The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
I intended to write my last comment yesterday because I listened to the album for the first time yesterday. I've recently completed my second listen with a review. I'll put it in spoiler tags.
There are some cool ideas (not a whole lot, though) on this album which were wasted with boring stuff stuck around them. This band should stop the idea of being "complex" altogether and I mean it. The technical stuff are simply boring nowadays. They can't do it. Not for the lack of performance but creativity. The few shining moments on this album are the ones which are simple. Definitely an effort missing Portnoy very much, too, not for the drumming sake, but for the arrangement sake. Terrible arrangements. Almost all songs sound like demos. Bad production as well, a pain to listen to, not as much as a Death Magnetic but still very headache-giving stuff.
Huge, huge disappointment. I'd rate this album worse than Systematic Chaos, which was my least favorite Dream Theater album not counting the first one with Dominici.
1. False Awakening Suite
Not mind-blowing or goosebump giving in any case. Sounds very cool at times, especially the riff clocking at 2:06. I'd expect that riff to be used more powerfully. Overall, a nice but not extra special intro to the album.
2. The Enemy Inside
I really hoped this song would not be one of the best sounding on the album but sadly, it is. Definitely most well arranged song on the album. At least it doesn't sound like some ideas thrown in without any regularity. It has grown on me but still only "good" song at best.
3. The Looking Glass
Very nice musicality, especially in the intro. But that's only because it sounds very much like Rush. Chorus is big although the entrance to it feels odd. Definitely one of the more "relaxed" songs on the album, there isn't too much going on and I mean it as a positive thing. Could be my favorite song on there.
4. Enigma Machine
Sadly, a horrible instrumental. A flat out "show-off". Everything feels disconnected. Non-special, forced riffs, uninspired, hard-to-listen solos. There's no actual Myung "solo" in there, too. He connects bad Petrucci solos to bad Rudess solos, that's all. I wouldn't want to listen to those two masturbate with instruments for a second time, that's all.
5. The Bigger Picture
I loved the part starting at 5:44. But sadly, the "mellow" parts consisting of Rudess playing piano and LaBrie singing are boring as hell. Waste of a cool idea.
6. Behind the Veil
Nice intro, bad transition to a good sounding riff then a terrible transition to a "meh" riff. That "meh" riff is the main riff, sadly. Boring vocals, boring structure. JP called the solo his favorite on the album but it isn't special at all, the fake Behind the Veil solo I heard on the net was much cooler, actually. Boring song.
7. Surrender to Reason
Intro is very cool, again, being simple wins. The mellow intro is ruined by an aggressive, technical riff around 1:20 mark. The melody/solo after LaBrie says "surrender to reason" is the most simple lead guitar thingy on the album and not surprisingly, it's one of the best. Song would be better off if it ended at 4:00, it sounds like an ending anyway, the rest is some boring stuff.
8. Along for the Ride
Another boring Dream Theater ballad. Wouldn't listen to it anymore if I don't have to.
9. Illumination Theory
Seeing the album was very bad up to this song, I looked up to the epic piece to save the album, just like what happened with Octavarium. Bad, forced album saved by a masterful epic at the end. Woefully it didn't turn out that way. This thing screams trying too hard. Everything sounds forced. Riffs, solos, vocals. LaBrie hit an F5 and it was out of place. Symphonic arrangement felt awkward to listen to even though it was well done. Petrucci solos were nothing special. This one's more like a summary of the album and all the disappointments it brought with it.
Huge, huge disappointment. I'd rate this album worse than Systematic Chaos, which was my least favorite Dream Theater album not counting the first one with Dominici.
1. False Awakening Suite
Not mind-blowing or goosebump giving in any case. Sounds very cool at times, especially the riff clocking at 2:06. I'd expect that riff to be used more powerfully. Overall, a nice but not extra special intro to the album.
2. The Enemy Inside
I really hoped this song would not be one of the best sounding on the album but sadly, it is. Definitely most well arranged song on the album. At least it doesn't sound like some ideas thrown in without any regularity. It has grown on me but still only "good" song at best.
