DT15: A View From The Top Of The World (Timeline for DT15)

[TAC]

 

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

[Dedalus]

This thread is officially in for the 'most derailed topic in the history of DTF'award

You said that too soon.

[Glasser]

More specifically, Rick "Ruin" bought the 2 CRUSHED cans of PERFECT tomatoes.

[TAC]

More specifically, Rick "Ruin" bought the 2 CRUSHED cans of PERFECT tomatoes.

His pen name is Miriam.

[Glasser]

More specifically, Rick "Ruin" bought the 2 CRUSHED cans of PERFECT tomatoes.

His pen name is Miriam.

Miriam loves Megadeth and KFC.

[TAC]

...and Mickey D's!

[RMGadelha]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and its poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

[Glasser]

...and Mickey D's!

Rick Donald's!!!!

That's excellent! How can we tie Rick "Ruin" Rubin into this thread..... ummm.... I would like him to have a crack at a DT15 remix.   

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

Illumination Theory.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

Illumination Theory.

Understood. That's a really high bar to leap, so I have to have realistic expectations. For me, the only comparable length song that can compete with Illumination Theory is Change of Seasons. I hope we won't be disappointed by the title track given how much of the album length it takes.

Is DT15 your favorite of the Mangini era albums?

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

Illumination Theory.

Understood. That's a really high bar to leap, so I have to have realistic expectations. For me, the only comparable length song that can compete with Illumination Theory is Change of Seasons. I hope we won't be disappointed by the title track given how much of the album length it takes.

Is DT15 your favorite of the Mangini era albums?

The title track is a grower which to me is a good thing. It's different from any other of their epics. Honestly, my favorite Mangini era album is ADTOE but the new one is easily my second fave musically. The production on AVFTTOTW is easily their best IMO.

[KevShmev]

The title track is a grower which to me is a good thing. It's different from any other of their epics. Honestly, my favorite Mangini era album is ADTOE but the new one is easily my second fave musically. The production on AVFTTOTW is easily their best IMO.

Based off of The Alien, I don't see how that is possible, but there is always the chance the rest of the record sounds a bit different.  Don't get me wrong, The Alien sounds good, and it seems likely that this will be the best sounding record of the Mangini era (not exactly a high bar to clear), but the odds of the record sounding as good or better than the first three records from the 90's seem slim to none, given what we have heard thus far.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

Illumination Theory.

Understood. That's a really high bar to leap, so I have to have realistic expectations. For me, the only comparable length song that can compete with Illumination Theory is Change of Seasons. I hope we won't be disappointed by the title track given how much of the album length it takes.

Is DT15 your favorite of the Mangini era albums?

The title track is a grower which to me is a good thing. It's different from any other of their epics. Honestly, my favorite Mangini era album is ADTOE but the new one is easily my second fave musically. The production on AVFTTOTW is easily their best IMO.

Interesting. Why is it a grower if you don't mind my asking?

Sorry for so many rapid fire questions but please understand it's been weeks since we've had any music (and might have to go another 4) so I am totally blue balled right now 

[Glasser]

Not a big fan of "These Walls".   Sounds like DT going commercial and JP sounds uninspired for the first time in DT history. 

To me Octavarium was the first time I was like "This is Dream Theater?"   The album has grown on me through the years and I do actually listen to it a fair amount but I was incredibly disappointed when it first came out.

Train of Thought isn't my favorite album but it still sounded inspired and like Dream Theater was moving the needle.

Octavarium through ADTOE sounded like a band going through the motions to me. 

Now before anyone freaks out ....Dream Theater "going through the motions" is still arguably a top 10 band for me.   It just wasn't the brilliance and magic we had on the preceding albums.

The Astonishing and DOT brought some of that magic back IMO and I am extremely excited for the new album.

As if "going commercial"  is this awful thing.   Writing good songs and sorta a good thing, right?   Being a fan of DT for 30 years now, my favorite DT song is "I Walk Beside You," which is their least prog song by a mile.

I agree a great song is a great song. Speaking of that, Answering The Call may be one of your favorite songs on DT15 

Oh. I like I Walk Beside You and it's poppy feeling. Are you saying that Answering the Call is poppy? I won't complain if that's the case.

Very catchy, should I dare say straightforward.... Heavy riff yet Radio friendly.

Any memorable guitar solos on the album?

Absolutely. Memorable like Goodnight Kiss, no. Under A Glass Moon, no.

Illumination Theory or A View From the Top of the World?

Illumination Theory.

Understood. That's a really high bar to leap, so I have to have realistic expectations. For me, the only comparable length song that can compete with Illumination Theory is Change of Seasons. I hope we won't be disappointed by the title track given how much of the album length it takes.

