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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: KevShmev on March 02, 2019, 07:17:31 PM

Title: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: KevShmev on March 02, 2019, 07:17:31 PM
Time for chatter on this rocker, with a poll for fun as well.

Seems like the "wow" moment is all anyone talks about in regards to this song, which is a shame because this song is really quite good.  It has one of the best choruses on the record. I am not overly crazy about that outro (JR noodling like that is often more miss than hit for me), but the rest of the song is good enough to where I can deal with it.  I do think it could have been a great song with a better ending, though.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Trav86 on March 02, 2019, 07:35:27 PM
Love it! Lyrically the verses are quite different than the normal Myung style. Nothing wrong with that though.  The chorus is awesome, and musically its really fun.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: devieira73 on March 02, 2019, 07:43:15 PM
Love it! And those drums and bass... :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
I think the finale is terrific, but the rest of the song is still better, because it's just so incredible good. The similarity of its outro with the TDEN outro to me is a good thing - I love that outro - and it was only the second time in their discography that they did something similar, so I don't think it's a thing overused by them.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: SystematicThought on March 02, 2019, 07:47:55 PM
I like it a lot. The riff is really cool, the bass riff opening the track is fresh, since DT doesn't do that too often. There's a few things I would have changed. I would get rid of that "Are we paying attention" part at the beginning and just have that instrumental bit, because that bass riff is so great, and Mangini playing over it gets ruined by that vocal effect.

The vocal effects also kind of ruined the "Shocking truth/climate change" section because it kinda sounds like a jumbled mess at least to my ears

But, it's a real rocker. That outro guitar riff is just monstrous. I do agree with you about JR's part on the outro. Maybe if he had used a different sound, I would have liked it, but he seems to just reuse the same sounds over and over. Really, for me, JR is the weak link on the album because he didn't do anything different, there just seems to be the obligatory JR noodle spot and his usual patches.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: gzarruk on March 02, 2019, 08:50:11 PM
Love it! One of the best songs on the album, and the best chorus, definitely. Top performance by all the 5 guys :metal
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: erwinrafael on March 02, 2019, 09:01:39 PM
My favorite song in the album. This has the drumming that puts to rest all the critiques against Mangini (no groove, does not play ghost notes on the snare, does not open and close hi-hats).

I love the backstory that Myung's killer bass riff was the first thing they heard in the recording session. That is how excited Myung was and it shows.

JP's solo is exquisite.

JLB shines in the chorus.

JR's mood music is spot on. I love his solo on the end because it's not just wank. There's a lot of structure in there.

And I love the drumming in the outro. It is so...muscular? I can't find the exact term. LOL. And MM, JM and JP showed a lot of chemistry that you can sense the fun in the riffing variations.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: geeeemo on March 02, 2019, 09:36:58 PM
I like it, it rocks. I like the ending. I just don't care for the vocal melody as much. This could change over time.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Stewie on March 02, 2019, 09:51:53 PM
It’s definitely the best song on the album.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Architeuthis on March 02, 2019, 10:06:19 PM
It's great, I love it!  The song does have the WOW factor, so that subtle "wow" is appropriate.
 I think it would have been funnier if they had Butthead saying " Whoa!" instead.  :lol

 In all seriousness though, this song absolutely rocks and is a top tier DT song. I love the overall sound of all the instruments, and JLB kills it!
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Cool Chris on March 02, 2019, 10:45:41 PM
At this point a week out of the gate, it's a "good song, nothing special." Other songs on the album have resonated much more with me. The music is good, though again not as good as much of the rest of the CD); the vocal melodies are very underwhelming.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: The Silent Cody on March 03, 2019, 12:33:58 AM
It's a very solid tune, especially TDEN like outri  :metal :metal
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on March 03, 2019, 12:39:11 AM
Wow.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: RoeDent on March 03, 2019, 05:17:06 AM
Absolutely magnificent track. The beginning with Chycki's spoken vocals reminds me a bit of Rush's song Double Agent. The first time I heard it, the chorus immediately struck me as an all-time classic DT chorus that I can imagine being a big moment at the live shows.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: krands85 on March 03, 2019, 06:07:56 AM
At this point a week out of the gate, it's a "good song, nothing special." Other songs on the album have resonated much more with me. The music is good, though again not as good as much of the rest of the CD); the vocal melodies are very underwhelming.
Similar thoughts here. It hasn't quite clicked with me like it has with others, but there's still time. But right now it's middle of the pack I guess.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: EPIC Outro on March 03, 2019, 07:45:48 AM
I think it's not just one of the best songs on the album, but for me it is also one of the craziest and most insane songs they've ever written, and a joy to listen to. I love how, amid the technical insanity, this breathtaking chorus just flies in out of nowhere, and I found the chord changes during the chorus to be really unique and unpredictable. One of their best songs ever, IMO.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: porcacultor on March 03, 2019, 11:04:10 AM
Absolutely magnificent track. The beginning with Chycki's spoken vocals reminds me a bit of Rush's song Double Agent. The first time I heard it, the chorus immediately struck me as an all-time classic DT chorus that I can imagine being a big moment at the live shows.

