The TAC Roulette V.5...DTF Faves..WTF Am I Missing?? MastoDONE!

[Kwyjibo]

Kwyjibo is the only one that sent TWO songs that no one else did.

This is a good sign, is it? 

[Elite]

Very interesting submissions, almost all songs I love but some I wouldn't have sent Tim as an introduction so will be fascinated to see what he thinks.

Elite
Puzzle Box
The Strain

Thank you to Richard for sending the two songs that my brother had guest appearances on. Apart from Only Stars obviously. I considered those songs (well, mainly Puzzle Box) as I love them plus to support Pete, but I wasn't sure about Tim's attitude towards the electronic percussion sections so ended up going with songs I thought would be safer.

I found it quite difficult to pick two songs as well, mainly because I was unsure what Tim would think of the longer songs the band has. I decided to go with two relatively short ones that also go well together. (The Puzzle Box 'reprise' in The Strain for example, but also indeed the softer sections). These are not my favourite Haken songs, although they would be top 10-15, in fact I'm a little surprised myself that I went with two tracks from their latest two albums, but I hipe they'll do well. There's enough to love in both tracks.

Also, nobody sent Invasion

[TAC]

Some morning thoughts  as everyone ahakens.

Sorry, that was awful.


So....after TWO listens...

This is a great bunch of tunes. A handful are EXCELLENT!
The vocals are a non issue, bitches.
Lots of DT here.
One of the guitarists tunes low. I don't like that.
Of the two songs that were sent the most, right now Prosthetic > 1985.



First Impressions will be posted when I get home from work this afternoon.

[wolfking]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

[Elite]

One of the guitarists tunes low. I don't like that.

Well, shit

A lot of their songs use extended range guitars (7 or 8-strings), and sometimes the eighth string is even tuned to a low E instead of F# (in 1985 for example). Of the ones I sent, Puzzle Box is played on 7 strings, and I'm pretty sure The Strain doesn't go lower than that low B either.

[jingle.boy]

Kwyjibo is the only one that sent TWO songs that no one else did.

This is a good sign, is it? 

You might want to check your sig.   

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

You’re losing a DTF friend every week it seems!   

[TAC]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

[lonestar]

If vocs aren't an issue, we're all sitting pretty.

[TAC]

If vocs aren't an issue, we're all sitting pretty.

You’re all pretty. It’s just a matter of who’s prettier?

[Elite]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

They're fun to watch live. Trust me, I've seen them a couple of times already

[Lonk]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

They're fun to watch live. Trust me, I've seen them a couple of times already

The one time I saw them they were playing DT songs only

[lonestar]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

They're fun to watch live. Trust me, I've seen them a couple of times already

The one time I saw them they were playing DT songs only

Still bitter they didn't bring that one to the west coast.

[Elite]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

They're fun to watch live. Trust me, I've seen them a couple of times already

The one time I saw them they were playing DT songs only

#justiceforray

[425]

This is a great bunch of tunes. A handful are EXCELLENT!
The vocals are a non issue, bitches.

Gonna be wild if every round turns out to be a huge success.

[Buddyhunter1]

This is a great bunch of tunes. A handful are EXCELLENT!
The vocals are a non issue, bitches.

Gonna be wild if every round turns out to be a huge success.

Steven Wilson:

[Stadler]

Very interesting submissions, almost all songs I love but some I wouldn't have sent Tim as an introduction so will be fascinated to see what he thinks.

Elite
Puzzle Box
The Strain

Thank you to Richard for sending the two songs that my brother had guest appearances on. Apart from Only Stars obviously. I considered those songs (well, mainly Puzzle Box) as I love them plus to support Pete, but I wasn't sure about Tim's attitude towards the electronic percussion sections so ended up going with songs I thought would be safer.

I found it quite difficult to pick two songs as well, mainly because I was unsure what Tim would think of the longer songs the band has. I decided to go with two relatively short ones that also go well together. (The Puzzle Box 'reprise' in The Strain for example, but also indeed the softer sections). These are not my favourite Haken songs, although they would be top 10-15, in fact I'm a little surprised myself that I went with two tracks from their latest two albums, but I hipe they'll do well. There's enough to love in both tracks.

Also, nobody sent Invasion

I was THISCLOSE to sending Invasion, actually.  I cut it at the last minute for another song from that album.

Look, I wasn't a Haken fan going in, and I'm still not, but those mofo's can PLAY.  It's about MY taste, not them sucking, for sure.

[jingle.boy]

My tastes tell me they suck.

[TAC]

Why are Haken so polarizing?


@LudwigVan, I want your opinion on this as well.

[Evermind]

I bet Tim's gonna love the dubstep bit in The Endless Knot

I actually thought In Memoriam would do really well. Good thing I used that wild card thing then.