3. The Looking Glass
Very nice musicality, especially in the intro. But that's only because it sounds very much like Rush. Chorus is big although the entrance to it feels odd. Definitely one of the more "relaxed" songs on the album, there isn't too much going on and I mean it as a positive thing. Could be my favorite song on there.
4. Enigma Machine
Sadly, a horrible instrumental. A flat out "show-off". Everything feels disconnected. Non-special, forced riffs, uninspired, hard-to-listen solos. There's no actual Myung "solo" in there, too. He connects bad Petrucci solos to bad Rudess solos, that's all. I wouldn't want to listen to those two masturbate with instruments for a second time, that's all.
5. The Bigger Picture
I loved the part starting at 5:44. But sadly, the "mellow" parts consisting of Rudess playing piano and LaBrie singing are boring as hell. Waste of a cool idea.
6. Behind the Veil
Nice intro, bad transition to a good sounding riff then a terrible transition to a "meh" riff. That "meh" riff is the main riff, sadly. Boring vocals, boring structure. JP called the solo his favorite on the album but it isn't special at all, the fake Behind the Veil solo I heard on the net was much cooler, actually. Boring song.
7. Surrender to Reason
Intro is very cool, again, being simple wins. The mellow intro is ruined by an aggressive, technical riff around 1:20 mark. The melody/solo after LaBrie says "surrender to reason" is the most simple lead guitar thingy on the album and not surprisingly, it's one of the best. Song would be better off if it ended at 4:00, it sounds like an ending anyway, the rest is some boring stuff.
8. Along for the Ride
Another boring Dream Theater ballad. Wouldn't listen to it anymore if I don't have to.
9. Illumination Theory
Seeing the album was very bad up to this song, I looked up to the epic piece to save the album, just like what happened with Octavarium. Bad, forced album saved by a masterful epic at the end. Woefully it didn't turn out that way. This thing screams trying too hard. Everything sounds forced. Riffs, solos, vocals. LaBrie hit an F5 and it was out of place. Symphonic arrangement felt awkward to listen to even though it was well done. Petrucci solos were nothing special. This one's more like a summary of the album and all the disappointments it brought with it.
Definitely the worst Dream Theater album (though I'm not really familiar with the debut, but still). Though the production/sound is better than on the previous album, it's not really fitting for Dream Theater.
Haven't heard the new one, but so far my rankings look like this:
1: Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence/Awake
2: Scenes From A Memory
3: Images & Words
4: Train Of Thought
5: Falling Into Infinity
6: Octavarium
7: ADTOE
8: Black Clouds
9: WDADU
10: Systematic Chaos
Really though, everything in between I&W and WDADU is pretty close.
1: Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence/Awake
2: Scenes From A Memory
3: Images & Words
4: Train Of Thought
5: Falling Into Infinity
6: Octavarium
7: ADTOE
8: Black Clouds
9: WDADU
10: Systematic Chaos
Really though, everything in between I&W and WDADU is pretty close.
I almost died laughing watching this.
The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
I don't think that video was about their enthusiasm about the new album, though. Funny stuff, my cheeks hurt like hell after I saw it.
The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
Well in that case you're right.
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
I have now listened to everything but Illumination Theory, which I will be finishing in a moment, and, surprisingly...
...I really like it!
I am, at best, a fair-weather Dream Theater fan, but upon first listen I dig this album. The first three tracks are awesome, the instrumental is ludicrous and could have been omitted, the next three are solid, and I have warmed to "Along for the Ride."
...I really like it!
I am, at best, a fair-weather Dream Theater fan, but upon first listen I dig this album. The first three tracks are awesome, the instrumental is ludicrous and could have been omitted, the next three are solid, and I have warmed to "Along for the Ride."
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
That video is really funny. I hope they rotate members for each album promotional tour. Next album, I wanna see Jordan and Myung sitting in a room, staring blankly, while subtitles promote the new album.
Update: Illumination Theory is good, but meandering. Better than Octavarium, though.
Update: Illumination Theory is good, but meandering. Better than Octavarium, though.