My track by track review. Read if you wish. If not, just skip right over it. Although, it isn't that fanboyish. Maybe a bit...
On the Backs of Angels
After another listen from a month drought, it still hits me the same way. I think it's a very strong song. Yes, the structure is reeking of PMU but isn't that the song that got them under the music radar? It's not such a bad song to model another after. It has a memorable chorus and a perfectly fit solo section. It introduces the album very well. Everyone has already had their opinions on this song so I will continue.
7.5/10
Build Me Up, Break Me Up
This one is a little more difficult to give a review on. Although the chorus is one of the catchiest I have heard by the band, the rest of the song feels very bland to me. Boring lead riff, simple verses, weak instrumental section. Now, I don't hate the song. But I feel it's one if not the weakest on the album. The use of the electronic drums was fairly interesting though and I do enjoy that it leads into Lost not Forgotten.
6/10
Lost Not Forgotten
This is probably one of my favorites on the album. Unlike a lot of the post I have read, I feel the chorus is driving. It's memorable enough for me to be able to hum it in the car. The intro is very strong. VERY strong. It feels like the opening to a movie. Yes, it is very UAGM-ish. Maybe that piano was put in in after the fact to offset the intro but regardless, it's a beautiful piano part. That diminished "tickle" section is absolutely awesome. It just doesn't end! MM really compliments the music here. This is one of his strong points on the album. Very tasteful fills. Although it doesn feel a little MP influenced. Not a bad thing whatsoever. The second verse is a really nice mood change. It's more melodic and I think it's a perfect fit. JLB is really shining on this song. His voice is gritty but not "growling". It's powerful and he has an amzing tone. The instrumental section or should I really say "solo section", is a perfect match. JP's solo is probably my favorite on the album. It feels so fresh. JR's solo isn't too wanky but he still puts some technicality into it. Feels more Kevin Moore-ish. A perfect ending to close it up.
8.5/10
This is the Life
I enjoy this track to a point. Gives me an Another Day vibe. That being said, it feels a bit more dragged out than AD. It's a little forgettable but the main progression is uplifting and gives you an overall good feeling. JLB once again is doing great here. It's much more calm and graceful. JP's solo is really good on this track as well. I don't feel like it's a "Spirit Carries On" or "Razor's Edge" no matter how much it wants to be. A good solo nonetheless. The ending is the strong part of this song. It builds very nicely and it's a typical DT big ending.
7/10
Bridges in the Sky
Oh man. That intro is so weird. I love it. It would be a great song to open a show with. Once the intro fades out and the band comes in, it just dumps the awesomeness right on you. I love it. It's very heavy but not like the heaviness of the past 3 albums. It's a very tasteful heaviness. I had doubts when I heard the snippet to this song. It sounded bland and uninspired. Wrong. The pre-chorus is so heavy and the melody that attaches to it is no exception. It melodic yet not a typical melody. It's really fresh. That chorus. Seriously, it's as DT as you can get. It's soaring! One of my favorite choruses to date. JLB sounds amazing once again on this track. So far, he has yet to disappoint me. The instrumental section sounds a bit like the past albums but it doesn't feel forced. It fits very nicely in there. It's not too long, not too short. Just right. It transitions right into the last chorus perfectly. Once again, a soaring chorus that ends on an unexpected not but that just makes it that much better. It ends dark that suits the songs a little better. One last Shaman call to end it.
9/10
Outcry
I'll be perfectly honest. This one really caught me off guard. I thought the whole song was going to have a TDoE feel. Wrong. It's starts with a soft intro that leads into a huge riff that offers a sneak peek to the chorus. It's a bit cliche but nice nonetheless. After the big intro, it slips a bit for me. I don't find myself tapping my foot or singing along. It starts to pick up a bit after the first verse. Then it drops again. A very weird flow. During this drop, it builds nicely into the chorus. The chorus is pretty nice in this song. Then it goes back into another verse. At least, this verse is a bit more driving than the first. The flow is still intact. Instrumental section. This is the strong point of the song (well it is most of it...). It's very inspired and it doesn't feel like a typical DT instrumental section. They don't rely on a singly riff or motif during this part. It's very inspired. Very LTE to me. Every instrument shines here and there's no plain "solo" for any instrument. Well, JM has his own little bass and drum part a few time in it but I don't count it as a solo. It ends right back into a fairly tasteful groove with piano bass and drums. I actually really dig this part. Once the vocals come in with the guitar, it's very nice. This is one my more favorable parts of the song. Then the chorus once more. Ending comes in with chants which ends on a very weird note. There's no resolve. Probably to show there will never be any resolution with a revolution.
8/10
Far From Heaven
My favorite ballad on the album. It's beautiful. This is where JLB really shines. The piano, the strings, everything about this song is just so beautiful. I can't get enough of it. I really have no complaints on this song. Even the part that is present in BAI fits perfectly with the whole feel. Did I mention that JLB sounds amazing on this one? JR does a spectacular job on here too. Strictly piano and it sounds amazing. I'm not sure what else to say about it other than it's too short!
9.5/10
Breaking All Illusions
I'm jumping on the bandwagon and saying that this is my favorite track on the album. From start to finish, it's a very strong song. There are no low points on this song. Maybe cutting the jazzy part in the middle down a litt....no, it works too well. Very old school DT. Everyone knew just from the snippet that it would be but now after hearing it all the way through, it exceeds my prior expectations. I love all the different mood changes it goes through. JM shines on this song on both a lyrical and bass stand point (yes, I know it's the only one he wrote lyrics on...). The experimentation throughout really benefits. It feels very fresh and new. A very good sign for upcoming albums. I can't really say much more about that song because I feel you must appreciate this by hearing it for themselves and catching things that they feel were superior. Well one last thing...that ending. Wow. It feels like Disneyland! Seriously, it's such a perfect ending for the album. Wait, it's not the album closer?
9.8/10
Beneath the Surface
3 words, The Silent Man. If you like that song, you like this song. Easy as that. It is a very nice song to cool down the energy of the album with. I do enjoy this song. I already stated my favorite ballad was Far From Heaven but I don't count this one out of the running. It's a good song to listen in the car while you are riding through country. When JLB sings his last chorus, there's so much emotion and power that it made my eyes open wide the first time hearing it.
8.25/10
Track order for me:
Breaking all Illusions
Far from Heaven
Bridges in the Sky
Lost Not Forgotten
Beneath the Surface
Outcry
On The Backs of Angels
This is the Life
Build Me Up, Break Me Down
Overall rating : 7.355/10
A perfect album? Not exactly. A damn good album? Absolutely. The whole album feels fresh and inspired. I really like it. Am I being too harsh on ratings? Maybe. My ratings may change within the next few weeks or months after more listens.
I'd rank this as my 4th favorite DT album. It may grow on me more. I hope it does. I want it to be a top 3 or even 2 album but I doubt it.
If you got this far, CONGRATS! It's a long a read. And it's probably not too often you look at a new poster's opinion and take it into consideration.
Topic: *OFFICIAL* A Dramatic Turn Of Events discussion thread -- **SPOILER ALERT!!!** (Read 158888 times)