My thoughts on 'Dream Theater' (***SPOILERS***)

[adastra]

I mostly listen to  classical when I'm drunk 

[Stef1]

I mostly listen to  classical when I'm drunk 

Keep a drink to hand for a couple of sections on "Dream Theater" then.
Forgot to mention the classical sections on the album.

[aprilethereal]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Dude, that sentance is an oxymoron.

You mean, because Symphony X fans should never use the word "think" to describe something they are capable of doing?

U guys

[Estiui]

Really? Were there classical sections on the album?

[Marion Crane]

Cyberdrummer...are there any songs that hit you as instant classics first listen?  For example....the first time I heard Breaking All Illusions....it just had this vibe of "wow they're probably gonna play this song at every show for the rest of their career" to me.  Even on the first listen.

[senecadawg2]

Cyberdrummer...are there any songs that hit you as instant classics first listen?  For example....the first time I heard Breaking All Illusions....it just had this vibe of "wow they're probably gonna play this song at every show for the rest of their career" to me.  Even on the first listen.

It's a great song, but I don't think they will 

[reznik]

is there enough moments of piano keyboards in the album??

[Mosh]

Okay, didn't know that. I thought Home was the only DT song in Drop D.

Misunderstood.

[Stef1]

Cyberdrummer...are there any songs that hit you as instant classics first listen?  For example....the first time I heard Breaking All Illusions....it just had this vibe of "wow they're probably gonna play this song at every show for the rest of their career" to me.  Even on the first listen.

Sorry for answering in place of Cyberdrummer, but the track that stuck with me was The Looking Glass.
Certainly had the chorus hook line.

[GalacticGuitarist87]

Are the heavier songs all toward the beginning or are they in the middle and end also? What other album could you compare the heaviness too? I have heard TEI but I mean the other heavy parts.

Also, how long approximately is FAS?

Damn I'm too excited for this album, Im trying to conjure sound 'Images and Words' in my mind to imagine but I'm having a hard time doing so. I don't know what I am going to do for the next month.

[cyberdrummer]

Cyberdrummer...are there any songs that hit you as instant classics first listen?  For example....the first time I heard Breaking All Illusions....it just had this vibe of "wow they're probably gonna play this song at every show for the rest of their career" to me.  Even on the first listen.

I'd also say The Looking Glass was excellent, but I think Surrender to Reason and Illumination Theory have the best chance of becoming 'classics'.

is there enough moments of piano keyboards in the album??

Yes.

Are the heavier songs all toward the beginning or are they in the middle and end also? What other album could you compare the heaviness too? I have heard TEI but I mean the other heavy parts.

Also, how long approximately is FAS?

The album is heavy throughout. It's difficult to compare the heaviness, because it's really not that similar to Train of Thought or BC&SL sonically. It's not so much the riffs that make it heavy (though there are some brutal ones), it's more the 'in-your-face', cinematic, dark vibe that the album has.

FAS is just under 3 minutes long, I believe the track times are floating around the internet.

[wolven74]

Also, how long approximately is FAS?

I've read the time on that one is 2.42 or thereabouts.

[noxon]

Surrender to reason is the track i go to if i just want to hear a song on the album.

[Systolic]

Two questions:

If you had to pick one standout musician from the album, who would it be and why?

Also

Do you think this album will divide the fanbase based upon prior reactions to albums, or do you think this will be a more generally favorably-received release?

Thanks

[wolven74]

If JM had written 2 lyrics on this album I would have guessed Surrender to Reason as the 2nd one.

[cyberdrummer]

Two questions:

If you had to pick one standout musician from the album, who would it be and why?

Also

Do you think this album will divide the fanbase based upon prior reactions to albums, or do you think this will be a more generally favorably-received release?

Thanks

I'd say MM. There was a bit of pressure on him to put his stamp on DT's music, and he did that. He's a machine.

I think it will be more divisive than ADTOE, and that's because it isn't as safe.

[Systolic]

Two questions:

If you had to pick one standout musician from the album, who would it be and why?

