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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Samsara on July 15, 2020, 12:51:50 PM

Title: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Samsara on July 15, 2020, 12:51:50 PM
I remember when "A Rite of Passage" came out, the tune really didn't get the love from the majority of the DT fanbase. I remember really liking it. I saw the tour with Maiden, was happy they played it, and then that was it. I never really played it much again, because personally, I wasn't very fond of Black Clouds and Silver Linings as a record. And being an "album" guy, I just reached for other DT albums.

But I recently revisited BC&SL again, and while I remain firm on not really feeling it from the record, man did "A Rite of Passage" age extremely well for me. It's such a great balance of DT showing its progressive leanings, musical talent, and great sense of melody all wrapped up in a five-and-a-half minute tune.

Honestly, it has become one of my favorite songs in their catalog.

Those of you who aren't a fan, why is that? And for those who share my love for the song, what is it about it that you enjoy so much?

 :metal
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: TAC on July 15, 2020, 01:15:02 PM
HI Sam!

I'll agree with you that the song has definitely aged really well. I didn't love it when it came out, but I definitely like it more. A truly middle of the road DT tune, but that's not a bad thing wither.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Trav86 on July 15, 2020, 01:24:44 PM
I remember when "A Rite of Passage" came out, the tune really didn't get the love from the majority of the DT fanbase. I remember really liking it. I saw the tour with Maiden, was happy they played it, and then that was it. I never really played it much again, because personally, I wasn't very fond of Black Clouds and Silver Linings as a record. And being an "album" guy, I just reached for other DT albums.

But I recently revisited BC&SL again, and while I remain firm on not really feeling it from the record, man did "A Rite of Passage" age extremely well for me. It's such a great balance of DT showing its progressive leanings, musical talent, and great sense of melody all wrapped up in a five-and-a-half minute tune.

Honestly, it has become one of my favorite songs in their catalog.

Those of you who aren't a fan, why is that? And for those who share my love for the song, what is it about it that you enjoy so much?

 :metal

I wish it were five and a half minutes. It’s eight and a half! The weird iPhone solo is awful. Thankfully Jordan’s app sounds got better. I believe that was the first. Other than that, I really like it!
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Mladen on July 15, 2020, 01:27:39 PM
It is quite odd that this song fell through the cracks. It was the first single off of a really successful album, the band performed it at every show on that tour, and then it suddenly disappeared.

One of the reasons might be that, as the years went on, the remaining songs started getting more attention. The epics turned out to be modern era classics and most of them got performed by the band in the Mangini era. The other reason might be that, in hindsight, the song wasn't really that cutting-edge or fresh to begin with. It has a fairly predictable structure, melodies that do not stand out too much, and it is a bit slow and stretched out for a single. It's possible that the band is aware of this as well, given that they haven't returned to the tune in ten years.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Revenge319 on July 15, 2020, 01:34:07 PM
It's a 9.75/10 and a Top 30 Dream Theater song for me. The only songs that are singles I like better from Dream Theater are The Enemy Inside and Fall Into The Light.

Honestly, I'd be here for way too long if I described what I love about this song, so I'll say just about everything about this song is great.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: DTA on July 15, 2020, 01:34:58 PM
It's the middle section. 3 minutes of soloing over top alternating riffs is just SO boring to me. I can't imagine why it's so long for any other reason than to extend the song's length to make it look more "epic". The chorus melody is really strong so I'd cut the song down to 5ish minutes, rewrite the bridge to be something a lot shorter and effective, and wrap it up. It'd be a perfect prog-metal song instead of the bloated chore it currently is.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: geeeemo on July 15, 2020, 02:17:50 PM
I love the middle section! You are just going along with a good DT song and boom! changing up and rocking it :metal.  The end is a little samey - which DT doesn't do very often ( and one of the many reasons I don't get bored with them). But overall a 7.5 for me.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: bosk1 on July 15, 2020, 02:19:41 PM
I have always liked the song, but never loved it.  And, yes, the solo section is a bit long.  But it is not repetitive (other than the general tradeoff structure) at all.  And, setting aside the issue of whether or not one subjectively likes the lone bebot section, the solos are really GOOD.  It isn't deep or complex.  But not every song needs to be.

