DT15: A View From The Top Of The World (Timeline for DT15)

[Dream Team]

Indeed. Not everyone worships Images and Words so i'd hope it was better than that.

Doesn’t matter if you like it or not, the fact of it’s awesomeness is carved in stone. You missed out I guess.

[Dream Team]

Jeez all these glowing reviews and us serfs still have to wait 6 weeks. Thanks a lot.

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

Myung getting sole lyric credit this time around rather than Myung/Petrucci co-credit.  I wonder if that means it’s all his own work this time.

Surrender to Reason is Myung not Myung/Petrucci

Yes but it’s long been hinted at that, whilst Myung has always been given a sole lyric credit, he actually  brings in something akin to poetry and the band (probably Petrucci) have to do some work to turn them into usable song lyrics.  On Distance Over Time, for the first time, Petrucci was given a co-write credit on Myung’s two songs and this seemed to be them finally acknowledging that he has some input on Myung penned songs. 

On this album though they’re back to giving Myung sole credit so I’m just vaguely interested if that is because Myung brought in a fully completed set of lyrics or whether Petrucci just decided he didn’t need to take credit for adjusting them like he did on D/T

JP song writing credit funny story. I heard JP’s wife was playing a riff and John “stole it”. LOL! That riff turned out to be The Mirror.

You mean a low B power chord chugged in groups of three? 😂

[BeatriceNB]

Indeed. Not everyone worships Images and Words so i'd hope it was better than that.

Images And Words status is deserved, to be fair. And I'm not even a huge fan of it as some are.

Indeed. Not everyone worships Images and Words so i'd hope it was better than that.

Doesn’t matter if you like it or not, the fact of it’s awesomeness is carved in stone. You missed out I guess.

Really boring way of approaching music, not gonna lie 

[Stadler]

I like Arch era FW but Alder took them to an entire new level. It’s weird that Arch could have ended up in DT, imagine that? Would have been AWFUL and DT would not have had a long career. Now I’m picturing Ray Alder in DT and JLB in FW! 

That would've been an interesting scenario. Ray is great on Parallels. I think it was there where he really "found" his voice. Such great tone.

But James was really such a driving force on those early DT albums. He was the difference maker. And I still remember thinking that he was the weak link during the I&W shows. Not that HE was weak, but that ANY vocalist would've been considered so.

As much as I like the other members, I wouldn't be a DT fan if it wasn't for James.  My hearing of I&W back in the day changed the game.  That was, like TAC said, all of it coming together.   It was like Rush, Maiden and Journey all got together, had a party and out came I&W.   

Having said that, I think I'm the only one here that doesn't give a rat's ass who writes the lyrics.   There is literally no connection between whether I like a particular lyric and who wrote it (including Portnoy).   

[Lonk]

Having said that, I think I'm the only one here that doesn't give a rat's ass who writes the lyrics.   There is literally no connection between whether I like a particular lyric and who wrote it (including Portnoy).

Add me to that list of those who don't care who wrote the lyrics. The final product is all I care about.

[WilliamMunny]

Agree with both of you. All of DT's lyricists have penned what I think are 'gems,' and they all have a dud or three as well.

Myung and James have the highest batting average (in my opnion), but they have way fewer at bats.

I've actually really grown to appreciate MP's lyrics in recent years. I was not a huge fan when he was in the band, but there's a directness to his approach that contrasts nicely with JP.

Obviously, JP has been the band's largest contributor, and to this day I still consider songs like 'Lines in the Sand,' 'This is the Life,' and 'Someone Like Him' (from Octavarium) to be some of the most poignant lyrics I have ever heard, bar none.

For a band that is so applauded (and rightfully so) for it's musical prowess, I've always considered the band's consistency in regard to lyrics to be one of their secret weapons.

[lovethedrake]

I'm not a lyrics person in general.  I feel like one day I will start to care about lyrics and it will be like getting into DT all over again.

Outside of The Astonishing and Scenes From a Memory I'm not sure I even know what a single song is about from DT. 

