Official Parasomnia album discussion thread ***SPOILERS***

[Peter Mc]

Not trying to sound like a dick (and I know you have posted since and have come more around to this track), but I just don't see the Astonishing vibe in TSMI much at all... the main theme to me if anything, sounds more like ITPOE, with some Enigma Machine spread in the middle and a few little vibes from scenes. It may have some little callbacks here and there, but I'm not hearing major similarity between the two...

For me the whole opening vocal section from "A frightened child" to "the shadow's always watching" is very, very reminiscent of The Astonishing and the "Night, it will be forever changed" chorus sounds like it could have been lifted off the Astonishing (without the busy instrumentation).  The bridge between the two renditions of that chorus also sounds very Astonishing to me.  I can also see the ITPOE comparison though too, I think it's just maybe the way Petrucci writes when he's in storytelling mode.  Even the very end of the song "a stranger in the mist" to the end sounds quite like something that could easily be on The Astonishing!

We probably all hear different things though and it's the same band so probably not surprising that similarities occur.  It probably depends how familiar you are with the Astonishing too.  I listened to that album a lot when it came out whereas I think some just remember the more sappy Disney ballads than some of the weird creepy darker stuff.

[MirrorMask]

One more listening this morning and yeah, it's a solid album. Can't wait for when I will have finally mastered The Shadow Man Incident and I can remember all the song. Also, Night Terror flows so much better in the context of the album than as a standalone song. I mean it was the right choice for lead single, but hearing it coming off the intro and as first chapter of the album it's a whole other thing.

Broken man is probably my least favorite of the four heavy songs. Midnight Messiah has very cool verses but I'm not sold completely yet on the chorus and the kinda gratuituous callbacks to other song titles. Dead Asleep is kickass 

[jayvee3]

For me the whole opening vocal section from "A frightened child" to "the shadow's always watching" is very, very reminiscent of The Astonishing and the "Night, it will be forever changed" chorus sounds like it could have been lifted off the Astonishing (without the busy instrumentation).  The bridge between the two renditions of that chorus also sounds very Astonishing to me.  I can also see the ITPOE comparison though too, I think it's just maybe the way Petrucci writes when he's in storytelling mode.  Even the very end of the song "a stranger in the mist" to the end sounds quite like something that could easily be on The Astonishing!

We probably all hear different things though and it's the same band so probably not surprising that similarities occur.  It probably depends how familiar you are with the Astonishing too.  I listened to that album a lot when it came out whereas I think some just remember the more sappy Disney ballads than some of the weird creepy darker stuff.

I absolutely agree that we can all hear different things and I think that's the beauty of Dream Theater and their longer epics in particular.

TSMI is an interesting one, because while I understand the beginning and outtro have some nice, soaring solos, it's a pretty relentlessly heavy track all the way through. Many of the other epics have either smaller, more melodic sections, or a larger section of the song through the middle that gives some breathing space, but Shadow Man is pretty high-octane from woah to go.

I'm very familiar with The Astonishing, I'm one of the fewer that love that album - again, I can sort of see where you feel it in the sections you mention, it just feels a different vibe completely to me - but again, that the beauty of the band and I really appreciate the conversation 

[KevShmev]

I also love that The Shadow Man Incident fades in the same was the View-epic starts... but then it takes 100 different directions.

Parasomnia has throughout the album moments when it feels like Scenes (like the ending of the record with a wake up call) Six Degrees and A View,

but Bend the Clock opens a chapter I never heard Dream Theater wrote before. Especially that gorgious chorus. I fell in love with it. And the Confortable Numb-solo (which also has a flavor of The Bigger Picture) is Petrucci's highlight of the record, I would say.

I am loving Bend the Clock and the solo for the most part, but the idea that it is a Comfortably Numb-type solo is madness.  I don't remember David Gilmour ever throwing in 10 seconds of pure shred into a solo like Petrucci does in this one (and the fact that DG is not a shredder and cannot is beside the point).  That alone disqualifies it from a CN-type solo, IMO.   

[Super Dude]

Holy shit!

Holy shit indeed, wonder who's coming back next.

