Life Left Behind
A New Beginning
Moment of Betrayal
Heaven's Cove
The Path That Divides
Hymn of a Thousand Voices
Our New World

I've listened to it a couple of times and it works pretty well, both in terms of flow and in terms of quality. If this were the album, it would probably be Top 5 for me, just behind IaW.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Dreamer on February 12, 2016, 10:03:48 AM
This is my 1 disc version clocking in at 79:27

Dystopian Future
The Gift
The Answer
A Better Life
Saviour
When Your Time
A Life Left Behind
Ravenskill
Chosen
A Tempting Offer
The X
A New Beginning
2285
Moment
Heavens Cove
Our New World
Astonishing

This really works for me, perhaps my only gripe is that the full album is too long.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: dparrott on February 12, 2016, 11:30:54 AM
I was thinking of messing with the order of mine, like putting ONW as track 2, but it makes more sense to me to go in order.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: MirrorMask on February 12, 2016, 11:46:30 AM
I still have to do mine, but I guess I won't go further than this:

Descent of the NOMACS
Dystopian Overture
The Gift of Music
The Answer
A Better Life
Lord Nafaryus
A Savior in the Square
When Your Time Has Come
Act of Faythe
Three Days
Brother, Can You Hear Me?
Ravenskill
Chosen
A Tempting Offer
A New Beginning
The Road to Revolution
Moment of Betrayal
The Path That Divides
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Losing Faythe
Hymn of a Thousand Voices
Our New World
Astonishing

Cutting selected bits and pieces here and there, if at all (for example if we're into chopping mode, I guess the beginning of Act of Faythe can go, and so - people will kill me - the long instrumental bit of A New Beginning)
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: deslock on February 15, 2016, 07:32:04 PM
My abridged version:
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: RAIN on February 18, 2016, 07:37:46 AM
I got ANB fading into MOB.  Sounds killer.

Out of curiosity, where did you make the edit together?  I can't find a way that sounds smooth.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: chaossystem on February 20, 2016, 07:05:50 PM
There were a few songs I hated leaving out to make it all fit onto one single disc, but here's mine, clocking in at about 1:18:44, or 78:44-

1) Dystopian Overture
2) The Gift of Music
3) Lord Nafaryus
4) A Savior in the Square
5) When Your Time Has Come
6) Three Days
7) Ravenskill
8) A Tempting Offer
9) A New Beginning
10) The Road to Revolution
11) 2285 Entr'acte
12) Moment of Betrayal
13) Heaven's Cove
14) The Path That divides
15) The Walking Shadow
16) Our New World
17) Power Down
18) Astonishing
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: DragonAttack on February 25, 2016, 02:53:47 PM
Dystopian Overture (starts at 3:58)   0:53
The Gift Of Music   4:00
The Answer   1:53
A Better Life   4:39
Lord Nafaryus   3:28
A Savior In The Square     4:14
When Your Time Has Come     4:19
Three Days   3:44
Brother, Can You Hear Me?   (starts at :52)  4:19
A Life Left Behind   5:49
Ravenskill (starts at 2:11)    3:50
A Tempting Offer (ends at 3:43)    3:43
The X Aspect (starts at 1:24)   2:50
A New Beginning   7:41
Moment Of Betrayal    6:12
The Path That Divides (starts at :40)   4:30
The Walking Shadow      2:58
My Last Farewell (starts at :58, scream cut)      2:46
Our New World     4:12
Astonishing (starts at 3:17)      2:30
Power Down (starts at :48)     0:28
Total time     78:58
Wish I could fit 'Voices' in this.  The overture and epilogue are pared way down, because this is just an edited version after all.  And they actually work quite well.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Elaitch on February 25, 2016, 03:31:21 PM
Having actually had the chance to listen to different abridged versions (and while I normally don't complain much about albums being "too long", something presented like this that really wants you to listen to it as a complete story really needs it), I discovered some things that don't work (such as Savior In The Square's not working without When Your Time Has Come) at all, and some things that do:

I wouldn't necessarily agree that this is true. Well, it's true if you care about the story arc I guess, but if you put them after one another, A Savior in the Square actually flows fairly seamlessly into Our New World. Imagine the "...eyes." part which is supposed to be at the very beginning of When Your Time Has Come at the opening chord of Our New World and you'll hear what I mean. The two songs share the same musical themes and tone to a large extent. Our New World is essentially A Savior in the Square pt. 2, at least musically.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: dparrott on February 25, 2016, 08:23:21 PM
I got ANB fading into MOB.  Sounds killer.

