Last night I listened to (old) DT for the first time in months.
I really enjoyed what I heard. I don't listen to them much anymore, but DT were one of the most important musical discoveries of my life, so whenever I do, it's like seeing an old buddy and cracking open a beer.
While I was listening, there were a few things that struck me about their old sound that I really liked. In this thread, I will try to articulate those thoughts. I know the 'Old vs. New' argument has been debated into the ground, but some of these things I don't recall reading about much.
Forgive me if I am mistaken.
1) Nap Time
What struck me about songs like "Wait for Sleep", "To Live Forever", "Eve", "The Silent Man", "Lifting Shadows off a Dream", "Hollow Years" and "Speak to Me" was their sense of quiet. When I say that, I'm not talking about the fact they're short. Or that they're not metal. I'm talking about the fact you could lull a baby to sleep with them. They're so subtle. So understated.
These days, DT seem to have moved away from songs with a sense of quiet. Even "Wither", for example, which is a short, un-metal song, isn't exactly quiet. It's got big, booming vocals and a rockin' guitar solo. Doesn't mean it's a bad song - although, surprise, I don't like it much - but it's a good example.
Even "Trial of Tears", which is like 14 minutes long, sounded like a quiet epic to me. The thing just flows. And the ending is big but not, like, "Octavarium" orchestra with a guitar solo where Petrucci howls to the heavens big.
Lacking quiet songs doesn't mean new DT sucks. But I miss them. And they're one of my favorite parts of old DT.
2) Hooks Disguised as Complexity
What struck me about songs like "Take the Time", "Surrounded", "Metropolis", "6:00" and "Hell's Kitchen" was how they all had super complex parts or solos that were really, really hooky. For example, 3:40 in "Surrounded" and 3:00 in "Hell's Kitchen". Those licks or whatever the fuck you call them have been stuck in my head all day!
These days, I associate super complex parts or solos with shredding and unisons to end instrumental sections that I couldn't remember to save my life. Definitely wouldn't call them hooky.
Lacking hooky complex parts or solos doesn't mean new DT sucks. But I miss them. And they're one of my favorite parts of old DT.
3) Sounds Like You Got Kicked in the Balls
What struck me about I&W - FII (some) was LaBrie's vocals. His old operatic style suits him so well. It suits DT's music so well too. I think it makes him sound so interesting.
These days, now that LaBrie's vocals are much simpler, I hate to say it but he sounds so bland. I feel strange saying that because usually I like simple vocals more. But in his case, his current, non-screechy vocals are worse for him than his original, operatic style.
I also liked how he used to participate more in heavy songs. These days, Portnoy has started contributing more to heavy parts. I liked, especially on Awake, the snarl he used to showcase during heavier parts.
Having simple vocals doesn't mean new DT sucks. But I think their older vocal styles suited them better. I miss them. And they're one of my favorite parts of old DT.