I have a vague recollection that I liked the single edit a bit more than the full version, but that isn't really a knock on it.

I wish I could have seen this song live.  I was not a Maiden fan at the time, so I did not want to spend the money to see them in a short opening slot.  And I had no interest in anyone else on the Prog Nation bill, so I did not go to that either.  I had assumed that they would do a proper U.S. headlining leg for BCSL, but then they didn't.  I have since regretted not seeing them on the Maiden tour.  Those were short sets, but pretty solid ones.  And the closest venue is a shed with really good seating, so it would have been a VERY rare opportunity to see Maiden up close without getting crushed, and touring for what has since become my favorite Maiden album.  If I had it to do over, in a perfect world, I would have seen the show with Maiden in Concord, CA, and then road-tripped up to Portland for one of the few DT headlining gigs they did.  Oh well.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: hefdaddy42 on July 15, 2020, 03:00:18 PM
I've always found this song to be extremely dull, other than JLB's delivery on the prechorus.

But I'm glad that all of you seem to like it.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: pg1067 on July 15, 2020, 03:21:06 PM
Those of you who aren't a fan, why is that? And for those who share my love for the song, what is it about it that you enjoy so much?

Two preliminary comments:  (1) it's been a while since I've listened to AROP; and (2) I'm in the middle of listening to all of DT's studio albums in chron order.  I'm currently half way through 8VM, so I'll hit AROP soon (assuming I survive SC).

With that said, I think I liked it ok back then.  It was the "hit single" from the album, and I thought the album as a whole was an improvement over SC.  However, I've never loved it.  It would probably rank somewhere in the bottom half of DT's catalog, but I don't have the dislike for it that a lot of folks here seem to have.  Pending listening to it again, I think the worst thing I can say about it now is that it just doesn't live up to the high standards of DT's best songs.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Lonk on July 15, 2020, 03:22:43 PM
...If I had it to do over, in a perfect world, I would have seen the show with Maiden...

This is me. I couldn't get tickets when they went on sale so I ended up paying $250 (if I remember correctly) for a resale ticket. However, A few weeks before the show I went on a trip and while away, I decided to extend my vacation and miss the show and I've regretted it the moment I saw the setlist they played.

Anyways in terms of the song, It has always been a top 15-20 for me. It's the only song from BC&SL that I constantly revisit. The pre chorus and chorus vocal melodies are amazing. the guitar work for most of the song is great and I at all don't think the solo section is too long. Might be an unpopular opinion but the solo section it's like what Endless Sacrifice wanted to be but failed.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: MirrorMask on July 15, 2020, 03:26:44 PM
The song is quite alright, a catchy metal song with a nice chorus made rich by the layered vocals, but it gets dragged down by the copy and paste solo section where the song stops, makes room for 4 minutes to a LTE-style jam and then comes back into the song to finish it. I remember having made a brutal edit of the song and it was so easy to cut out the entirety of the solo, since it was slapped in in the first place.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Setlist Scotty on July 15, 2020, 03:30:58 PM
While the song has never been one of my favorites, I've always liked in general. However, the one thing that I've noticed over time that bugs me, besides the Bebot solo, is the transition from the instrumental section back in to the vocal section. To me it's a bit abrupt and doesn't flow well and it feels like the following vocal section just drags after that. Had they done something more to transition back to the vocal section so that it was smoother, I'd rate the song much higher than I do.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Samsara on July 15, 2020, 03:38:17 PM

I wish it were five and a half minutes. It’s eight and a half! The weird iPhone solo is awful. Thankfully Jordan’s app sounds got better. I believe that was the first. Other than that, I really like it!

