What are your thoughts on DT12?

[jakepriest]

It pains me to say it, but I made an edit of Illumination Theory - in which I cut out pretty much the entire ambient and string section - and it has made it a much better song for me. It now flows a lot better and is a very solid track of 17:50 mins.

I would love if you could share this somehow. I cba to skip the boring part everytime I listen to the song. 

[Progmetty]

Anybody else thought the lyrics on this album come off as overly submissive in content? Sorry if it was already discussed but I haven't seen lyrics talk.

[Jinx]

After listening to DT12 many, many times, I can say the "problem" (for me) with this record, is I don't feel the NEED to sing the songs. It doesn't move me at all. I can't say anything negative about it musically, it's obviously a great job, but it's kind of cold. This short song format, doesn't work for me. Maybe Mangini was "unleashed", but the others don't. IMHO.

I'm total opposite. I cant stop singing the whole album. I think TLG and TEI are catchy as hell. TBP is a great sing-along. Obviously AFTR and BTV are great to sing to, and even Live, Die, Kill from IT is great. Love it all!!!

[jakepriest]

The Enemy Inside is incredibly catchy and I sing along every time. 

The only other parts I sing along is the "Restless angels" part and "Live Die Kill" tbh.

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

James shines on this album. I'm so bummed out that The Bigger Picture wasn't somehow nominated for a Grammy. That song is one of the best songs JP has ever written. The ending melody after the solo piano part is one of DT's best moments melodically and one of James's best moments vocally. So simple yet so strong.

[BlobVanDam]

TBP is the only song on the album I don't like one bit, so I'm glad that one wasn't nominated. I think TEI is the best choice from the album for this situation.

[jakepriest]

TBP is the only song on the album I don't like one bit, so I'm glad that one wasn't nominated. I think TEI is the best choice from the album for this situation.

I don't understand how you could like Enigma Machine or Along For The Ride over TBP.

[cyberdrummer]

I much prefer those to TBP. I just find them more interesting - TBP doesn't seem to go anywhere...

[BlobVanDam]

TBP is the only song on the album I don't like one bit, so I'm glad that one wasn't nominated. I think TEI is the best choice from the album for this situation.

I don't understand how you could like Enigma Machine or Along For The Ride over TBP.

And I don't understand what people like about TBP, but each to their own I say!
TBP for me just isn't a memorable song at all, and doesn't have a distinctive style or feel to it, or any standout sections. All I could recall of it is literally just the part where JLB sings "The Bigger Picture".

[theseoafs]

Screw you guys, The Bigger Picture kicks ass.  That ending is beautiful, man.

[jakepriest]

or any standout sections.

But... the outro is amazing D:

[gmillerdrake]

Screw you guys, The Bigger Picture kicks ass.  That ending is beautiful, man.

[wolfking]

The heavy verse on TBP is one of my fav moments on the album, it's amazing.

[gmillerdrake]

The more I listen to DT12 the more I appreciate every song. It's clear they made an effort to 'trim the fat' on these songs rather than have the obligatory 4-5 minutes of just 'DT wankery' in their songs. Not that I didn't/don't like some DT wankery but the awesome thing about DT12 to me is that they just give us concise, well arranged songs with no BS and incredible musicianship.

The lyrics are inspiring....the melodies are beautiful and they all sound great! I love MM's playing because he plays these technical fills/beats....I'm not a drummer so I don't know the terminology.....but he plays his parts so effortlessly that you can fail to realize just how difficult it is what he's doing and how awesome it is as well.

I'm sold....and a firm believer that DT12 is an album that Dream Theater can point to and say...."That's Us"
 

[The Stray Seed]

^ all of this!! =] really nice post!

[Ben_Jamin]

The whole album is still amazing. Its got what I feel was missing since 6DOIT,  uplifting melodies. I find myself singing along to all the tracks.

[nikatapi]

Although i still think it's an average album, i have to say i love some of MM's drumming on this album, especially on TLG and IT.
Some stuff that he does with the cymbals and you can notice on the left and right channel makes my brain very alerted and happy at the same time.

Also, the solo section on TLG with the bass is one of the grooviest of DT's history i think, with the great JM tone and the drumming locking perfectly.

Let's hope for a better drum production on the next album, so those cool moments are more prominent.

[1neeto]

I like TBP because it's the only Petrucci solo I can play on my guitar. 

[fadetoblackdude7]

The more I listen to DT12 the more I appreciate every song. It's clear they made an effort to 'trim the fat' on these songs rather than have the obligatory 4-5 minutes of just 'DT wankery' in their songs. Not that I didn't/don't like some DT wankery but the awesome thing about DT12 to me is that they just give us concise, well arranged songs with no BS and incredible musicianship.

The lyrics are inspiring....the melodies are beautiful and they all sound great! I love MM's playing because he plays these technical fills/beats....I'm not a drummer so I don't know the terminology.....but he plays his parts so effortlessly that you can fail to realize just how difficult it is what he's doing and how awesome it is as well.

I'm sold....and a firm believer that DT12 is an album that Dream Theater can point to and say...."That's Us"

All of this!

[wolfking]

IT could in fact be the best song DT has ever done.

[Implode]

...if it weren't for the horrible vocal effects. It's like Chaos in Motion but in a studio.

[OsMosis2259]

...if it weren't for the horrible vocal effects. It's like Chaos in Motion but in a studio.

Yeah there's a lot of phasing going on with the vocals on DT12.

