*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[Logain Ablar]

It's still holding up well for me too, but these days I would tend to dip in and out of it rather than listen in a full pass.

One thing that is slightly bothering me, that didn't until recently, (and once you hear it, you can't un-hear it) is the effects added to the vocals at various parts. I hesitate to say "autotune", but there's an unnatural, metallic-sounding effect that can be noticeable and distracting.

"Open eyes, let me see which choice is riiiiggghhhhttt" at the end of The Road to Revolution is a good example.

It may just be the iTunes master - I haven't heard what the original CD sounds like.

[Jinx]

Yeah theres bit of that all over the disc. Most noticable for me is at the end of Act of Faythe, the very last line. Just sounds real weird!

[gzarruk]

To me, what sounds weird are all the Daryus lines that have some sort of effect applied to the vocals. I know it's on purpose, to make it sound different than the other characters and give him a darker/heavier tone, so I understand why they did it, but sounds weird to me.

Other than that, I have no problems with the vocals on TA.

[Mladen]

One thing that is slightly bothering me, that didn't until recently, (and once you hear it, you can't un-hear it) is the effects added to the vocals at various parts. I hesitate to say "autotune", but there's an unnatural, metallic-sounding effect that can be noticeable and distracting.

"Open eyes, let me see which choice is riiiiggghhhhttt" at the end of The Road to Revolution is a good example.

I'm sure that line had to be worked on with studio trickery, but I don't think it's audible.

[Evai]

While we're nitpicking, can I just say that at 2:27 of A Life Left Behind, the word 'once' always sounds a bit weird to me 

[Logain Ablar]

Yeah theres bit of that all over the disc. Most noticable for me is at the end of Act of Faythe, the very last line. Just sounds real weird!

"Found my wayyy". Yeah, that's another one.

[erwinrafael]

It's still holding up well for me too, but these days I would tend to dip in and out of it rather than listen in a full pass.

One thing that is slightly bothering me, that didn't until recently, (and once you hear it, you can't un-hear it) is the effects added to the vocals at various parts. I hesitate to say "autotune", but there's an unnatural, metallic-sounding effect that can be noticeable and distracting.

"Open eyes, let me see which choice is riiiiggghhhhttt" at the end of The Road to Revolution is a good example.

It may just be the iTunes master - I haven't heard what the original CD sounds like.

I think what you are hearing is the vocal delay effect, something that you usually hear when you sing in videoke machines.  There is a vocal delay effect in the whole album, which you would hear coming from the right speaker. It sounds a bit like an autotune when James sings an extended belted note because of the layering of the vocals.

I only noticed the vocal delay when I pulled the wire of my left in-ear phone which damaged it and significantly reduced its volume. The volume of the main vocals and the delay became almost the same and it was so distracting. 

[Drinktheater]

I love the ballads it has that Disney Musical esque vibe without the Disney thing.!!!

[Jinx]

Okay, this might sound weird to some of you but do you know what I would like them to do? Release the files for the extended (and IMO proper) versions of the NOMAC tracks from Act 1. I've checked the run times of these live against the album and none of Act 2s were extended so its clear these were cut down due to disc space.

The thing is, to me they are the true versions. I love the effects and more importantly, with Descent you get the whole "The Empire toils for you so that you can toil for the Empire" spiel which actually sets the scene a bit better.

Just the MP3 files? They clearly exist somewhere!

Or is it just me who feels this way? 

[ReaperKK]

I don't think there will be an easy way to get those files unless they release a live version of the album or perhaps you find a really good bootleg

[Jinx]

[relatively] short answer:  Yes, there is a possibility.  How likely, we don't know.  The Astonishing tour is done, and there are no specific plans in place to play the entire thing again.  But that doesn't mean they won't do it.  When I asked John Petrucci about it in November, he told me the plan is to focus on the I&W and Beyond tour right now, and there are no plans to do another leg for The Astonishing.  However, they are considering whether to do a one-off show for a DVD.  It is undecided.  But if they do it, they already have a city picked out that they are leaning towards.

An album and show as grand as The Astonishing deserves a grand stage. For me that would be the Royal Albert Hall in London.

[BlobVanDam]

I don't know what's to gain from 2 minutes of random noise as opposed to only 1 minute of random noise.

[ReaperKK]

[Jinx]

I just want the whole tracks dagnabbit!

[bosk1]

Okay, this might sound weird to some of you but do you know what I would like them to do? Release the files for the extended (and IMO proper) versions of the NOMAC tracks from Act 1. I've checked the run times of these live against the album and none of Act 2s were extended so its clear these were cut down due to disc space.

The thing is, to me they are the true versions. I love the effects and more importantly, with Descent you get the whole "The Empire toils for you so that you can toil for the Empire" spiel which actually sets the scene a bit better.

Just the MP3 files? They clearly exist somewhere!

Or is it just me who feels this way? 

I love that bit.  It really set the stage for the story in the live setting.  But then again, I have really developed an affinity for The Hunger Games, and the fact that that spiel is SO blatantly derivative of The Hunger Games that I can't help but love it.  (same with the "song birds" line in The Gift of Music) 

[cramx3]

[relatively] short answer:  Yes, there is a possibility.  How likely, we don't know.  The Astonishing tour is done, and there are no specific plans in place to play the entire thing again.  But that doesn't mean they won't do it.  When I asked John Petrucci about it in November, he told me the plan is to focus on the I&W and Beyond tour right now, and there are no plans to do another leg for The Astonishing.  However, they are considering whether to do a one-off show for a DVD.  It is undecided.  But if they do it, they already have a city picked out that they are leaning towards.

An album and show as grand as The Astonishing deserves a grand stage. For me that would be the Royal Albert Hall in London.