[red barchetta]

At first, I really wasn't that much sure about how to rate that album after the first 3 songs previously released.  In fact I was disapointed and did not feel a real better work with Portnoy.  But I almost feel like the best was yet to come.  All the rest of the album is solid with a lot of great moments.  And I have only listen to it about 3 times. 

[cosmicwxdude]

Listening a second time today while working from home. It's a very well produced lp, sounds great and the songs are pretty cool overall but I guess I am just not as excited about DT as I once was many years ago. I have kind of grown tired of the genre...I mean not totally. My likes/taste ebb and flow.  I would still very enjoy seeing them live as long as James wasn't completely atonal which on many recent live recordings lately he is. We all know this. He's still good in many areas but pretty much every song I have heard him sing live lately are off to some degree. I then listen to Symphony X or Devin and the vocals are near perfect. James' singing sounds perfect on this lp so obviously studio tweakings/pitch correction are in play.  I am not bashing. I am a singer/musician too and realize when I don't sound in tune as well and I attempt to correct it with better vocal control.  The rest of the band on this LP sound great as usual and the songs/theme are very appropriate for DT and sound great. Just not sure I'll be spinning this constantly like I once did for DT back when I first got introduced around the Awake era. I hear a lot of 'sameness' in their lp's as of late or for many years. Yes, they stay true to their form and that's great. They are spectacular musicians, but I am still just not nearly as excited as I was years ago about DT.  I dunno, getting old I guess. lol.

 As i continue to listen...I am liking Broken Man quite a bit and The Shadow Man Incident stands out for me.

[elfriedejelinek]

My favorites so far are Bend the Clock, A Broken Man, and Morpheus. I think it's an overall decent 6/10 album. However, a lot of the songs, even the epic (to my disappointment), feel like they lack cohesion. Some of the arrangements don't make for very smooth transitions. The random call backs and the recurring motifs also don't feel that thought out. The call backs are fun, but why are they really here? I am similarly skeptical about the recurring motifs: They feel haphazardly placed, and it makes you wonder if there's anything else here than just setting the mood. This sometimes works, and sometimes does not. Are any of the signature melodies really strong enough to carry the weight of being a sort of leitmotif? I don't think so, and given their sparse and sort of cautious inclusion I feel like the band felt the same. I also feel like the two are at odds with each other. The latter is trying to establish a unique mood for the album, which I would say it does to some extent, but the former just feels like it's cancelling this out. They have mentioned in interviews that there is a new yet classic vibe to the album. While I can see that, I feel like on this album, one is clearly in the way of the other.

It makes sense, though, that the album turned out like this. It's giving off an aura of having been written with large amounts of enthusiasm and nostalgia during jam sessions. If this is the case, it totally makes sense that the album is leaning towards killer parts and killer riffs, over carefully considered pieces. Given that the album is a reunion, it's natural that the songs are like this, and I felt similar about LTE3. I can't blame them for this at all. It's sort of enjoyable on a meta level: Despite not being in love with the musical content itself, I can't deny that there is an awesome energy to this album.


  cheers!

[Wim Kruithof]

I am loving Bend the Clock and the solo for the most part, but the idea that it is a Comfortably Numb-type solo is madness.  I don't remember David Gilmour ever throwing in 10 seconds of pure shred into a solo like Petrucci does in this one (and the fact that DG is not a shredder and cannot is beside the point).  That alone disqualifies it from a CN-type solo, IMO.   

Madness?

The way Petrucci starts his solo, with that deep tone and the short silence after, it has a Les Paul-smell allover it, at 4:56. It just feels like Gilmour. It's - to a degree - a same way to fade the track-ending. But he, if you feel comfortable calling it madness Kevin, that's fine. I'll play numb.

[Kyo]

I am loving Bend the Clock and the solo for the most part, but the idea that it is a Comfortably Numb-type solo is madness.  I don't remember David Gilmour ever throwing in 10 seconds of pure shred into a solo like Petrucci does in this one (and the fact that DG is not a shredder and cannot is beside the point).  That alone disqualifies it from a CN-type solo, IMO.   

10 seconds is a small fraction of the overall duration. Maybe focus on how Petrucci is playing for over 90% of the solo instead?