Out of curiosity, where did you make the edit together?  I can't find a way that sounds smooth.

Just faded the ending of the first into the second.  Unfortunately, there is a trail of the overture in MOB.   
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: RuRoRul on February 26, 2016, 06:37:06 AM
Having actually had the chance to listen to different abridged versions (and while I normally don't complain much about albums being "too long", something presented like this that really wants you to listen to it as a complete story really needs it), I discovered some things that don't work (such as Savior In The Square's not working without When Your Time Has Come) at all, and some things that do:

I wouldn't necessarily agree that this is true. Well, it's true if you care about the story arc I guess, but if you put them after one another, A Savior in the Square actually flows fairly seamlessly into Our New World. Imagine the "...eyes." part which is supposed to be at the very beginning of When Your Time Has Come at the opening chord of Our New World and you'll hear what I mean. The two songs share the same musical themes and tone to a large extent. Our New World is essentially A Savior in the Square pt. 2, at least musically.
Oh I didn't really mean that it needs to because the song couldn't stand alone musically (as you can see from my first thought for an abridged version, my instinct was to cut When Your Time Has Come). I mean it didn't work well just because Savior In The Square (at least on my version) literally cuts off mid-sentence. I didn't realise the track cut-off between the two was so abrupt when I first suggested my edit, but this playlist is something I have actually been listening to rather than purely a hypothetical suggestion for what could have worked better, and it wasn't really good for me to listen to "before my ey-" every time when listening to it. If I was going to edit the tracks I could do something about that, but an easier fix was just to include When Your Time Has Come as well, and to be honest I found it was fine when I put it back in. It was only having When Your Time Has Come and Act Of Faythe between Savior In The Square and Three Days that I felt was a real drag on the pacing - one of them is fine, and When Your Time Has Come is the better option for me for several reasons.

Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: erwinrafael on March 06, 2016, 07:16:34 AM
So I finally got a satisfactory abridged version that has substantially the whole story and would fit ny commute time to work. :)

The Gift of Music
A Savior in the Square
 When Your Time has Come
Act of Faythe
Three Days
A Life Left Behind
Ravenskill
Chosen
A Tempting Offer
A New Beginning
Moment of Betrayal
The Path that Divides
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Losing Faythe
Hymn of a Thousand Voices
Our New World

Just under 80 minutes. :)

I have been debating whether Lord Nafaryus or Losing Faythe should be in, but since Losing Faythe has a more important plot point (Nafaryus' conversion), I went with it.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 23, 2020, 10:52:22 PM
I finally got around to doing this, at least tried to anyways. This was way harder than I had thought.

The story was important. Then, trying to get as much of the themes I can. There was no way I could do it and it be a single cd. There were things that I felt needed to be included. This is what I came up with.

1. Dystopian Overture/The Gift of Music [8:50]
2. The Answer/A Better Life [6:32]
3. Lord Nefaryus [3:28]
4. A Savior In The Square/When Your Time Has Come [8:33]
5. Act of Faythe [5:00]
6. Three Days [3:44]
7. Ravenskill [6:01]
8. Chosen [4:32]
9. The Road to Revolution [3:35]
10. 2285 Entr'acte/Moment of Betrayal [8:32]
11. The Path That Divides [5:09]
12. The Walking Shadow [2:58]
13. Losing Faythe [4:13]
14. Whispers On The Wind/Hymn of A Thousand Voices [5:16]
15. Astonishing [5:51]

Total 1:21:14
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: MirrorMask on May 24, 2020, 02:35:05 AM
Give or take that's exactly what I've done as well.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 24, 2020, 04:02:35 PM
Give or take that's exactly what I've done as well.