But it's not exclusive to them,  I just hardly listen to lyrics.  I can sing the words to a sing sometimes and still have no clue what it's about haha.

[Trav86]

   It was like Rush, Maiden and Journey all got together, had a party and out came I&W.   

I just want to point out how much I love this analogy. 
I’d like to add that Metallica and Kansas showed up and had a few beers as well!

[WilliamMunny]

I'm not a lyrics person in general.  I feel like one day I will start to care about lyrics and it will be like getting into DT all over again.

Outside of The Astonishing and Scenes From a Memory I'm not sure I even know what a single song is about from DT. 

But it's not exclusive to them,  I just hardly listen to lyrics.  I can sing the words to a sing sometimes and still have no clue what it's about haha.

I hear you there, and you are definitely not alone.

What I appreciate about DT, as opposed to a 'heart-on-your-sleeve' singer/songwriter (many of whom I listen to), is that even if I have no idea what the lyricist's specific inspiration was, a lot of their tracks inspire a range of thoughts and emotions to me.

I mean, knowing that 'Take Away My Pain' was inspired by JP's father certainly aids in appreciating the song, but long before I knew that fact, the track resonated with me on a personal level.

[LKap13]

I think JM has the most talent for writing lyrics

[erwinrafael]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

[TAC]

I still feel like I&W is still their best album, lyrically.

[Lonk]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

As I mentioned before, I just care about the final product. But the only songs from James I don't care much about is Anna Lee and Prophets of War. Every other song he wrote have great lyrics (I would add Bling Faith and Vacant to your list).

[BelichickFan]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

Disappear's lyrics are simultaneously amazing and impossible to listen to (without being incredible sad).  Fairly sure they're my favorite lyrics ever by anyone.

[TAC]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

Disappear's lyrics are simultaneously amazing and impossible to listen to (without being incredible sad).  Fairly sure they're my favorite lyrics ever by anyone.

Incredible song and lyrics.

[The Letter M]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

As I mentioned before, I just care about the final product. But the only songs from James I don't care much about is Anna Lee and Prophets of War. Every other song he wrote have great lyrics (I would add Bling Faith and Vacant to your list).

I wonder what kind of song "Bling Faith" would be... 

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

Disappear's lyrics are simultaneously amazing and impossible to listen to (without being incredible sad).  Fairly sure they're my favorite lyrics ever by anyone.

"Disappear" is one of my favorites too, and over-all, I'd say James has a fairly good lyrical track record with the band. Certainly a bit better than JP, but slightly less so than JM.

-Marc.

[jayvee3]

Labrie is the best lyricist for me. At Wit's End, Disappear, and Medicate are amazing.

As I mentioned before, I just care about the final product. But the only songs from James I don't care much about is Anna Lee and Prophets of War. Every other song he wrote have great lyrics (I would add Bling Faith and Vacant to your list).

Anna Lee deals with a heavy topic and has some incredible lyrics… Hauntingly beautiful song and lyrics…

[Lonk]

I wonder what kind of song "Bling Faith" would be... 

Anna Lee deals with a heavy topic and has some incredible lyrics… Hauntingly beautiful song and lyrics…

No disagreement there. It's a beautiful song that does nothing for me. I have no hate for the song itself and nothing against others liking it.

[Stadler]

I still feel like I&W is still their best album, lyrically.

Wouldn't argue that.   

[Adami]

I still feel like I&W is still their best album, lyrically.

Wouldn't argue that.

WELL NOW I HAVE TO DON'T I??!?!


Honestly though, the lyrics are fine but outside of bits here and there, I can't connect with much. I strongly prefer Awake lyrically, even parts of 6DOIT (not the song).

[hefdaddy42]

I still feel like I&W is still their best album, lyrically.

Wouldn't argue that.

WELL NOW I HAVE TO DON'T I??!?!


Honestly though, the lyrics are fine but outside of bits here and there, I can't connect with much. I strongly prefer Awake lyrically, even parts of 6DOIT (not the song).

Same

[Stadler]

I still feel like I&W is still their best album, lyrically.

