As always by a new release from Dream Theater. Got the album today and will give it a first listen later.
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Progressive rock
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As always by a new release from Dream Theater. Got the album today and will give it a first listen later.
wesleyshark
Banned
I'm on my 2nd play through of this and I really like it.
It's 34 tracks long.
Thirty.
Four.
New DT is pretty bad. Really sad, because I usually get into huge corny epic concept albums, and they really hit it out of the park with ADTOE (not so much with the s/t). This thing just feels like extreme idea vomit. Nothing is polished and they threw everything onto the disc. Everything feels familiar to something else I've heard and none of the songs really feel like they have a reason to exist alone from this thing.
Also, it feels like nearly every song is written and mixed to feel like the climax of the entire album, which means it doesn't really have a musical journey through differing ideas. It doesn't feel like you went anywhere, and it definitely doesn't feel like you arrived somewhere when you finally reach the end.
The sad thing is I don't even think you could make a truncated version of this album with all the best songs. Everything feels so linked and the ideas are so spread out that there are only a few good tracks.
Also, it feels like nearly every song is written and mixed to feel like the climax of the entire album, which means it doesn't really have a musical journey through differing ideas. It doesn't feel like you went anywhere, and it definitely doesn't feel like you arrived somewhere when you finally reach the end.
The sad thing is I don't even think you could make a truncated version of this album with all the best songs. Everything feels so linked and the ideas are so spread out that there are only a few good tracks.
teruterubozu
Member
As soon as I heard "Gift of Music" I was done. It's Rush's 2112. Music saves the world from evil empire blah, blah.
QuantumZebra
Member
I'm a big prog fan, rock and metal (Between the Buried and Me, Tool, Rush, Pink Floyd, etc...) - and Karnivool is one of my absolute favorites ever. They are a prog rock band (If I had to describe their sound, id say a cross between Tool and Porcupine Tree).
I really can't recommend them enough. They have 4 albums (included their EP/demo). Here are some of my favorite songs:
"We Are" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_E5ae9ZTwk
"All I Know" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18SUFbABxNQ
Full live show up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6S6J2oAsJw
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Not only that, but they are incredibly awesome human beings. They are from Australia and I'm from the US (Georgia) and they almost never tour near here.
My wife found their manager/fan manager's e-mail address, and they straight up took the time to get a show poster, the entire band signed the poster, and they shipped it to us (all for free).
I adore this band, love them. My favorite band ever is Pink Floyd, but they are right behind them.
I really can't recommend them enough. They have 4 albums (included their EP/demo). Here are some of my favorite songs:
"We Are" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_E5ae9ZTwk
"All I Know" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18SUFbABxNQ
Full live show up on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6S6J2oAsJw
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Not only that, but they are incredibly awesome human beings. They are from Australia and I'm from the US (Georgia) and they almost never tour near here.
My wife found their manager/fan manager's e-mail address, and they straight up took the time to get a show poster, the entire band signed the poster, and they shipped it to us (all for free).
I adore this band, love them. My favorite band ever is Pink Floyd, but they are right behind them.
I thought Gift of Music was decent, and Moment of Betrayal was alright. The rest of the album doesn't even stand alone like those do, though and there's really nothing better than just alright on there. I don't even personally care about the concept, nor do I know what the hell it is after like 3 listens. They could ape the music saves the world concept as long as they put out some compelling music, but they didn't.
teruterubozu
Member
I actually enjoy Labrie's solo albums more than what DT has been putting out recently.
Fleet_of_Foot
Member
Without even making it through The Astonishing one time, I can already tell I don't like it. I haven't been following the story on this album but I'm always interested in a new Dream Theater album.
So after listening to the first several songs I did some research about just what the hell is going on with this album. Then I realized what I'm not liking. I know it's a common thing to have story and characters in prog albums but it's not my thing at all. It just seems really corny.
I will continue to listen to it and may even grow to like it but I am pretty disappointed. On the plus side, I cancelled my iTunes preorder of it just yesterday to avoid spending $18 on something I wasn't sure about. Listening to it on Spotify instead so maybe I dodged a bullet.
So after listening to the first several songs I did some research about just what the hell is going on with this album. Then I realized what I'm not liking. I know it's a common thing to have story and characters in prog albums but it's not my thing at all. It just seems really corny.
I will continue to listen to it and may even grow to like it but I am pretty disappointed. On the plus side, I cancelled my iTunes preorder of it just yesterday to avoid spending $18 on something I wasn't sure about. Listening to it on Spotify instead so maybe I dodged a bullet.
The thing about the new DT album is that it's not written to be a prog metal album, it's written like a musical.
In that sense, they achieved what they set out to do.
I really thought it was bad on a first listen. It was only after I listened to it with a different mindset that I "got" it.
There's some bad stuff in there, too many ballads, it goes full Disney at times. LaBrie is sounding cheesier than ever and they went too hard with the autotune. There's not enough, well, DT in there. But there are also some cool repeating motifs, some great riffs and solos, and I'm glad that for once they didn't play it safe.