[DT5150]

Just transferred Parasomnia to my iPod from the cd I ripped to iTunes. I've had 2 full listens and there's so much to take in but I've no doubt it will be a grower. The musicianship is incredible as usual and James Labrie sounds great.
I have a question for anyone who has ripped the deluxe edition cd to iTunes and then copied to a portable device.
I noticed that the sound seems to be a bit harsh on the heavier tones eg the big power chords and louder parts of the album.
I don't know if it's meant to sound like this or if there's some sort of fault with my headphones, the disc transfer or the actual cd.
Is it just me ? I've never noticed this kind of sound problem on any other Dream Theater albums or indeed any other CDs I've copied to my iPod.
I'd be grateful for any comments.

[Dedalus]

cheers!

We have a Nobel Prize winner among us!

Welcome to the forums. 

[KevShmev]

Madness?

The way Petrucci starts his solo, with that deep tone and the short silence after, it has a Les Paul-smell allover it, at 4:56. It just feels like Gilmour. It's - to a degree - a same way to fade the track-ending. But he, if you feel comfortable calling it madness Kevin, that's fine. I'll play numb.

To keep this on an even keel, I will rephrase it say that while I get gushing over a new great JP solo, maybe instantly comparing it to what is widely considered one of the most iconic rock solos is not only a major overreach from the start, but is putting it on an unfair pedestal right out of the gate. 

[Dedalus]

To keep this on an even keel, I will rephrase it say that while I get gushing over a new great JP solo, maybe instantly comparing it to what is widely considered one of the most iconic rock solos is not only a major overreach from the start, but is putting it on an unfair pedestal right out of the gate. 

I totally agree and I've written about it before. BTC is a great song, but it seems to me that there's a bit of overhype going on. And as I said before, this affected my first listen. I finished listening to BTC for the first time and thought "Is this all there is?".

[Skeever]

That solo made me think more of Brave-era Marillion than David Gilmour.

[hunnus2000]

Well, for one am LOVING this album! I hear all the references to their past catalog including The Astonishing which is referenced in the first song. I actually wish they could have given us one more song. I also like the concept of crazy dreaming but they make the entire album flow like one big dream. Just LOVE IT!

And to those who were criticizing JP for chunka chunka, well there is a lot of that on this album, not that I care.   

[Peter Mc]

To keep this on an even keel, I will rephrase it say that while I get gushing over a new great JP solo, maybe instantly comparing it to what is widely considered one of the most iconic rock solos is not only a major overreach from the start, but is putting it on an unfair pedestal right out of the gate. 

I'm not sure anyone is comparing it in the sense of saying it's as good as the Comfortably Numb solo.  I've not seen anyone say that or even close to that.  They're just saying it's kind of in that style.  It's not a metal solo, it's more of a melodic slow build.  Yes, he does start shredding right at the end (it is Petrucci after all!) but it does feel like they were going for something akin to Comfortably Numb even if ultimately, Petrucci's style is not the same as Gilmour's.

[wolven74]

Something I just noticed. In my iTunes, Parasomnia is just before Scenes From a Memory, so the very end of Shadow Man Incident where the last spoken word is "Wake up" and the alarm ringing bleeds straight into the clock ticking and the hypnotist saying, "Close your eyes and begin to relax..." in Regression.    Nuggets

[hefdaddy42]

I wouldn't argue this.  

Oh, come now. 

[voncorn]

Something I just noticed. In my iTunes, Parasomnia is just before Scenes From a Memory, so the very end of Shadow Man Incident where the last spoken word is "Wake up" and the alarm ringing bleeds straight into the clock ticking and the hypnotist saying, "Close your eyes and begin to relax..." in Regression.    Nuggets

This only works if you have the album tagged as "Scenes from a Memory" and not "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory". 

[Stadler]

That solo made me think more of Brave-era Marillion than David Gilmour.

I've often said that Gilmour gets to Petrucci through Rothery.   Marillion was always tabbed for being Genesis clones, but I always thought the parallels were more to Floyd (The Wall is on the cover of Fugazi, not a Genesis record).  What is Misplaced Childhood but his version of "The Wall", without the socio-political commentary (which one can argue came in the unofficial "Part II", "Clutching At Straws"). 

