Petrucci can't write short songs

[Skeever]

Interesting article.
https://metalhammer.teamrock.com/news/2014-10-29/petrucci-can-t-write-short-songs

Dream Theater's John Petrucci admits it wasn't easy writing some of the shorter songs that appear on the band's latest album.

The prog heroes released their self-titled 12th record last year and it includes a number of tracks which don't run as long as some of their previous efforts.

And the guitarist and main songwriter says penning snappy songs isn't usually in his nature.

He tells Guitar Interactive: "The basic mentality is that every song doesn't have to be 12 minutes long. It's actually hard to do.

"The challenge is to try to write and keep the style that we write in without straying from the thing that makes us unique. And to try to do that within a four, five or six-minute mark, it's hard to do.

"But we did that on a few songs and kept the energy up and everything. And we also made sure that we did include a big epic piece on there. We made sure that there was an instrumental on there, which is something that we wanted to do.

"But as far as those few songs that are kind of on the shorter side, we did say it would be a nice challenge to try to keep things short. And it's really hard."

Petrucci recently said that being "uncool" was one of the keys to their continued success. He said: "It's what separated us out and make us successful in the long term."

[lithium112]

The interview video was actually REALLY good. Like, one of the most interesting DT interviews I've heard. No boring questions and he actually gave great insights on their writing and collaboration process. Make sure to open the video in youtube and go through the other segments (since this one is only part 1/4).

When the interviewer suggested that they release their pre-recorded riff ideas as bonus material  - I was like "DO IIIIIIIT!!!"

[Lucien]

"The challenge is to try to write and keep the style that we write in without straying from the thing that makes us unique. And to try to do that within a four, five or six-minute mark, it's hard to do."

To be completely honest, I really don't like this quote. What makes them unique then? Long, noodle-filled instrumental sections? That would explain why shorter songs would be hard to make.

[erwinrafael]

"The challenge is to try to write and keep the style that we write in without straying from the thing that makes us unique. And to try to do that within a four, five or six-minute mark, it's hard to do."

To be completely honest, I really don't like this quote. What makes them unique then? Long, noodle-filled instrumental sections? That would explain why shorter songs would be hard to make.

Given how people are complaining that DT12 is safe, I would say that JP is not talking about long noodling instrumentals when he refers to that thing that makes them unique.

[King Postwhore]

He says he finds it hard to write shorter songs, not that he can't write them.

[erwinrafael]

He says he finds it hard to write shorter songs, not that he can't write them.

But the thread title won't be controversial enough!

[Bertielee]

He's sporting the Zakk Wylde look now!



Cool! And yep, the title is very blabbermouth like. Yuk!

B.Lee

[?]

He can write short songs, but he can't trim his beard.

[RoeDent]

The title comes straight from the Blabbermouth School of Mildly-Controversial Article Title Writing.

[Bertielee]

He can write short songs, but he can't trim his beard.

He should at least try a Trim of Consciousness...

B.Lee

[MiracleSleeper]

What a misleading Article title...     

[Skeever]

He says he finds it hard to write shorter songs, not that he can't write them.

Just took the title from the article.