*Official* A View from the Top of the World discussion thread

[Architeuthis]

If you look at the start of the previous page, it's more like JLB has a view from the top of the thread.. 🤪

[Glasser]

That album is mostly excellent. The Great American Success Story was clearly written about Rodney's Back To School.

That 86-87 tour was outstanding.

I don’t remember what your it was but I saw Alice at Hudson Valley Civic Center around that time. I think Ace Frehley and Faster Pussycat opened for him but I may be be confusing that tour with White Lion or Y&T. My memory is failing me on this one. Who warmed up Alice when you went?

[TAC]

That album is mostly excellent. The Great American Success Story was clearly written about Rodney's Back To School.

That 86-87 tour was outstanding.

I don’t remember what your it was but I saw Alice at Hudson Valley Civic Center around that time. I think Ace Frehley and Faster Pussycat opened for him but I may be be confusing that tour with White Lion or Y&T. My memory is failing me on this one. Who warmed up Alice when you went?

You got it right.

I saw Y&T, with Frehley's Comet and White Lion on 9/10/87 at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Providence, and on 11/17/87, Alice played the Boston Garden with Frehley's Comet and Faster Pussycat, except that Frehley's Comet for some reason didn't play that night.

In the middle of those two shows, I saw Faster Pussycat do a club show in Providence. The worst live band I've ever seen. Actually the second worst.

[Glasser]

That album is mostly excellent. The Great American Success Story was clearly written about Rodney's Back To School.

That 86-87 tour was outstanding.

I don’t remember what your it was but I saw Alice at Hudson Valley Civic Center around that time. I think Ace Frehley and Faster Pussycat opened for him but I may be be confusing that tour with White Lion or Y&T. My memory is failing me on this one. Who warmed up Alice when you went?

You got it right.

I saw Y&T, with Frehley's Comet and White Lion on 9/10/87 at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Providence, and on 11/17/87, Alice played the Boston Garden with Frehley's Comet and Faster Pussycat, except that Frehley's Comet for some reason didn't play that night.

In the middle of those two shows, I saw Faster Pussycat do a club show in Providence. The worst live band I've ever seen. Actually the second worst.

Thanks man! I’m shot, haha! I remember Y&T were great, Pussycat not my thing, White Lion and Ace I don’t remember but Alice was outstanding!!! I remember thinking who is this bodybuilder tearing it up! I bought Kane’s solo album on tape and wasn’t impressed.

[TAC]

Alice was outstanding!!! I remember thinking who is this bodybuilder tearing it up! I bought Kane’s solo album on tape and wasn’t impressed.

Yes Kane's album blows!

Kane Roberts put me in a headlock after the show!




(...and that's stage blood on my face, not a rash!)

[Glasser]

Alice was outstanding!!! I remember thinking who is this bodybuilder tearing it up! I bought Kane’s solo album on tape and wasn’t impressed.

Yes Kane's album blows!

Kane Roberts put me in a headlock after the show!




(...and that's stage blood on my face, not a rash!)

That’s a BIG arm around your neck!!! Now listening to The World Needs Guts! Constrictor is such a kick ass album!!!!

[TAC]

His fist is the size of my face!

My fist your face, that's for sure!

[sylentman]

Back to topic :
Excellent Album.
Must have heard it over 20 times: Loved the singles specially TA, and like the album more on every listen. As many have said no bad track, so never feel like skipping any of the tracks, on the contrary always want to listen it from start to finish.
My only complain would be - also as others have pointed out - it feels short for some reason, so would have liked to have more tracks hahaha. Liking it so much that would have loved it this had been a double album .
Some have said it doesn’t have any memorable parts, but do feel it has many, once you digest would say every song has its charm. Need more time to define what is my favorite song or most memorable section of the album, so as a quick example to defend a track most have said its their least favorite, from 2:24 to 3:05 + the guitar solo of IM i think are awesome and even the chorus feels tasty and memorable in my humble opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if the band could take this free time given the delayed tour and write an EP

[Glasser]

If this had more tracks maybe there would have been some fillers. 70 minutes and fully enjoyable start to finish. Leave well enough alone and enjoy.

[sylentman]

Just in case It was not a critic on length, just kind of a way to express that AVFTTOTW is so enjoyable that it goes too fast!
Should have said “wish” instead of “complain”!

[Glasser]

Just in case It was not a critic on length, just kind of a way to express that AVFTTOTW is so enjoyable that it goes too fast!

I agree with you 100%. 

[Wim Kruithof]

I thought KevMo wrote a lot of lyrics, no?

According to Wiki, he's credited for half of I&W, and a couple of tracks on WDADU.  Heck, he even has 3 on Awake, and he was leaving the band.

MP only has The Mirror and a co-write on Take The Time.

Digged in the old lyrics, you're right. And even more so, with Surrounded, Wait for Sleep, Lie and Space-Dye Vest he wrote some of the best songs on the albums as well. My bad.