And John knows this, tying the "Mother" solo to the "Sugar Mice" solo to his work in "Surrounded". 

[Glasser]

I was never a fan of songs that abruptly end to only continue into the next song. It ALWAYS bothered me sounding like a glitch. I combined Morpheus and Night Terror as well as Midnight Messiah and Are We Dreaming for my mp3 player. Now it's 6 seamless songs.

[Herrick]

After four listens, this album has gone in one ear and out the other every time. It's not bad at all but there's nothing  (or very leetle) that's really caught my attention. I don't know why. This is only second DT album I've listened to where I didn't know if I liked it or not after one listen.

[Glasser]

After four listens, this album has gone in one ear and out the other every time. It's not bad at all but there's nothing  (or very leetle) that's really caught my attention. I don't know why. This is only second DT album I've listened to where I didn't know if I liked it or not after one listen.

I thought it was very bland at first but after about 3 or 4 listens I enjoy it. There's something about it being more straightforward than anything they've ever done that appeals to me. Don't misunderstand me, I love the technical side of DT but this one stands apart from anything else they've ever released and it's refreshing.

[Herrick]

I thought it was very bland at first but after about 3 or 4 listens I enjoy it. There's something about it being more straightforward than anything they've ever done that appeals to me. Don't misunderstand me, I love the technical side of DT but this one stands apart from anything else they've ever released and it's refreshing.

Is it more straight-forward than Distance Over Time? I liked that album right away. The new album doesn't sound a lot less complex to me. It sounds like Dream Theater but yeah maybe bland is a good way to describe what I think about it. I'll definitely listen to it more though because I don't actively dislike it.

[wolfking]

After four listens, this album has gone in one ear and out the other every time. It's not bad at all but there's nothing  (or very leetle) that's really caught my attention. I don't know why. This is only second DT album I've listened to where I didn't know if I liked it or not after one listen.

This I think it kind of where I sit with it.  The second listen was better than the first but it's not blowing me away yet.  I think if The Shadow Man clicked for me the whole thing would improve, if that makes sense.  I do think it has the potential to grow on me though.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

OK, I'm doing this. I'm going there. I am not afraid!

I think Parasomnia is their best album. Better than Images, and better than Scenes. It is their "Moving Pictures".... all the stars have aligned. I put Parasomnia up there with Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road and Ziggy Stardust. They have elevated themselves right up and out of the Prog Metal genre, and created a shining example of rock and musical art. I'm not trying to troll anybody... I really do think this. I love Parasomnia and Dream Theater. This is rock history!!

[Jamesman42]

I can't even think to rank this album against their others for at least a month, and probably a while longer than that. 

[wolfking]

OK, I'm doing this. I'm going there. I am not afraid!

I think Parasomnia is their best album. Better than Images, and better than Scenes. It is their "Moving Pictures".... all the stars have aligned. I put Parasomnia up there with Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road and Ziggy Stardust. They have elevated themselves right up and out of the Prog Metal genre, and created a shining example of rock and musical art. I'm not trying to troll anybody... I really do think this. I love Parasomnia and Dream Theater. This is rock history!!

What makes it better than I&W and Scenes for you?  Genuinely curious.  I mean, the new car smell hasn't worn off at all but each to their own.

[wolfking]

I can't even think to rank this album against their others for at least a month, and probably a while longer than that.

Exactly.  I mean, I'm not loving it after two listens, but I'm not worried as I think it will grow.  I don't even really see the point or need to bother ranking it anyway, not at least for a year or so.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

What makes it better than I&W and Scenes for you?  Genuinely curious.  I mean, the new car smell hasn't worn off at all but each to their own.

I really love the way it creates it's own world. I know Scenes basically wrote the book on how to do that.... as did The Wall. But this is just so captivating to me. And there's ties to the real world too. Parasomnia is like a story, but it's like a commentary on life... or life's bizarre nature. It just hits home with me so hard. I feel like the sum is more than its parts.

I also really appreciate maturity of it. I also think the last few Maiden albus were their best. There's just something about them that a band has to be around for 30 years to be able to do. A maturity, or a smoothness? I don't know what to call it. But Rush had it too.

