As I Am

[Jaq]

Not one of my favorites by the band, but given my oft-told story about how when I saw DT open for Maiden and when the first guitar note of As I Am hit the skies dropped rain down on the venue, I'm always going to have a soft spot for it in my heart. 

[kirksnosehair]

I dig it

[Zydar]

The first song I really liked from ToT when I was new to the album. A great opener and straight ahead metal track.

[Adami]

4th best song on DT's 2nd worst album.


I guess that's not bad.

[OsMosis2259]

Most bad-ass track written by DT

[Tis BOOLsheet]

4th best song on DT's 2nd worst album.


I guess that's not bad.

Either FII or SC is better than ToT?

[Ħ]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

[Adami]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

[BlobVanDam]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

[Adami]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!

[BlobVanDam]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!

OH NO YOU DINT!

[Tis BOOLsheet]

[Lowdz]

great song for me. i love the Black Sabbath feel at the start and JP's solo is all kinds of excellent.

ToT is a strange album for me. I don't play it often, would probably rank it pretty low but I absolutely love every song other than Honor Thy Father. Don't understand it but there you go.

[N4Player]

One of their best songs and a great album opener. John Petrucci in "World Domination Mode" is gravy added to that.

[Adami]

ToT is better than at least SC and WDADU.

Oh it's definitely better than SC which holds its place as worst DT album in my opinion. I'd say it's a smidge worse than WDADU.

Nothing is worse than WDADU.

You are!

OH NO YOU DINT!

Oh I went there, I took pictures and met the prime minister.....hell I'm even thinking about moving there. What's up now?

[Ħ]

ToT is a strange album for me. I don't play it often, would probably rank it pretty low but I absolutely love every song other than Honor Thy Father. Don't understand it but there you go.

It is a weird album. But I'd say Honor Thy Father is almost as good as As I Am (which is my fave from the album)!

[lumpy33]

love the song, and the album.  a lot.

[1neeto]

That song is special to me because TOT was my first DT love. It's an in your face heavy song. Don't see why anyone would hate on it.

[Zook]

It's good, not great.

That. The chorus is pretty boring though.

[Adami]

It's good, not great.

That. The chorus is pretty boring though.

It was pretty indicative of DTs pattern for straight up metal songs, where they have high energy verses, then go to half time for the chorus and lose all energy.

[Zook]

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

[seasonsinthesky]

i think AIA is pretty great, given the album it's on; if more of the songs on TOT were pared down in length like this one, it would've been much better, imo. however, measured up against the best/my favourite DT songs and moments, AIA doesn't stand much of a chance whatsoever.

[Adami]

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

Oh sorry, I meant their more straight up metal singles. The ones with 1 chorus, not the 12 minute songs that 7 different choruses.

So, As I Am, Constant Motion, Right of Passage, etc.

[Jaffa]

Train of Thought is my second-or-third favorite Dream Theater album.   

... I know that isn't really the point of the thread.  But I felt the album could use some support.

Anyway, AIA is a badass song. 

[TheGreatPretender]

Anyway, AIA is a badass song.

Well, to those who understand, right?

[DebraKadabra]

[BlobVanDam]

......I extend my hand....

[DebraKadabra]

*le sigh*

To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am
Not under your command
I know where I stand
I won't change to fit your plan
Take me as I am

Better?

[a51502112]

JLB live: "You cannot touch the way I play." (Points to JP.)

[comment]

I remember the sense of anticipation when I first listened to this song as it opened with the sound from the end of 6DOIT.  Great tie in and opener for ToT.  Love this song.

[Implode]

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

I think the reason for that is while the feel of the song slows down, the meter changes as well. The chorus is in 3 with syncopated emphases on beat 1 and the and of 2 that almost create a polymeter feel. Dream Theater does this often, and while feeling slower, it still drives forward.

[ddtonfire]

I think it's great. The lyrics are great and witty and the solo is one of JP's more fun ones to play.

[Zook]

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

Oh sorry, I meant their more straight up metal singles. The ones with 1 chorus, not the 12 minute songs that 7 different choruses.

So, As I Am, Constant Motion, Right of Passage, etc.

OF COURSE! Yeah, if it's one thing those songs have in common, it's the bland choruses.

I don't feel that way about This Dying Soul though. It's slowed down but doesn't lose momentum.

I think the reason for that is while the feel of the song slows down, the meter changes as well. The chorus is in 3 with syncopated emphases on beat 1 and the and of 2 that almost create a polymeter feel. Dream Theater does this often, and while feeling slower, it still drives forward.

[Ħ]

I like how James sometimes sings "you can't touch the way we play." It's like a statement to all the naysayers who think DT sucks because they have technical skill but no soul.

[Implode]

 

Though I should mention that it's nothing new. Triple meters have always been easy going with a persisting sense of flow and drive. Hence the minuet.