New Dream Theater

I'm just gonna see what everyone else thinks before throwing my opinion out there--'cause honestly I can't decide haha. Stay through the end and you might see what I mean.



That certainly is one of the tastiest solos JP has given us in some time.

Ugh

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

Ugh

I'm kind of with you on this, but only kind of.

DT is just boring now....have been, for me, for a long time.

I dunno know. Sounds like pretty much what you'd expect from Dream Theater anymore these days. If you've enjoyed their output in the last 10 yeas or so, you'll probably dig it. If not, this won't sway you.

I personally have enough DT in my collection without needing this.

The drummer's cymbals being 4 feet above his head looks very uncomfortable to me.

That's kind of where I'm veering. On first listen, I was floored, especially by that gothic outro. Then on second listen, I realized it's all no different than several songs of theirs (specifically Finally Free and Count of Tuscany). Maybe it's just because I've been out of touch with their later material for so long. I still spin the first four albums (and EP) like there's no tomorrow, however.

There is something in me that likes this song more than other recents, though. Can't put my finger on it.

No denying they have a tone of talent but not much after Train Of Thought has grabbed me.

Dark Horseman wrote:

No denying they have a tone of talent but not much after Train Of Thought has grabbed me.

Yeah, that was the last "great" album from them (in this fanboy's opinion, of course). I was a rabid fan, and would have counted them in my top 5 all time fave bands from '92-'06. They started t lose me after "Systematic Chaos" though and may have put the final nail in with the last snooze fest of a concept album.

Yeah I revisited Systematic Chaos a while back. It's one of those albums where the first listen is rough yet enjoyable, yet just gets worse with each listen.

My ranking (best to worst):

Awake
Images and Words
Scenes from a Memory
Change of Seasons (if we're counting EPs)
Falling into Infinity
Octavarium
Seven Degrees of Inner Turbulence (did I get that right? such a damn wordy title...)
Train of Thought
Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Dramatic Turn of Events
The other two that I can't remember a lick of
This next album, I guess...

TBH I've never heard When Day and Dream Unite.

I have a few DT albums but i don't listen to them much. The first two would be my favourites though.

This is all I need

Awake
Images and Words
Scenes from a Memory
Change of Seasons EP
Falling into Infinity
Live At The Marquee EP
Once In A LiveTime

Dark Horseman wrote:

No denying they have a tone of talent but not much after Train Of Thought has grabbed me.

Yea, I'm kinda in the same boat. Train of Thought was their high-point for me. I recently went through and ripped all the DT albums I have (9). After playing them all through, I've determined I pretty much have all the Dream Theater I need.

corplhicks wrote:

I still spin the first four albums

Why not Scenes from a Memory?

Lari wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I still spin the first four albums

Why not Scenes from a Memory?

LOL I totally wasn't thinking of the debut. In my mind, I&W has always been the first album. So yeah, I&W to SfaM. That's my spectrum of delight, if you will.

Inner Turbulence was the last one I bought. That was too much for me. It's like a chore to listen to it.

Lari wrote:

Inner Turbulence was the last one I bought. That was too much for me. It's like a chore to listen to it.

The only track(s?) for me worth listening to is the title suite. Misunderstood is a nice b-roll, the rest are passive.

This band has more talent in their pinky nail than most have in their entire body. I like them, but they are just too much for me. I don't really understand why they always have to be so damn complex. It loses its vibe and groove. I have thought this for years. If people like this, good... but I get lost after a few minutes.

I like all their album to a certain degree, though I could live without their last album for sure. I do like that the two songs released so far for this upcoming album seem to have been stripped back a bit and are more straightforward, but I really can't stop hoping they rediscover that "magic" they had on Images & Words and, though to a slightly lesser extent, Awake.

Lurideath wrote:

This band has more talent in their pinky nail than most have in their entire body. I like them, but they are just too much for me. I don't really understand why they always have to be so damn complex. It loses its vibe and groove. I have thought this for years. If people like this, good... but I get lost after a few minutes.

Bingo!  My opinion almost exactly.

corplhicks wrote:

Lari wrote:

Inner Turbulence was the last one I bought. That was too much for me. It's like a chore to listen to it.

The only track(s?) for me worth listening to is the title suite. Misunderstood is a nice b-roll, the rest are passive.

I still play (and love) the first disc a lot.

I wish they would just release a straightforward metal album with short tracks. I am sure they would do a great job at it. Those long songs are impossible to digest.

I really like James Labrie's solo albums, as unlike the rest of the members' solo projects his are pretty much straight forward rock/metal. I listen to those more than DT these days.

I haven't found much of what they've done since Portnoy left the band to be memorable at all. For me, though Octavarium was their last "great" album. I love that one.

I think Dream Theater is a great band if they're the only one you listen to. They pretty much have to dominate your CD player in order for you to understand and appreciate everything going on.

Eyesore wrote:

I like all their album to a certain degree, though I could live without their last album for sure. I do like that the two songs released so far for this upcoming album seem to have been stripped back a bit and are more straightforward, but I really can't stop hoping they rediscover that "magic" they had on Images & Words and, though to a slightly lesser extent, Awake.

Yeah, "magic." I like that. Those two albums have an insane extra dimension that has been missing since.

I'm starting to get back into the band after seeing this thread. I just bought a ticket to see them on the upcoming tour where they will be playing Scenes From A Memory Pt. 2 in its entirety, plus a set of other material. I haven't seen them since they were touring with Opeth, Between the Buried and Me and another band I can't remember back when Systematic Chaos came out.