[Sacul]

The more I listen to DT12 the more I appreciate every song. It's clear they made an effort to 'trim the fat' on these songs rather than have the obligatory 4-5 minutes of just 'DT wankery' in their songs. Not that I didn't/don't like some DT wankery but the awesome thing about DT12 to me is that they just give us concise, well arranged songs with no BS and incredible musicianship.

The lyrics are inspiring....the melodies are beautiful and they all sound great! I love MM's playing because he plays these technical fills/beats....I'm not a drummer so I don't know the terminology.....but he plays his parts so effortlessly that you can fail to realize just how difficult it is what he's doing and how awesome it is as well.

I'm sold....and a firm believer that DT12 is an album that Dream Theater can point to and say...."That's Us"

[MonagFam]

[

...if it weren't for the horrible vocal effects. It's like Chaos in Motion but in a studio.

Yeah there's a lot of phasing going on with the vocals on DT12.

Could you go into more detail on these points?

[MirzekDT]

...if it weren't for the horrible vocal effects. It's like Chaos in Motion but in a studio.

Vocals on IT sounds from fine to awesome for me, not sure what horrible effects do you hear

[Implode]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Listen to that long note. There is so much fake vibrato, it sounds like some synthesizer instead of a human voice. It's almost unlistenable for me; same goes for most of Chaos in Motion. I'm not entirely sure what the vocal effect is but it's most noticable on the Bb, A, and G (when JLB resolves to the F, the real vibrato comes in).

It's such a shame because I really enjoy the song, but that keeps it from being as could as it could be. That's what really frustrates me.

[Onno]

I agree with you, Implode. I can also hear a lot of vocal effects in the "Rebels for their freedom" section. I don't think it's as bad as Chaos in Motion, which is really unlistenable, but I'd much, much rather have heard the vocals with as least effects as possible.

[MonagFam]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Listen to that long note. There is so much fake vibrato, it sounds like some synthesizer instead of a human voice. It's almost unlistenable for me; same goes for most of Chaos in Motion. I'm not entirely sure what the vocal effect is but it's most noticable on the Bb, A, and G (when JLB resolves to the F, the real vibrato comes in).

It's such a shame because I really enjoy the song, but that keeps it from being as could as it could be. That's what really frustrates me.

I will admit that vocal sequence in and around the time is probably my least favorite on the album.

[MirzekDT]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Listen to that long note. There is so much fake vibrato, it sounds like some synthesizer instead of a human voice. It's almost unlistenable for me; same goes for most of Chaos in Motion. I'm not entirely sure what the vocal effect is but it's most noticable on the Bb, A, and G (when JLB resolves to the F, the real vibrato comes in).

It's such a shame because I really enjoy the song, but that keeps it from being as could as it could be. That's what really frustrates me.

Well, now I can hear what you mean But I didn't even notice that up to this point and I pay a lot of attention to details in music.

Anyway it doesn't bother me at all even now that I know about it but thanks for pointing out that exact moment so I finally know what people mean when they talk about vocal effects in IT casue I've seen it on this forums before.

[TheGreatPretender]

Anyway it doesn't bother me at all even now that I know about it but thanks for pointing out that exact moment so I finally know what people mean when they talk about vocal effects in IT casue I've seen it on this forums before.

This. Yeah, his voice is filtered, but IMO it's no different than using something like distortion on TDEN or JLMB.

[wolfking]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Um......isn't the line 'never know that you're alive?'

Also, on that specific note, I don't hear any vibrato at all, I think it's just a mix of the production, vox and guitar.  I noticed it sounded a little funny too when I first heard it but I just think it's just the pitch of James' notes.  I love the whole section and think the vocal effects sound great and really add to the song.

The only thing is when James sings the word 'heart' at 16:57, it is notciably off pitch.

[The Stray Seed]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Um......isn't the line 'never know that you're alive?'

Also, on that specific note, I don't hear any vibrato at all, I think it's just a mix of the production, vox and guitar.  I noticed it sounded a little funny too when I first heard it but I just think it's just the pitch of James' notes.  I love the whole section and think the vocal effects sound great and really add to the song.

The only thing is when James sings the word 'heart' at 16:57, it is notciably off pitch.

Yes it is, he sings "never know that you're alive".

And I also agree with the underlined, wolf I just love that section and the whole Illumination Theory =)) I'm so happy to be this satisfied with the new album, I hear many people on this forum saying, no wait, "stating", that DT12 is weak and all. Looks like many people completely forgot the I think/I consider/IMO thing.
If this album represents present Dream Theater's taste and direction (as one may suppose considering it's self-titled) then I really have high hopes for the future, as I truly love what they've done with DT12!

[Kotowboy]

DT just need to combine the songwriting of the last two albums with the production of Octavarium or SFAM and they'll have another potential classic.

They're hardly St. Anger and Death Magnetic - but I hope that they can produce another sonically great album at some point.

[Joshin U]

"Know the joy in liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife" ~ IT 17:28

Um......isn't the line 'never know that you're alive?'

Oh wow, I thought it was "know the joy in life", as well.  Well shoot.

In any case, the only vocal part of IT that bothers me is the "rebels for their freedom" part.  Although, I wouldn't say it's because of vocal effects and more about how JLB sounds trying to reach the notes; they just don't seem well-suited to him.  That could just be my untrained ears, though; maybe it is lousy vocal effects.

[Implode]

Misheard DT lyrics. My mistake.

The "rebels for their freedom" part might actually be my favorite.