I have to ask, and this goes to everyone, What does "Reproduce the cd" mean?
To me, Reproducing a cd, is what Babymetal does for their song [urhttps://youtu.be/GAngV880iO4]Megitsune[/url], The intro is a tape then the band plays the song, It sounds kind of weird live doing this song in the middle of the set, but it's still an awesome song. This is what "Reproducing the cd" means to me.
I don't know Babymetal, but "reproducing the CD" means the band plays every song EXACTLY like it is on the CD, not only the arrangement but the tempo and any other backing stuff that would be non-reproducable without backing tracks tied to a click.
It used to be that they would write and record the CD. Then they would rehearse before their tour, re-learning how to play stuff, and sometimes there were things on the studio version that would be difficult or impossible to do live, and those things were often sacrificed, and that's OK, because they were performing live, and the live version wasn't the CD version. But now, the only difference between the two is that they are standing in front of you.
OK, I understand that explanation. It's a reasonable one too. I do not mind that at all, nor do I care either. It then goes to why do you go see a band play live, and why you go to a live show? People have many different reasons for why they do.
But look at it this way too. Less Extended outros, and all that extra stuff, means one more song on the setlist. Bands only have so much time to work with. And that all depends on how the bands/creators want to present the next tour.
I do prefer bands not playing to clicks, actually.
But I was actually surprised MP didn't do the backing vocals at all on Prophets of War live. Those were backing tracks.
I don't know, I just find it interesting, how it's like people can't accept the fact that this is what Dream Theater is now. It is what it is, and you can keep moaning about it, but it's not going to change the bands perspective on it.
I accept that fact, go to the show, and enjoy the music. The reason I went to this one was to see the DoT songs, and what they may play in the set. They then played ANTR and ITPOE pt.1. Two songs, I wanted to hear, and then also, the SFAM set, which was amazing in itself, and when am I going to get the opportunity again to hear them play Through Her Eyes, Finally Free, and One Last Time. When I go to a show, I try and not to expect the songs to be like the album, nor do I expect them to stray from the album, I do not have an pre-conceived notion on how the band will decide to play the songs. First and foremost, I am there to see the band present their songs however they want to present it to the world at the time. I can compare it to the past renditions, but this is how they wanted to present it now, and I decided to go and witness it. I didn't have to, but I did, and I risk it being either a great show or a trainwreck and the band couldn't play worth a damn.
Dream Theater, is musically, fantastic live. But, is suffering in the vocals department, live. As much, as we don't like it, it may end up vastly having an effect on the setlist, if the band were to take JLB's vocal capabilites into consideration, as most of these songs don't suit JLB's voice anymore, or it's harder for JLB to keep the melody or rhythm. But one problem with JLB is his enunciation. But, It's not me who is saying this stuff. I actually enjoy JLB's voice, and don't think he is bad at all on Distant Memories. His vocal style has changed a lot from back in the Budakon days, especially from touring and working with Ayreon and other projects. I think one think that JLB could benefit from is more rest between stops, like maybe doing 2 shows back to back, then resting, then a show, then rest, then 2 back to back. Touring does take a toll, but who am I to say what they should do
It's also why I love Along For The Ride. "I Believe we're along for the ride."