*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[SebastianPratesi]

I just stumbled upon this recent interview with JP while in Germany (recorded last week, but posted 3 days ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EZRUROF1EE

Towards the end, at 18:00, John confirms there will be further shows in South America (yeay!), Australia and Asia. I know it was expected the band would tour those regions later on; still, the way John says so makes it seem like it's officially official.

Most of the interview is about John's guitars and rig. There are some questions about the new album at the beginning, but nothing new.

[KevShmev]

Even though I still find hearing the chorus only once in The Road to Revolution to be a major tease, I find that when combining it with 2285 Entr'acte and Moment of Betrayal as a 3-song run, it works really well.  That moment in 2285 Entr'acte when the The Road to Revolution melody is playing by the strings is freaking stellar (around 1:15, I think).

[fadetoblackdude7]

Even though I still find hearing the chorus only once in The Road to Revolution to be a major tease, I find that when combining it with 2285 Entr'acte and Moment of Betrayal as a 3-song run, it works really well.  That moment in 2285 Entr'acte when the The Road to Revolution melody is playing by the strings is freaking stellar (around 1:15, I think).

Agreed about the tease. I think the best RtR chorus is in the middle of BCYHM

[erwinrafael]

I was confined in the hospital for a week and TA was in my regular rotation to keep me from being bored. Yesterday I played it out loud because I was alone in the room, and I found myself singing along to the whole musical.  Looks like I already memorized this album by heart.

[TAC]

I was confined in the hospital for a week and TA was in my regular rotation to keep me from being bored. Yesterday I played it out loud because I was alone in the room, and I found myself singing along to the whole musical.  Looks like I already memorized this album by heart.

Yikes! Hope you are feeling better.

[erwinrafael]

I was confined in the hospital for a week and TA was in my regular rotation to keep me from being bored. Yesterday I played it out loud because I was alone in the room, and I found myself singing along to the whole musical.  Looks like I already memorized this album by heart.

Yikes! Hope you are feeling better.

I am home now, thanks. I had a nasty case of ischiorectal abscess.

[jakepriest]

I am home now, thanks. I had a nasty case of ischiorectal abscess.

Man that sucks, good to know that you are well now.  Those things can spread real fast.

[cramx3]

I am home now, thanks. I had a nasty case of ischiorectal abscess.

Man that sucks, good to know that you are well now.  Those things can spread real fast.

Yikes, had something very similar myself in the fall.  Needed surgery, but luckily it was outpatient for me, but man that is such an area that really sucks to get surgery

[erwinrafael]

I am home now, thanks. I had a nasty case of ischiorectal abscess.

Man that sucks, good to know that you are well now.  Those things can spread real fast.

Yikes, had something very similar myself in the fall.  Needed surgery, but luckily it was outpatient for me, but man that is such an area that really sucks to get surgery

I also thought it would be outpatient for me, then they discovered that is it one finger deep. OUCH. Which is why it took me a week to recover.

[Ben_Jamin]

I'm really into Act of Faythe now. Really good ballad, with nice vocals in the vein of Anna Lee with Lifting Shadows.

[fischermasamune]

I'm really into Act of Faythe now. Really good ballad, with nice vocals in the vein of Anna Lee with Lifting Shadows.

Act of Faythe is growing a bit. It's not at the same level of more intense songs, but I think it's a par-for-the-course ballad.

[jakepriest]

I'm really into Act of Faythe now. Really good ballad, with nice vocals in the vein of Anna Lee with Lifting Shadows.

¨

Act of Faythe is awesome. It's been on of my favourites on Act I since my first listen and is easily the best ballad on the album.

[cramx3]

Yea, I really enjoy Act of Faythe.  It wasn't a song that hit me at first, but after many listens I have grown to really like it.

[Tomislav95]

Yea, I really enjoy Act of Faythe.  It wasn't a song that hit me at first, but after many listens I have grown to really like it.

This. I guess I couldn't get over 'my music player' part but rest of the chorus is beautiful.

[Mladen]

That song is beautiful and touching, it contains my favorite piano theme on the album and LaBrie's vocals are top notch.

[cramx3]

Yea, I really enjoy Act of Faythe.  It wasn't a song that hit me at first, but after many listens I have grown to really like it.

This. I guess I couldn't get over 'my music player' part but rest of the chorus is beautiful.

My first listen I kind of giggled at that line, but now it's actually one of my favorite parts.  Sure the lyrics are cheesy, but it's really awesome.

[pantsofeternity]

Yea, I really enjoy Act of Faythe.  It wasn't a song that hit me at first, but after many listens I have grown to really like it.

This. I guess I couldn't get over 'my music player' part but rest of the chorus is beautiful.

My first listen I kind of giggled at that line, but now it's actually one of my favorite parts.  Sure the lyrics are cheesy, but it's really awesome.

That part brought tears to my eyes on first listen. So, to each one's own, I guess.

[dparrott]

Listening to my abridged CD today, wow...the hi-hat and cymbals...yea they're pretty flat.  Didn't notice that until I read it here.  Are the HD tracks any better?

[erwinrafael]

Yea, I really enjoy Act of Faythe.  It wasn't a song that hit me at first, but after many listens I have grown to really like it.