But yeah, if you have a low tolerance for cheesy ballads, musicals, or James LaBrie's singing, you're gonna have a bad time.
In that sense, they achieved what they set out to do.
I really thought it was bad on a first listen. It was only after I listened to it with a different mindset that I "got" it.
There's some bad stuff in there, too many ballads, it goes full Disney at times. LaBrie is sounding cheesier than ever and they went too hard with the autotune. There's not enough, well, DT in there. But there are also some cool repeating motifs, some great riffs and solos, and I'm glad that for once they didn't play it safe.
But yeah, if you have a low tolerance for cheesy ballads, musicals, or James LaBrie's singing, you're gonna have a bad time.
Fleet_of_Foot
Member
Musicals. Yuck. Well that explains it.
I ain't even gonna take the musical excuse. Pain of Salvation writes albums that are insanely close to musicals, because that's one of Gildenlow's biggest inspirations, but that doesn't mean you're slogging through 2 hours of samey bullshit idea vomit to get to anything resembling a decent idea.
Honestly, I don't think I hate it. There's not much offensively bad there. It's just not even close to worth the slog through it. There's nothing really good there either. Like, it feels like there's no real reason to listen to it. I could listen to 2 better Dream Theater albums in that time period. The only thing is made me want to do was throw on ADTOE or 6DOIT or SFAM or something instead.
chronic_archaic
Member
I've given up on DT since the s/t - they just didn't do it for me anymore. Modern prog and prog metal in general mostly don't. Everything up until Falling Into Infinity is still good though. I think Jordan Rudess killed it for me.
Personally I got re-excited about them with ADTOE. I fucking loved that one. Thought it was a perfect display of their modern sound. Every song felt worth it. Self titled was pretty boring, though.
Oveja Negra
Member
Well... I'm not going to call new DT album vomit, because that sounds so damn extreme that ends being hilarious (for the wrong reasons).
I've listened the album two times and for sure I need more exposure to it, but so far I'm not impressed at all.
First, none of the "ballads" grabbed my attention, they sounded generic, and second... and this is way worse, I can't recall a single Petrucci's riff, none.
The thing is... he is usually awesome at creating extremely catching guitar parts, so I'm really confused about this. It's like someone else, not John.
I'll see if it grows on me.
I've listened the album two times and for sure I need more exposure to it, but so far I'm not impressed at all.
First, none of the "ballads" grabbed my attention, they sounded generic, and second... and this is way worse, I can't recall a single Petrucci's riff, none.
The thing is... he is usually awesome at creating extremely catching guitar parts, so I'm really confused about this. It's like someone else, not John.
I'll see if it grows on me.
QuantumZebra
Member
Stop buying Dream Theater albums and support a truly great prog rock band like Karnivool
Shadow2222
Member
I think it isn't being received well here (or by those that only like DT for metal).
In other places, like the Dream Theater Forums (who, believe it or not, actually have quite a few posters that aren't fond of the last few albums), it is being received very well.
Is the story cheesy as hell? Absolutely! However, I love the music. To me, this is their best album since Scenes from a Memory.
My favorites so far are Three Days, Our New World, and A New Beginning.
Oveja Negra
Member
Just for the record, I'm not among DT fans that only like the band for the metal part. In fact, my all time fav. DT album is SFAM.
My problem so far with the album is it sounds too flat and uninspired, it's like listening a person talking in a monotonous way, there is no emphasis in anything in particular, IMO.
I'm listening the album right now (again) and I'm digging more the mellow parts, but the rest still does very little for me, sadly.
Shadow2222
Member
I definitely respect that opinion. Interestingly, for me, it feels more inspired than ADTOE, which generally seems to be their most well-received album recently.
Yeah, same here. Despite my word choice, I think we largely agree on what we're hearing here. There's nothing really bad here, it's just not terribly good and nothing sticks out to make the 2 hour listen terribly worth it.
Frank the Great
Banned
Thank god for this thread, I totally forgot about the new DT album. Will listen later.
Fleet_of_Foot
Member
That's exactly it. By the 12th track I was bored and couldn't remember anything I'd heard. And then I looked at Spotify and was like "Holy shit, there's 22 tracks left of this??"
Oveja Negra
Member
It's funny how tastes work, ADTOE is for me the best DT album (by a wide margin) after 6DOIT. At the time, it gave me tons of hope for the future of the band.
To each his own, I guess
So I've been trying to listen to some new prog while I grind some games and recently caught a album by La Fabbrica Dell'Assoluto which is called 1984: L'Ultimo Uomo D'Europa. If you guys are a fan of classic Italian prog rock, this is a must listen. Its on Spotify too, listen too it, its really damn good
Such a good album bro.
Such a good album bro.
