The Dream Theater Experiment

[Orbert]

Maybe not underrated, but it doesn't seem to get mentioned as often as some of the other well-liked songs from Awake.

[jakepriest]

Jesus christ this thread delivers on all fronts!
Interesting stuff from Angela and drama between trolls and readers. Keep it coming!

[DP_Gumby]

I think you're doing a great job with this thread Angela! 

And I'm looking forward to when you get to FII, especially if someone choose Trial of Tears.
Or Anna Lee, even my mother loves that song. And she no typical DT-fan, 'cause she only listens to country music.

[wizard of Thought]

Great gif.

On-topic again:
I loved reading this thread so far and seriously, don`t care about the trolls. I actually skipped most of the "fake or not fake"-discussion, so I don`t actually know how far it went, but most people in here seem to really enjoy your writing (myself included) and I`m really interested in the reaction to The Mirror, because it`s probably my most favourite DT song to date.

So: just carry on and don`t mind the ones who try to stop you.

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Michelle with The Mirror.

Me: Heya Michelle! Welcome again!
Michelle: Urgh, thanks.
Me: No problem!
Michelle: Can we get it over with?
Me: Haha, sure thing buddy.
Michelle: Great. *Puts on headphones*
Me: Here's the lyric sheet and enjoy The Mirror! Some things might be different for you so...umm, good luck!
Michelle: *Groans* Great. Just fricking great.
Me: *hits play*
After The Mirror
Michelle: *Takes off headphones*
Me: Well?
Michelle: Worse than the first song.
Me: 
Michelle: What? No, it's true. Did not like it at all. Poor me, poor me.
Me: Oh come on, it's not that bad.
Michelle: Yes it is. Speak for yourself. You come from a metal background.
Me: I wouldn't say that....
Michelle: I just did not like it at all.
Me: Why? Oh and interview begins. What part did you like and dislike?
Michelle: I disliked the heaviness and the guitar sound. Ugh. Also, I hated that other sound. You know, the growling.
Me: You mean this part? *plays MP vocals*
Michelle: Yes! Yes! Ew, that was just disgusting!
Me: Hey, that's cool, not disgusting! Also, better get used to it, because some other songs have use of Mike Portnoy's vocals.
Michelle: Who? The drummer?
Me: Yeah, he sings also.
Michelle: Oh.
Me: Yep. And you have got to have liked something.
Michelle: Mmmm.
Me: What about this part? *plays MP vocals*
Michelle: STOP IT!
Me:     
Michelle: Seriously.
Me: Ok, ok. Here's the correct one.  *plays Portnoy's vocals*
Michelle: I'm outta here.
Me: No, Michelle! I'm sorry! I won't do it anymore!
Michelle: Promise?
Me: Yes, now sit down.
Michelle: Ok.
Me: *plays 5:21* That piano groove sounded so good, didn't it?
Michelle: I guess.
Me: And you have to admit that the singer was good.
Michelle: No. Too harsh. I want him to return to his softer, lighter singing.
Me: :/ I see.
Michelle: Yeah.
Me: This is Mike Portnoy's beginning of his twelve step suite. Any thoughts on that?
Michelle: No.
Me: So, Portnoy had been addicted to alcohol and it had gotten really bad. The Mirror talks about Portnoy's alcohol problem. The Twelve Step Suite doesn't officially begin until Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence which is in two albums. You know what, since you picked The Mirror, I'm going to give you the song: The Glass Prison, This Dying Soul, The Root of All Evil, Repentance, and The Shattered Fortress. I pity you Michelle. I pity you very much.
Michelle: Why?
Me: I'm sorry Michelle that you have to go through life the hard way! *sobs overdramatically*
Michelle: What?!
Me: I'm kidding (not kidding at all). All I have to say is...prepare yourself for the suite.
Michelle: I'm excited.
Me: Love the sarcasm!
Michelle: Whatever.
Me: And wow, you got the two songs without any John Petrucci solo.
Michelle: So?
Me: Haha, nothing.
Michelle: Ok then. Are we done?
Me: I guess so.
Michelle: Great. Who do I bring now?
Me: Victoria. She has the next two songs.
Michelle: Ah, I see.
Me: Yep!
Michelle: I'll be going now.
Me: Wait! Crack a dumb joke about The Mirror first.
Michelle: Err...why?
Me: *in a horrible imitation of Michelle* Maybe you should learn to live!
Michelle: Shut up! 
Me: It's fine. That was funny.
Michelle:  I'll be going now.
Me: Bye.
Michelle: Later.