You know what?! That's what I get for not listening to it on my iTunes platform, and instead being on YouTube. I love the EDITED VERSION.  :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin

I am going to have to go back and listen again now. Ugh.  :facepalm: :loser:

EDIT - Okay, I just listened to the full version. The guitar solo is great. Jordan's solo didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I guess what I didn't like was how the solo just sort of stopped, and they went into the chorus. I really would have wanted a smoother transition. But I still dig the song. The main riff is cool, love the chorus, etc.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Samsara on July 15, 2020, 03:39:55 PM
If I had it to do over, in a perfect world, I would have seen the show with Maiden in Concord, CA, and then road-tripped up to Portland for one of the few DT headlining gigs they did.  Oh well.

You had an invite... lol
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: bosk1 on July 15, 2020, 03:51:09 PM
If I had it to do over, in a perfect world, I would have seen the show with Maiden in Concord, CA, and then road-tripped up to Portland for one of the few DT headlining gigs they did.  Oh well.

You had an invite... lol

I don't recall that specifically, but I imagine my thought process was along the lines of, "Maiden?  Ugh, no.  And why on earth would I pay Maiden prices to see a short DT set?"  Silly me.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: ThatOneGuy2112 on July 15, 2020, 04:09:45 PM
I really do enjoy the chorus quite a bit, and the main riff is good, but the song generally, like most of the songs off the album, meanders and gets drawn out a lot. The solo does nothing for me, and that Ruddess beep boop section is really ridiculous, it's almost comical.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: El Barto on July 15, 2020, 04:39:04 PM
The chorus is what blows it for me. It strikes me as a little too sappy for the rest of the song. I really like the rest of it, though. The production is wonderful, with the samples and the distorted reverse reverb. Kind of has an old Queensrych thing going. I like the pre-chorus. I honestly thought the beebot thing worked better than Petrucci's solo; they fit the tone of the song better. Overall I think it's one of the better songs on the album, but it's falls short of being great, though a lot of the pieces are there for it.

I don't recall that specifically, but I imagine my thought process was along the lines of, "Maiden?  Ugh, no.  And why on earth would I pay Maiden prices to see a short DT set?"  Silly me.  :facepalm:
Facepalm indeed. considering Maiden's set. It had taken a big step back (two, actually) by the time it got to you guys, but it was still a very good setlist. Aside from Home, DT's didn't really do much for me.

Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Ben_Jamin on July 15, 2020, 04:47:31 PM
This was when DT was turning into Modern Sounding Dream Theater. After Constant Motion being my first fresh new DT single, and really, the album where they began releasing singles, thanks to RoadRunner really upping their promotion and marketing to the masses, hearing A Rite of Passage made me think, ok it's simple structure again, like Constant Motion, same arrangement. The Be-Bop solo was neat at first, then it became annoying.

It was neat to hear live, but what dragged it down was the Be-Bop solo that didn't translate live well at all.

I like the riff melody, and the effects as they fit the subject of the song well. Also, It made me aware that JP knows of The illuminati enough to want to write a song about it.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Kyo on July 15, 2020, 04:51:53 PM
While the song has never been one of my favorites, I've always liked in general. However, the one thing that I've noticed over time that bugs me, besides the Bebot solo, is the transition from the instrumental section back in to the vocal section. To me it's a bit abrupt and doesn't flow well and it feels like the following vocal section just drags after that.


Yeah, that part basically has an abrupt transition going into a transitional section that rather unconvincingly leads back to the chorus (which just isn't that great to start with). I never understood why they wrote it that way, it's really quite awkward. Breaking the flow like that just to go through yet another transition, I dunno...
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Madman Shepherd on July 15, 2020, 05:47:05 PM
Easily the best song on BC&SL and exactly what I look for in a metal song. It had a very theatrical theme, the video went along with it well, had a great riff and melodies, and the only set of lyrics on the album which are actually good.

Jordan's solo was...ok. It's annoying how he just chooses whatever the latest technology is and runs with it for a cycle. Has he done anything with the continuum since 8V?