Could you point me to where you found out that it was Chycki doing those spoken vocals? Is that in the booklet or something? Really cool info!

The "Shocking Truth" part is really interesting in that they made LaBrie's voice thicker alternating with the unfiltered "Innocent die!", it's like many versions of JLB.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Lax on March 03, 2019, 11:30:09 AM
I love it, it was my first love on the album!
I love the rythm pattern, I love the singing and the chorus completely different.
The false ending with the wow.
The solos etc...
Only the outro riff is questionable tho enjoyable
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: gzarruk on March 03, 2019, 12:25:41 PM
Absolutely magnificent track. The beginning with Chycki's spoken vocals reminds me a bit of Rush's song Double Agent. The first time I heard it, the chorus immediately struck me as an all-time classic DT chorus that I can imagine being a big moment at the live shows.

Could you point me to where you found out that it was Chycki doing those spoken vocals? Is that in the booklet or something? Really cool info!

I wanted to ask the same thing. Rich recorded James’ vocals in Canada, so he was involved in the production anyway. Very cool if he did.

Actually, IIRC, Rich did the spoken word intro to TA Live, which they intended to include in the album, but couldn’t because Disc 1 was already full.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: CirclesSquared on March 03, 2019, 12:55:42 PM
When James sings "Have you heard the news?", I still half-expect him to continue with "The dogs are dead"  :lol (ten prog stars to all who know what the hell I am talking about)

Anyhow, a killer song. Top 3 off the album. That intro and outro are definitely among band's best, plus that LTE section.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: bosk1 on March 04, 2019, 09:04:26 AM
The song was a grower for me.  I remember in one of the pre-release interviews that either JM or JP was describing what the song was about, and I immediately fell in love with the concept and looked forward to hearing the song.  First time I heard it, I was actually a bit disappointed and felt like, although I wanted to like it, it wasn't clicking for me.  But a few more listens, and it feel into place.  Maybe it was just a bit too busy for me to figure out what was going on during the first listen.  But as it stands now, I love it.  One of my favorites on the album for sure.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: CDrice on March 04, 2019, 09:10:48 AM
Right now, it's probably my favorite one of the album, but Paralyzed and Pale Blue Dot are also pretty close. One thing I like about it is that I feel like it's the first time since like Falling Into Infinity that we've gotten a song that I'd qualify as groovy. I never had a problem with Mangini, but is really nice to see and hear that side of of him. He's just amazing on that song.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: mikeyd23 on March 04, 2019, 09:31:42 AM
I love this song. Definitely one of my favorites off the new record.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Learning2Live on March 04, 2019, 11:28:22 AM
Right now, it's probably my favorite one of the album, but Paralyzed and Pale Blue Dot are also pretty close. One thing I like about it is that I feel like it's the first time since like Falling Into Infinity that we've gotten a song that I'd qualify as groovy. I never had a problem with Mangini, but is really nice to see and hear that side of of him. He's just amazing on that song.

Love the groove on this song too, and it's my favorite track off of the new album. It instantly attracted me to the song. Really hoping that it's on the setlist for the upcoming tour!
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 04, 2019, 11:33:28 AM
I love the song


(https://media1.tenor.com/images/5d26fc35c5e385afd149f46b61f86594/tenor.gif?itemid=10887270)
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: bosk1 on March 04, 2019, 11:57:18 AM
I love the song


(https://media1.tenor.com/images/5d26fc35c5e385afd149f46b61f86594/tenor.gif?itemid=10887270)
:rollin

Wow.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: rab7 on March 04, 2019, 12:02:34 PM
Really, for me, JR is the weak link on the album because he didn't do anything different, there just seems to be the obligatory JR noodle spot and his usual patches.

