*OFFICIAL* A Dramatic Turn Of Events discussion thread -- **SPOILER ALERT!!!**

[Bill Carson]

  Sorry that was a typo !

[fadetoblackdude7]

So I've been listening to ADTOE constantly since I got it, and just........wow. This is album is truly special, and definitely top 3. It gets better with every listen, and there isn't a weak track on it imo. Each song compliments each other and it's a perfect balance, not to mention that it revives the 'classic' DT sound which has been absent on the past few albums. So I say well done DT, and bring on the shows!!

Cheers!

[mentalny]

I am not impressed with album... Think it is the weakest of all, but still maybe it is early to say definitive comment. Songs are too boring for me.. cannot compare them to earlier album which were masterpieces.
But one song is very very great ,and I am listening to it all the time, it is Breaking All Illusions, really DT song that vary of different rhythms and eveything 

[bss4life15]

I love every part of the album, but am i the only one that thinks that LNF, BITS, and Outcry are better than Breaking All Illusions?

[gabeh1018]

I love every part of the album, but am i the only one that thinks that LNF, BITS, and Outcry are better than Breaking All Illusions?

no i concur with you good sir

[johncal]

I may have misrepresented myself. I like the vocals in Panic Attack, and I don't really know they were inspired by Muse, but that's what they remind me of. And it's not falsetto. It's the way he slides into the notes.

I always thought that was Freddy Mercury inspired if anything.

[hefdaddy42]

Well, I'm baffled any DT fan could not like this album. They basically fixed EVERYTHING that was wrong with their 00s output:

No MP lead vocals
No forcing JLB to sing like Hetfield/Bellamy/etc
Using Jordan to full potential
Myung involved again
Improved lyrics
Great vocal melodies and choruses
No tired solo trade-offs

Whatever.

All of these things are reasons that I, personally, love the new album so much, but I wouldn't be so unreasonable as to expect that this would be the norm.  Remember, their fanbase has grown tremendously in the last decade, when many of these things were "wrong".

[emindead]

the riff JP plays during the verses of OTBOA is pretty coo.

pretty coo.

When I listen to:
"Today I will be your Savior
Tomorrow a demon"
I'm surprised that after the first take of these lyrics JLB didn't put his lyric sheet down and sighed. "John, really? I mean, dude. No..."

[tristl]

My new very personal ranking:
1.I&W
2.ADTOE
3.Awake
4.SFAM
5.FII
6.SDOIT
7.Octavarium
8.TOT
9.BC&SL
10.SC
I mean i like them all, i listen to all of them but since one week i just listen to ADTOE.
i just love it, even if it plays 80 minutes i always think, oh its over again! but no problem its on eternal replay.

[Jamesman42]

the riff JP plays during the verses of OTBOA is pretty coo.

pretty coo.

When I listen to:
"Today I will be your Savior
Tomorrow a demon"
I'm surprised that after the first take of these lyrics JLB didn't put his lyric sheet down and sighed. "John, really? I mean, dude. No..."

In the context of the song, it serves as a good base for the other verse lyrics. And yes, they may not be the best lyrics ever, but they're not bad. You just hate everything for no reason these days ololol

[BlackInk]

What's wrong with that line?

[Cranky]

I'm going to come right out and say it, Breaking All Illusions isn't the best song on the album.

Bridges in The Sky is.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

What's wrong with that line?

[Loser1]

My .02...

I like the album. It sounds like I would expect a DT album to sound. Good, progressive metal (mostly). I don't want another Images and Words, Awake, or album of the past. I want a DT album that represents where they stand now. That's what we got.

I don't get the Portnoy or Black Clouds and Silver Linings, Systematic Chaos bashing. They are great albums. OK the lyrics got silly at times. But I could care less. I listen to DT for the musicianship. As long as the vocal melodies fit the song, I'm happy. I don't care if the song is about a car wreck or a guy banging his brothers wife and is murdered.

So yea, it's a good DT album. It is what I expected. I'm happy with it.

PS - Take the extra 10 seconds and type words. BC&SL, OTBoA, ADToE, BAA.BITS,LNF,BMUBMD, just spell it. All these acronyms are killing me now!

[fps]

My favourite album of DT's since ToT there's purpose, a sense of trying to make a certain kind of album, and I'm listening to the music and songwriting rather than a series of twiddly bits, which has been a problem. Hilarious lyrics, a less hi-fi mix, some really, really great playing from Petrucci especially, Myung back in the mix and rocking, good vocal melodies written in a good register, nice harmonies, songs that don't sound padded and a really strong debut from MM, all in all a top effort and I'm really enjoying it, which couldn't honestly be said for all but a handful of tracks from their last few.