And Devin Townsend had fart bags run across the stage of the Royal Albert Hall  but seriously, that looks like a cool venue.

[bosk1]

I just want the whole tracks dagnabbit!

The request has been made and is being put through the proper channels.

FYI, the tracks they used for the live show ARE the full tracks.  So if you saw The Astonishing live, you have experienced the full NOMAC tracks.

[Jinx]

I just want the whole tracks dagnabbit!

The request has been made and is being put through the proper channels.

FYI, the tracks they used for the live show ARE the full tracks.  So if you saw The Astonishing live, you have experienced the full NOMAC tracks.

Excellent news bosk cheers!

I thought just as much, just seemed weird that all of them in Act 1 were extended from the album yet Act 2 was untouched!

[fischermasamune]

FYI, the tracks they used for the live show ARE the full tracks.  So if you saw The Astonishing live, you have experienced the full NOMAC tracks.

Descent of the NOMACs at least is different. They use a third buzz at the end when playing live.

[gzarruk]

I just want the whole tracks dagnabbit!

The request has been made and is being put through the proper channels.

FYI, the tracks they used for the live show ARE the full tracks.  So if you saw The Astonishing live, you have experienced the full NOMAC tracks.

Excellent news bosk cheers!

I thought just as much, just seemed weird that all of them in Act 1 were extended from the album yet Act 2 was untouched!

That's because Disc 1 was already full and they couldn't fit any more stuff in it. Would've been awesome, as you say, to have the extended versions and, specially, that spoken intro with the narrator. That's another good reason to release a live album for TA. Really really hope they find the time (and resources) to make it happen after the IW&B tour.

[NoseofNicko]

Nm.

[CodyWanKenobi]

Hey bosk, since they ended up scrapping the plans for a dvd, can you tell us what city they had their eye on?

[Architeuthis]

If they do a "one-off" Astonishing show and put the word out that it will be filmed for a dvd, there are plenty of DT fans that would get plane tix and travel to the venue. It would be a sold out show and would be an epic release! I think I would travel for that one to be part of it. I really think they should do it, it just NEEDS to happen!
As far as the proper venue, Red Rocks amphitheater in Colarodo would be perfect.  An easy place for fans to get to from around the country. Somewhere in Japan, England, or Italy would probably guarantee a big draw too. Still hoping this even happens.
  "I watch, and I wait, and I praaayyy for an answer"   

[bosk1]

Hey bosk, since they ended up scrapping the plans for a dvd, can you tell us what city they had their eye on?

I'm going to hold off just in case they change their minds and resurrect the idea.  The plan was to do a one-off in a certain city.  I'm not sure if they had a specific venue in mind or not, but I am guessing they probably did. 

[smegolas]

If they do a "one-off" Astonishing show and put the word out that it will be filmed for a dvd, there are plenty of DT fans that would get plane tix and travel to the venue. It would be a sold out show and would be an epic release! I think I would travel for that one to be part of it. I really think they should do it, it just NEEDS to happen!
As far as the proper venue, Red Rocks amphitheater in Colarodo would be perfect.  An easy place for fans to get to from around the country. Somewhere in Japan, England, or Italy would probably guarantee a big draw too. Still hoping this even happens.
  "I watch, and I wait, and I praaayyy for an answer"   

Totally agree - if I can fit it into my schedule, especially if its on a weekend and in North America, I would do everything in my power to get there...DT PLEASE DO THIS!!  IN VANCOUVER!!! 

[smegolas]

[relatively] short answer:  Yes, there is a possibility.  How likely, we don't know.  The Astonishing tour is done, and there are no specific plans in place to play the entire thing again.  But that doesn't mean they won't do it.  When I asked John Petrucci about it in November, he told me the plan is to focus on the I&W and Beyond tour right now, and there are no plans to do another leg for The Astonishing.  However, they are considering whether to do a one-off show for a DVD.  It is undecided.  But if they do it, they already have a city picked out that they are leaning towards.

wait...can we crowd fund this??!

[bosk1]

Vancouver as not the city.  But you are in the right country.   

[Evai]

Vancouver is not the city. 

Is it England?

[/stupid meme]

[Adami]

Vancouver as not the city.  But you are in the right country.   

America?

[Anguyen92]

Vancouver as not the city.  But you are in the right country.   

It's bound to be Toronto.  I can't see it be Edmonton or Calgary or Montreal.

[gzarruk]

I find very strange that they've never recorded a live album in Canada, since James is canadian.

[Architeuthis]

Well dang, if they do this near or in Toronto, maybe Geddy and Alex can do a guest appearance. Xanadu being an encore epic?  Doesn't hurt to dream now does it.. 

[Wim Kruithof]

Had to dig quite a whole to find this buried topic, but to me surely worthwhile. Since the Astonishing is aging so well on me, the novell as well as the album, I pretend on digging through these 121 pages. Just 'cause its fun and helping me with different perspectives on the album. Especially this album, being so different then all of their discography, it wouldn't bite me to read a lot about.

[Ben_Jamin]

Had to dig quite a whole to find this buried topic, but to me surely worthwhile. Since the Astonishing is aging so well on me, the novell as well as the album, I pretend on digging through these 121 pages. Just 'cause its fun and helping me with different perspectives on the album. Especially this album, being so different then all of their discography, it wouldn't bite me to read a lot about.

This is the most recent thread for The Astonishing discussion. There's some good stuff in here too.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I'll never forget all the hype and mystery surrounding this album leading up to its release. Despite what you want to say about the album itself, the marketing for this one was absolutely amazing. Definitely the most fun pre-album release I've had since I've been a DT fan!