Wouldn't argue that.

WELL NOW I HAVE TO DON'T I??!?!


Honestly though, the lyrics are fine but outside of bits here and there, I can't connect with much. I strongly prefer Awake lyrically, even parts of 6DOIT (not the song).

Well, remember, I don't really care all that much about DT's lyrics, to be honest.  The only songs I could even quote you more than one line off the top of my head are Pull Me Under, Metropolis, Surrounded, Misunderstood, This Is The Life, and... yeah, that may be it.   So with 3 out of 5, there you go.    I just LOVE the way the whole piece works together.  Maybe that's a hidden compliment to the lyrics - they blend with the music so well to create a scene - but to single out "John P." or "John M." or Mike P." or "Mike M." or "James", can't do it.  I guess, MAYBE I could for Kevin Moore, but even then, it's not like I know he's any better than anyone else.

[XJDenton]

Images and Words does not contain the song "Voices" and therefore cannot be their best album.

[Stadler]

Images and Words does not contain the song "Voices" and therefore cannot be their best album.

Well, "Voices" is a top ten DT song for me - maybe even top five - so that's a paradox. 

[SeRoX]

I think WDADU has best lyrics along with Awake.

Learning To Live and Disappear stand alone one of best lyrics in their discography.

[ReaPsTA]

Awake's lyrics on the whole did the best job of combining vivid imagery with personal emotion. Fun to sing along with too.

[SeRoX]

http://www.pasifagresif.com/2021/09/dream-theater-roportaj/

In this interview which is Turkish (my main language), James said,

1- He defines new album like I&W-SDOIT and ToT mix.
2- He wrote every vocal melodies for this album alone and think one of his strong melodies he ever did.
3- He said DoT vocals are kinda clean and still but new album vocals are agressive and strong like ToT-SDOIT vocals.
4- The closer epic has every element that DT has.

[RodrigoAltaf]

http://www.pasifagresif.com/2021/09/dream-theater-roportaj/

In this interview which is Turkish (my main language), James said,

1- He defines new album like I&W-SDOIT and ToT mix.
2- He wrote every vocal melodies for this album alone and think one of his strong melodies he ever did.
3- He said DoT vocals are kinda clean and still but new album vocals are agressive and strong like ToT-SDOIT vocals.
4- The closer epic has every element that DT has.

That's awesome to hear!!!! Also, I'm surprised at how much James said. I interviewed him a while ago before DOT came out - this was arranged with his personal assistant, and didn't have anything to do with promoting DOT - and he was really, really nice and talkative, but didn't give me any details about the album, which then had just been recorded.

[Ben_Jamin]

http://www.pasifagresif.com/2021/09/dream-theater-roportaj/

In this interview which is Turkish (my main language), James said,

1- He defines new album like I&W-SDOIT and ToT mix.
2- He wrote every vocal melodies for this album alone and think one of his strong melodies he ever did.
3- He said DoT vocals are kinda clean and still but new album vocals are agressive and strong like ToT-SDOIT vocals.
4- The closer epic has every element that DT has.

The Alien does have that 6DOIT mixed with TOT vibe and atmosphere to it...It's as if Blind Faith and Honor Thy Father fused into one. 

The 2nd point is really interesting. So they got rid of that lyricist rule and allowed their singer to finally create the melodies. No wonder why The Alien has some great melodies.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I am officially PUMPED for this album!!!!

[Stadler]

As a melody guy, it actually piques my curiosity to hear James' input in that regard.

[bosk1]

Oh great...now a pagefull of

And I won't answer YET.    But when the album drops, I'll be happy to revisit and tell people what it is that I am thinking right now in that regard.  On my first couple of listens, there are basically three things within the DT family that this album immediately reminded me of.  I'll be sure to share that later.

[RodrigoAltaf]

As a melody guy, it actually piques my curiosity to hear James' input in that regard.

What's a melody guy?

[ReaPsTA]

As a melody guy, it actually piques my curiosity to hear James' input in that regard.

Check out JLB's last two solo albums he went in a very heavy direction there