I can see why a lot of fans don't like it, typically the more proggy fans. I am more on the metal side so I think that sums up why I liked it so much.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: 54_diplomats on July 15, 2020, 06:13:21 PM
I used to like it when BC&SL was like the third DT album I listened to. Once I got into the rest of their discography I never really had the urge to listen to it again. It's just a rather dull song to the point where I want to described it as "tired"
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Cool Chris on July 15, 2020, 06:20:33 PM
Not a good song at all. The chorus is pretty cool, but otherwise it has no redeeming qualities. Representative of what was wrong with DT at this point in their career.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: krands85 on July 15, 2020, 06:23:26 PM
I don't hate it, but I just never found it very interesting. I agree with others about the length too, it's far too long for what it is really - it feels like a 6 minute song that has been stretched out at least 2 minutes too much. I don't often say that sort of thing about DT songs, but I think that this album suffers from that a lot. Guess I need to check out the edited down version, though that will probably just end up feeling jarring as I'm so used to the album version  :facepalm: :lol
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Mladen on July 16, 2020, 02:57:02 AM
Jordan's solo was...ok. It's annoying how he just chooses whatever the latest technology is and runs with it for a cycle. Has he done anything with the continuum since 8V?

I think the last time he used it was on Bridges in the sky, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Grappler on July 16, 2020, 06:46:54 AM
I went on a major DT binge last year and listened to A Rite of Passage for the first time in forever....I had forgotten all about the big heavy and almost thrashy section and riff under the guitar solo.  That part of the song is awesome and  is :metal city.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: wolfking on July 16, 2020, 07:17:33 AM
HI Sam!

I'll agree with you that the song has definitely aged really well. I didn't love it when it came out, but I definitely like it more. A truly middle of the road DT tune, but that's not a bad thing wither.

I see what you did there.  Not sure why you did, but I see it.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Northern Lion on July 16, 2020, 10:37:09 AM
I love this song!  It has been one of my favorites since I first became a DT fan.  It is metal/prog awesomeness  :metal

I love the chorus, I love the middle section, I love the riff, I love the intro.  It's just a really great song from start to finish.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: hunnus2000 on July 16, 2020, 11:03:52 AM
HI Sam!

I'll agree with you that the song has definitely aged really well. I didn't love it when it came out, but I definitely like it more. A truly middle of the road DT tune, but that's not a bad thing wither.

I see what you did there.  Not sure why you did, but I see it.

Well the "W" is indeed right next to the "E".
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: ZirconBlue on July 16, 2020, 12:47:41 PM
I love this song, solos included.  ARoP and Wither are the only songs on BC&SL that I regularly listen to, these days.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: cramx3 on July 16, 2020, 03:15:38 PM
I really enjoyed this song on release.  I remember a lot of DT fans weren't very big on it.  I hadn't listened to it in years but it came on my random shuffle the other day while driving home from work and was pretty excited to listen to it again... and it didn't live up to my expectations.  I found it quite dull which is odd because I didn''t feel that way initially even though lots of others did.  I guess for me, it didn't age well.  Not like I dislike it now or anything, I just didn't enjoy it the way I used to and was surprised by that.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: KevShmev on July 16, 2020, 03:58:51 PM
I don't dislike A Rite of Passage so much that it bores me.  The main riff (which is basically a riff from Misunderstood slightly tweaked) is cool, and I like the vibe in the first verse, but by the time the first chorus kicks in, I am bored with it and ready for something else. 
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on July 17, 2020, 02:52:22 PM
A Rite of Passage used to be my least favorite Dream Theater song, but it has definitely grown on me over time. I really dig the solo section, although I’ve been a supporter of the controversial Bebot section since the beginning. Still don’t like the verses though.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Dublagent66 on July 17, 2020, 03:52:21 PM
I have always liked the song, but never loved it.  And, yes, the solo section is a bit long.  But it is not repetitive (other than the general tradeoff structure) at all.  And, setting aside the issue of whether or not one subjectively likes the lone bebot section, the solos are really GOOD.  It isn't deep or complex.  But not every song needs to be.

