Your Controversial Opinions on DT

[Stadler]

That's what always made DT so awesome though. They don't have to play any song. You know if you don't see PMU on one tour, it's likely to come around on the next one or the one after that. I wish more bands would adopt the mindset of mixing up their popular songs from tour to tour so the rest of the set can be other regular album tracks rotated around.

I don't disagree with the notion, but DT isn't most bands.  Sorry, I know we're fans here, but they aren't most bands.  They're not Genesis, or Sabbath, or Kiss, where you can NOT be a fan and yet still know a handful of songs.  My wife is equally indifferent to Kiss and DT; she KNOWS Rock and Roll All Nite, and Detroit Rock City.  She wouldn't know a DT song if you played it for her and TOLD her it was a DT song.

I said in the other thread that I LIKE Pull Me Under, and I don't mind how often they play it; that's true, but I get the mindset with DT; the shifting setlists, etc. ought not to exclude PMU from that, because I can't really imagine there's a on of people that are JUST going to hear that one modest hit from '92.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

The Shattered Fortress is the 2nd best song of the 12-step suite.

Yep I agree with that, however The Root Of All Evil is my favourite, which brings me on to probably my most controversial opinion: The Glass Prison isn't in my top 100 DT songs.

[TAC]

The Glass Prison isn't in my top 100 DT songs.

It definitely makes my DT Top 100, but it is also my worst aging DT song from my first listen to the present.

[Mosh]

On the Pull Me Under thing, I guess prior to Portnoy returning my controversial opinion was that they should have retired the I&W songs after they played the whole album in 2017. I thought that would be a good sendoff for material that James struggles with live and never quite translated live anyway because of how produced the original album was. That calculation has changed with MP back in the band, I understand that a tour like this requires they play I&W material and I expect there are a couple songs off that album MP will still want to resurrect so I get that. But my opinion still stands and I think there's a point where most of the songs on that album are probably best put to rest. Metropolis is the only one that I would keep in the rotation frankly. There have been shows, such as the DT12 tour, where it felt really refreshing to have the I&W material omitted. It also made the 2017 more exciting as it had been quite some time since many of those songs had been played.

To me DT is mostly a deep cuts band and I think they can get away with playing or not playing pretty much anything in the catalog. The only time I've seen the energy seriously drop at a DT show is when they've gone into non album b-sides/unreleased tracks like Don't Look Past Me. On the other end of the spectrum, I feel like the Scenes From a Memory songs are just as explosive, if not more so than anything on I&W.

[Jamesman42]

my most controversial opinion: The Glass Prison isn't in my top 100 DT songs.

It was nice knowing you, Caleb, but your time is up here. See yourself out, the door is wide open

[WilliamMunny]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

[durga2112]

Hahaha, wow! That's one I've never heard before. 

To me, Scenes is basically everything about "Metropolis" expanded to album length, so the instrumental section becomes a complete song. Obviously not going to change your opinion, nor would I want to - I believe you've got a unique one there. 

[gzarruk]

See yourself out, the door is wide open

Well played, sir

[Herrick]

About two or three weeks ago, I guess.

I see. I hope LaBrie sounds good or at least decent for the New York Shitty concert.

[wolfking]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

That's pretty damn wild indeed.

[Revenge319]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

I wouldn't go quite that far, but these days I do feel like The Dance of Eternity is a bit overhyped. It's got some really cool moments in the first half, but the second half just kinda meanders around. I prefer mostly every other DT instrumental track just on the strength of being consistently engaging from start to finish.

[BeatriceNB]

I have one that is probably quite exclusive:
David Prater saved Dream Theater's career. The snare and bass drums sample replacement in I&W makes the music sound tighter and more "super human". Even though Lifting Shadows (if I recall correctly) tried really hard to make him a villain

A more common one: for most of the show, the poor performance of the orchestra in Score detracts from the experience, and I think they should have overdubbed the orchestra in post-production like they did for Breaking The Fourth Wall.
And I don't mean any hate towards the musicians, because I can't imagine the hell that must be playing hard music as DT's with poor acoustics (and orchestras aren't nowhere loud as a Metal band), without several rehearsals, without tuning up, and a drummer that seemingly can't follow a director.

[lovethedrake]

James LaBrie will retire after Parasomnia tour. Not an opinion but a guess. Why?

I'm writing this as a huge fanboy of James. He is my fav. member and fav. vocalist of all time.

A View world tour and Dreamsonic were disaster to say the least. I can't blame on James for this because we all know how demanding DT songs vocally and how busy DT's tour schedule. It is simple that James can't keep up anymore due to his age and his voice condition.

40th anniversary tour began quite good and James sounded decent and even amazing in some nights or on some songs. It's obvious that he can't catch the busy schedule and can't maintain his voice well. After he got flu it's even got worse. AGAIN I DON'T BLAME HIM FOR THIS. He is professional singer and knows what to do. But it's about human nature and his limitations. Some can sing effortlessy at his age some can't even sing a single word. For better or worse James got this point nicely and gracefully but I don't think he can keep it up anymore.

This man was a monster back then, no denying that. His prime was Godly. His studio works are still amazing. But he abused his voice in 90's in live setting and there was a shrimp disaster too. It pays off so bad with this age. He sounds so tired and weak and it seems he can't control his breath too. So sad to witness my fav. vocalist like this.

Honestly?

Do I want him to retire? Hell, NO! Do I see a solution about can be fixed or perfected? Again, No! Because he already has a new vocal coach. He already altered many vocal melodies for his current range. But I don't think it's about altering something and having vocal coach. It's simply about his age and his stamnia.

I just think he may feel under pressure and exhausted at this point and he will retire on his own will.

Couldn't disagree more....

