Self Titled Album Discussion thread [Expect Spoilers]

[mezzaIX]

It's still surprising to me how much AftR ruins the atmosphere in just a second. The worst song from the album by far; and personally, the most ambience-killer musical piece Dream Theater has ever created.

I'm glad you people enjoy it, because I can't stand it.

[MoraWintersoul]

Just listen "Along for the ride" again.

I can't believe how the JR solo ruin this beautiful song.
I can't understand why there is no JP solo instead.

What a waste...

The only thing about that solo that I don't like is it comes in noticeably late.

A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.

Italians are this forum's treasure.

[Kotowboy]

A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.

No - he's definitely late.

[Whatsername]

Listening to IT again, the section starting at 11:50 where James just starts destroying it, vocally it reminds me of "Another Day" from ACOS, especially the "I'm sick of all you hypocrites" part.

[evz]

I have to say, the vocal layers/harmonies on the disc are just otherwordly.  The way they are mixed for levels and fx also is stellar. 

[Zydar]

Listening to IT again, the section starting at 11:50 where James just starts destroying it, vocally it reminds me of "Another Day" from ACOS, especially the "I'm sick of all you hypocrites" part.

That section is his strongest performance on record since Awake.

REBELS FOR THEIR FREEDOM!

[jammindude]

Another thought on the length of the tracks...

There has NEVER (not even on WDADU) been a Dream Theater album where upon taking away the longest song from the album (the epic)...the next longest song on the entire album is only 7 minutes long. 

[Kotowboy]

This is a good thing. It gives DT12 a lot of replay value.

Unlike Black Clouds where it was like - which song shall I listen to ?

The two singles ? nah - heard them enough.

Oh - all that's left is four 13 -  19 minute songs. 

None then.

[Scard]

FAS 6/10  I don't consider it much. It's cool, but definitely just an intro.
TEI  7/10  Good metal tune. One of the more powerful songs on the album I think.
TLG  8/10  I like Rush, and I like DT taking some chances. This tune does both of these for me. Another one of my favourites.
EM  4.5/10  A few cool melodies, but overall boring and forgettable.
TBP  8.5/10  I think this is my favourite right now. I think it could have ended a bit earlier, as I feel the last bit of vocal melody is kind of unnecessary. But great song with great parts.
BTV  7/10  I'm a fan. biggest complaint is some of the vocal phrasing in the first verse. The part right after the first chorus (little bass break that leads right back into some sick riffs) I thought was amazing.
STR  7.5/10  This might overtake TBP in the future. really cool, and structured pretty uniquely. Also kinda Rush-y. Really like the bass riff during the solo.
AFTR  5.5/10  Well written. Nothing special. Weird synth solo. Will listen again.
IT  6-7.5/10  I'm really confused by this track. One listen I like it, the next I don't. Unlike most, I find the middle section is a bit long winded and ruins the flow a bit. And I'm not THAT impressed by James in the second part. It's cool, but not earth shattering. The ending is awesome. And as far as the Easter Egg goes, it's nice, but I'm not sure I get what the big deal is. If it wasn't there, I'd be fine with that. If it was developed into a full song, it wouldn't be very Dream Theater sounding. Sure it's nice, but a little out of place.

Very happy with this album overall. I've been following the band heavily since just before SC, and it's by far the best thing they've done since then.

[evz]

There seems to be a definite case of "leave them wanting more" throughout the album.  So many excellent ideas they could have extended (and would have in the past) but I find this approach to have so much more impact!  Makes me want to just keep replaying the whole thing over and over.

These guys and this album....  I can't even express how I feel...  I am so beyond happy they did this.

[RodrigoAltaf]

There seems to be a definite case of "leave them wanting more" throughout the album.  So many excellent ideas they could have extended (and would have in the past) but I find this approach to have so much more impact!  Makes me want to just keep replaying the whole thing over and over.

These guys and this album....  I can't even express how I feel...  I am so beyond happy they did this.

[Freeze]

I`m only on the second listen to the full album , but so far so good. Very good in many places as a matter of fact. To me it`s by far the best album they`ve done since "Octavarium" at least. To early to say where it will rank for me in the catalog, but this seems to be a winner!

[mikeyd23]

Just listened to IT for like the four or fifth time, but it was the first time I was able to listen to it without distraction (getting interrupted at work, haha) and I have to say, I was blown away.  It definitely grew on me, each time I listened to it, I liked it more and more, but this time being able to really concentrate and get into the music, I was emotionally moved.

I love the first 7 or so minutes of twisting riffs and the "Consider this question" vocal section is super catchy! Love the orchestra section and then the bass and drum thing comes in and JLB takes over! I haven't heard James sing like that on record in many, many, years!

I've seen mixed opinions of the ending, some seem to like it, others don't.  For me personally, I got goosebumps! I thought it was beautiful!!

Also randomly loving right at the 14:00 minute mark where the guitar solo finishes up, the boys kick into that heavy riff and JR flies in with a lead... Something about that transition made me laugh out loud at work !! Its pretty great!

[The Stray Seed]

Just listened to IT for like the four or fifth time, but it was the first time I was able to listen to it without distraction (getting interrupted at work, haha) and I have to say, I was blown away.  It definitely grew on me, each time I listened to it, I liked it more and more, but this time being able to really concentrate and get into the music, I was emotionally moved.

I love the first 7 or so minutes of twisting riffs and the "Consider this question" vocal section is super catchy! Love the orchestra section and then the bass and drum thing comes in and JLB takes over! I haven't heard James sing like that on record in many, many, years!

I've seen mixed opinions of the ending, some seem to like it, others don't.  For me personally, I got goosebumps! I thought it was beautiful!!