One thing. Bridges In The Sky is a magnificent song. Why, on my headphones, does it sound as if it's been mixed with so little attention compared with the other tracks?

[CodyWanKenobi]

I really love the album. The only let down about it is, it doesn't really 'take me on a journey' you know? Like SFAM, 6DOIT, SC, Octavarium, BC&SL, etc. really took me on a journey. This one just seemed like a collection of kick ass songs, which is cool, but I still love that feeling of being taken on a fuckin journey. Hopefully the next album takes me somewhere.

[hefdaddy42]

I really love the album. The only let down about it is, it doesn't really 'take me on a journey' you know? Like SFAM, 6DOIT, SC, Octavarium, BC&SL, etc. really took me on a journey. This one just seemed like a collection of kick ass songs, which is cool, but I still love that feeling of being taken on a fuckin journey. Hopefully the next album takes me somewhere.

I'm glad I don't quite look at albums like you do, or I would have hated the last album.  The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

[Millais]

The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

that was wonderful.

[hefdaddy42]

The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

that was wonderful.

*bows with a flourish*

[JimmyJava]

I really love the album. The only let down about it is, it doesn't really 'take me on a journey' you know? Like SFAM, 6DOIT, SC, Octavarium, BC&SL, etc. really took me on a journey. This one just seemed like a collection of kick ass songs, which is cool, but I still love that feeling of being taken on a fuckin journey. Hopefully the next album takes me somewhere.

I'm glad I don't quite look at albums like you do, or I would have hated the last album.  The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

I really love the album. The only let down about it is, it doesn't really 'take me on a journey' you know? Like SFAM, 6DOIT, SC, Octavarium, BC&SL, etc. really took me on a journey. This one just seemed like a collection of kick ass songs, which is cool, but I still love that feeling of being taken on a fuckin journey. Hopefully the next album takes me somewhere.

I'm glad I don't quite look at albums like you do, or I would have hated the last album.  The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

[fadetoblackdude7]

Am I the only one who likes Outcry more than Bridges In The Sky?

[tofee35]

My review:

On the Backs of Angels: My first impression was of excitement for something new when the single came out. I liked it ok, but it felt like the song wasn't structured well. Everybody was raving about how well structured it is. It felt like DT were throwing all of these sections at me with no continuity. That being said, compared to Outcry, it's much more structured than I originally thought. I never skip this song and it's one of my favorites on the album now. It has some very catchy riffs mixed with memorable solos and grooves.

Build Me Up Break Me Down: I love the electronic intro into the heavy riff. I love the contrast between JLB's aggressive vocals/thick grooves in the verses and the fluidity of the vocal melodies and grand open scale of the choruses.

Lost Not Forgotten I love the way this song starts with the strange piano line into an atmospheric groove. I dislike the noodling from 2:00-2:30 so much I physically edited it out myself. It makes no sense and was ruining the song for me. The verses do a decent job of holding their own, but a bit bland. I'm not crazy about the transition from verse to chorus. The choruses are also bland, but I like the instrumental sections from 4:23ish on. The last 5:30 minutes of this song is some of the best on the album.

This is the Life JP's tone is top notch here. I get a huge SFAM vibe on this one. I'd say this is the only song of its kind on the album. It's not so much a ballad nor is it a heavy onslaught of notes. Very solid song that sticks with one simple formula throughout.

Bridges in the Sky My favorite song on the album does what all of my favorite DT songs do, it has memorable vocal melodies & riffs, tasty drumming, a series of minor peaks, then the obligatory triumphant climax. A+

Outcry The tone of Outcry is dark and airy. The electronic percussion is injected well. The chorus is well executed. The instrumental sections get a bit much. I admit, they're fun to listen to, but unneeded. I'll compare to TDOE which has continuity and flow from one section to another. Outcry is like an instrumental cheeseburger with the bun being vocals at the beginning and end. The instrumental grease is leaking out the bottom and just becomes too messy.

Far From Heaven James and Jordan shine here. The piano has a disappear vibe to it, but in a more classical way. This song is a perfect way to lead into Breaking All Illusions.

Breaking All Illusions The opening structure of this song reminds me of This Dying Soul. You have the energetic opening that slightly changes from phrase to phrase as it winds down for JLB's entrance mirrored by guitar leads. It quickly builds back up into a killer riff, a fantastic chorus, then the opening riff again. Like, Outcry, complex and melodic solo sections follow, but unlike Outcry, they transition flawlessly. Finally the song crescendos and minds are blown.