I saw him in LA after he had the flu and although he struggled on Metropolis he was great the rest of the night,  he's in his 60's and still crushing Dream Theater songs.   He was incredible on Octavarium.

In addition, his vocal performance on Parasomnia is probably my favorite of his since Six Degrees.

I know you posted it on the controversial thread so you're welcome to your opinion but I think James is on an upward trajectory at the moment

[nobloodyname]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

I dunno if I'd go quite as far as you but it's not a song I voluntarily listen to, and I'd be perfectly comfortable skipping it every time it comes on.

As for other takes: no way is this James' last album, The Glass Prison is a top ten tune, the orchestra does sound weird on Score, and the criticism of MP by Beatrice came as no surprise at all. There, think that's covered all bases!

[Jamesman42]

TDOE and Overture 1928 are both their worst instrumentals, off the top of my head.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

It was nice knowing you, Caleb, but your time is up here. See yourself out, the door is wide open

   

David Prater saved Dream Theater's career. The snare and bass drums sample replacement in I&W makes the music sound tighter and more "super human". Even though Lifting Shadows (if I recall correctly) tried really hard to make him a villain

Oh I love the drum sounds in I&W!

TDOE and Overture 1928 are both their worst instrumentals, off the top of my head.

Even worse than Enigma Machine?

[WilliamMunny]

TDOE and Overture 1928 are both their worst instrumentals, off the top of my head.

Lol, I'm with you on the former, but "Overture 1928" is probably my number 2 (right behind "Hell's Kitchen")

[dualpalmpilots]

SFAM is mid.

Thought this for years and then something clicked for me on the DoT tour when they played it in full, and now I love it.

[ReaperKK]

The Shattered Fortress is the 2nd best song of the 12-step suite.

This is just crazy talk

[hefdaddy42]

Even worse than Enigma Machine?

What's wrong with Enigma Machine?

TDOE and Overture 1928 are both their worst instrumentals, off the top of my head.

Raw Dog would like a word with you.

[Metro]

TDOE and Overture 1928 are both their worst instrumentals, off the top of my head.

All of the NOMAC tracks from The Astonishing would like a word with you.

That word is "buzzzzzzzzz"

[CraftyCaleb2483]

What's wrong with Enigma Machine?
Raw Dog would like a word with you.

What's wrong with Raw Dog? 

[TheCountOfNYC]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

See and I'm the opposite, I consider The Dance of Eternity to be their best instrumental.

[Jamesman42]

All of the NOMAC tracks from The Astonishing would like a word with you.

That word is "buzzzzzzzzz"

I don't think I've ever heard them, but aren't they transitional tracks or interludes? I'm talking full instrumentals here, not interludes.

I did forget about Raw Dog though, that would complete the suck trifecta.

[pg1067]

A few of mine:

SFAM is mid.
On The Backs of Angels is the best song on ADTOE (and the best song of the MM period).
The Shattered Fortress is the 2nd best song of the 12-step suite.

TGP is easily #1, Repentance is the single worst song in the catalog, and TDS is just "meh."  I usually put Root at #2 and TSF at #3, but I could be persuaded to flip Root and TSF.

[Jamesman42]

TGP is easily #1, Repentance is the single worst song in the catalog, and TDS is just "meh."  I usually put Root at #2 and TSF at #3, but I could be persuaded to flip Root and TSF.

That's not bad. TGP is the best (top ten dt song as well), TSF is stellar, than This Dying Soul and The Root of All Evil are about tied for me, and Repentance is solid (I used to love it more but it's gone down for me).

[cheesus]

they should have retired the I&W songs after they played the whole album in 2017. I thought that would be a good sendoff for material that James struggles with live and never quite translated live anyway because of how produced the original album was. That calculation has changed with MP back in the band, I understand that a tour like this requires they play I&W material and I expect there are a couple songs off that album MP will still want to resurrect so I get that. But my opinion still stands and I think there's a point where most of the songs on that album are probably best put to rest. Metropolis is the only one that I would keep in the rotation frankly. There have been shows, such as the DT12 tour, where it felt really refreshing to have the I&W material omitted.

I've been in a similar camp of wanting them to come up with an "Old Medley" similar to Genesis. Let them piece a bunch of pre-FII moments together, even as an instrumental, and then stick with the material James is more comfortable with / more recent material.

[Kram]

Hmmmm, was listening to Scenes this weekend and it reminded me of what might be my 'hottest' DT take.

"The Dance of Eternity" is everything I dislike about this band in a single song. Instant skip since day one. I mean, it's fine for the first 90 seconds or so, but it just never lets up. It doesn't fit the vibe or feel of what is an otherwise brilliant collection of songs. So, for the better part of 25 years, "Home" has always gone straight into "One Last Time" (a song that I wish was twice as long).

Phew, boy am I happy I finally got that off my chest. Been feeling like a bit of a fraud around these parts for the last decade or so  

I think that's what they were going for, and they succeeded.

[durga2112]

I've been in a similar camp of wanting them to come up with an "Old Medley" similar to Genesis. Let them piece a bunch of pre-FII moments together, even as an instrumental, and then stick with the material James is more comfortable with / more recent material.

The same cheesus from back on DT.net?

[SeRoX]

The Ministry of Lost Souls and Repentance are the most boring songs DT ever made. But TMOLS is worse because it is longer than Repentance. 

[cheesus]

The same cheesus from back on DT.net?

[durga2112]

God damn!  Nice to see you again!

[Jamesman42]

The Ministry of Lost Souls

It might be their worst song ever.

[SeRoX]

It might be their worst song ever.

To be clear I only find it terribly boring song so I don't like it much but I can't name it their worst either. Because there is Raw Dog.

[Cool Chris]

Dislike on all the TMoLS negativity here.