Ayreon/Arjen Lucassen Thread (Star Three on the way)

[IDontNotDoThings]

Wasn't that however made on purpouse? I mean, it's not like Arjen was bored or had a creative brain fart and churned out those lyrics last minute was sitting on the toilet, the cringey lyrics higlighting the naivetè of Simone's character and the utter mediocrity of the avearage boring guy were exactly what was wanted for those songs.

Not that this makes those lyrics suddenly beautiful, but as I said, I understood that it was precisely the point the lyrics needed to make.

Of course it was on purpose, I just think it detriments my enjoyment of the album a bit.

But then again, the skip button exists, so

[jingle.boy]

Look, Arjen isn't an amazing wordsmith by any means, but the straight forward lyrics do often clearly evoke what he intends, and that never bothered me.

As a musical story teller, my expectations tend to be a little higher than 'straight-forward'.  And I wouldn't even classify them as straight-forward, they're just not good.  To me, it's like the difference in acting between say, Titanic, and a random Hall-Mark Channel Christmas movie.  For some, there's a place for Hall-Mark Christmas movies (jingle.daughter and mrs.jingle will watch 25 of them every year); for me ... not so much.

Truth of the matter is, I don't ever skip them, but I'm very much looking forward to the next track.

[Herrick]

For fans here who enjoy 01011001, did you come into the band around the time of that album's release? For me, I found them around the time The Human Equation came out, and then worked my way back through the previous albums and loved them ALL (yes, even Actual Fantasy).

I got into them after The Source was out but I started with The Final Experiment.

01011001 was one of the albums I enjoyed right away.

[425]

For fans here who enjoy 01011001, did you come into the band around the time of that album's release? For me, I found them around the time The Human Equation came out, and then worked my way back through the previous albums and loved them ALL (yes, even Actual Fantasy).

I got into them between The Theory of Everything and The Source. 01011001 is in my top 3 with THE and The Source. Those three albums just seem to me to be much more consistent than the others. Yes, Connect the Dots and Web of Lies aren't great, but they're a pretty small part of the album.

On the issue of lyrics, I have to say, I think relatively little of Arjen's skill as a lyricist. It may be a little weird when speaking about an artist who almost exclusively writes very rock-opera-esque concept albums, but I'm here almost entirely for the music alone. I think his dialogue is often awkward, and, in particular, inappropriately slangy ("Do it right, do it right, we ain't got all night," "Oh no, I thought you knew that I am so much cooler"). His stories range from clichéd but decent (THE, TTOE) to fairly aimless (UM, 01) to ridiculous (ITEC). The thing that sticks out to me from what he's said about his background as a writer is that he says he has never read a book. And honestly, I think that really shows in his writing.

I don't mean to totally trash the guy. I like a whole lot of his music. He's working in a second language. And he has his strong lyrical moments, usually when he's writing more abstract topics (Beneath the Waves, And the Druids Turn to Stone). But overall I just do not think that lyrics are his strong suit.

[Pettor]

For fans here who enjoy 01011001, did you come into the band around the time of that album's release? For me, I found them around the time The Human Equation came out, and then worked my way back through the previous albums and loved them ALL (yes, even Actual Fantasy).

I got into them between The Theory of Everything and The Source. 01011001 is in my top 3 with THE and The Source. Those three albums just seem to me to be much more consistent than the others. Yes, Connect the Dots and Web of Lies aren't great, but they're a pretty small part of the album.

On the issue of lyrics, I have to say, I think relatively little of Arjen's skill as a lyricist. It may be a little weird when speaking about an artist who almost exclusively writes very rock-opera-esque concept albums, but I'm here almost entirely for the music alone. I think his dialogue is often awkward, and, in particular, inappropriately slangy ("Do it right, do it right, we ain't got all night," "Oh no, I thought you knew that I am so much cooler"). His stories range from clichéd but decent (THE, TTOE) to fairly aimless (UM, 01) to ridiculous (ITEC). The thing that sticks out to me from what he's said about his background as a writer is that he says he has never read a book. And honestly, I think that really shows in his writing.

I don't mean to totally trash the guy. I like a whole lot of his music. He's working in a second language. And he has his strong lyrical moments, usually when he's writing more abstract topics (Beneath the Waves, And the Druids Turn to Stone). But overall I just do not think that lyrics are his strong suit.

Definitely agree! The lyrics are very cringe worthy at most times. TTOE is amazing but not because of the lyrics tbh  However he creates very cool sci-fi lore like the whole 01 and The Source concepts. Somehow it reminds me of playing the game Death Stranding. Genius concept with dialogue that are sometimes unbearable to listen to, strange story arcs, weird characters and all that but the sum of all things is so good I really don't care in the end.