[illusionist]

Back to topic :
Excellent Album.
Must have heard it over 20 times: Loved the singles specially TA, and like the album more on every listen. As many have said no bad track, so never feel like skipping any of the tracks, on the contrary always want to listen it from start to finish.
My only complain would be - also as others have pointed out - it feels short for some reason, so would have liked to have more tracks hahaha. Liking it so much that would have loved it this had been a double album .
Some have said it doesn’t have any memorable parts, but do feel it has many, once you digest would say every song has its charm. Need more time to define what is my favorite song or most memorable section of the album, so as a quick example to defend a track most have said its their least favorite, from 2:24 to 3:05 + the guitar solo of IM i think are awesome and even the chorus feels tasty and memorable in my humble opinion.
I wouldn’t mind if the band could take this free time given the delayed tour and write an EP

It would be very unique if they did that. (writing an EP that is)
First of all,they had enough time to prepare for the tour,so they must have already learned the new songs.
And i was about to say that they could continue from where they left,but then i thought that the writing of the album ended in January,so definitely
any existing momentum has long gone.

[Architeuthis]

I would imagine that we will see a lot more DT material in a shorter amount of time than the previous years, now that they have their own studio.  DTHQ. 
Since they own the building and don't have a clock over their head when recording, they might as well be creating as much music as possible.
I'd like to see them make a super dark and heavy EP with no keyboards as a one-off thing. 😈

Don't get me wrong,  I love they keys in DT and Jordan is phenomenal!  I've always wanted to hear them do something that's so ridiculously heavy that it makes a statement.  🌋

[wolfking]

Never thought I’d say it but JP is probably toward the bottom as far as most valuable. He has really written himself into a corner with riffs and leads. Those constant simple chugs during verses - hey why not try different chords with cool voicings? As far as solos, maybe solo lower on the neck Adrian Smith style or something, anything different. Maybe incorporate some Schenkerisms or Rothisms. SOMETHING.

Songs are really good though.

Then it wouldn’t be JP, he does what HE does and it’s perfect. He knows just when to shred and play melodic. As for chord progressions I think it’s balanced just right (IM structure as well as SG). Once again, only my opinion. I absolutely LOVE everything about the new album. On that note, I’m looking forward to your new album and the freshness it delivers, Dream Team (I’m only messing with you) 

A lot of the solos seem to have the same melodic hooks that he’s been using in a never-ending quest to recreate the Razor’s Edge solo. That’s it, not trying to claim I can play guitar like JP  .

FWIW Dream Team, in regards to this new album, I agree with you.

[Kotowboy]

Jordan could just use his snarling pig patch on an all-rock EP... It backs up the rhythm guitar nicely.

[Architeuthis]

Jordan could just use his snarling pig patch on an all-rock EP... It backs up the rhythm guitar nicely.

He is also a good guitar player. He could pull it off live, especially some of the rhythm sections.

[Kotowboy]

They absolutely need to do an 8-string off. It would be awesome... Just imagine them playing Awaken The Master - Mangini does a big fill then Rudess walks out with his own 8 string.

I know they'll never do it but the venue would go mental.

[Kotowboy]

.

[ACOSeasons]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

[Kotowboy]

Well - watching those drum covers of mangini songs by the guy who plays exactly like Portnoy i'm like No Thanks.

[erwinrafael]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

The Enemy Inside, Behind the Veil, Pale Blue Dot, Fall Into The Light, Paralyzed, Room 137, The Alien, Answering The Call, Sleeping Giant, Awaken The Master, and A View From The Top Of The World are all hard and heavy, all with discernably prog metal, not prog rock, drumming. If you are referring to the type of hard and heavy music that forces the voice of the band to sing differently because of some Russell Allen fetish, I pass.

[Trav86]

Alice was outstanding!!! I remember thinking who is this bodybuilder tearing it up! I bought Kane’s solo album on tape and wasn’t impressed.

Yes Kane's album blows!

Kane Roberts put me in a headlock after the show!




(...and that's stage blood on my face, not a rash!)

Thrill My Gorilla! 

[TAC]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

Wow, I disagree with this. They have made tons of heavy music. Plus there are many people that think the last two albums with MP were duds. Now I don't agree with that sentiment either, but seems SC and BC&SL generally dominate the low end of people's rankings.

[Kotowboy]

Yes - production aside - A Dramatic Turn Of Events sounded anything but stale unlike Systematic (irony) and Black Clouds...

I'd argue that Systematic was the low point and every subsequent album was just a little bit better.

Mad, also that they went from Octavarium - my favourite album - to Systematic - my least favourite - in around 2 years.

[hunnus2000]

Alice was outstanding!!! I remember thinking who is this bodybuilder tearing it up! I bought Kane’s solo album on tape and wasn’t impressed.

Yes Kane's album blows!

Kane Roberts put me in a headlock after the show!




(...and that's stage blood on my face, not a rash!)

It's good know it's stage blood because I was going to recommend you to Dr. Pimple Popper.

[TAC]

Hah! I don't know why, but right before I posted the pic, I thought it look a bit nasty. Just thought I'd make it clear.