It's funny though cause when I would try, I'd end up just saying screw it and listening to the whole album.

Oddly enough, I don't really like A Life Left Behind or A New Beginning as much.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: TAC on May 24, 2020, 05:11:15 PM
I love my Astonishing Abridged. I listen to it all the time.

1. The Gift Of Music
2. Lord Nefaryus
3. A Savior In The Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Act Of Faythe
6. Three Days
7. Ravenskill
8. The X Aspect
9. A New Beginning
10. Moment Of Betrayal
11. Heaven's Cove
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow
14. My Last Farewell
15. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices


68 minutes

Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Lonk on May 25, 2020, 04:59:58 AM
I love my Astonishing Abridged. I listen to it all the time.

1. The Gift Of Music
2. Lord Nefaryus
3. A Savior In The Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Act Of Faythe
6. Three Days
7. Ravenskill
8. The X Aspect
9. A New Beginning
10. Moment Of Betrayal
11. Heaven's Cove
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow
14. My Last Farewell
15. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices


68 minutes

I like this, I might give it a try later on, but I’ll probably add “Our New World” to that.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: TAC on May 25, 2020, 06:08:45 AM
See, I'm not a fan of Our New World. I just don't think it's all that great. I still had 12 minutes I could fill, but I didn't want to add anything just because.
Plus, I think Hymn Of A Thousand Voices is a great closer.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 25, 2020, 08:28:59 AM
See, I'm not a fan of Our New World. I just don't think it's all that great. I still had 12 minutes I could fill, but I didn't want to add anything just because.
Plus, I think Hymn Of A Thousand Voices is a great closer.

I was thinking of ending it at HOATV as well, it is a great closer. But it's the climax of the story, and I needed closure haha.

I also do not like Our New World. I don't think it adds much to the story at all, even though it's the Savior In The Square theme and completes the circle of Nefaryus and Gabriel hence the Savior theme as it was their first encounter.

All that is why I view The Astonishing as a rock opera, not a concept album. It's Dream Theater Presents...

Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: TAC on May 25, 2020, 08:32:00 AM
See, I'm not a fan of Our New World. I just don't think it's all that great. I still had 12 minutes I could fill, but I didn't want to add anything just because.
Plus, I think Hymn Of A Thousand Voices is a great closer.

I was thinking of ending it at HOATV as well, it is a great closer. But it's the climax of the story, and I needed closure haha.

I also do not like Our New World. I don't think it adds much to the story at all, even though it's the Savior In The Square theme and completes the circle of Nefaryus and Gabriel hence the Savior theme as it was their first encounter.

That's way too much thought for me. I just put the songs I liked the best.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Indiscipline on May 25, 2020, 08:33:39 AM
I'm not too hot on Our New World per se, but it's fundamental to the musical storytelling.

It's the "pop song" signaling music is once again available to the masses.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 25, 2020, 08:37:47 AM
I'm not too hot on Our New World per se, but it's fundamental to the musical storytelling.

It's the "pop song" signaling music is once again available to the masses.

See, that's why I had trouble making an abridged version, as all the songs are important to the story.

Our New World has a repition problem for me. It was ok live, but not amazing.

Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: TAC on May 25, 2020, 08:41:51 AM
I'm not too hot on Our New World per se, but it's fundamental to the musical storytelling.

It's the "pop song" signaling music is once again available to the masses.

I get that.


It's just not fundamental to my enjoyment. ;D
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Architeuthis on May 25, 2020, 11:08:47 AM
I'm not too hot on Our New World per se, but it's fundamental to the musical storytelling.

It's the "pop song" signaling music is once again available to the masses.
It reminds me of something Journey would write.  Which isn't a bad thing.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: goo-goo on May 25, 2020, 12:22:33 PM
This is my abridged version. Don't care about the story, just the music with the vocals.

Gift of music
A better life
A savior in the square
When your time has come
Three days
Ravenskill
A tempting offer
A new beginning
Moment of betrayal
Heavens cove
Path.that divides
Walking shadow
My last farewell
Our new world
Astonishing
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on May 25, 2020, 08:50:22 PM
See, that's why I had trouble making an abridged version, as all the songs are important to the story.