Honestly not that excited for the new album. Feels like it's going away a bit from the sci-fi stuff into more traditional rock-opera. The two songs released wasn't my cup of tea at all. It doesn't have any of what I consider Ayreon's strengths.

[Herrick]

For fans here who enjoy 01011001, did you come into the band around the time of that album's release? For me, I found them around the time The Human Equation came out, and then worked my way back through the previous albums and loved them ALL (yes, even Actual Fantasy).

On the issue of lyrics, I have to say, I think relatively little of Arjen's skill as a lyricist. It may be a little weird when speaking about an artist who almost exclusively writes very rock-opera-esque concept albums, but I'm here almost entirely for the music alone. I think his dialogue is often awkward, and, in particular, inappropriately slangy ("Do it right, do it right, we ain't got all night," "Oh no, I thought you knew that I am so much cooler"). His stories range from clichéd but decent (THE, TTOE) to fairly aimless (UM, 01) to ridiculous (ITEC). The thing that sticks out to me from what he's said about his background as a writer is that he says he has never read a book. And honestly, I think that really shows in his writing.

I don't mean to totally trash the guy. I like a whole lot of his music. He's working in a second language. And he has his strong lyrical moments, usually when he's writing more abstract topics (Beneath the Waves, And the Druids Turn to Stone). But overall I just do not think that lyrics are his strong suit.

Agreed for the most part. I've heard some silly lyrics here and there but like you, I'm there for the music. Good lyrics is a bonus.

[The Letter M]

For fans here who enjoy 01011001, did you come into the band around the time of that album's release? For me, I found them around the time The Human Equation came out, and then worked my way back through the previous albums and loved them ALL (yes, even Actual Fantasy).

On the issue of lyrics, I have to say, I think relatively little of Arjen's skill as a lyricist. It may be a little weird when speaking about an artist who almost exclusively writes very rock-opera-esque concept albums, but I'm here almost entirely for the music alone. I think his dialogue is often awkward, and, in particular, inappropriately slangy ("Do it right, do it right, we ain't got all night," "Oh no, I thought you knew that I am so much cooler"). His stories range from clichéd but decent (THE, TTOE) to fairly aimless (UM, 01) to ridiculous (ITEC). The thing that sticks out to me from what he's said about his background as a writer is that he says he has never read a book. And honestly, I think that really shows in his writing.

I don't mean to totally trash the guy. I like a whole lot of his music. He's working in a second language. And he has his strong lyrical moments, usually when he's writing more abstract topics (Beneath the Waves, And the Druids Turn to Stone). But overall I just do not think that lyrics are his strong suit.

Agreed for the most part. I've heard some silly lyrics here and there but like you, I'm there for the music. Good lyrics is a bonus.

I think for me, I am also here for the music, but also for the vocal casts. Every new Ayreon album is a chance to hear vocalists that I am both familiar with and have never heard of. Granted, I've never gone out of my way too far to listen to those unknown-to-me vocalists' other works/bands, but hearing them as part of an Ayreon album probably helps other discover new bands! I also really love hearing the new instrumental guests he gets on every album.

Of course, I became a fan when The Human Equation was new, and that album really ticked every box for me in terms of what I look for in a concept album, and even 15 years later, I still occasionally find myself going to THE if I want to listen to any Ayreon. The music is so good, and so varied throughout, which is what I really love about Arjen and Ayreon. It's progressive rock and metal, but he's not afraid to throw in a lot of different instruments and other musical styles and genres and shape it in a prog rock mold.

-Marc.

[Herrick]

Agreed for the most part. I've heard some silly lyrics here and there but like you, I'm there for the music. Good lyrics is a bonus.

I think for me, I am also here for the music, but also for the vocal casts. Every new Ayreon album is a chance to hear vocalists that I am both familiar with and have never heard of. Granted, I've never gone out of my way too far to listen to those unknown-to-me vocalists' other works/bands, but hearing them as part of an Ayreon album probably helps other discover new bands! I also really love hearing the new instrumental guests he gets on every album.

Of course, I became a fan when The Human Equation was new, and that album really ticked every box for me in terms of what I look for in a concept album, and even 15 years later, I still occasionally find myself going to THE if I want to listen to any Ayreon. The music is so good, and so varied throughout, which is what I really love about Arjen and Ayreon. It's progressive rock and metal, but he's not afraid to throw in a lot of different instruments and other musical styles and genres and shape it in a prog rock mold.

-Marc.

Oh yeah the vocals too! I really enjoy them. I wasn't familiar with the vast majority of them before I started getting into Ayreon. The few bands I checked out didn't do anything for me but at least I get to hear these talented singers in Ayreon. Good stuff 

[Nick]

Alright, here's a fun little game for everyone.

