Dream Theater: The Astonishing (now with moment of betrayal!)

[RaiseTheKnife]

After reading the Rolling Stone article, the creation of the intricate music to match the characters, setting and storyline makes me think it would have been too much burden to add a documentary/DVD companion to the release.  DT's done that before.  This package and presentation (cards, maps scripts) is new, so let's enjoy that.

[Bertielee]

After reading the Rolling Stone article, the creation of the intricate music to match the characters, setting and storyline makes me think it would have been too much burden to add a documentary/DVD companion to the release.  DT's done that before.  This package and presentation (cards, maps scripts) is new, so let's enjoy that.

Yes, you're right in every possible way.

B.Lee

[The Curious Orange]

Oh, I get it - it's about Simon Cowell.

[BlackInk]

I know I'm late to the party, but I find it amusing how when me and a few others comment on the pitch correction thing, people seem to think that it "ruins" the song for us, even though most of us have specifically said that it doesn't ruin the song for us.

[KevShmev]

The final minute of On The Backs Of Angels has always sounded like a clusterfuck to me.

Strange, that's my favourite bit of the song.

Agreed, although I would say the last 40 seconds (not 60).  Granted, I find most of On the Backs of Angels quite dull, and that is something I rarely say about a Dream Theater song, but that ending is really nice.  It's just too bad that the bulk of the song has that "just kind of there" feeling.

[TH1RT3EN]

I still don't hear anything regarding this autotune matter in The Gift of Music, but since you guys mentioned On the Backs of Angels, does anyone else hear a high pitched "beep" on the left speaker when James is saying "american dream" (right between these words)? I noticed that a few years ago, but never talked about it with anyone until a friend of mine mentioned that too yesterday. He said he brought that up somewhere in this forum right after the ADToE's release, but no one else would have any idea what he was talking about…

[Aythesryche]

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:

[Stef1]

 

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:

[Randaran]

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:
*snip*

Perfect 

I can definitely hear how some of DT's albums sound better than others, but I don't think any of them, not even DT12, sound bad. I'm not an audiophile, and after seeing some of the posts here, I am better off for it.

[Thoughtspart3]

I like the song.  I love how huge this album is feeling. 

The drums sound WAY better and actually give more energy to the song.  I smiled just listening to some of the drum work.  It was so muted in DT12 that the drums rarely generated much feeling.  They were sort of there but everything else took center stage.  In this mix they feel more present along with the other instruments.  Very excited for this.

[lucasembarbosa]

Really digging the brass section on JP's solo and short after the strings section. Awesome!


About the deluxe box... $200...

I'm moving to Portugal in less than two months, can't give myself the luxury of buying this when the money exchange from BRL to USD or EUR is 1 to 4.

EDIT: Found the copies amount.


PS: Would be glad to know if there's someone here in DTF from Portugal 

[EraVulgaris]

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:
*snip*

Perfect 

I can definitely hear how some of DT's albums sound better than others, but I don't think any of them, not even DT12, sound bad. I'm not an audiophile, and after seeing some of the posts here, I am better off for it.

It's not a matter of the overall production of the song (which I think is fine), just that one moment that really feels like an actual error. I'm not especially audiophile either (don't even hate the snare on DT12) and wouldn't have picked up on the mistake if it wasn't mentioned here, but now I just can't unhear it. I know they said it wasn't an error, but to be honest, I don't buy that - if it was a stylistic choice, it was a bad one.

HOWEVER, I dig the song! It's not like that one moment ruins the whole thing for me and I'm really looking forward to the full album. It's just a little thing that I have to get used to, because right now, everytime I hear that moment I think "Oh yeah - that's there..." 

[Prog Snob]

The final minute of On The Backs Of Angels has always sounded like a clusterfuck to me.

Strange, that's my favourite bit of the song.

Agreed, although I would say the last 40 seconds (not 60).  Granted, I find most of On the Backs of Angels quite dull, and that is something I rarely say about a Dream Theater song, but that ending is really nice.  It's just too bad that the bulk of the song has that "just kind of there" feeling.