JR's role in this album is anything but weak. Less prominent? Sure, but calling him "the weak link" implies that his presence on the album as a whole just detracts from the entire experience. I agree that his outro solo on this song does nothing for me, but his organ playing throughout the album is fantastic, and the supporting piano parts elsewhere, especially Paralyzed and That Solo in At Wit's End, are absolutely phenomenal
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: mikeyd23 on March 04, 2019, 12:41:23 PM
Really, for me, JR is the weak link on the album because he didn't do anything different, there just seems to be the obligatory JR noodle spot and his usual patches.

JR's role in this album is anything but weak. Less prominent? Sure, but calling him "the weak link" implies that his presence on the album as a whole just detracts from the entire experience. I agree that his outro solo on this song does nothing for me, but his organ playing throughout the album is fantastic, and the supporting piano parts elsewhere, especially Paralyzed and That Solo in At Wit's End, are absolutely phenomenal

This is spot on. His piano and organ work on this record is great, super complimentary.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Chino on March 05, 2019, 06:36:47 AM
If JP said in an interview that this song was written for FII and never recorded, I'd believe him.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: lovethedrake on March 05, 2019, 06:56:50 AM
I wish they turned the keys up... there is some awesome sound effect stuff that jr is doing on this track but it’s very much in the background.   

It totally reminds me of a song from 6doit, the only thing missing is a vibrant soundscape and it’s because the keys are low in the mix.

I do love the song though!   The stretch from paralyzed to vk is such a joy. :laugh:
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: RandalGraves on March 05, 2019, 08:08:29 AM
If JP said in an interview that this song was written for FII and never recorded, I'd believe him.

I absolutely see that. The song feels like LTE mixed with New Millennium.

I like the track a lot.  I actually wish it was the opener of the album.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: mikeyd23 on March 05, 2019, 08:21:47 AM
If JP said in an interview that this song was written for FII and never recorded, I'd believe him.

I agree, I said before, this album hits me as a blending of ToT heaviness and FII vibe and feel.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Architeuthis on March 05, 2019, 08:34:44 AM
I wish they turned the keys up... there is some awesome sound effect stuff that jr is doing on this track but it’s very much in the background.   

It totally reminds me of a song from 6doit, the only thing missing is a vibrant soundscape and it’s because the keys are low in the mix.

I do love the song though!   The stretch from paralyzed to vk is such a joy. :laugh:
I prefer the keys lower in the mix, that's what it calls for since it is a heavier guitar and bass driven song. The keys play a supporting role, yet they are still present. JP's guitar tone is bad-ass on this record, it does not need to be drown out by keys trying to compete with it.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Iceyice on March 05, 2019, 03:44:37 PM
James' vocals are just unreal on this.
The chorus just cuts right through me.
As an R & B fan, that groove just hits home.
Ive seen at least 4 reaction vids already and they are all floored.
#RESPEK to the mighty DT
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Dream Team on March 05, 2019, 08:01:22 PM
That awesome guitar solo in the middle, I wish JP would have stuck with the type of stuff he was playing in the first half instead of switching to generic shred. Still cool.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: romdrums on March 06, 2019, 07:10:54 AM
This track is incredibly fun, and the outro jam where Rudess gets to shred is probably the first time I've ever made a stank face while listening to a DT album.  They must have recorded the outro after eating some bbq and having a few beers, because I can hear the chicken grease permeating that whole part.  JP, JM and MM are locked in, and Jordan plays some nasty licks.  My favorite moment on DOT. 
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: cramx3 on March 06, 2019, 07:26:17 AM
 A top track for me, I would rank it below AWE, but this is a fantastic song.  Definitely has the strongest chorus on the album IMO so thats a huge check for singing along.  The instrumental part is so fun and awesome, feels fresh too.  The wow is well placed and used too.  I played this song for my gf who can't stand DT, but even she was like "wow, I don't like their songs, but the instrumental part was actually really cool" which kind of says something if it can resonate with someone who likes Ariana Grande  :lol
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: evilasiojr on March 09, 2019, 08:49:31 AM
I don't know if somebody has already mentioned this, if yes, sorry for the double post.

