Beneath The Surface Appreciation Thread

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I saw a few other Appreciation threads on here, and I thought this need one. It's my favorite song from ADTOE, and is probably my favorite since Octavarium. I don't know if I've ever heard something quite so amazing. I'm glad it closed out the album, instead of the usual epic (which I still love them). I think this song is an easy top 10 for me. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Probably Petrucci's best lyrics since Lines in the Sand. I love this song a lot.

[dongringo]

I saw a few other Appreciation threads on here, and I thought this need one. It's my favorite song from ADTOE, and is probably my favorite since Octavarium. I don't know if I've ever heard something quite so amazing. I'm glad it closed out the album, instead of the usual epic (which I still love them). I think this song is an easy top 10 for me. 

I couldn't agree more, except it's my favorite since 6D.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

well, excluding the epics...it's probably my favorite since Blind Faith.

[Jaffa]

I can comfortably say that it's my favorite DT ballad, and I'm fairly confident in saying it ranks as one of my favorite ballads of all time.  Great melody, beautiful vocals, gorgeous moog solo, powerful lyrics... the whole song just drips with emotion. 

*appreciates*

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I can comfortably say that it's my favorite DT ballad, and I'm fairly confident in saying it ranks as one of my favorite ballads of all time.  Great melody, beautiful vocals, gorgeous moog solo, powerful lyrics... the whole song just drips with emotion. 

*appreciates*

Yep. My favorite DT ballad, with Disappear coming 2nd.

[The Letter M]

First time I heard this song, I laughed and cried, tears of joy at the sheer beauty of it all.

It reminds me of "Feel So Low" from Porcupine Tree, in that it's a lyrically-depressing song following a crushing epic song, and is an unusual way to close such a heavy album.

The bridge after the keyboard solo is just epic, and I love when James goes up the octave in the last chorus! This is quite possibly one of the best ballads DT have ever written.

However, I have gotten to thinking about if they would ever play it live, and it would be REALLY hard to place this song in the set. How can you follow this song? You really can't... but would DT really close a show with this? The band known for epic-length show-closers? Then again, it's time for a change and it's quite possible that they could close a concert with this song (or, if I had it my way, FFH/BAI/BTS, in that sequence, as the encore).

-Marc.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

You could have Disappear after BTS

[sagar_k]

Just a beautiful song. JLB has delivered one of his finest ballad performances on this one. Its become a close second favorite song on this album for me after Breaking All Illusions (sorry 'Bridges In The Sky', you're no. 3 now!  ).

[The Letter M]

You could have Disappear after BTS

How's this for an encore:

"Space-Dye Vest"
"Beneath The Surface"
"Disappear"
"Vacant"

... 

-Marc.

[theanalogkid7]

I absolutely love this song.  It's been my most played so far.  To me, it just further demonstrates that Dream Theater is SO MUCH MORE than a billion-notes-in-your-face band.  It is both lyrically and musically satisfying all while being very unintrusive and just a delight.

However, I have gotten to thinking about if they would ever play it live, and it would be REALLY hard to place this song in the set. How can you follow this song? You really can't... but would DT really close a show with this? The band known for epic-length show-closers? Then again, it's time for a change and it's quite possible that they could close a concert with this song (or, if I had it my way, FFH/BAI/BTS, in that sequence, as the encore).

A good question.  To a certain degree, I wonder if they'll do it what they did with Hollow Years and just really epic-a-fy the later portion of the song.  Everything after the square-wave solo seems very primed for epicification.  On the other hand, I kind of hope they don't and just follow Breaking all Illusions with it.  I suppose we'll find out.

[autumn13]

I'm so glad it made it onto the record...wondering how many more "complete" gems like this one JP has in the vault?

[tri.ad]

Absolutely beautiful song, and totally worthy as the album closer. Very nice lyrics as well, and I liked the ELP touch in JR's square lead tone. And I have to say it again: It's a very nice change to have a shorter, acoustic-driven song as an album closer.

Everything after the square-wave solo seems very primed for epicification.

Definitely. The last chorus almost screams for a full-band entrance. I definitely wouldn't mind if they did that (without overdoing the outro with whatnot); but somehow, I'd find it great if they mixed things up a little bit and do two or three acoustic numbers in-between and put BTS at the end of it. I also think that it might work well as a set closer (last song before the encore or something like that).