That pretty much sums it up for me and I did see them on the Maiden tour but can't recall if they played it on that particular set.  With the set only being an hour, I'm sure the setlists varied from show to show.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: pg1067 on July 17, 2020, 04:12:04 PM
That pretty much sums it up for me and I did see them on the Maiden tour but can't recall if they played it on that particular set.  With the set only being an hour, I'm sure the setlists varied from show to show.

It's probably BECAUSE they were an opening act, but all of the shows where they opened for Maiden (with one exception) featured the identical set list (AIA, AROP, Home, CM, PA and PMU).  The one exception was 7/9/10 in Quebec City where the last song was PMU/Metropolis (as opposed to just PMU).
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: LCArenas on July 18, 2020, 04:55:37 PM
Those of you who aren't a fan, why is that?
I really can't pinpoint it to a single thing. DT has always been a band that, no matter what sound  they're aiming for, always sound enthusiastic and exciting. AROP was the first time I felt rhat a DT song sounded... Uninspired. I was hyped to hear it back then since I discovered DT when they had just released Systematic Chaos, and I really wanted to like it, but it just felt... Stale to me. It reminded me of Pull Me Under way too much but without the amazing vocal melodies. MP's backup vocals didn't do anything for me either, and though I liked the tradeoff solos the first time I heard them, I can't really remember anything about them right now except for the Bebot solo, which I didn't like at all. Save for the lyrics it sounded like Pull me Under on steroids for me.

It's one of my lesser favorite DT songs, to be honest. It's not a bad song at all, but compared to the rest of DT's songs, it goes in the back of the catalog for me.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Wim Kruithof on July 22, 2021, 02:51:34 AM
Scrolling back and forth I came to this topic. Althought a Rite of Passage is really beautiful, it is for sure not my favorite on this album. Black Clouds & Silver Linings is (next to Train of Thought) my favorite Dream Theater album. I'll spin it at least twice a month. A Nightmare is insane (especially on Luna Park) and both the Shattered Fortress and the Count of Tuscany will be in my top 10 forever. The Count of Tuscany might be - to me - the best song they've ever written. I can't recall one song were LaBrie's voice is more tence and beautiful then at the final of Tuscany.

Althought I'm hugely in minority here, this album is close to perfect.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on July 22, 2021, 06:51:06 AM
I like AROP. Not a big favorite, but one of the better 'singles'. The only problem I have with it is that the transition back to the final chorus is incredibly awkward.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: DreamerTV on July 22, 2021, 07:25:12 AM
I actually got to see it twice live.
But yeah, it has always sounded dull to me as well - and oh boy the lyrics  :facepalm:
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: gabeh1018 on July 22, 2021, 07:35:40 AM
I really dig JP's solo
Haven't been much of a fan of his lead tone since then...
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: kirksnosehair on July 22, 2021, 07:53:06 AM
I love Black Clouds and Silver Linings, but "A Rite of Passage" for me is easily the weakest track on that album.  Most of the time when I play BC&SL I skip past it.  And that hasn't changed 11 years later.  I remember being worried that I was going to hate the album because of how I felt about this song, but it's still an upper tier DT album for me. 
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: geeeemo on July 22, 2021, 08:15:50 AM
I dig this song. Not a top 10 ( of which there are probably 20 songs  :lol).  But I always enjoy it, and that middle part, I head bang every time!  :metal
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Ben_Jamin on July 22, 2021, 08:51:50 AM
Ahh....Their Illuminati song.

I would enjoy it way more if it had a better way to go into the last chorus. And if the structure didn't follow the same as Constant Motion, even the solo rather than guitar its a keyboard note bomb dive.

 This is where I noticed, Dream Theater is seeing more spotlight than before by being on the Roadrunner label.

Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: pg1067 on July 22, 2021, 10:04:27 AM
A Nightmare is insane (especially on Luna Park)

Eh?  A Nightmare to Remember isn't on Live at Luna Park.  In fact, nothing from BC&SL is on LALP.