We know that the new album contains a song, "This Human Equation".

I will let you know those lyrics are used in the song, and they are rhymed with another slightly altered wordplay that's a bit of Ayreon history. Can you guess what it is?

[IDontNotDoThings]

Alright, here's a fun little game for everyone.

We know that the new album contains a song, "This Human Equation".

I will let you know those lyrics are used in the song, and they are rhymed with another slightly altered wordplay that's a bit of Ayreon history. Can you guess what it is?

Generic variation 

[Evermind]

Final Experimentation

[Adami]

Unnatural Tax Evasion.

[Nick]

Loving the guesses, but no one is correct just yet!

[Adami]

Universal vacation.

[Ben_Jamin]

 Welcome to The Old Dimension   

[jingle.boy]

Into the Acoustic Castle

10100110

The 1st Experiment

Day 21: Hungover

[Adami]

Loving the guesses, but no one is correct just yet!

Got it.

Finger Lickin’ Masturbation.

[Nick]

Universal vacation.

Closest one yet!

[Adami]

Universal vacation.

Closest one yet!

Ohhhh. I know what it is then.

[IDontNotDoThings]

Ok for real

Is it "I can't believe that this is god's creation?"

[Buddyhunter1]

Universal migration

I'm not even an Ayreon fan

yeet

[IDontNotDoThings]

Oh, I didn't see the last post before mine

[Nick]

Universal migration

I'm not even an Ayreon fan

yeet

Ding ding ding!

[Ben_Jamin]

Universal migration

I'm not even an Ayreon fan

yeet

Ding ding ding!

I HEARD IT!!!!

https://youtu.be/lKwaBJmSUps

[Ben_Jamin]

That's a great music video, loving how The Earth and The entire space looks. Fits the song very well.

The cheesy lyrics, I'll take it as Arjen being cheeky and humorous. It's not Sci-Fi if it doesn't have cheese. He is a big Star Trek Fan...

This album is seeming to me to be a musical comic book. Can't wait till its released now...

[MinistroRaven]

That's a great music video, loving how The Earth and The entire space looks. Fits the song very well.

The cheesy lyrics, I'll take it as Arjen being cheeky and humorous. It's not Sci-Fi if it doesn't have cheese. He is a big Star Trek Fan...

This album is seeming to me to be a musical comic book. Can't wait till its released now...

48 Page Earbook including the comic

[Nick]

Universal migration

I'm not even an Ayreon fan

yeet

Ding ding ding!

I HEARD IT!!!!

https://youtu.be/lKwaBJmSUps

I wish I could say I planned that, but had no idea that song would be the next video.

I'll be chatting with Arjen a week from today, so if anyone has questions let me know!

[Ben_Jamin]

That's a great music video, loving how The Earth and The entire space looks. Fits the song very well.

The cheesy lyrics, I'll take it as Arjen being cheeky and humorous. It's not Sci-Fi if it doesn't have cheese. He is a big Star Trek Fan...

This album is seeming to me to be a musical comic book. Can't wait till its released now...

48 Page Earbook including the comic

I made sure to order that, mainly for the comic.

[Ben_Jamin]

I feel like a giddy school girl.

Arjen, said my description of Transitus as a Musical Comic Book is a very good description.

Now im more glad I got the comic book.

[IDontNotDoThings]

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the new single, but I'm still optimistic about the album.

[ErHaO]

I love the new song, best so far for me. Manzi is the lead here right? Not really familiar with him but I enjoy these vocals quite a bit.

Vocal melody reminds me of Digital Rain (Star One) at times.

[Nick]

My interview got pushed back a week, but went well this morning. Should be available in a few days hopefully.

I never have problem filling a half hour with Arjen, just expanding on things I ended up not even hitting on a third of what I had prepared.

Spent time talking about the journey of the album from its original intention to an Ayreon album, the singers, and the comic.

[Ben_Jamin]

Just got an email that my package is shipping.

So cool they're shipping it now.

[jingle.boy]

Based on the singles, I have zero excitement for this.  Feels too much like the vibe from TTOE, which is one of the  (if not THE) least fave Ayreon albums.  To me, it's starting to sound like he's out of ideas.

[Ben_Jamin]

Based on the singles, I have zero excitement for this.  Feels too much like the vibe from TTOE, which is one of the  (if not THE) least fave Ayreon albums.  To me, it's starting to sound like he's out of ideas.

I find Ayreon in a similar creative situation as Coheed and Cambria has in their concepts.

Both are finding ways to intertwine new stories into their world.