These Walls Appreciation Thread

[naimad]

So I was reading the Index Thread and realized that These Walls didn't have his own thread. WTF?

This song is the reason I love Octavarium so much (along with the title track). Certainly a top 10 song for me.

I think JR shines here, his work is subtle but powerful.

What do you think?

[hefdaddy42]

One of the saving graces of this album.  Really good song.

[Dedalus]

Today I listened to Octavarium, after a few years. TW isn't bad and has interesting moments. But isn't it too long? Not that this is anything unusual for that era of the band.

Other songs on that album suffer the same. The Root of All Evil might be a better song if it was three minutes shorter. Eight minutes is a long time for a song with so little variation.

[hefdaddy42]

Today I listened to Octavarium, after a few years. TW isn't bad and has interesting moments. But isn't it too long? Not that this is anything unusual for that era of the band.

Other songs on that album suffer the same. The Root of All Evil might be a better song if it was three minutes shorter. Eight minutes is a long time for a song with so little variation.

I don't know.  This is not one of the albums I think of when I think of DT bloat.  If anything, most of the songs on this album are pretty short.

[Dedalus]

Today I listened to Octavarium, after a few years. TW isn't bad and has interesting moments. But isn't it too long? Not that this is anything unusual for that era of the band.

Other songs on that album suffer the same. The Root of All Evil might be a better song if it was three minutes shorter. Eight minutes is a long time for a song with so little variation.

I don't know.  This is not one of the albums I think of when I think of DT bloat.  If anything, most of the songs on this album are pretty short.

To be honest, neither did I....until today lol.
I always thought of the TOT or BCSL that way.

But today I caught myself thinking that they exaggerated some songs (mainly TRoAE). Maybe I've gotten used to the fact that the band has managed to be more direct on the last few albums or has managed to create 7 or 8 minute songs with much more variation and richness (like Pale Blue Dot or Fall Into the Light).

[JLa]

One of my (many) favourite songs from DT. I especially like MP's contribution; very tasteful drumming. Some might find it busy. I love it.

[wolfking]

Such an underrated cut.  Might be the best song outside the title track.

[crystalstars17]

This song is the reason I love Octavarium so much (along with the title track). Certainly a top 10 song for me.

I think JR shines here, his work is subtle but powerful.

What do you think?

Yes and YES! One of my favorites.

Such an underrated cut.  Might be the best song outside the title track.

💯

[MirrorMask]

Amazing song. No noodling around, no musical wankery, just a damn good tasteful song where James shines. One of my favorites off the album and I truly hope they'll play it live next tour!

[Metro]

Love These Walls. I built a baritone guitar just I could play it.

[The Paddies]

Very tasteful song. I think James can probably handle it live well.

[Indiscipline]

Title track and fantastic TALW aside, These Walls is the only Octavarium song I like to listen to.

I believe it perfectly accomplishes the mission You Not Me failed almost a decade before.

[Kyo]

I don't know.  This is not one of the albums I think of when I think of DT bloat.  If anything, most of the songs on this album are pretty short.

It's a mixed bag. Tracks 2-4 are pretty to the point and work perfectly fine, which makes them stand out in this era of increasingly long DT songs, but the rest is a different story. TRoAE suffers from the same problem as the previous entries in the 12 Steps suite - the moment it segues into the next "step", it loses the focus and coherence it had up to that point. Tracks 5-7 all have the usual extended instrumental break with plenty of solos and unison runs that could've been trimmed if a more concise song had been the goal. And as for the title track, well - I know it's a fan favorite, but to me, most of the first half has always felt like bloat.

[Schurftkut]

top 10 DT for me

[gzarruk]

And as for the title track, well - I know it's a fan favorite, but to me, most of the first half has always felt like bloat.

That's quite a controversial take but I have to say I kind of agree. I mean, it's "fine" but a bit long and not too interesting overall. The second half is of course.

[goo-goo]

Love the FII vibe and the guitar  solo is one of my favorite JP solos. Love These Walls!

[naimad]

...the guitar  solo is one of my favorite JP solos...

Yeah, it's also one of my favorites!

[nick_z]

LOVE These Walls! One of my favorites from Octavarium. The beginning has a bit of an alt-metal vibe, but spiced up with DT's flair...the soft verses are wonderful, with some signature MP work. JP's lead work sounds very Rothery-like (which is nice and perfect for the song). And the song's ending is classic Dream Theater, with the chunky riff accented by Jordan's keys.

Great tune all around.

[Stadler]

This song is the reason I love Octavarium so much (along with the title track). Certainly a top 10 song for me.

I think JR shines here, his work is subtle but powerful.

What do you think?

Yes and YES! One of my favorites.

Such an underrated cut.  Might be the best song outside the title track.