Also

Do you think this album will divide the fanbase based upon prior reactions to albums, or do you think this will be a more generally favorably-received release?

Thanks

I'd say MM. There was a bit of pressure on him to put his stamp on DT's music, and he did that. He's a machine.

I think it will be more divisive than ADTOE, and that's because it isn't as safe.

Not terribly surprised about your first response, but the second one is interesting.  I recall ADTOE being pretty divisive because of that whole Images and Words recap/connections deal, the production being pretty muddy, and of course the already-polarized fanbase due to MP leaving/ MM joining.

[wolven74]

I think it will be more divisive than ADTOE, and that's because it isn't as safe.

Would you say it's their riskiest album? Why?

[cyberdrummer]

In the context of what they've done in recent years, I wouldn't say it's risky, but it's a bold move. I'd say FII and ToT were more risky in their respective contexts.

[krieger]

And what about the cover? Do you think it reflects the spirit of the album? Or should they make a more "traditional" one (like ADTOE, BC&Sl, I&W, etc.)?

Thanks!

[cyberdrummer]

I think it does actually. It reflects the dark, yet straightforward nature of the album.

[aprilethereal]

TOT meets 8VM? Hell yes.

[cyberdrummer]

TOT meets 8VM? Hell yes.

Well not really. This album is still a different beast altogether.

[lightbug]

I hope find a song like beyond this life, that's the song structure that i like, is perfection! 

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Cyberdrummer...are there any songs that hit you as instant classics first listen?  For example....the first time I heard Breaking All Illusions....it just had this vibe of "wow they're probably gonna play this song at every show for the rest of their career" to me.  Even on the first listen.

Sorry for answering in place of Cyberdrummer, but the track that stuck with me was The Looking Glass.
Certainly had the chorus hook line.

Stef,

Do you recall any impressions or details about Behind the Veil and/or The Bigger Picture?

[Kotowboy]

TOT meets 8VM? Hell yes.

Well not really. This album is still a different beast altogether.

Would you say it's heavy like Train Of Thought but varied like Octavarium ?

I like when they do varied. Octavarium is my favourite album by far.

[DT3930]

Can you give an approximate length to each track (just from what you remember of course)?

Would you say that the album as a whole is as long as most of their other albums?

Thanks!

[cyberdrummer]

TOT meets 8VM? Hell yes.

Well not really. This album is still a different beast altogether.

Would you say it's heavy like Train Of Thought but varied like Octavarium ?

I like when they do varied. Octavarium is my favourite album by far.

The style of songs is varied. The song structures don't vary a great deal. I'd say it's as heavy as ToT, but not so much in terms of the riffage. It's a different kind of heaviness, brought about by its unrelenting nature, and in part by the loudness of the mix itself.

Can you give an approximate length to each track (just from what you remember of course)?

Would you say that the album as a whole is as long as most of their other albums?

Thanks!

I can confirm that these track times are correct:

False Awakening Suite - 2:42
The Enemy Inside - 6:17
The Looking Glass - 4:53
Enigma Machine - 6:02
The Bigger Picture - 7:41
Behind the Veil - 6:53
Surrender to Reason - 6:35
Along for the Ride - 4:45
Illumination Theory - 22:18

[dparrott]

OK, I'd like to see them fit TBP on a 7" vinyl.  That's what I was wondering, but I didn't know the exact track time.  Maybe it's an edited version? 

[noxon]

I would assume that the TBP vinyl is more of a collectors item than something you're meant to actually play... So I doubt sound quality on that will be optimum...

[dparrott]

I have NEVER heard of a near 8 minute song fitting on a 7" vinyl.  I thought 7 mins was the max.

[RoDT]

I have NEVER heard of a near 8 minute song fitting on a 7" vinyl.  I thought 7 mins was the max.

It takes a DT to be able to do that 

[noxon]

have it as a 33 1/3 speed record and it'll fit 9 minutes if you want.

[dparrott]

Actually, I remember I do have a 7" with two b-sides that total almost 8 mins.  Had to think a little harder about it.  I was only thinking in 45rpm before.

[JDW89]

Damn I thought the songs were going to be longer than that.