Beneath the Surface James is great here. The guitar line and backing orchestral arrangements are subtly awesome. Jordan's synth is a perfect fit for the song. The topic of this song is very real and reminds of something off of SDOIT.


Overall this album is fantastic. The tone puts me in a happy place and certain moments give me that 4:30 mark of Blind Faith feeling... the kind of feeling that makes you proud to be a Dream Theater fan.

[johncal]

Am I the only one who likes Outcry more than Bridges In The Sky?

I rate them =

[theseoafs]

After some deliberation, I've made my next bit of progress with the new album: With the comparatively lame tunes BMU BMD and Outcry, this album will not pose any serious threat to DT's current musical trinity, I&W, SFAM, and 6DOIT.

[fps]

Couldn't possibly put 6degrees above Awake myself, but there we are.

Anyway, I like this album. And that's what matters.

[the theater of dreams]

A MASTER PIECE

[Dream Team]

A MASTER PIECE

Piece of Mind
Rust in Piece
Master Piece (should have been a Metallica album)

Anyway, epic 1st post! Welcome to the forum.

[Super Dude]

This is a really solid album. It's not breaking any ground, but that's just fine with me.

But the lyrics on BTS are such a breath of fresh air.

[Perpetual Change]

I really love the album. The only let down about it is, it doesn't really 'take me on a journey' you know? Like SFAM, 6DOIT, SC, Octavarium, BC&SL, etc. really took me on a journey. This one just seemed like a collection of kick ass songs, which is cool, but I still love that feeling of being taken on a fuckin journey. Hopefully the next album takes me somewhere.

I'm glad I don't quite look at albums like you do, or I would have hated the last album.  The journey started with a car crash and time in a hospital, drove through alchoholism, took a pit stop at the death of my father, and ended in a dungeon in Tuscany.  What a shitty vacation.

You forgot the part where you lose the ability to write good posts after joining the free-masons.

[bosk1]

Outcry The tone of Outcry is dark and airy. The electronic percussion is injected well. The chorus is well executed. The instrumental sections get a bit much. I admit, they're fun to listen to, but unneeded. I'll compare to TDOE which has continuity and flow from one section to another. Outcry is like an instrumental cheeseburger with the bun being vocals at the beginning and end. The instrumental grease is leaking out the bottom and just becomes too messy.

Brilliant analogy.  If you don't mind, I'll take the first part, and rewrite it to suit my own take on the song:

Outcry The tone of Outcry is dark and airy. The electronic percussion is injected well. The chorus is well executed. The instrumental sections are fun to listen to, and although similarly long instrumental sections in other songs can get tiring and feel out of place, somehow that never happens with this song. I'll compare to TDOE which has continuity and flow from one section to another. Outcry is like an instrumental cheeseburger with the bun being vocals at the beginning and end. The instrumental grease is leaking out the bottom, running down your forearms, and even though it makes a complete mess, it just gives you an ear-to-ear grin and a feeling down deep inside your soul that everything is just warm and gooey and right.  Or something...

[Perpetual Change]

My own personal take:


Outcry The tone of Outcry is dark and airy. The electronic percussion is injected well. The chorus is well executed. The instrumental sections are fun to listen to, and although similarly long instrumental sections in other songs can get tiring and feel out of place, somehow that never happens with this song. I'll compare to TDOE which has continuity and flow from one section to another. Outcry is like an instrumental cheeseburger with the bun being vocals at the beginning and end. The instrumental grease is leaking out the bottom, running down your forearms, and even though it makes a complete mess, it just gives you an ear-to-ear grin and a feeling down deep inside your soul that everything is just warm and gooey and right... Until you realize, "Hey, I've eaten this cheeseburger before! Yeah, there's lettuce, a bun, cheese, tomato, onions, ketchup, pickles, a beef-patty, and all the other normal trimmings. It's like John just decided to go back and use the recipe charts for some other burger he had made before, thinking that slipping a few strips of bacon on top and switching the normal bun out with a sesame seed one would be able to hide the unoriginality from us fans  "

[ariich]

Outcry is such a bizarre song. It's a really great, melodic, rocking song with a really cool tonal riff and catchy chorus. And in the middle of it is a really great, totally mad, insane, and at time atonal, instrumental section. These two things shouldn't go together, and the song should be totally disjointed, but for some reason it works.

[bosk1]

Outcry is such a bizarre song. It's a really great, melodic, rocking song with a really cool tonal riff and catchy chorus. And in the middle of it is a really great, totally mad, insane, and at time atonal, instrumental section. These two things shouldn't go together, and the song should be totally disjointed, but for some reason it works.

I think it's because of the bacon. 

[ariich]

That must be it.

I'm hungry.