Also randomly loving right at the 14:00 minute mark where the guitar solo finishes up, the boys kick into that heavy riff and JR flies in with a lead... Something about that transition made me laugh out loud at work !! Its pretty great!

Agree with everything you said! 

[TheOutlawXanadu]

It's interesting to me that a lot of people aren't liking "Enigma Machine". I love it. It's so cartoony, especially the riffing. It's got a unique feel to it.

[hefdaddy42]

I love it too.

[cyberdrummer]

Yep, Enigma Machine is probably the track that's grown on me the most. Still struggling with Surrender to Reason, which is weird because I just know that's it's gonna end up being a great tune. It's also the track that hit me the most at the listening party. I'm confused.

[dongringo]

Yep, Enigma Machine is probably the track that's grown on me the most. Still struggling with Surrender to Reason, which is weird because I just know that's it's gonna end up being a great tune. It's also the track that hit me the most at the listening party. I'm confused.

Try listening to MM and JM only on STR. I haven't heard a rhythm section this locked into a groove in I can't remember when.

[MarkFitDT]

I love every song except The Bigger Picture and Surrender to Reason which I havent listened too enough yet to let them sink in so I am witholding scores on them for the time being.

FAS : 8/10
TEI : 9/10
TLG : 10/10 : already one of my fav DT songs.
EM : 8/10
BTV : 9/10
AFTR  9/10

And im not listening to Illumination Theory (and havent once!) until next Monday when I hope to listen to it in glorious 5.1 sound!

[FourthHorseman]

It's taken 8+ listens, but I'm really enjoying Surrender to Reason.  It's the equivalent of a LTL or a BAI for me, only shorter and more concise.

The "restless angels" section is an album highlight, imo. Amazing end to what I think will go down as a great song.

[PixelDream]

Surrender to Reason is actually a very tasteful prog-rock track. The grooves are sooo damn good, and the 'restless angels' is a great ending part. I can't remember since when I've enjoyed such a good sing-along type of thing from the guys.

I love how the band opt more often for a groovy rock riff on this record, like the first couple of riffs in Illumination Theory. That's just so much fun. I definitely get a bit of a Liquid Tension Experiment from those parts, especially when Jordan starts soloing over it at 2:42. One of his coolest parts ever!

[mike099]

I have not listened to any of the album except the first single.  I have pre-ordered thru I-tunes and have a question.  Is the qualilty about the same on the hard copy of the cd as the I tunes download?  What does the 5.1 mix add? Also, as far as the sound can someone explain to myself and persons not knowledgable who has the responsibility for the sound of the record.   I know some folks cringed when it was announced the guy Rush and Aerosmith uses was being utilized on the production of the cd.

Thanks and have enjoyed the comments on the cd. 

Now where are those North American tour dates?

[rumborak]

IT at 21:14, is that a Soundcloud compression artifact? Sounds weird.

[PixelDream]

I've grown to appreciate the mix more. It's loud, but I compared it to other RR era DT records (level matched) and DT12 just sounds bad ass, despite the obvious flaws. I prefer it to the mixing on ADTOE, BC&SL and SC.

[Zook]

The Looking Glass ends too abruptly, but it's still a good song.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I have this stuck in my head today:

"Shed your light on meeee...(shed your light on me)
Be my light when I can´t see...the bigger picture!!!!"

 Awesome!!!

[Whatsername]

I have this stuck in my head today:

"Shed your light on meeee...(shed your light on me)
Be my light when I can´t see...the bigger picture!!!!"

 Awesome!!!

Oh, I thought it said "be my light so I can see the bigger picture"? I could easily be wrong though.

[Podaar]

IT at 21:14, is that a Soundcloud compression artifact? Sounds weird.

I don't hear what your talking about at that spot. But, at 2:01 in the song there is a kind of 'chirp' that's reminiscent of John Paul Jones bass distortion in Heartbreaker except for it's quite loud. I hope that's an artifact because if I play the CD in my truck at high volume that chirp is likely to blow my panel speakers! 

[mikeyd23]

The Looking Glass ends too abruptly, but it's still a good song.

I think the same thing! That song is awesome and I really love it, I just wish they put a proper outro on it.  Like after the last chorus, just go back and play that big "limelight" like guitar riff that they rock to in the intro.  Something as simple as that would have worked for me!

Still a stinking great song though! Its always a good sign when you want a song to not end!! 

[teclas]

On IT,  does anybody else hear that the instrumentation on the  "Hope can be a shadow fleeting, I would rather die believing .."  verse is reminescent of certain Fatal Tragedy section, just before the kybd and guitar solos?

 I think that section is badass. 

[RodrigoAltaf]

What Myung does behind Petrucci´s solo on The Looking Glass echoes Trial of Tears. Just beautiful!

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

Big news eh?

Maybe Awake in it's entirety for the first set and all of DT12 in the 2nd set?

Haha, I doubt it. What good reason do they have for playing Awake in its entirety? Everything is about DT12 now.

Actually, I see that if they do an Evening With format, DT12 would be a good first set. Illumination Theory is just an odd concert closer.

What a concert closer that would be! They could play the Ester Egg piano part on a loop while the house lights went up and we all stumbled out all numb and happy!

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

Does anybody else hear a weird phasing effect on James's voice at times? Seems like a possible side-effect of pitch correction, but I'm not sure.

IMHO, that could be a relic of the streaming that can also exist in low quality MP3s. I'd be surprised if that effect is audible on the CD. For what it's worth....

[wolven74]

I think JPs found himself again on this album. His playing is eargasmic throughout and his lyrics are emotional and powerful. He's never made me cry... I gotta admit on a few songs I teared up. Just amazing lyrics.

[Kotowboy]

The Looking Glass ends too abruptly, but it's still a good song.

It's better than being twice as long and having two instrumental sections for no reason .

A good song is one that you immediately want to hear again.