As for AROP, I expressed my opinion a year ago on the prior page of this thread, and that opinion hasn't gotten better, but trying to rhyme "ideas" with "fears" is  :facepalm:
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: bosk1 on July 22, 2021, 10:07:33 AM
Rhyme pays, fool!
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Wim Kruithof on July 22, 2021, 02:54:26 PM
Eh?  A Nightmare to Remember isn't on Live at Luna Park.  In fact, nothing from BC&SL is on LALP.

You’re right, sorry. Distant Memories of course. I’ve been ‘Luna Parked’ since the special edition with book came in, so beautiful.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: hefdaddy42 on July 23, 2021, 06:24:51 AM
Black Clouds & Silver Linings is (next to Train of Thought) my favorite Dream Theater album.
I'm glad you like it.  For me, it is near the bottom of the list.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Nel on July 23, 2021, 12:33:45 PM
Didn't we keep saying it sounded like a reprise of another song of theirs when it came out? Like "In the Name of God" or something? I remember a bunch of people saying the way the verses flowed sounded a lot like another DT song.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: RAIN on July 26, 2021, 12:50:54 PM
Song is great, but as I've written before, the "sound" of the song doesn't match the rest of the album.  It's as if it was a demo version they just put on the album.  The production of this song seems to be lacking compared to the rest of the album, which is stellar.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Architeuthis on July 26, 2021, 01:25:33 PM
Black Clouds & Silver Linings is (next to Train of Thought) my favorite Dream Theater album.
I'm glad you like it.  For me, it is near the bottom of the list.
Same here.  Even though I like the album, it just has a darker strange kind of vibe.  The album before that. Systematic Chaos is dark but in a fun way.    :metal
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: gzarruk on July 26, 2021, 01:30:20 PM
Didn't we keep saying it sounded like a reprise of another song of theirs when it came out? Like "In the Name of God" or something? I remember a bunch of people saying the way the verses flowed sounded a lot like another DT song.

I read somewhere here in DTF years ago that the main riff for AROP is basically the same riff in Misunderstood (4:07) :o
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: deggs37 on July 26, 2021, 03:34:37 PM
Song is great, but as I've written before, the "sound" of the song doesn't match the rest of the album.  It's as if it was a demo version they just put on the album.  The production of this song seems to be lacking compared to the rest of the album, which is stellar.

I've noticed that as well. Seems slightly out of place because of that. Like a demo production as you said.

I actually like the song and enjoyed it when it came out. It's just about 3 minutes too long and I find myself reaching for the skip button.

Seemed like back in the 00's there was this huge problem in metal where everyone thought longer songs = better. And now we have all these bloated songs that could have been so much better without the fat. Just my opinion.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Zook on July 26, 2021, 08:55:10 PM
This thread inspired me to try my hand at editing the song down again. I kept all the solos, just cut some instrumental stanzas at the intro and between verses. Makes it more streamlined, and thus getting through the song quicker. I guess the song in general has aged well. Still kind of a slog, and not something I'll put in rotation (my phone will liking keep playing it every time I put it on shuffle causing me to just delete it), but it's not as bad as I remember. It was never really bad per se, just kinda boring. Still almost 8 minutes after the edit.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Ben_Jamin on July 26, 2021, 09:16:49 PM
It's not a bad song. It's just that it comes from the time where Dream Theater was starting to get in the rut of making songs long, for the sake of being long and including what is termed the "wank" instrumental sections, usually consisting of trade-off solos between JP and JR, with JR using his famous lead sound patches and tones.

This is also when Jordan Rudess, started utilizing more technology into his sound catalog, and I think MP just had to include the brand new be-bot toy app in a song. It was funny watching this song live for the first time when JR first started using an Ipad on stage. Me and My Friends thought he was gonna use his Iphone on stage. :lol
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: DTwwbwMP on August 02, 2021, 02:23:56 PM
Love the song......Love the album :tup
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: ReaPsTA on August 03, 2021, 09:46:06 AM
It's not a bad song. It's just that it comes from the time where Dream Theater was starting to get in the rut of making songs long, for the sake of being long and including what is termed the "wank" instrumental sections, usually consisting of trade-off solos between JP and JR, with JR using his famous lead sound patches and tones.