Falling Back to Earth is my favourite song from The Mountain, but I thought Tim would like Pareidolia more. We'll see!

[jingle.boy]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

For me, I find absolutely nothing appealing in Ross' voice.  Their technical wankery to me is a hot mess more often than not, and I find no cohesion in the structure of their songs because of it.  It's like they're showing off their skills just because they can, not because it makes sense - which is also much of the reason i've got little interest in AVFTTOTW.

[TAC]

Thanks Chad.

[TAC]

Falling Back to Earth is my favourite song from The Mountain, but I thought Tim would like Pareidolia more. We'll see!

 

[jingle.boy]

Thanks Chad.

It's been a long time since I spun them, but it wasn't for lack of trying.  I gave them many, many chances... they just never clicked.  I'm sure if I revisited them again, I'd find a few more things to specify why they don't 'click', but from memory, those were the big things.  I also don't remember any memorable riffs or hooks - like their technical mastery buried any interesting melodies.

[TAC]

That’s fair.

[Buddyhunter1]

I will say that while I am a fan I think they are overrated on this forum; Affinity is my favorite album of theirs and even that's only like a 7/10 for me. Especially The Mountain; I do not get the extreme praise for that album at all. It's got some decent songs, but if I were say, ranking it amongst the Dream Theater discography it wouldn't even crack the top half.

[HOF]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

For me, I find absolutely nothing appealing in Ross' voice.  Their technical wankery to me is a hot mess more often than not, and I find no cohesion in the structure of their songs because of it.  It's like they're showing off their skills just because they can, not because it makes sense - which is also much of the reason i've got little interest in AVFTTOTW.

FWIW, with Affinity I remember thinking, “this is the kind of stuff DT should be writing.” There’s minimal wankery on it, though I also agree Ross’ voice is about as bland as it gets.

[Stadler]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

For me, I find absolutely nothing appealing in Ross' voice.  Their technical wankery to me is a hot mess more often than not, and I find no cohesion in the structure of their songs because of it.  It's like they're showing off their skills just because they can, not because it makes sense - which is also much of the reason i've got little interest in AVFTTOTW.

See, that's me.  It just seems so mechanical. I'm sure that's not the way the hard core fans feel, but for me, it's just very cold.  I've listened a fair amount and nothing puts the hairs up on the back of my arm.

[Buddyhunter1]

Ross's voice has grown on me over time. On the first three albums he definitely sounds a bit strained and kinda nasally on the high notes, but from Affinity onwards it feels like he has a better control over his voice and he's gotten better at being more expressive, too. I can definitely see why people wouldn't like him but I wouldn't call him "plain" either, his voice definitely has a unique quality to it.

His soft voice on songs like As Death Embraces is also incredibly beautiful; shame he doesn't get to use it too often.

[425]

See, that's me.  It just seems so mechanical. I'm sure that's not the way the hard core fans feel, but for me, it's just very cold.  I've listened a fair amount and nothing puts the hairs up on the back of my arm.

I feel a little bit this way about the last two albums, but definitely not the first three.

[wolfking]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

I'll have dinner ready for when you get home.

[wolfking]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

For me, I find absolutely nothing appealing in Ross' voice.  Their technical wankery to me is a hot mess more often than not, and I find no cohesion in the structure of their songs because of it.  It's like they're showing off their skills just because they can, not because it makes sense - which is also much of the reason i've got little interest in AVFTTOTW.

See, that's me.  It just seems so mechanical. I'm sure that's not the way the hard core fans feel, but for me, it's just very cold.  I've listened a fair amount and nothing puts the hairs up on the back of my arm.

I'm on board with all of this too.

[TAC]

Not sure if we can be friends anymore Tim.

We’re still good. I’ll just have to leave you home for the Haken concert. 

I'll have dinner ready for when you get home.

Nice!!!

[lonestar]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

For me, I find absolutely nothing appealing in Ross' voice.  Their technical wankery to me is a hot mess more often than not, and I find no cohesion in the structure of their songs because of it.  It's like they're showing off their skills just because they can, not because it makes sense - which is also much of the reason i've got little interest in AVFTTOTW.

See, that's me.  It just seems so mechanical. I'm sure that's not the way the hard core fans feel, but for me, it's just very cold.  I've listened a fair amount and nothing puts the hairs up on the back of my arm.

I'm on board with all of this too.

Whatever...I will continue to baselessly judge all of you as lesser people for not wholeheartedly loving what I love.

[King Postwhore]

Right RJ!!  Our cup of tea taste better.

[ariich]

Why are Haken so polarizing?

I don't think they're unique in this regard, it's just the usual thing really - once a band or album is popular within a music community (in this case prog metal), you get a sort of backlash from some of the people who don't like it.