Illumination Theory... (let's call it appreciation thread)

[Podaar]

Let me guess the time stamp...3:30 - 6:55? That's some dangerous driving music right there!

Spot on! 

And I love this part: "The bridges we build to connect, the distance that makes us forget (...)"
And the piano part at 4:38, sigh.

Yea, those unexpected rhythms and vocals make it really memorable. Good call!

[Xersiz]

Seriously,Am I the only one thinks that surrender,trust & passion is one of the most emotional and uplifting moments in DT history,I mean everybody seems to hate it

[bosk1]

Let me guess the time stamp...3:30 - 6:55? That's some dangerous driving music right there!

Spot on! 

And I love this part: "The bridges we build to connect, the distance that makes us forget (...)"
And the piano part at 4:38, sigh.

Yea, those unexpected rhythms and vocals make it really memorable. Good call!

My favorite part of the song, by far. 

[Kotowboy]

It was only the 4th album in the "meta-album" progression, but that would have been convenient.
I think I really need to start a thread for my analysis of that song. The deeper I look into it, the more I like it.

Oooh yeah . I meant it was the final album which began with their 5th album and ended with Octavarium ( the 8th ).

[The Stray Seed]

Seriously,Am I the only one thinks that surrender,trust & passion is one of the most emotional and uplifting moments in DT history,I mean everybody seems to hate it

I'm with you.

[jcmoorehead]

Seriously,Am I the only one thinks that surrender,trust & passion is one of the most emotional and uplifting moments in DT history,I mean everybody seems to hate it

Not at all, I absolutely adore it.

[wasteland]

It's a wonderful part. Hopefully many, like me, who loved that part to bits have stayed silent about it so far for whatever reason.

[Cyclopssss]

Best ending in years, Imo.

[wolfking]

Seriously,Am I the only one thinks that surrender,trust & passion is one of the most emotional and uplifting moments in DT history,I mean everybody seems to hate it

Who hates it?

It could be DT's best moment.  Definitely one of James best vocal moments.  I listened to it again and it still gives me goosebumps.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Have we confirmed through speculation (lol) that the elongated section of sound effects was purely written into the song to give enough time for the guest musicians to set up the strings in a live setting?

[BlobVanDam]

Have we confirmed through speculation (lol) that the elongated section of sound effects was purely written into the song to give enough time for the guest musicians to set up the strings in a live setting?

No, but that's a great (illumination) theory!
I'm not sure that's really something they're considering while writing a song, but either way it would work well for that.

[Moonchild]

I like IT. Furthermore, I think it's the best song of DT12. However, it's overly long for the real content it has. The outro, could easily be another song called "Jordan Rudess Outro for Concert endings". The ambiance part is another waste of time, it reprises Tuscany's idea, the orchestra is a nice touch but yet again I'm feel trapped in the idea of  Six Degrees of Classical Music.

Unfortunately, in addition, due to the fact Mangini drum mix come from the 80's I believe that without a decent live version of IT, I'll lose my interest of coming back in the long run.

Octavarium, ACOS and TCOT are probably better.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Have we confirmed through speculation (lol) that the elongated section of sound effects was purely written into the song to give enough time for the guest musicians to set up the strings in a live setting?

No, but that's a great (illumination) theory!
I'm not sure that's really something they're considering while writing a song, but either way it would work well for that.

Haha, nicely done, you.  The sound effects are purely atmospheric and don't add anything musical to the piece, so they were certainly deliberating something when they made that section 2 minutes long.  Overkill?  Ten seconds would have sufficed as a meditative intro to the string section, so I can only assume they structured the song purposely to work with a live stage change.

I doubt the were trying to increase the song's length to keep up with their other epics.

Of course, the obvious argument against this line of thinking is to say "wouldn't they have enough time in during the intermission to set up the string section." So, I dunno, but I would expect something interesting when we reach this part of the song live.

[The Stray Seed]

Have we confirmed through speculation (lol) that the elongated section of sound effects was purely written into the song to give enough time for the guest musicians to set up the strings in a live setting?

No, but that's a great (illumination) theory!
I'm not sure that's really something they're considering while writing a song, but either way it would work well for that.

Haha, nicely done, you.  The sound effects are purely atmospheric and don't add anything musical to the piece, so they were certainly deliberating something when they made that section 2 minutes long.  Overkill?  Ten seconds would have sufficed as a meditative intro to the string section, so I can only assume they structured the song purposely to work with a live stage change.

I doubt the were trying to increase the song's length to keep up with their other epics.

Of course, the obvious argument against this line of thinking is to say "wouldn't they have enough time in during the intermission to set up the string section." So, I dunno, but I would expect something interesting when we reach this part of the song live.

It is an interesting theory indeed, but I strongly disagree on the fact that 10 seconds would have been enough as a meditative intro. I really like it the way it is, it gives me time to think and soak into the atmosphere. Maybe I'm just slow =D

[cookienut]

I just don't see thepoint in saying if IT or 8vm is better. While long in structure, they are vastly different and emote completely different feelings. Both are pinnacle pieces.

[mikeyd23]

Haha, nicely done, you.  The sound effects are purely atmospheric and don't add anything musical to the piece, so they were certainly deliberating something when they made that section 2 minutes long.  Overkill?  Ten seconds would have sufficed as a meditative intro to the string section, so I can only assume they structured the song purposely to work with a live stage change.

I doubt the were trying to increase the song's length to keep up with their other epics.