This is also when Jordan Rudess, started utilizing more technology into his sound catalog, and I think MP just had to include the brand new be-bot toy app in a song. It was funny watching this song live for the first time when JR first started using an Ipad on stage. Me and My Friends thought he was gonna use his Iphone on stage. :lol

Agreed. The video edit has flaws, but everything has more a sense of urgency to it doesn't milk every little moment for every drop of what it's worth.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Dedalus on August 03, 2021, 09:55:59 AM
When I listened to AROP I wasn't so surprised, after all the band had already provided unbelievable gems before, like Forsaken and TDEN.

But it's absolutely horrible.   :tdwn
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: SeRoX on August 27, 2021, 06:18:17 PM
Was bad, still bad.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Kram on August 28, 2021, 12:29:20 PM
Maybe my least favorite song in all of their discography.  Instant skip whenever I hear it.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: TheLordOfTheStrings on August 28, 2021, 01:03:16 PM
It's definitely my least favorite on BC&SL. Also, that one keyboard solo thing is just kind of stupid imo. You know the one I'm talking about.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: TM172003 on August 28, 2021, 01:21:10 PM
It's definitely my least favorite on BC&SL. Also, that one keyboard solo thing is just kind of stupid imo. You know the one I'm talking about.

I like the song, but I hate that bit. I really don’t get it.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Ben_Jamin on August 28, 2021, 02:20:40 PM
 :loser: :loser:
It's definitely my least favorite on BC&SL. Also, that one keyboard solo thing is just kind of stupid imo. You know the one I'm talking about.

I like the song, but I hate that bit. I really don’t get it.

This was when Rudess began diving into the new technological music revolution. I find that part a bit, gimmicky, and just JR wanting to showcase the brand new technology he helped make. I actually do not mind the cool intro to that part. When he played this live, it did not sound as great as the album version.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on August 29, 2021, 05:44:42 AM
On paper, I should be tired of As I Am and AROP should be getting better with age, instead, I never tire of hearing AIM when I listen to Train of Thought, however, AROP is merely tolerable for me if I listen to the entirety of BC&SL, and sometimes I'll skip it. As I Am is just the better hit single from Dream Theater.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: brents319 on September 07, 2021, 09:03:06 AM
I have always loved this song.  The bridge/chorus seems really long to me but, apparently that doesn't bother me too much.  I don't have a problem with the full album version and a small problem with the edited single/video version (it seems choppy at some of the edit points).  Hilariously, my profile icon is the cover of.....well, you probably figured it out.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Mr.Mister on September 07, 2021, 10:16:16 AM
Not among my favorite DT songs and one I don't listen often. I do like the riff in the first chorus, and the instrumental is fun (JP monster solo is top notch). I actually don't mind the iPhone solo - keeps things refreshing though IMO it doesn't sound good live at all .

What I don't like about this song is that it feels very formulaic - had it finished at the instrumentals I think I'd listen to it more often but by the time they come back to the chorus one last time at the end I'm already bored of it.

 
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 07, 2021, 10:53:01 AM
Not much to like here for me.  I don't remember the last time I listened to this song.

Well, it was the last time I listened to BC&SL.  But that's my least favorite DT album, so I don't remember when that was.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: XJDenton on September 08, 2021, 03:28:38 AM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: jayvee3 on September 08, 2021, 08:35:36 AM
Generally fairly skippable for me, but has a nice enough chorus, and is overall pretty inoffensive. I actually prefer the video edited version, and like others have mentioned, seemed to be at a time where there was extra song length for the sake of it which actually kind of detracts from the song. The odd iPhone solo thing just doesn’t fit at all and seems very clunky… A good example of one song where it should have been a 5 minute-r.