I've come to really love OTBOA, even more than its predecessor PMU. The last minute or so is my favorite part of the song. It took a while for me to work out the guitar rhythm at the 8:16 mark. It sounds like a mess the first time you hear it.  But listening over and over again it's so much clearer. I love it!

[Darkstarshades]

Mangini need is own asshard extreme impossible inhuman beyond godlike instrumental like MP's TDOE

[Nomaniac]

Mangini need is own asshard extreme impossible inhuman beyond godlike instrumental like MP's TDOE

IKR!!! I hope we have one of those on this album . . . imagine that precise drumming matched with a techincal instrumental . . .

[Randaran]

There walks a god among us who's seen the writing on the wall.

The Killing Hand sequel confirmed!

[Lucien]

Mangini need is own asshard extreme impossible inhuman beyond godlike instrumental like MP's TDOE

why

[ResultsMayVary]

MM's thing is all about introducing very subtle impossible to play parts into normal songs. I'm cool with that. But I really don't want anything specific from him. I just want him to play shit he'd play.

[Darkstarshades]

It was just a saying.
Enigma Machine didn't do justice to what they do, it's just a series of solos. TDOE didn't feel like that. The ending of Gift of Music got me very hyped about they working on a cool melodic instrumental halfway through the album, that's it.

[KevShmev]

Mangini need is own asshard extreme impossible inhuman beyond godlike instrumental like MP's TDOE

IKR!!! I hope we have one of those on this album . . . imagine that precise drumming matched with a techincal instrumental . . .

Eh, I'd much rather have a melodic instrumental that still rocks, like Erotomania, rather than a technical piece where the melody takes a back seat, like The Dance of Eternity. 

[Accelerando]

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:

 

[Zydar]

[jsbru]

Eh, I'd much rather have a melodic instrumental that still rocks, like Erotomania, rather than a technical piece where the melody takes a back seat, like The Dance of Eternity.

this

[ariich]

The whole audio anomaly that some people are insisting on exists that doesn't reminds me of this:

Not seen that before, but it's brilliant.

[DP_Gumby]

Pre-ordered the standard 2 disc version yesterday.

It's the best I could get with a limited budget.. 

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Said I was going to wait until the album is released to listen to the single...

Lasted 1 day.

The Gift of Music Blew me away! So glad that I listened after all! So pumped for this album!

[Prog Snob]

Said I was going to wait until the album is released to listen to the single...

Lasted 1 day.

The Gift of Music Blew me away! So glad that I listened after all! So pumped for this album!

The force is not strong with you.    

[SuperTaco]

This is kind of a huge long shot, but since Rolling Stone said DT used unorthodox instruments and this seems to be an album that will have many sides.. Maybe the Chapman Stick returns somewhere in that 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Yeah It's wishful thinking at this point..

[BlobVanDam]

This is kind of a huge long shot, but since Rolling Stone said DT used unorthodox instruments and this seems to be an album that will have many sides.. Maybe the Chapman Stick returns somewhere in that 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Yeah It's wishful thinking at this point..

That would be cool, as it's been a while now.
But my guess is that it's referring to JR's myriad of gadgets, like the Seaboard, the iPad, harpeji etc.
Or maybe all of the above! In 2+ hours of music, there's room for a ton of diversity, so hopefully there's a lot of variety.

[Darkstarshades]

I'm hoping for a tambourine solo.

[Nomaniac]

. . . and a triangle solo. Can't forget that when it comes to a new DT album!

[Crow]

well the mixing is better
sounds uncomfortably rush-like to me tho

[erwinrafael]

I think Mangini would play lots of percussion, ala  Xanadu.

[Nomaniac]

I think Mangini would play lots of percussion, ala  Xanadu.

Now that would actually be pretty awesome!

[Darkstarshades]

I just had a nightmare, guys.
DT announced their North America Tour... And I went to a show... And they didn't TA in its entirety...