[RMGadelha]

Haha, if what MP does in The Mirror is considered growling, what does Mikael Åkerfeldt does?

[Vandalism]

Ripping the Fabric of Space and Time.

[Siddhartha]

I have just read the 8 pages.

This is the best thread I have seen since I joined the forum. It´s very funny and interesting.

I really hope you manage to complete the experiment. What a task.

  to you and your friends.

[chaossystem]

Michelle with The Mirror.

Me: Heya Michelle! Welcome again!
Michelle: Urgh, thanks.
Me: No problem!
Michelle: Can we get it over with?
Me: Haha, sure thing buddy.
Michelle: Great. *Puts on headphones*
Me: Here's the lyric sheet and enjoy The Mirror! Some things might be different for you so...umm, good luck!
Michelle: *Groans* Great. Just fricking great.
Me: *hits play*
After The Mirror
Michelle: *Takes off headphones*
Me: Well?
Michelle: Worse than the first song.
Me: 
Michelle: What? No, it's true. Did not like it at all. Poor me, poor me.
Me: Oh come on, it's not that bad.
Michelle: Yes it is. Speak for yourself. You come from a metal background.
Me: I wouldn't say that....
Michelle: I just did not like it at all.
Me: Why? Oh and interview begins. What part did you like and dislike?
Michelle: I disliked the heaviness and the guitar sound. Ugh. Also, I hated that other sound. You know, the growling.
Me: You mean this part? *plays MP vocals*
Michelle: Yes! Yes! Ew, that was just disgusting!
Me: Hey, that's cool, not disgusting! Also, better get used to it, because some other songs have use of Mike Portnoy's vocals.
Michelle: Who? The drummer?
Me: Yeah, he sings also.
Michelle: Oh.
Me: Yep. And you have got to have liked something.
Michelle: Mmmm.
Me: What about this part? *plays MP vocals*
Michelle: STOP IT!
Me:     
Michelle: Seriously.
Me: Ok, ok. Here's the correct one.  *plays Portnoy's vocals*
Michelle: I'm outta here.
Me: No, Michelle! I'm sorry! I won't do it anymore!
Michelle: Promise?
Me: Yes, now sit down.
Michelle: Ok.
Me: *plays 5:21* That piano groove sounded so good, didn't it?
Michelle: I guess.
Me: And you have to admit that the singer was good.
Michelle: No. Too harsh. I want him to return to his softer, lighter singing.
Me: :/ I see.
Michelle: Yeah.
Me: This is Mike Portnoy's beginning of his twelve step suite. Any thoughts on that?
Michelle: No.
Me: So, Portnoy had been addicted to alcohol and it had gotten really bad. The Mirror talks about Portnoy's alcohol problem. The Twelve Step Suite doesn't officially begin until Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence which is in two albums. You know what, since you picked The Mirror, I'm going to give you the song: The Glass Prison, This Dying Soul, The Root of All Evil, Repentance, and The Shattered Fortress. I pity you Michelle. I pity you very much.
Michelle: Why?
Me: I'm sorry Michelle that you have to go through life the hard way! *sobs overdramatically*
Michelle: What?!
Me: I'm kidding (not kidding at all). All I have to say is...prepare yourself for the suite.
Michelle: I'm excited.
Me: Love the sarcasm!
Michelle: Whatever.
Me: And wow, you got the two songs without any John Petrucci solo.
Michelle: So?
Me: Haha, nothing.
Michelle: Ok then. Are we done?
Me: I guess so.
Michelle: Great. Who do I bring now?
Me: Victoria. She has the next two songs.
Michelle: Ah, I see.
Me: Yep!
Michelle: I'll be going now.
Me: Wait! Crack a dumb joke about The Mirror first.
Michelle: Err...why?
Me: *in a horrible imitation of Michelle* Maybe you should learn to live!
Michelle: Shut up! 
Me: It's fine. That was funny.
Michelle:  I'll be going now.
Me: Bye.
Michelle: Later.

The Mirror isn't one of MY favorites, either, but this is/was one of the best posts ON here!

This song, especially the LSFNY version of it might be very useful if played outside in a boombox, for scaring the neighbors' CATS out of your trees...!...