One of my favorite parts of this song is in the outro, when the guys are grooving for JR solo, and there's this cool fill that they do every second time around they play the main riff. This palm muting on guitar and bass drum thing where they go adding a tempo, from 1 to 4 till the end of the outro. It's soooo groovy and at the same time musically nerd, I just love it  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Architeuthis on March 09, 2019, 10:24:54 AM
  I played this song for my gf who can't stand DT, but even she was like "wow, I don't like their songs, but the instrumental part was actually really cool" which kind of says something if it can resonate with someone who likes Ariana Grande  :lol
If I had a gf that couldn't stand DT, she wouldn't be my gf anymore.. :biggrin: 
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: TheGreatPretender on March 10, 2019, 05:19:27 PM
I really like every song on the album, but to be honest, S2N has had the lowest initial impact on me. For every other song, after one listen, I was like, "Okay, so this is what makes this song unique and different," some kind of quality or passage, or stylistic choice, something. But with S2N, aside from "wow" and that spoken word intro, nothing about it stood out for me. That being said, like with anything you listen to enough times, I'm finally starting to pick out its nuances and appreciating it for a lot more than just, "a consistently good song that doesn't detract from the flow of the album as I get from Room 137 to At Wit's End".
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Dublagent66 on March 10, 2019, 08:05:05 PM
What’s not to love?  The chorus really stands out for me.  James sounds great and the song just flat out rocks.  :tup
Title: Subtle "Wow" at 4:01 in S2n?
Post by: xanman2112 on March 11, 2019, 12:34:25 PM
Sorry if this has already been posted, but has anyone else heard a very subtle "wow" at the 4:01 mark in the song S2n?  I've listened to this over and over and I'm convinced it sounds like Owen Wilson.
Title: Re: Subtle "Wow" at 4:01 in S2n?
Post by: The Letter M on March 11, 2019, 12:49:33 PM
Check out @dreamtheaternet’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/dreamtheaternet/status/1100047780205056000?s=09

-Marc.
Title: Re: Subtle "Wow" at 4:01 in S2n?
Post by: Fritzinger on March 11, 2019, 12:50:09 PM
Can we move this into the S2N thread? Not sure we need another thread for a "wow" at 4:01.

Anyway, I heard that too! Several Youtube comments suggest Owen Wilson. I also heard an interview with JP, where the interviewer asked something like "can I ask you about a fan-theory?" and JP said "does it include Owen Wilson?". So maybe he thought the interviewer would go on to ask him about the "wow".
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Öxölklöfför on March 12, 2019, 03:35:55 AM
Can anyone tell me the time signature of the intro riff? For some reason I can't figure it out. I believe that the first part is 10/16, but I'm not sure.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: The Letter M on March 12, 2019, 08:34:33 AM
Can anyone tell me the time signature of the intro riff? For some reason I can't figure it out. I believe that the first part is 10/16, but I'm not sure.

Sounds like a very syncopated riff in 7/4.

-Marc.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Jay T on March 12, 2019, 12:32:17 PM
I absolutely love this song! To me, it reminds me a lot of Falling Into Infinity, which is one of my favorite DT albums :)
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Anxiety35 on March 15, 2019, 12:08:05 PM
Does the first 10 seconds of S2N's music give a nod to the beginning of Megadeth's "Peace Sells" song? That's the first thing I thought when I first heard the song.

Anyway, almost a month into the release of D/T and I think this is my favorite song on the album.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Samsara on March 15, 2019, 12:49:20 PM
I like it a LOT. The bass riff is really cool sounding, and love the chorus. Really a rock solid song, and I hope they play it live.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: ytserush on March 19, 2019, 06:58:17 PM
Like it a lot after the fourth time.

Test For Echo.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: RipRokken on March 27, 2019, 08:39:20 PM
I love S2N — to me at least, it seems to have a lot of Rush inspiration in it, like “Surrender to Reason” did on the 2013 S/T album.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 28, 2019, 03:18:40 PM
I like it a lot, but I imagine it would be tough to pull off live just because some of the vocal sections feel kind of busy and hard to sing. 
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: mike099 on April 22, 2019, 04:15:39 PM
I love the bass intro.  For some reason the intro sounds like the beginning of a sit some intro song, but I cannot remember which sit com.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Another_Won on April 22, 2019, 04:55:40 PM
I love the bass intro.  For some reason the intro sounds like the beginning of a sit some intro song, but I cannot remember which sit com.
Seinfeld?  :biggrin:
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: mike099 on April 23, 2019, 03:43:48 AM
Yes, I believe that it was Seinfeld.  I did not watch the show much but remembered the bass line.
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: The Curious Orange on April 23, 2019, 06:04:53 AM
The "Are we paying attention, or are we drifting..." bit at the beginning always gets me singing "Are we human or are we dancers..."
Title: Re: S2N discussion thread (with poll)
Post by: Dublagent66 on April 23, 2019, 04:23:53 PM
The poll definitely shows why this is a tier 1 song through the first 6 weeks of DT: The League.  :tup