💯

I'm here, too.  I think it's an excellent song on an excellent album (one of my favorites). I literally was just singing it in the shower about 30 minutes ago.

[TAC]

This song is the reason I love Octavarium so much (along with the title track). Certainly a top 10 song for me.

I think JR shines here, his work is subtle but powerful.

What do you think?

Yes and YES! One of my favorites.

Such an underrated cut.  Might be the best song outside the title track.

💯

I'm here, too.  I think it's an excellent song on an excellent album (one of my favorites). I literally was just singing it in the shower about 30 minutes ago.

The song is These Walls, not These Balls.

[Jamesman42]

Fantastic song, 4th best on the album (after 8VM, PA, and NE).

[HOF]

I prefer You Not Me.

[naimad]

The song is These Walls, not These Balls.

 

[Trav86]

Fantastic song, 4th best on the album (after 8VM, PA, and NE).

Having “Never Enough” that high is an interesting take. I don’t agree but good on you for being unique. I love it! 

[Jamesman42]

Fantastic song, 4th best on the album (after 8VM, PA, and NE).

Having “Never Enough” that high is an interesting take. I don’t agree but good on you for being unique. I love it! 

The instrumental section gives it a big bump, but the whole vibe is great in that song. I do think it's underrated.

[TAC]

James is amazing on Never Enough!

[Ben_Jamin]

I consider These Walls the best song on Octavarium. It's short, concise and has some of their best songwriting. I am amazed that this wasn't considered as a single.

I am a bit sad that they never played this with Mangini as I think it would've been amazing to hear his cymbal work and interpretation to the drumming.

I am totally anticipating this song in their set for their next tour. It's a shame they never had an official live version of this song.

[HOF]

I don’t want to put it down in the appreciation thread, but I’m surprised at the love for this track compared to some of the other more commercial rock songs the band have done. To me it sounded very much like an attempt at sort of a mainstream angsty rock song, almost Lincoln Park type of vibe, but with a bland solo in the middle. Like, I think it’s ok but it’s kind of middle of the road as a rock song goes, and it was one of the parts of 8V that made me wonder “do I like this album, or am I just listening to it because it’s DT?”

[gzarruk]

I consider These Walls the best song on Octavarium. It's short, concise and has some of their best songwriting. I am amazed that this wasn't considered as a single.

I am a bit sad that they never played this with Mangini as I think it would've been amazing to hear his cymbal work and interpretation to the drumming.

I am totally anticipating this song in their set for their next tour. It's a shame they never had an official live version of this song.

It's on Luna Park

[TAC]

I consider These Walls the best song on Octavarium. It's short, concise and has some of their best songwriting. I am amazed that this wasn't considered as a single.

I am a bit sad that they never played this with Mangini as I think it would've been amazing to hear his cymbal work and interpretation to the drumming.

I am totally anticipating this song in their set for their next tour. It's a shame they never had an official live version of this song.

It's on Luna Park

Right. They played it on the Dramatic Turn Of Events tour. I was glad they did, as that was the only time I've ever seen it. They didn't play it here on the Gigantour '05 or 8V tour '06.

[Ben_Jamin]

I consider These Walls the best song on Octavarium. It's short, concise and has some of their best songwriting. I am amazed that this wasn't considered as a single.

I am a bit sad that they never played this with Mangini as I think it would've been amazing to hear his cymbal work and interpretation to the drumming.

I am totally anticipating this song in their set for their next tour. It's a shame they never had an official live version of this song.

It's on Luna Park

I guess that shows how much I  listen to that . 


Edit: I watched it and OmG  and that might be my definitive version of this song. I love Manginis double drums and Labries vocals.

[nobloodyname]

James is amazing on Never Enough!

Unusually for DT fandom, I rate Never Enough highly. It contains my favourite DT unison line, which I love primarily because it reminds me of the halcyon days of 8-bit gaming music.

These Walls is always far better than I remember. I love the drumming and percussion work.

[crystalstars17]

Edit: I watched it and OmG  and that might be my definitive version of this song. I love Manginis double drums and Labries vocals.

I love that version of the song, too.

[hefdaddy42]

I don’t want to put it down in the appreciation thread, but I’m surprised at the love for this track compared to some of the other more commercial rock songs the band have done. To me it sounded very much like an attempt at sort of a mainstream angsty rock song, almost Lincoln Park type of vibe, but with a bland solo in the middle. Like, I think it’s ok but it’s kind of middle of the road as a rock song goes, and it was one of the parts of 8V that made me wonder “do I like this album, or am I just listening to it because it’s DT?”

I love seeing your posts, because they are often completely opposite of everyone else's.

[HOF]

Listening to this again now. There are some cool parts to it, but the lyrics are so generic and the vocal melody is so deliberate. And then you get to the solo and it’s just Send Her My Love (a great song, but still).

Thankfully, the superior I Walk Beside You follows.