This. I guess I couldn't get over 'my music player' part but rest of the chorus is beautiful.

My first listen I kind of giggled at that line, but now it's actually one of my favorite parts.  Sure the lyrics are cheesy, but it's really awesome.

That part brought tears to my eyes on first listen. So, to each one's own, I guess.

As somebody who is plugged in to my music player almost half of the day, that line got me on first listen, as well.

Listening to my abridged CD today, wow...the hi-hat and cymbals...yea they're pretty flat.  Didn't notice that until I read it here.  Are the HD tracks any better?

What do you mean flat? They are a bit low in the mix.

[dparrott]

What do you mean flat? They are a bit low in the mix.

They are not just low to me, there's not much high frequency to them.  The cymbals on OTBOA for example sound much brighter.

[Hypnotoad]

I have the HD Tracks version on my Fiio X3. I tweaked the high end a little on the EQ and I have to say it sounds stunning. The cymbals/hi-hat are really apparent now and I can hear all the subtleties in MM's playing

[genome]

I haven't been on in a few weeks, so this may have been spoken about... but can we give some love to the solo in A Better Life, one of the best on the album and seems a little underrated.

Wonderful solo.

[Logain Ablar]

I haven't been on in a few weeks, so this may have been spoken about... but can we give some love to the solo in A Better Life, one of the best on the album and seems a little underrated.

Wonderful solo.

I've seen it mentioned in a couple of threads. You're right - it's top notch. I love the legato runs.

[bosk1]

I haven't been on in a few weeks, so this may have been spoken about... but can we give some love to the solo in A Better Life, one of the best on the album and seems a little underrated.

Wonderful solo.

Yup.  Very good.  There is a thread for that song in particular.  The whole song is top notch.

[BelichickFan]

I hate to sound like a crazed fanboy but the biggest problem I have with The Astonishing is if I just put it on to listen to one track, I am unable to turn it off and am "stuck" listening to the rest.  I'm actually trying to take a break until I see them in a month but guess what's on right now ?

[bosk1]

...but guess what's on right now ?

Sesame's Street, "C is for Cookie, and other Hits from the Hood"?

[Enigmachine]

For me it's different. I adore the album, but I've listened to it only three times in full (even though I remember many moments off of it by heart). It's not because I can't find the time, it's just that I'm afraid of overplaying it. I have this fear with many other albums and I don't think I've listened to any one Dream Theater album in full for more than 10 times. Is this an unfounded fear?

[Kotowboy]

I do this too. I try not to over listen to new albums.

Then when you come back to it down the road - it still sounds fresh.

[cramx3]

For me it's different. I adore the album, but I've listened to it only three times in full (even though I remember many moments off of it by heart). It's not because I can't find the time, it's just that I'm afraid of overplaying it. I have this fear with many other albums and I don't think I've listened to any one Dream Theater album in full for more than 10 times. Is this an unfounded fear?

Have you ever gotten to the point where you over played an album before?  The fear is legit, but I think for me it requires many more than 10 listens. 

[BelichickFan]

For me it's different. I adore the album, but I've listened to it only three times in full (even though I remember many moments off of it by heart). It's not because I can't find the time, it's just that I'm afraid of overplaying it. I have this fear with many other albums and I don't think I've listened to any one Dream Theater album in full for more than 10 times. Is this an unfounded fear?

I'm absolutely in fear of overplaying it.  Which is why I'm actively trying to listen to other stuff.  But sometimes I really want to listen to a particular track and I am unable to turn it off.  Thankfully, I haven't become remotely sick of it yet.  I wish I knew how often I'd listened to it.  It has to be going on 100 or so I would think.

[KevShmev]

I never worry about overplaying something.  If I love something enough that it makes me want to keep listening over and over, I listen over and over.  Most of my favorite albums are ones I listened to to death, and they are still my favorites despite bludgeoning myself with them over and over and over...

[chaossystem]

What I've been doing is making playlists where I mix a few songs from The Astonishing with other DT songs from other albums. That way it doesn't get as monotonous or redundant as just listening to it by itself from beginning to end over and over again...

[Enigmachine]

I never worry about overplaying something.  If I love something enough that it makes me want to keep listening over and over, I listen over and over.  Most of my favorite albums are ones I listened to to death, and they are still my favorites despite bludgeoning myself with them over and over and over...

But what about the rule of diminishing returns when the mystery of the music is gone (i.e. when you remember everthing about it including the tiny intricacies)? Does that not apply?

[BlobVanDam]

I never worry about overplaying something.  If I love something enough that it makes me want to keep listening over and over, I listen over and over.  Most of my favorite albums are ones I listened to to death, and they are still my favorites despite bludgeoning myself with them over and over and over...

But what about the rule of diminishing returns when the mystery of the music is gone (i.e. when you remember everthing about it including the tiny intricacies)? Does that not apply?

BETTER TO SAVE THE MYSTERY THAN SURRENDER TO THE SECREEEEEET

But seriously, great music doesn't diminish once the mystery is gone. It remains enjoyable to listen to because it's good. Most of DT's older music still sounds as fresh and exciting to me as the first time I heard it over a decade ago, and I listened to basically nothing else at the time.

[erwinrafael]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qKA_VE-Jme8