I feel the same way. After so many attempts to make abridged versions, I've come to the conclusion that (almost) every song either has its place in the story that would be missing if it was cut, or is just a song that I enjoy.

That said, there are two songs (not counting NOMAC interludes) that I feel actively interrupt the flow of the album: Begin Again & Whispers On The Wind.

Begin Again because it doesn't fit with the build-up of tension that happens from A Tempting Offer to Heaven's Cove, & also tells us very little that wasn't already clear, & Whispers On The Wind because the ending to Losing Faythe implies a sense of hope that is followed up with on Hymn Of A Thousand Voices. Whispers On The Wind steers away from that direction only to go right back to it in the next song. I think both of these songs make the album feel more unfocused, & they're the only ones that I can definitively argue that they make the album worse overall (at least for me).

So that leaves me with 27 songs & exactly 2 hours of music, & at this point, I'm okay with that. :tup
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: TAC on May 25, 2020, 08:53:38 PM
For me, I wasn't worried about the story when I made my abridged version. I just wanted my favorite songs on one cassette, to cut out the fat.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 25, 2020, 10:54:07 PM
See, that's why I had trouble making an abridged version, as all the songs are important to the story.

I feel the same way. After so many attempts to make abridged versions, I've come to the conclusion that (almost) every song either has its place in the story that would be missing if it was cut, or is just a song that I enjoy.

That said, there are two songs (not counting NOMAC interludes) that I feel actively interrupt the flow of the album: Begin Again & Whispers On The Wind.

Begin Again because it doesn't fit with the build-up of tension that happens from A Tempting Offer to Heaven's Cove, & also tells us very little that wasn't already clear, & Whispers On The Wind because the ending to Losing Faythe implies a sense of hope that is followed up with on Hymn Of A Thousand Voices. Whispers On The Wind steers away from that direction only to go right back to it in the next song. I think both of these songs make the album feel more unfocused, & they're the only ones that I can definitively argue that they make the album worse overall (at least for me).

So that leaves me with 27 songs & exactly 2 hours of music, & at this point, I'm okay with that. :tup

Nefaryus has the last lines in Losing Faythe and is begging to Gabriel to use his gift. Whispers on The Wind is there to convey the despair Gabriel is feeling after his incident with Daryus, there is no more hope. It's a contrast that makes Hymn of A Thousand Voices that much more powerful.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on May 25, 2020, 11:28:45 PM
See, that's why I had trouble making an abridged version, as all the songs are important to the story.

I feel the same way. After so many attempts to make abridged versions, I've come to the conclusion that (almost) every song either has its place in the story that would be missing if it was cut, or is just a song that I enjoy.

That said, there are two songs (not counting NOMAC interludes) that I feel actively interrupt the flow of the album: Begin Again & Whispers On The Wind.

Begin Again because it doesn't fit with the build-up of tension that happens from A Tempting Offer to Heaven's Cove, & also tells us very little that wasn't already clear, & Whispers On The Wind because the ending to Losing Faythe implies a sense of hope that is followed up with on Hymn Of A Thousand Voices. Whispers On The Wind steers away from that direction only to go right back to it in the next song. I think both of these songs make the album feel more unfocused, & they're the only ones that I can definitively argue that they make the album worse overall (at least for me).

So that leaves me with 27 songs & exactly 2 hours of music, & at this point, I'm okay with that. :tup

Nefaryus has the last lines in Losing Faythe and is begging to Gabriel to use his gift. Whispers on The Wind is there to convey the despair Gabriel is feeling after his incident with Daryus, there is no more hope. It's a contrast that makes Hymn of A Thousand Voices that much more powerful.

I guess I could understand your point, but I think the rapid contrast makes the album's pacing a little shaky. It's like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Gabriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>No Nafaryus, I can't use my gift. There's no more hope.
>Oh wait, the townspeople can still sing. Hope is restored!

It feels quite unnatural in that way, but if it was more like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Garbriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>The townspeople & Gabriel can sing. Yes! Our hopes came true.

then I think it would feel a lot more like a natural string of emotions, which I think flows better from both a story-telling & musical perspective.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: Ben_Jamin on May 26, 2020, 02:11:59 PM
See, that's why I had trouble making an abridged version, as all the songs are important to the story.