[pcs90]

Strangely enough while I dislike a lot of heavier songs (from any band) I love The Mirror...

[Vandalism]

Hey Angela why don't you do a special edition of the experiment with The Gift of Music and Moment of Betrayal. I for one would be really interested in the results and there would be something to look forward to while the Earth rolls 10 more times.

Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work!

[Viking of the Sagas]

Amazing thread, thank you so much for doing this!

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Thanks guys. And Vandalism, that's a great idea!

[MHStrawn]

I would never expect a 13 year old (a girl, nonetheless) to be interested enough (at all, really) in a band like Dream Theater to have researched enough about the music, song meanings and lyrics, instrumentation and the like, and band history to know the in depth information that she does. I myself was 13 when I bought Images and Words back in '92, and I certainly enjoyed the album, but I was more interested in the cool sounding songs than being able to break them down and analyze them. It took me years and years for me to be able to dissect the music well enough to discuss it the way she does.

Wow....so much wrong here.  First off, what YOU were doing when you were 13 does not define what OTHERS may or may not be doing.  I'm 50 but I can tell you when I was 13 I was trying to figure out what the heck Hemispheres was about and learning what "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" means.  And the girls comments....damn you are one narrow-minded little dude.

[Prog Snob]

Hey, ShortestStrawn, we moved away from the nitpicking about the fake/real argument and someone already got banned for it. Lets focus on the topic at hand and not subordinate details.

[mikemangioy]

I would never expect a 13 year old (a girl, nonetheless) to be interested enough (at all, really) in a band like Dream Theater to have researched enough about the music, song meanings and lyrics, instrumentation and the like, and band history to know the in depth information that she does. I myself was 13 when I bought Images and Words back in '92, and I certainly enjoyed the album, but I was more interested in the cool sounding songs than being able to break them down and analyze them. It took me years and years for me to be able to dissect the music well enough to discuss it the way she does.

Wow....so much wrong here.  First off, what YOU were doing when you were 13 does not define what OTHERS may or may not be doing.  I'm 50 but I can tell you when I was 13 I was trying to figure out what the heck Hemispheres was about and learning what "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" means.  And the girls comments....damn you are one narrow-minded little dude.

Just to back him up, I myself did those things, precisely at 13.

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Great.....

[cramx3]

Here it is everyone. Thanks for your patience!: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=45581.0

Goodbye.

I was just reading through the back log of this thread and last time participating it was such a turnoff to see a large amount of people claiming fake.  I was really curious to read that thread just to see how ridiculous it was  oh well, obviously for the best.

Angela, please continue and don't let the trolls get to you, I think it is great that you are spreading the music.   

[pcs90]

Angela, your best bet is to just ignore that discussion and keep going. Most likely new people will come here every once in a while and say it's fake. The rest of us will enjoy what you are doing.

[pcs90]

I was really curious to read that thread just to see how ridiculous it was  oh well, obviously for the best.

You didn't miss much...it was a bunch of arguments which made no sense. Basically he had gotten banned the first time for arguing with her and being rude, so he tried to get revenge I guess...didn't work too well

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Well, thanks for the support guys.
You guys are the onyl reason why this going on. I'm barely hanging on a thread right now....I'll try my best to ignore the comments.

[Prog Snob]

Well, thanks for the support guys.
You guys are the onyl reason why this going on. I'm barely hanging on a thread right now....I'll try my best to ignore the comments.

You'll be fine. Don't worry, Ang.   

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

I'm not sure if this would be the right time to say it but this thread is facing violent opposition, unmolested breath. Ethic inquisitions breed, antagonistic views. Right wing sound bite premonitions in a labyrinth of rules.
Sorry, had to add that. Seemed fiting. 

[thosava]

There are only one or two people saying negative things. Don't let them controll this thread.

[Prog Snob]

I'm not sure if this would be the right time to say it but this thread is facing violent opposition, unmolested breath. Ethic inquisitions breed, antagonistic views. Right wing sound bite premonitions in a labyrinth of rules.
Sorry, had to add that. Seemed fiting. 

    

[mikemangioy]

Just keep on goin', I always have fun reading this. Also, great reference 

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Here we have Victoria with Lie and Lifting Shadows!! 
And Vandalism, I will have the two songs posted after Awake, if that's all right with you!

