While of course I understand that The Astonishing is not everyone's cup of tea, I can't see how it could be seen as anything else than a DT album.
It's their version of a rock opera... but it's still DT. Not even on my first listening I thought "wow, this is so completely different from everything they've ever done, if it was not for James singing I wouldn't even recognize the band".... heck no, the fact that Petrucci and Rudess wrote it and played on it is so evident and clear.
Judas Priest's Nostradamus was far more removed from Priest's usual sound that The Astonishing ever is.... you could take at least half of the songs and spread them over the other Mangini albums and they would fit nicely.
The irony is in the lyrics though..."People just don't have the time for music anymore"
Which means, sitting down, listening to an entire album, without a concern of the outside world. And letting it take you on a journey, let the music take you on an experience.
See, I know that people listen to music differently. Mostly everyone listens to music for background noise, and just something to have on while doing work. Actually, listening to music directly without disruption requires time. People don't either have the time, due to work, or just don't want to put away what they feel like doing to listen to an album of music. They'd rather watch the movie and the video.
This is really more Broadway than Rock Opera, in the terms of approach. Each song is literally a scene, with a location and a time of day. I think JP had this in mind when writing, and him and JR had it in mind to compose it, so they wouldn't have to tinker much, if it does get a theater production with a cast.
Unlike Hadestown which went through some major changes and adding songs. But, I prefer the album and also enjoy the broadway theater production.
I've been to actual Operas at our Santa Fe Opera. And you can't even talk loud, or else you'd get escorted out, and I can imagine how they are with the phones now. So it doesn't surprise me that Dream Theater and their management decided to be as strict with the phones. They want you to pay attention to the show, and enjoy the concept and the story. They wanted an Opera style experience.
And I don't know what stupid hidden rule is there for people to sit at a rock show/rock concert. I will tell you, it sucks being short and stuck sitting behind someone tall. So if I stand o have a better experience. If I sit I won't have a better experience at all, while the guy behind me will. Fuck that. I didn't say anything either to the guy behind telling me to sit down during Rush. My friend actually told that guy "Dude, it's a rock concert." And we stood for a while then sat down because that guy was going all Karen. Staff can't do shit either...
I do appreciate though at General Admission shows when the tall people will let me go in front of them or let to get to the spot where there is no tall people but a good space where I could see between crowd.