[BFRedrocks]

However, I have gotten to thinking about if they would ever play it live, and it would be REALLY hard to place this song in the set. How can you follow this song? You really can't... but would DT really close a show with this? The band known for epic-length show-closers? Then again, it's time for a change and it's quite possible that they could close a concert with this song (or, if I had it my way, FFH/BAI/BTS, in that sequence, as the encore).

-Marc.

I think they could do it after an epic MM drum solo (a la Rush) where JLB, JP, and JR come out on stage and play this all seated together while MM takes a short break.  Incredible song and yes, one of my top 2 DT ballads, right after Spirit Carries On (for reasons other than SCO is a great song).

[lonestar]

I can't remember the last time any song by any artist hit me as hard as this one.  Beautiful, tragic, end heartrending.  I would probably have to go back to Solitary Shell, but maybe even as far back as IQ's Speak to Me or Marillion's Sugarmice.  This song wrote deep poetry on my soul at the first listen.

[aXygnus]

Beautiful and heart-breaking song, it's probably my favorite song in the album... Might have something to do with the theme, though :/

[ddtonfire]

I swear Petrucci's been watching my life for the past few months because the lyrics describe them perfectly.

Definitely my favorite on the album.

[lonestar]

I swear Petrucci's been watching my therapy sessions for the past few months because the lyrics describe them perfectly.

Definitely my favorite on the album.

Fixed for me.

[Mladen]

Truly a wonderful song, my favorite only next to the magnificent Bridges in the sky.

[Zydar]

The best ballad on the album. The last chorus (when he sings an octave higher) is one of the best moments on ADTOE.

[KevShmev]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music the band has ever written (up there with Surrounded, Space Dye Vest, Wait for Sleep and Disappear).  Without a doubt.

[lonestar]

Based on the overwhelming love, hopefully it is a no brainer for them to play it on tour.  Tears will be shed on my part, especially if they carry the end into a long instrumental.

[Saiko]

I normally skip ballads, but for the first time since I can remember I'll actually just listen to the ballads on this album some times and skip the rest of the songs. BTS is by far the best to me.

[Jaffa]

I normally skip ballads, but for the first time since I can remember I'll actually just listen to the ballads on this album some times and skip the rest of the songs. BTS is by far the best to me.

This too.  On about half of DT's albums, my least favorite song is a ballad.  On this one, a ballad is quite possibly my favorite. 

[volwrath]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music the band has ever written (up there with Surrounded, Space Dye Vest, Wait for Sleep and Disappear).  Without a doubt.

I loved all the songs you mentioned, but this song is very underwhelming, and is too sappy sweet for me.  It makes me cringe much like Larry David.  But at least they put it at the end so at least I can end the album on BAI.

[ACID_FOX]

Music's okay, lyrics are not that good IMO.

[Priest of Syrinx]

I think it's the anti-"Wind Beneath My Wings".

[gm5k]

Anyone else think this song would work well doing a heavier version of it live a la "The Silent Man" from LSFNY?  I love that version of TSM and I think BTS lends itself to this style if they wanted to do it.  Just a thought 

Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorite tracks on the album 

[jsem]

Amazing song. Top 20.

[Pols Voice]

Best song on the album. Extremely beautiful, with great melodies, lyrics, and emotion. Bravo DT!

[ACID_FOX]

I'd go as far as to say it's their worst ballad. Not a bad song in itself, but up against Vacant, Dissapear etc...no way.

[bosk1]

I put Vacant and Disappear in a different category.  They are soft songs, but they don't really feel like "ballads," IMO, because (1) they are fairly complex, even though they sound stripped down, and (2) they are very dark, which ballads usually aren't. 

But anyway, back on topic, this is my favorite ballad on the album, and definitely up there among DT's best ballads of all time.

[Jamesman42]

Love this song. Started learning the basic chords and vocal melody for piano. It's pretty easy, but it sounds SO nice and works well to improv on as well...

[LCArenas]

I LOVE this song. Amazing closer. Hands down the best ballad they've written at least since Octavarium. I knew since the snippet it would be an awesome song. I craved it since I heard it on YouTube and when I finally heard the full version, even though my expectations were high, somehow the song surpassed them! It's moving, the lyrics are great, James' voice is flawless, the orchestration, and it's the golden bow that JR puts to confirm his prowess in this album. One of top 3 favorites of ADTOE without a doubt

[FlyingBIZKIT]

This album has such amazing ballads... much better than the ones on the most recent albums.