Dream Theater > Dream Theater
Favorite MM Era Album - Sonic Quality Only
emtee:
Reflecting back on the many discussions over the years related to the sound quality of the last 4 albums. I am basing my favorite and rankings based on the physical CD only. If you have both digital and physical, please let me know if there are notable differences in sound between the two. I've had many people tell me that the HD version of ADToE is significantly better than the CD but I didn't feel like buying the album twice.
1) DoT - For me, they got everything right on this album. It's crisp, clear and punchy. I can hear everything MM is doing. I think it's among their best albums sonically.
2) TA - Acceptable but not great.
3) DT - Same. Odd choices for drums. Very loud. Acceptable but not great.
4) ADToE - UGH! I'll never forget how disappointed I was when I slid the CD into the player. Muted. Lifeless. Can barely hear MM. The songs on this album are fantastic and I've tried to listen to the CD at least 20 times but I never seem to make it all the way through. I guess I really should buy the HD version and enjoy the album for what it is. Maybe I will. But the CD is just not acceptable from the pioneers of prog metal. I almost drool thinking about how great this album would be if it sounded like DoT.
goo-goo:
Definitely DoT for me for the reasons you have listed. Also from a songwriting point of view. There's no wankery for the sake of doing it, songs are strong, lyrics are great.
hunnus2000:
Agree with your assessment for the most part.
TA to me is when they first got MM's sound right. ADTOE - they need to reengineer that mix. D12 is what it is but I still think the music is top notch!
Trav86:
I picked ADTOE. I honestly have never had a problem with it. I also I thought it sounded better than the two albums that came out before it. The one thing I think that could be fixed is the drums are too low. But, they were louder on DT12 and sounded like shit, so...
As for D/T I think it has the best drum sound since MM has been in the band. The mix is fine. I think there are moments that JP has gotten a better tone because I haven’t cared for his tone in probably 13 years.
Volante99:
TA- is their best sounding MM album, and it’s not even close. I’m not a big fan of the music but the sound is crisp, clear, good separation, great acoustic sounds- maybe a bit TOO clean but a solid release without any real issues.
The rest have all been pretty mediocre and bottom of the pack for DT.
ADToE and DT12 have the worst drum sounds since I&W and that album has the 90s as an excuse.
D/T- I’ve only listened to Spotify streaming and early iTunes releases of this; I‘ve heard rumors it’s slightly better now on iTunes, but it’s way too loud and bassy, brick-walled to hell and back, the same weird effects slathered all over LaBrie’s vocals that they used for DT12. Mangini’s snare sounds better here but still having issues, especially the cymbals. I honestly find this album a tough listen and very fatiguing on the ears.
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