[ACOSeasons]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

The Enemy Inside, Behind the Veil, Pale Blue Dot, Fall Into The Light, Paralyzed, Room 137, The Alien, Answering The Call, Sleeping Giant, Awaken The Master, and A View From The Top Of The World are all hard and heavy, all with discernably prog metal, not prog rock, drumming. If you are referring to the type of hard and heavy music that forces the voice of the band to sing differently because of some Russell Allen fetish, I pass.

Back to my original point in my first post, I'm contending that overall over the last five albums, DT aren't as heavy as they were when Portnoy was a member. Of course, there are still a few examples of their heaviness across the past decade in some of the great songs they've written (in my original post, I said Illumination Theory is in their top 5 songs all time), but they've lost that hard/heavy edge they had before ADTOE. I still like a lot of the Mangini era material, though, again as I originally said - Astonishing was genius and DOT was great.

[ACOSeasons]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

Wow, I disagree with this. They have made tons of heavy music. Plus there are many people that think the last two albums with MP were duds. Now I don't agree with that sentiment either, but seems SC and BC&SL generally dominate the low end of people's rankings.

Interesting. I loved SC, I reckon you can hear it's the most fun they had recording an album. ITPOE 1&2 and Dark Eternal Night are incredible.

And as for BC&SL - A Nightmare To Remember is an absolute prog metal masterpiece. Right up the pointy end of their best ever songs, too.

[TAC]

Back to my original point in my first post, I'm contending that overall over the last five albums, DT aren't as heavy as they were when Portnoy was a member.

But I still completely disagree with that point though.
AVFTTOTW is their heaviest album since Train Of Thought, and that one was made intentionally heavy.
DT12 and Distance Over Time are loaded with heavy tunes.

Systematic Chaos...has it's heavy moments for sure but I don't consider it a heavy album.
BC&SL...yeah, generally a heavy album, but its best parts are not.
8V...NOT heavy.

Interesting. I loved SC, I reckon you can hear it's the most fun they had recording an album. ITPOE 1&2 and Dark Eternal Night are incredible.

And as for BC&SL - A Nightmare To Remember is an absolute prog metal masterpiece. Right up the pointy end of their best ever songs, too.

I agree with the bolded piece about SC. I agree completely. I have always called it a great exhale album, meaning that after the climax of Score, the band just went into the studio and exhaled. But I also consider Systematic Chaos their most varied album in terms of styles. I suppose you could say the same about 8V, but SC just feels looser and less pretentious.

[Kotowboy]

Repentance - Ministry and Presence Part II are all so DULL and plodding.

And prophets of War is so forgettable I always forget it exists.

[Wim Kruithof]

All of a sudden' mr. Blue came in my thoughts...

[erwinrafael]

Since Portnoy's exit, they've lost their hard edge and are prone to too many soft/airy-fairy moments for my likings.

Whilst Portnoy formed Adrenaline Mob - probably the most embarrassing supergroup ever. Despite calling it his new band - he wisely jumped ship ASAP.

Then he made Sons of Apollo - and him and Derek acting all TOUGH and MACHO was even more embarrassing.

So i'll take DT's career since 2011 over anything Portnoy has done since then.

You seem to have totally misunderstood what I said.

I wasn't comparing what Portnoy has done since to what DT has since (although SOA and Winery Dogs are great).

The point I was making was that since Portnoy left DT, overall I reckon the band has lost its hard/heavy edge.

I was lamenting what might've been had Portnoy stayed with DT and what kind of awesome music would've been produced by the band. There's no doubt he was the driving force behind the band in all aspects, it's a pretty big hole to fill - arguably an impossible task.

Wow, I disagree with this. They have made tons of heavy music. Plus there are many people that think the last two albums with MP were duds. Now I don't agree with that sentiment either, but seems SC and BC&SL generally dominate the low end of people's rankings.

Interesting. I loved SC, I reckon you can hear it's the most fun they had recording an album. ITPOE 1&2 and Dark Eternal Night are incredible.

And as for BC&SL - A Nightmare To Remember is an absolute prog metal masterpiece. Right up the pointy end of their best ever songs, too.

Too bad the blast beats were not done properly and James was not allowed to sing the "Day after day..." lines in a much better way.

[Kotowboy]

I like the way Labrie sings it live. Much more menacing imo.

[illusionist]

I would imagine that we will see a lot more DT material in a shorter amount of time than the previous years, now that they have their own studio.  DTHQ. 
Since they own the building and don't have a clock over their head when recording, they might as well be creating as much music as possible.
I'd like to see them make a super dark and heavy EP with no keyboards as a one-off thing. 😈

Don't get me wrong,  I love they keys in DT and Jordan is phenomenal!  I've always wanted to hear them do something that's so ridiculously heavy that it makes a statement.  🌋

Who of us wouldn't want that happen?
But,as much as i want it to happen,i think that it won't.

The fact that they own the studio now and write in it,hence they don't have their company telling them to wrap up quickly,
might actually mean that they will take as much time as they need to deliver any album as they want to.
So instead of delivering sooner ,most possibly they will delay more (as was the case for A view)

And,apart from that,their album/tour cycle is almost 2 years long for the past decade,so i don't see them releasing a new album till late 2023.
Hope i am wrong though,and we get to hear DT16 before we know it.