"Their 12th release — the fourth with Roadrunner Records overall and their second with drummer Mike Mangini — is an hour-long,
nine-song opus that harkens back to the melodic, slightly more traditional songwriting of their early days and meshes it with the chops, speed and epic ambitions that they have become known for since. Most of the songs are five to seven-minute morsels, two of which (“The Looking Glass” and “Surrender To Reason”) recall vintage Rush, while the majestic, multifaceted, predominately instrumental 19-minute closer “Illumination Theory” has a gorgeous neo-classical centerpiece courtesy of keyboardist Jordan Rudess that makes for an unexpectedly serene break during an often frenetic number."
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There is a slightly more mainstream slant to the album that will allow Dream Theater disciples and fellow prog heads to play this release to a non-genre fan who could appreciate it and not instantly be overwhelmed by a maelstrom of notes."
"The mixing and mastering are worth noting, as well, for their superiority and
for not succumbing much to the modish "loudness war"Interesting comments from the two blog guys that were at the listening party. I know their comments are subjective and can be said about most of DT's albums, but for some reason I belive this album is going to be a little bit different.
Based on nothing but speculation and the above mentioned comments it seems to me that DT is going for really structured and cohesive songwriting for this album. It looks like they will be rockin' more on this album than on ADTOE (which to my ears was very proggy). I like that idea
Maybe they will get the Grammy this time?....
Topic: Dream Theater self titled album discussion - [SPOILER FREE DISCUSSION ONLY] (Read 916392 times)