Oddly, still one of the better tracks on Black Clouds for me (bar the Count), which overall I find pretty “meh”…
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on September 11, 2021, 02:20:12 PM
I don't dislike the song, it's not a bad song. I like BC&SL on the whole, despite its flaws.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 20, 2021, 04:20:06 PM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.

Why did you have to bring it up on Spotify?  You don't have the album?  ???
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Trav86 on September 20, 2021, 07:00:00 PM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.

Why did you have to bring it up on Spotify?  You don't have the album?  ???

I can’t speak for him but I use Spotify for all of my daily listening. Rather I own the album or not.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: TheBarstoolWarrior on September 20, 2021, 07:06:16 PM
This song is very meh. Probably too long as well.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 21, 2021, 06:34:39 AM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.

Why did you have to bring it up on Spotify?  You don't have the album?  ???
I have the album, but I wouldn't dig it out to listen to one song.  I would take out my phone and pull up the song on Spotify.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 21, 2021, 10:49:38 AM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.

Why did you have to bring it up on Spotify?  You don't have the album?  ???
I have the album, but I wouldn't dig it out to listen to one song.  I would take out my phone and pull up the song on Spotify.

I have the album on my phone. :justjen  As for streaming, YouTube music is the way to go.  :tup
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Trav86 on September 21, 2021, 10:55:49 AM
The fact I had to bring the song up in Spotify to remind myself of how it went says a lot about how I feel about it - which is not much apparently.

Why did you have to bring it up on Spotify?  You don't have the album?  ???
I have the album, but I wouldn't dig it out to listen to one song.  I would take out my phone and pull up the song on Spotify.

I have the album on my phone. :justjen  As for streaming, YouTube music is the way to go.  :tup

To each, their own.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 21, 2021, 11:00:46 AM
Yeah, pretty much goes without saying...
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Kotowboy on September 21, 2021, 11:37:00 AM
Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later


Not bad. nice instrumental section until Bebot. The snare sounds flappy. Don't like the entrance into the final chorus.

Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on September 21, 2021, 06:21:46 PM
Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later


Not bad. nice instrumental section until Bebot. The snare sounds flappy. Don't like the entrance into the final chorus.

You mean you don't like the hard
(https://illustoon.com/photo/949.png)
?
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Volante99 on September 21, 2021, 11:27:47 PM
Black Clouds is a criminally underrated album, BUT even I have to admit, if there is one song that hints at Portnoy-era DT showing signs of creative fatigue, it would be Right of Passage. Everything about the song is just “meh”- it’s listenable, the riffs are okay, the chorus isn’t bad, but the song just screams “auto-pilot” to me.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on September 22, 2021, 06:59:57 PM
Speaking of AROP:
https://youtu.be/mP6qQCgp4bs (https://youtu.be/mP6qQCgp4bs)
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: Mr.Mister on September 22, 2021, 07:37:38 PM
Speaking of AROP:
https://youtu.be/mP6qQCgp4bs (https://youtu.be/mP6qQCgp4bs)

Thanks for sharing! pause at 6:25  :rollin
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: darkshade on September 23, 2021, 08:19:58 AM
I think AROP suffers from a slower tempo on the studio version. The live versions definitely packs more punch being a little faster. I don't like JLB singing the harmonized melody instead of the lead melody on this particular performance, but damn does he sound so good here compared to most later tours.
Title: Re: "A Rite of Passage" -- 11 years later
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 24, 2021, 11:17:51 AM


Black Clouds is a criminally underrated album, BUT even I have to admit, if there is one song that hints at Portnoy-era DT showing signs of creative fatigue, it would be Right of Passage. Everything about the song is just “meh”- it’s listenable, the riffs are okay, the chorus isn’t bad, but the song just screams “auto-pilot” to me.



I feel quite the opposite.  ARoP is my favorite song on BCaSL, and other than Wither, I don't really listen to the rest of the album very often.