Is DT15 your favorite of the Mangini era albums?

The title track is a grower which to me is a good thing. It's different from any other of their epics. Honestly, my favorite Mangini era album is ADTOE but the new one is easily my second fave musically. The production on AVFTTOTW is easily their best IMO.

Interesting. Why is it a grower if you don't mind my asking?

Sorry for so many rapid fire questions but please understand it's been weeks since we've had any music (and might have to go another 4) so I am totally blue balled right now 

Bottom line, its outstanding. At times it sounds like a mix of Awake, SFAM, disc 2 of SDOIT, FII. What makes it a grower? It's a 20 minute DT tune, lol! Needs time to digest.

[BeatriceNB]

[...]
So, possibly controversial opinion here (less to rebut and more to just offer my own perspective on this, having spent 4 years studying mixing in a fair amount of detail, though would by no means call myself an expert):

Am I the only one who doesn't get the appeal of Kevin Shirley's mixes? The three factors that I feel identify them are mud, compression and a certain flatness. I think they sound fine in mellower moments like Hollow Years (even if I think James' vocals sound way too muffled on the album as a whole) and the first few minutes of Blind Faith. However, MP's snare at its loudest tends to be like half-way towards the kind of nauseating ringing (admittedly somewhat of a contemporary staple in a lot of alt rock / nu metal / alt metal at the time, possibly in part because that was when the loudness war really started kicking in, but I could be wrong) that defines the St Anger snare and the kick is compressed to the point of clipping in all of these. Today, I put Six Degrees up against the Apple Music master of Distance Over Time and... the latter smoked the former. Far more space and clarity, no clipping and a real sense of weight and punchiness. It was like going from two dimensions to three. Even Images and Words, despite its dated qualities, really benefits from the extra dynamics, separation and ambience that might put it over any Shirley mix imo.

[...]

I completely agree with this. Hot take, but I think even St. Anger (drums and overall sound) sounds better than the Shirley streak of albums (I'm listening to St. Anger right now, by the way).

[Kotowboy]

St Anger is not that bad if you just turn the snare wires on.

It's actually fairly clean. Mastering wise.

[GasparXR]

St Anger is not that bad if you just turn the snare wires on.

This reminds me of Q from Star Trek. "Just change the gravitational constant of the universe"
Gee, why didn't I think of that?? 

[Kotowboy]

The internet does love Hyperbole.

St Angry the worst album of all the historyyyyyy!!!

Er no.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w02O-XdsXE

^ Listen to that for as long as you can stand it - then click on this immediately afterwards - - > https://youtu.be/QcHvzNBtlOw?t=122

[crazy climber dude]

St. Anger worse than Q2K?

[LKap13]

Here's another one for Glasser, as I'm listening and admiring the alien - is mangini really strong on the new album as he is on alien?

[Glasser]

Here's another one for Glasser, as I'm listening and admiring the alien - is mangini really strong on the new album as he is on alien?

Absolutely. He's incredible. Would you expect less?

[LKap13]

I'm just struck by the fact that his work on alien is particularly great. Others have pointed this out

[Glasser]

I'm just struck by the fact that his work on alien is particularly great. Others have pointed this out

He's a monster on the entire album. He's been a member for a while now and this album really showcases how they have all gelled together and vibe off each other so effortlessly. This album is special on every level. I can't wait to read everyone's take on it.

[gzarruk]

I'm just struck by the fact that his work on alien is particularly great. Others have pointed this out

He's a monster on the entire album. He's been a member for a while now and this album really showcases how they have all gelled together and vibe off each other so effortlessly. This album is special on every level. I can't wait to read everyone's take on it.

Literally can't wait any longer

[wolfking]

Trying to get hyped for this album but I can't.  Still not a fan of The Alien.

[LKap13]

Trying to get hyped for this album but I can't.  Still not a fan of The Alien.

Damn that's rough. I've been listening since it came out and still find it awesome

[BeatriceNB]

The internet does love Hyperbole.

St Angry the worst album of all the historyyyyyy!!!

Er no.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w02O-XdsXE

^ Listen to that for as long as you can stand it - then click on this immediately afterwards - - > https://youtu.be/QcHvzNBtlOw?t=122

Should have picked bad music, Metal Machine Music is unironically great; good Drone borderline Noise, despite being an effort at pissing off a label 

[wolfking]

Trying to get hyped for this album but I can't.  Still not a fan of The Alien.

Damn that's rough. I've been listening since it came out and still find it awesome

Meh, I've dealt with worse things.

[LKap13]

Same, same

[wolfking]

Same, same

To be serious though, I wish I loved it, but I don't.  It's not a big deal to me.  I'll still buy the album on the day and spin it and see.  Maybe a second single might change my mind.