Oh lawd, coming from another forum it's so refreshing to see people who don't like the album not being total bass soles about it. Props!
As cheesy and "Disney-like" as it is, I personally quite like it. It's great for what it is, don't see why people compare to other stuff the whole time. If people go about it like they would when it comes to The Wall or even a Steven Wilson record (these days), they 're just setting themselves up to not like it.
If they pull it off in a live setting, it will make for such a great show.
Over time a few tracks might be filler material for me but can't complain at all because there are just so many good moments in there. "Chosen" is my personal favorite, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten as many honorable mentions in here. It's like the "Let It Go" of this album.
They took enough creative risks here (imo the biggest one being making this tour album-exclusive), at least you can't blame them for that.
Yep. I personally am not a big fan of it yet but I am glad that people are being civil about things (Only had time for 1 listen so I may end up liking it better.)
I like that they took a risk but when some of the first lyrics that hit me are so cheesy it sets a bad tone. "As fearless leader of the Ravenskill Militia. The blood of warriors flows throughout my veins" I don;t know why....those lines almost made me hit skip.
I applaud them for doing something risky and different but I could not get into it much on the first listen. Dream Theater is my favorite band and I think their effort at a rock opera doesn't compare to what a band like Savatage has done over and over. (Streets, Dead Winter Dead, Wake of Magellan) Those albums are rock operas that have tracks that stand on their own.
I also have no problem with ballads or slow songs. I like bands ranging from Testament, Megadeth, Slayer (older...Reign in Blood to Seasons in the Abyss) to slower bands like The Gathering and Anathema. I am open to anything when it comes to rock.
I love many of Dream Theater's slow songs like Wait For Sleep, Space Dye Vest, Another Day, Lifting Shadows, Hollow Years, Through Her Eyes, The Spirit Carries On, Solitary Shell, Goodnight Kiss, Along for the Ride, The Bigger Picture, The Answer Lies Within etc. I just don't feel like the melody and quality of these songs match the aforementioned songs.
Hope it will grow on me but as of now it is my least favorite CD of theirs featuring JLB....not because he sang bad...because i just don;t dig many of the songs.
If it doesn't end up growing on me then I am sure I will love their next effort in a few years and I am still grateful for all of the quality music that they consistently pumped out over the years. Looking forward to what is next.
Hell, maybe I don't have to wait. Maybe with my next listen it will click (probably can't listen again until Monday unfortunately)