I'm disappointed. Not at MP's departure but if what he says is true (and there's no reason not to be) I am shocked that it's the other guys who didn't want to take a year or two off. You know my opinion on recent DT, I've been advocating for them to take a break since Train of Thought (which is an album I really really like) and I thought MP was going to be the last to want to take some time off. It's bad the other guys wouldn't give him the time he needs to recharge. Maybe there is a lot more to this than we'll ever know. I also feel a bit sad too, say what you want about MP (and I've said a lot), he was a dedicated guy and I don't think DT would have made it without him and his commitment.
It's their job. They have families to support. And they're not exactly mainstream.
A year off is a year of eating cold beans out of the tin.
So after 20 years they haven't saved money to spend 1 year without DT income? I find it hard to believe. Not to mention that they all can start their own solo projects or work with other bands/musicians in that time and still get decent income since 90% of their fanbase will buy almost everything they are a part of.
They don't
want to spend 1 year without DT income.
"You know that recession that's been going on, and how the economy's not at its best at the moment?"
"Yeah?"
"Let's not earn money for a year."
"Brilliant."
Their solo projects definitely don't get 90% of the sales that their actual albums do. Barely a fraction of that. Black Clouds and Silver Linings got to number six in the chart. If 90% of their fanbase bought their solo albums, then every single thing they released would chart. It's just the ming-mong devotees who lap everything up. Myself included.
Meanwhile, even if they DO have savings - which they will - they're not going to want to... A. be running on empty by the time they reconvene, nor B. spend a whole year pennypinching. They're going to have to take drastic cuts in their lifestyle. Sure, they have savings. They also have expenditures.
The band have done no-one a disservice. They have a job that they're fond of. They need to keep the engine going. This isn't an arbitrary decision, they don't kick out a founding member just 'cause they fancy making a new album a little bit. They don't fire one of their oldest friends 'cause they can't be bothered to go without sushi for a year. It's a big decision. It's not something they've done frivolously.
'Specially after the flop that was the BCSL tour. Very few sell-outs, and I think they made a loss in the US? The wheels keep turning 'cause they have to. Not 'cause they're being greedy, or doing anything shocking. It's not "bad that they wouldn't give him time." There definitely is more to it than we'll ever know. This isn't a silly decision that someone makes 'cause they feel like making a couple of extra bob.