Frank the Great
Banned
Thanks for this recommendation. I love prog rock and I'm trying to learn Italian, so this is kind of perfect for me. Will listen.
After several listen of Dream Theater's Astonishing ((so much time was necessary), I like the album quite well. You have to sink in and accept the musical like treatment. Although their Band name is now more fitting than ever.
But there are still some extreme cheesey lyrical moments left like "My music player" or "eternally in harmony". In general the story is very basic.
But there are still some extreme cheesey lyrical moments left like "My music player" or "eternally in harmony". In general the story is very basic.
Frank the Great
Banned
So I've been listening to this, and it is fucking awesome.
My only problem is that I have no idea what they are saying. Do you know where I can find lyrics? I'm trying to learn Italian and seeing the words written down would help.
Mixolydian
Member
....HOLY SHIT. I've seen you post a million times here but only now just realized you belong to the petrucci forum. Haha.
YESSSSSSSSSS
also how the fuck can you not like musicals? someone hasn't heard Hamilton. or Avenue Q. or fuckin Les Miserables. I don't even
but a new haken? omg yuss.
as for new DT album, it has some good music for sure, oddly enough I just wish it was shorter. I need to give it more time. I'm used to cheesy by now... anyone whos listened to dream theater EVER should already understand cheese is part of who they are. hell, power metal in general.
Lionheart1827
Member
Something to do with the rights or management company. The album is impossible to find now which pisses me off. Ive been wanting to buy it but can't find it anywhere.
Something to do with the rights or management company. The album is impossible to find now which pisses me off. Ive been wanting to buy it but can't find it anywhere.
I just had a look and it isn't on Google Music or iTunes.
It is listed on Amazon, but out of stock.
Even the band's website lists it as out of stock in their webstore =\
Inkvoterad
Member
Oh, i've never really listened much to modern prog-rock. There's some pretty sweet tips in this thread. Been starting to go through Between the Buried And me's discography a bit. Pretty great stuff, but i'm not entirely sold on the clean vocals yet. That's been my main issue with alot of Opeth's new stuff too.
Favourites are still Gojira and Meshuggah though (altough im unsure if meshugga counts as progressive, but i'm pretty sure they do)
Favourites are still Gojira and Meshuggah though (altough im unsure if meshugga counts as progressive, but i'm pretty sure they do)
Honestly, I mostly prefer modern prog to the romanticized 1970's period. That's the period where the movement had its mainstream moment, but as a result of that I think a lot of what was coming out sounded too derivative and many just superficially latched onto it because it happened to be trendy at the time.
beato_angelico
Member
I'd like some examples of this "derivative" classic prog.
Hooo, there are so many genesis clones out there
70's prog is easily one of the most diverse categories of music due to the incredibly heavy amount of experimentation. But there are a lot of derivative works out there during that time.
I think stylistically, artists from the 70s were more likely to experiment with their music then modern artists do, and also, 70's artists werent afraid to just have a solo to just show off. Improv is one of my favorite parts of prog rock and I think a lot of bands are just afraid to show off.
also, ive probably said this before
EVERYONE HERE SHOULD LISTEN TO
THE DEATH DEFYING UNICORN BY MOTORPSYCHO
Came out the year Raven That Refused to Sing came out, and didnt get a lot of attention due to that album being amazing. But this easily my favorite modern album
beato_angelico
Member
But the genesis clones came up much later, not in the classic era (meaning around 69-75)
Oveja Negra
Member
Have you listened to Textures? If you're into Gojira and Meshuggah you're bound to like them.
Their latest album, Phenotype, just came out. It's part 1 of a double album, with part 2 (a single 45 minute song) coming out next year.
Something to do with the rights or management company. The album is impossible to find now which pisses me off. Ive been wanting to buy it but can't find it anywhere.
So I managed to find a copy of Aquarius, but unfortunately not in an official capacity.
I'm not having any luck finding their demo release though
01. Blind (11:40)
02. Black Seed (5:53)
03. Manifolds (7:34)
04. Sleeping Thoughts Wake (12:07)
05. Souls (7:45)
06. Snow (13:11)
There is a copy on Discogs, but it's $425...
EDIT: There's always YouTube I suppose...
Piotr Grudziński, Riverside's lead guitarist, has died. He was only 40.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riverside-guitarist-piotr-grudzinski-dead-at-40/
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http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riverside-guitarist-piotr-grudzinski-dead-at-40/
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I fully agree with that. I would even go as far as calling it the best album Motorpsycho has ever put out.
Piotr Grudziński, Riverside's lead guitarist, has died. He was only 40.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riverside-guitarist-piotr-grudzinski-dead-at-40/
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And that's a shame. Even as someone who isn't into progmetal (although they did get softer) I still liked some riverside.
Orthogonal
Member
Piotr Grudziński, Riverside's lead guitarist, has died. He was only 40.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riverside-guitarist-piotr-grudzinski-dead-at-40/
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No way. So sudden. RIP.
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