*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[Kilgore Trout]

I won't say anything bad anymore about the album, because it obviously hurts some people's feelings.

their album sucks.

Gosh. Don't read implications where there are none. I wrote "It's not like I'm waiting for them at the end of a show to say to them that their album sucks". I wasn't saying the album sucks.

[bosk1]

Again, can we please turn the discussion to the actual content of the album rather than arguing over each others' positions?  Thanks.

[Aythesryche]

I have an excellent audio system in my car, so I'm going on a nice long road trip now to listen to the new album. Brb.

[senecadawg2]

Never mind Kilgore--we're at an impasse and distracting from the thread.

More relevant question: do most agree that JLB is the MVP?

I think JR put in really solid work as well, but I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

[jdprsaga]

Whenever I get a new Dream Theater Album (or rush for that matter) I usually give them a few spins without trying to dig to much into details. More in a relax kinda let the album drive my mood way.
This has work pretty well before because I'm not comparing parts to previous albums/songs/bands etc. and usually make my experience with the album unbiassed. Only After a few spins then i start digging deeper into details (lyrics, music, etc)

So here my feelings/thoughts
My first spin: It felt really Fresh! The darker/less balladish songs stood out for me. First listen my favorites were three days and the walking shadow.
After a few spins: ballads really growing strong on me. but I'm all into nafaryous voice.. freaking bad ass and fresh in my mind. Act of fythe and X Aspect grew a lot on  me.

I think this album will grown on me a lot, specially when convined with all DT discography, whenever I feel overwhelmed with DT sound I'll be able to spin some songs from TA for a breath! I gotta say I feel the same with falling into infinity, it's fresh in the mist of all DT albums.

[thedrumanimal]

 
Damn that Xander dude is really pissed in the walking shadow.

Amazing song.  That time shifting part: 

[Sacul]

Whenever I get a new Dream Theater Album (or rush for that matter) I usually give them a few spins without trying to dig to much into details. More in a relax kinda let the album drive my mood way.
This has work pretty well before because I'm not comparing parts to previous albums/songs/bands etc. and usually make my experience with the album unbiassed. Only After a few spins then i start digging deeper into details (lyrics, music, etc)

I find this to be the only reasonable approach to listening to any music, really. Trying to get all in your head at first is a pointless imo.

[blackmetal666]

This freaking album is fantastic.  It definitely grows on you.  With each listen more things start to stick out.  After my first listen I thought it was decent.
Now after multiple spins...I love it.

Easily best album since Scenes.
I can't stop listening.

[Train of Naught]

Lol. Just noticed The Hovering Sojourn is too short for last.fm to register for some reason.

[Kotowboy]

Again, can we please turn the discussion to the actual content of the album rather than arguing over each others' positions?  Thanks.

[RuRoRul]

Just finished my first listen.

I had avoided discussing this upcoming album too much because, to be honest, I was a little bit concerned about how it would hold up.

Well the first thing I did after finishing it was play it again I am not sure I will have time to listen to it all again in one go but I really want to hear it again, so that is a good sign.

On initial listen, Three Days is my favourite track from there. The Path That Divides, Dystopian Overture, The Gift Of Music, Moment Of Betrayal and the good early duo of A Better Life and Lord Nafaryus are the other most memorable standouts for me. (Obviously I have heard The Gift Of Music and Moment Of Betrayal before, but they I thought they were both pretty good on their own and they are better as part of the album and in better quality). Several more were good and have potential to be among my favourites I am sure, but those are the ones I remembered most clearly after one listen.

[thosava]

Yeah i got that, but i don't understand how lives can be astonishing? It doesn't seem like the proper adjective for that 

I googled "Astonishing" and I got, "extremely surprising or impressive; amazing"

The idea is that the people being allowed to make music again will introduce some more amazing and impressive things in their life. How did you feel the first time you ever listened to DT, or realized you loved it? That's what they'll finally be allowed to feel again.

As for why it's called 'The Astonishing,' as I understand it, The Astonishing is the process of Nafaryus realizing the true power of music and allowing it back into the world.

Thanks, that made a lot of sense!

[Kotowboy]

I only listened to ACT I once thru last night as I had work in 9 hours

But - whilst not everything stood out as memorable - i'm certain that's new album syndrome.

Obviously there were highlights and the production is stellar.

Descent of The NOMACs    DAT SOUND.

SO many cool moments.

That Primus-y section on Three Days. i actually grinned so hard and went like \m/  \m/ AWESOME - at that part.