I feel the same way. After so many attempts to make abridged versions, I've come to the conclusion that (almost) every song either has its place in the story that would be missing if it was cut, or is just a song that I enjoy.

That said, there are two songs (not counting NOMAC interludes) that I feel actively interrupt the flow of the album: Begin Again & Whispers On The Wind.

Begin Again because it doesn't fit with the build-up of tension that happens from A Tempting Offer to Heaven's Cove, & also tells us very little that wasn't already clear, & Whispers On The Wind because the ending to Losing Faythe implies a sense of hope that is followed up with on Hymn Of A Thousand Voices. Whispers On The Wind steers away from that direction only to go right back to it in the next song. I think both of these songs make the album feel more unfocused, & they're the only ones that I can definitively argue that they make the album worse overall (at least for me).

So that leaves me with 27 songs & exactly 2 hours of music, & at this point, I'm okay with that. :tup

Nefaryus has the last lines in Losing Faythe and is begging to Gabriel to use his gift. Whispers on The Wind is there to convey the despair Gabriel is feeling after his incident with Daryus, there is no more hope. It's a contrast that makes Hymn of A Thousand Voices that much more powerful.

I guess I could understand your point, but I think the rapid contrast makes the album's pacing a little shaky. It's like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Gabriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>No Nafaryus, I can't use my gift. There's no more hope.
>Oh wait, the townspeople can still sing. Hope is restored!

It feels quite unnatural in that way, but if it was more like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Garbriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>The townspeople & Gabriel can sing. Yes! Our hopes came true.

then I think it would feel a lot more like a natural string of emotions, which I think flows better from both a story-telling & musical perspective.

First of all, Faythe isn't dead. She's on the verge of death. Gabriel's faith and hope of the glorious revolution him and Faythe planned is dying in front of his eyes, he himself considers it dead as he sees Faythe slowly withering, after Yelling at Daryus.

The music in Whispers on The Wind is there to tell how GABRIEL feels about it, to show his Despair and loss if hope.

Then, the townspeople all arrive slowly singing Gabriel's song "When Your Time Has Come" reigniting Gabriel's hope and faith. Which he then, joins the chorus of townspeople as they all sing "Choir on high..." The ensemble uplifted Faythes spirit and gave her the strength to fight death and survive.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: gzarruk on May 26, 2020, 03:23:48 PM
I think ONW works great as the album closer, and it would definitely be the closer for my abridged version... if I could make one :lol
The album might be a bit too long but there's just too much good stuff in there to make an 80 minute playlist out of it.
Title: Re: The Astonishing Abridged
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on May 27, 2020, 12:01:52 AM
I guess I could understand your point, but I think the rapid contrast makes the album's pacing a little shaky. It's like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Gabriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>No Nafaryus, I can't use my gift. There's no more hope.
>Oh wait, the townspeople can still sing. Hope is restored!

It feels quite unnatural in that way, but if it was more like

>Faythe is dead! We're all in despair. There's no more hope.
>But wait, what if Garbriel could use his gift? Maybe there is hope!
>The townspeople & Gabriel can sing. Yes! Our hopes came true.

then I think it would feel a lot more like a natural string of emotions, which I think flows better from both a story-telling & musical perspective.

First of all, Faythe isn't dead. She's on the verge of death. Gabriel's faith and hope of the glorious revolution him and Faythe planned is dying in front of his eyes, he himself considers it dead as he sees Faythe slowly withering, after Yelling at Daryus.

The music in Whispers on The Wind is there to tell how GABRIEL feels about it, to show his Despair and loss if hope.

Then, the townspeople all arrive slowly singing Gabriel's song "When Your Time Has Come" reigniting Gabriel's hope and faith. Which he then, joins the chorus of townspeople as they all sing "Choir on high..." The ensemble uplifted Faythes spirit and gave her the strength to fight death and survive.

I know what the plot of the album is; I'm criticising its pacing. Can you chill with the condescension?