Of course, the obvious argument against this line of thinking is to say "wouldn't they have enough time in during the intermission to set up the string section." So, I dunno, but I would expect something interesting when we reach this part of the song live.

That really is an interesting thought, one that hadn't occurred to me. I believe during one of the recent live YouTube chats (can't remember which one) the DT boys were asked about how they planned to handle the string section when playing it live and they basically avoided answering the question saying they wanted to leave some things a surprise for the fans.  So, maybe they are cooking something up!

[JiM-Xtreme]

The guitar rhythm in Live, Die, Kill really reminds me of Burning My Soul.

[IdoSC]

I had tears in my eyes, but wasn't crying yet. With this song, at the 2nd listen though In the first listen I heard it with my girlfriend and we both tried to figure out what's going on with the song and we talked all the way through it (and the album), so it was kinda hard to get in the mood. It really, really moved me in the 2nd listen, with my earphones and all.

[JiM-Xtreme]

Have we confirmed through speculation (lol) that the elongated section of sound effects was purely written into the song to give enough time for the guest musicians to set up the strings in a live setting?

No, but that's a great (illumination) theory!
I'm not sure that's really something they're considering while writing a song, but either way it would work well for that.

Haha, nicely done, you.  The sound effects are purely atmospheric and don't add anything musical to the piece, so they were certainly deliberating something when they made that section 2 minutes long.  Overkill?  Ten seconds would have sufficed as a meditative intro to the string section, so I can only assume they structured the song purposely to work with a live stage change.

I doubt the were trying to increase the song's length to keep up with their other epics.

Of course, the obvious argument against this line of thinking is to say "wouldn't they have enough time in during the intermission to set up the string section." So, I dunno, but I would expect something interesting when we reach this part of the song live.

It is an interesting theory indeed, but I strongly disagree on the fact that 10 seconds would have been enough as a meditative intro. I really like it the way it is, it gives me time to think and soak into the atmosphere. Maybe I'm just slow =D

Also, why would it matter how long they made it on the album? They can make it go on for as long as they want when they perform it live.

[Anguyen92]

Taking another spin with this track.  The more I've listened to it, the better it sounds, especially around 8:40 when the strings come into play and the transition from that into The Pursuit Of Truth was very good. 

[El Barto]

They sure do know how to end a song. I'll give 'em that. Overall I think it's bloated and wank-heavy, but the string section part isn't bad and everything from Didacts and Narpets on is golden, and I particularly like the "Growth"-style outro.

[Lucien]

They sure do know how to end a song. I'll give 'em that. Overall I think it's bloated and wank-heavy, but the string section part isn't bad and everything from Didacts and Narpets on is golden, and I particularly like the "Growth"-style outro.

I think you meant to click the Fountain of Lamneth appreciation thread 

[El Barto]

They sure do know how to end a song. I'll give 'em that. Overall I think it's bloated and wank-heavy, but the string section part isn't bad and everything from Didacts and Narpets on is golden, and I particularly like the "Growth"-style outro.

I think you meant to click the Fountain of Lamneth appreciation thread 

Oh, actually I was looking for the Women and Children first thread; my bad.

[King Postwhore]

Sail away with Neil Peart...........

[1neeto]

Damn this 15 year old kid did pretty damn good! Small mistakes here and there, but really that was pretty awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjlK5QzgawU

[Lucien]

Damn this 15 year old kid did pretty damn good! Small mistakes here and there, but really that was pretty awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjlK5QzgawU

Oh yeah I love that cover

[bosk1]

That piano with the heavy riff at about 4:30-5:00 is just heavenly.

[The Stray Seed]

I am listening to this song now, and I just can't express how much I am moved by the music and the words. I loved it from the first spin, and for this reason I couldn't predict it was going to grow on me so much as it did.

Some weeks ago a friend of mine asked me if I had some music to suggest, and I found out he didn't know about DT. I told him to listen to Illumination Theory. He called me the following day and kept me at the phone about an hour talking about the song. He was just blown away. Now I've decided that IT will be for me the new track to use to introduce new folks to DT. And it's the first time that I choose a song that is not from the 90s.

[ReaPsTA]

One of my absolute favorite DT songs.  Virtually perfect.  Every part is special in some way.  The last section is just so epic and beautiful and uplifting and emotional.

[wasteland]

One of my absolute favorite DT songs.  Virtually perfect.  Every part is special in some way.  The last section is just so epic and beautiful and uplifting and emotional.

So, the ratings in your signature are related to the corresponding songs of DT12? Or do you happen to rate your ex girlfriends the same way I rate those songs?

[MarkFitDT]

absolutely love this song now. Tough to pick out a fav part - maybe from 6.00 to 7.00. That might be one of my fav DT sections ever.

[Grizz]

This song has certainly grown on me, but it's still toward the bottom of 14+ minute songs for me.
In particular, I enjoy Live, Die Kill. I like the odd rhythms in the bridges section, and the fact that the organ patch reminds me of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. The Rudess solo afterward reminds me of a fast-paced drunk playing a medieval theme. This sounds like harsh bashing, but I totally dig the solo.

[ReaPsTA]

So, the ratings in your signature are related to the corresponding songs of DT12? Or do you happen to rate your ex girlfriends the same way I rate those songs?

Yes.

the organ patch reminds me of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.

Yes!

[CrimsonSunrise]

I've been REALLY trying to digest this song and come to love it.  It's just not happening though.  I like it,  but it doesn't grab hold of me like ACOS or some of the other epics do.

[wolfking]

This song could be my new fav DT song, it could possibly be the best thing they have ever done.