ACT II later.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Do you really put Descent of the NOMACs as a highlight? Bring that one to the controversial opinions thread 

[robin5749]

just started act two, all I can say so far is james labrie is wonderful.

[TAC]

First off I would like to thank Amazon for delivering this YESTERDAY!!!


I have been begging for two things from a DT album:
1. Way more piano
2. Allowing James to go off


This album does both!

[ASacrificedSon]

First off I would like to thank Amazon for delivering this YESTERDAY!!!


I have been begging for two things from a DT album:
1. Way more piano
2. Allowing James to go off


This album does both!

I totally agree with number 2, but for number 1...
I'm more of a Petrucci person. I wish their were more guitar solos than piano. My opinion though.

[Viking of the Sagas]

Lord Nafaryus. I am in love with this song. This is new DT, a sound I haven't ever heard from them. I absolutely adore it.

[Zydar]

Brace yourself, bow down to Nafaryus

[Viking of the Sagas]

Indeed... and the next sound sounds like an epic mix of Star Wars... and METTAALLL

Honestly, this album is so much hype. The first few songs were a bit bland... BUT THEN IT KICKED OFF! THE JOURNEY, AND THE ADVENTURE!

The melodies are next level. Not bland or boring, maybe cliched but I don't care, it's just what I love. It's the sort of cliched DT has never done before. And that's epic

In short, this album is to live for.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Brace yourself, bow down to Nafaryus

That's more badass than anything on DT12.

[Viking of the Sagas]

I have to agree... these songs put the previous album to shame.

[Podaar]

I've only been able to listen up through "The Hovering Sojourn" so far, but it was really fun. So ridiculous and awesome that it became ridiculously awesome. I can't count the amount of times I laughed out loud. JLB was so fantastic in "Three Days".. that haughty laugh was perfect!

One thing that really stood out for me, was that it's totally a headphone album. The drums really sound fantastic and get out of the way with headphones on. Rumby's "typewriter" kick-drums completely disappear.

So, paint me happy...so far.

[ronnibran]

OMG this is amazing.  It is crazy to think that I'm only roughly 1/4 through this.  It is so unbelievably awesome so far.  Right now I'm at the "my music player" part of Act Of Faythe.  This is so incredibly awesome. 

Dystopian Overture was simply amazing also.

[Marion Crane]

I definitely need to listen to it again, this time with the lyrics. I feel like I'm watching Lord of the Rings with the sound off or something. Some really cool "visuals", but otherwise I really don't know what's going on. And LOTS of walking.

[Architeuthis]

I have to agree... these songs put the previous album to shame.

Wow, that is saying alot! I love DT 12 probably more than most on this forum.  I have to wait another week to hear TA, my local record store forgot to order it and I requested it a week ago..

[Phoenix87x]

I have no solid idea what I think of this thing yet, but I will give them credit for trying something totally different.

[thosava]

I have to agree... these songs put the previous album to shame.

Wow, that is saying alot! I love DT 12 probably more than most on this forum.  I have to wait another week to hear TA, my local record store forgot to order it and I requested it a week ago..

I reccommend getting it on HDtracks.com!

[MikeDavis67]

Our New World...   OMG.  Love the melody, vibe, triumphant sound, absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!!!!  Not overly complicated just a terrific Anthem sound!

[thosava]

I can hear something weird in the end of the vocals on A Tempting Offer. What is that sound James is making? Is it some weird editing? Sound like he's saying: take the evening to decide... ivdsh

[MikeDavis67]

YES!

First impression:

This is some of the most special, most melodic and beautiful music Dream Theater has even written.

Cannot state this more.  Well put!

[V_R11]

Okay what is this "gift" Gabriel has? Am I dumb?

[BlobVanDam]

Okay what is this "gift" Gabriel has? Am I dumb?

The gift of music!

[Architeuthis]

I have to agree... these songs put the previous album to shame.

Wow, that is saying alot! I love DT 12 probably more than most on this forum.  I have to wait another week to hear TA, my local record store forgot to order it and I requested it a week ago..

I reccommend getting it on HDtracks.com!

Thanks for the heads up..  I don't have a computer at the moment, just a Android phone. I have to wait for the cd next Friday. There are no best buys in my area and I seriously doubt Wal-Mart will have it. My local record store is only open Thursday through Saturday..lame!

[thosava]

Okay what is this "gift" Gabriel has? Am I dumb?

He can ressurect people by singing