Me: Hey there Victoria!
Victoria: What's up?
Me: Are you ready for this?
Victoria: Sure.
Me: That's the spirit! Ok, so you know the drill. You have a pretty heavy than a mellow song.
Victoria: Nice.
Me: Yeah. Both have nice John Petrucci guitar solo's and you will enjoy it. The drumming is phenomenon, the bass is great and the keyboard is super! James is also aggressive on the first song. You might enjoy it.
Victoria: I hope I do...
Me: Yeah, you got the most mellow song, Wait For Sleep. 
Victoria: Uh huh...*puts on headphones*
Me: Let's get started. The lyric sheet is here and enjoy!
Victoria: Alright.
After the music
Me: How was it?
Victoria: *takes off headphones* That was very intense.
Me: Oh yeah. Did you like it?
Victoria: I felt indifferent. The lyrics were kind of strange, but it got me in the mood.
Me: Oh? What's your opinion on heavy music?
Victoria: If it has a purpose for being heavy, I try my best to endure it. If it was a love song, I'd want it to be poppy, not heavy. If it was about getting revenge on your enemies, I'd want the mood to take me. It's basically living out the song.
Me: Hm, nice! What'd you think of the guitar solo in the end?
Victoria: That was pretty cool. I never knew a guitar could sound so aggressive.
Me: You were probably thinking of the acoustic. Electric guitars can sound pretty damn heavy if they wanted to.
Victoria: That's interesting.
Me: The drums were also very aggressive during this song. Any thoughts on the drum?
Victoria: Yeah, kinda. I thought the drummer was pissed because in the end, he just pounded his drumset like crazy.
Me: Yeah, that was pretty loud.
Victoria: Yep.
Me: Interesting. What'd you think of the distorted synth?
Victoria: Excuse me?
Me: Distorted synth.
Victoria: Who are you calling distorted?!
Me: The synth. 
Victoria: 
Me: Oh, right. *quick explanation of a synth*
Victoria: Oh. Haha, I guess. It sounded pretty cool.
Me: Yep! This song was originally part of The Mirror when Labrie said that Lie should be a song of its own. It's also written by Kevin Moore. Any thoughts?
Victoria: Umm, so it was originally 1 song?
Me: Yeah. The Mirror, which Michelle got.
Victoria: What was her reaction to it?
Me: She didn't like it.
Victoria: I'm not surprised. You know, the rest, I'm not worried about, but can't Michelle get all the soft songs? I mean, you know about her and all those heavy songs.
Me: *sighs* I guess so.
Victoria: Well at least don't give her heavy songs every time or she will be out quicker than starving cheetah chasing after its prey.
Me:  Got it.
Victoria: Great.
Me: Let's continue the interview. How was the singer?
Victoria: Except for being gritty, he was ok. If he sang like that on the other song I listened to or any other soft songs, I'd be turned off, but I know this is supposed to be heavy so I'm not totally against it.
Me: Nice one.
Victoria: Thanks.
Me: Is there anything you'd like to add?
Victoria: Not really. Anything you'd like to ask?
Me: For this song? No. Should we just go on to the next song?
Victoria: Sure thing.
Me: Great. Wait here while I open up the lyrics and find the link.

[RMGadelha]

I really like how Victoria is open minded about the mood of the songs.

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

I really like how Victoria is open minded about the mood of the songs.

Oh yeah. Definitely. I love that about her.

[pcs90]

I really like how Victoria is open minded about the mood of the songs.

This is even better because originally she was the least willing to do the experiment if I remember correctly. So it's good she's opening up her mind to the songs more now.

[Vandalism]

And Vandalism, I will have the two songs posted after Awake, if that's all right with you!

Sure thanks for taking it. Waiting......

Vic's thoughts do bring out the effects of your experiment here. I think you are getting somewhere with this.

[jayvee3]

Angela, I'm pushing 40 and am enjoying every minute of your thread and it's updates. Age should never come into question and i'm loving what you are doing here. To see young crew get right into DT is fantastic, and conducting this little 'experiment' is not only a great read, but should be encouraged and applauded. Thank you for taking the time to do this and give some real enjoyment to the boards. Looking forward to the next updates! 

[Viking of the Sagas]

Looking forward to more of this...

and the One Direction reactions after that too XD

[Vandalism]

Yes I can already imagine them just passing over the Bass unison of MoB without even giving it a thought and then Angela explaining them what happened.

[OnTheBacksofAngela]

Thanks guys.