There's no replacing Powerslave, 2112, or Scenes.. really. And I'm not saying that Parasomnia blows Scenes away or anything. Of course not. Not at all. But I think this is the album that should be talked about when people talk about their Top 10 lists or their desert island lists.

[wolfking]

I really love the way it creates it's own world. I know Scenes basically wrote the book on how to do that.... as did The Wall. But this is just so captivating to me. And there's ties to the real world too. Parasomnia is like a story, but it's like a commentary on life... or life's bizarre nature. It just hits home with me so hard. I feel like the sum is more than its parts.

I also really appreciate maturity of it. I also think the last few Maiden albus were their best. There's just something about them that a band has to be around for 30 years to be able to do. A maturity, or a smoothness? I don't know what to call it. But Rush had it too.

There's no replacing Powerslave, 2112, or Scenes.. really. And I'm not saying that Parasomnia blows Scenes away or anything. Of course not. Not at all. But I think this is the album that should be talked about when people talk about their Top 10 lists or their desert island lists.

Fair enough mate, cheers for the reply.  I'm glad you like it so much.  I really should dig into the lyrics myself on my next listen as the subject matter is pretty relevant to me and my last couple of years.  That may definitely help open it up for me.

I loved Senjutsu too.  It didn't age as well as I thought it would unlike an album like TFF but agree in bands in their later years doing their own thing and just creating good music with maturity.

Again, glad you like it and hope you like it as much once the honeymoon phase is over.  That will really say something about the album.

[lovethedrake]

OK, I'm doing this. I'm going there. I am not afraid!

I think Parasomnia is their best album. Better than Images, and better than Scenes. It is their "Moving Pictures".... all the stars have aligned. I put Parasomnia up there with Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road and Ziggy Stardust. They have elevated themselves right up and out of the Prog Metal genre, and created a shining example of rock and musical art. I'm not trying to troll anybody... I really do think this. I love Parasomnia and Dream Theater. This is rock history!!

I'm all for people loving Dream Theater. You do you.

I do, however, think it's bonkers to call this their best album.  I'm not sure I would put any of the 8 songs on a Dream Theater top 50 list. 

As a whole it works ok... to me it sounds like a solid effort from a band that is well past their glory days.

I would also say the same for Senjitsu as well... to each their own. 

[WardySI]

IIH the first couple Parasomnia singles did NOTHING for me and (respectfully) didn't give a toss MP was back in the fold, thought they'd been doing just fine thanks very much.

So as release day snuck up on me by surprise I checked out Midnight Messiah again and it clicked a LOT.  So after no expectations, the quality of this album has been a very welcome surprise.

It's no psychoanalysis or anything, but if one can relate to the subject matter I think it definitely enhances the experience, and on occasion draws the listener in more, such is Bend The Clock. 

In the end am also guilty of putting too high expectations on our essential artists.  But I think coming into this one with little expectations above what has come before was a good move on my part, because like I said, this album is fantastic. 

Not perfect by any means, but definitely fantastic!

[BeatriceNB]

OK, I'm doing this. I'm going there. I am not afraid!

I think Parasomnia is their best album. Better than Images, and better than Scenes. It is their "Moving Pictures".... all the stars have aligned. I put Parasomnia up there with Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road and Ziggy Stardust. They have elevated themselves right up and out of the Prog Metal genre, and created a shining example of rock and musical art. I'm not trying to troll anybody... I really do think this. I love Parasomnia and Dream Theater. This is rock history!!

Better than Scenes? Sure, they have like 14 albums better than it
Better than I&W? I can't see that. Images And Words is lightning in a bottle, and it stands alone in their discography. The instrumental sections of Take The Time and Metropolis, the soaring vocals of Surrounded, Learning To Live as a whole... An album with Night Terror and Midnight Messiah on it is impossible to surpass Images And Words, in my opinion.
But again, opinions are opinions and I respect yours, and I'm sure the whole forum would hang me for thinking Scenes is bottom tier DT.

Taste wise, I understand placing Parasomnia up there with such legendary albums, but in terms of history... it has a lot of catching up ahead.
Bowie, The Beatles and Pink Floyd literally changed Rock history, creating (or at least popularizing) styles and recording techniques still used today, which Parasomnia uses too.