New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

[jim777]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I like the title song. I did the Floyd feel at the beginning, and how it almost turns completely into early Genesis with the first few verses (Ripples especially). I'm undecided about the rest of it. I think 2 or 3 good songs per disk may be all they're capable of with all the side work.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

Something I don't like about Dream theater from last 3-4CDs, some parts of their songs sound very cheesy.
Like listen to the very end of the title track "Octavarium".
I like cheesy Melodic and progressive Music but not this much.
Then this song Walk beside you.
U2 wanna be song?

I still love DT's Music when Kevin Moore was with them....

[Misanthrope189]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I haven't really captured the feel yet, either. I won't say it's a bad album...but especially with money being tight, I feel like my 15 dollars could have been better spent. I was hoping for something more; DT is one of those bands that gets me pumped when I hear about a new album coming out. It is kinda boring...and it is difficult to really feel DT in the album. You listen some bands albums, and you can really feel their style, and know that it's that band, be it Iced Earth, In Flames, even DT's earlier albums. But Octavarium just kinda pales...there are some wicked grooves, but they're short-lived, and even my girlfriend, who's a big DT fan, says they sound more like Breaking Benjamin or as was mentioned before, some emo band. They don't pull off the prog metal, or even prog rock title very well. And I'm hoping for some more definition in the sound. Images, Awake, Scenes...the rhythms are defined, tight, and punchy...at least TOT was heavy and tight...but this album, Petrucci's tone sounds really wishy-washy, really muddled, tuned-down and squishy...like a really smooth fart noise when you have the bass on your amp cranked too much.

It does remind me a lot, at times, of Pink Floyd. I told my girlfriend, maybe they were tripping when they wrote this album.

I don't mind it...but it isn't DT. So because I wouldn't buy this album otherwise besides the DT name, it's just meh.

-Nick

[Endrik]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

DT should make some really GOOD album again like Images And Words. There is no point ripping-off Pink Floyd, because no one can't play that stuff like they did, NO ONE. Petrucci has a lot of chops, but when it comes to phrasing and compositionas solos at genius level, then Petrucci is like a lil' punk compared to Mr. allmighty Gilmour.

[Tetsuo]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I did not even know a new one came out WOW. I still have yet to get Petrucci's disc...

[HuntinDoug]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I havent heard it yet....I loved MET Pt.2. I have the DVD of that show in NY. I was really disapointed with Six deg. JP's recent solo album rocks.

Maybe they need to break up for a while...then get back together & start fresh....dunno.

[pro-fusion]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

One thing you've got to credit DT for is that they don't just remake the same album over and over. If you don't like this one, you might like the next one, since it will be different.

I really need to spend more time with Octavarium before I can say much more about it than I did earlier. There's a lot going on in DT albums, and sometimes they take awhile to sink in.

[toejam]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

[ QUOTE ]
One thing you've got to credit DT for is that they don't just remake the same album over and over. If you don't like this one, you might like the next one, since it will be different.


[/ QUOTE ]
I totally agree. Every album of theirs has some songs I don't care for as much as others, but I can't say they've ever really written a bad song.

[Badseed]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

In that sense, it reminds me of Queensryche's Promised Land cd.That one came out of left field after thier biggest success.I grew to like that one when i get serioulsy depressed, lol. 8VM is starting to grow on me, i admit.I was hopeing for something more rock/metal. Damned if ya do, damned if ya dont.

I see there is no pleaseing you mr powers

[pro-fusion]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I've listened to Octavarium a few times since I last posted. I'm starting to really like this album. I won't claim that it's their best, but I think it has better writing than most of Train of Thought, which to me is subpar except for the last two songs.

At this point, only the title song really bothers me much, since is such a blatant nod to Pink Floyd and Gabriel-era Genesis. I love both those bands, but geez, do we really need to hear the Dream Theater version?

[kennslp]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I completely forgot that this album came out. When I saw this thread, I went ahead and downloaded it. (Don't worry, I'm a huge fan and will be buying the actual CD) Listened to it for the first time during my daily walk. I was very sceptical after reading the comments here, and overall I was a bit disappointed. Some good riffs, but just a bit too mellow. Especially after the very heavy TOT, and Petrucci's killer solo CD. I know that over time some of the tunes will grow on me, but my initial opinion is the the CD is just OK.

[ QUOTE ]
One thing you've got to credit DT for is that they don't just remake the same album over and over. If you don't like this one, you might like the next one, since it will be different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very very true. I used to frequent the King's X forums, w/ every release, folks would complain that 'It doesn't sound like {insert classic KX album here}' or 'Why don't they go back to {insert same album}'s sound'. You get the same type of complaint at the DT forums as well. These are Progressive bands....operative word being "PROGRESS". Moving forward, trying different things, experimenting, if you will. Often w/ varying results, but these guys are artists. While I might not like everything they do, it's kinda cool that ,w/ today's cookie-cutter pop music, there are still bands out that that get to 'stretch-out' a bit stylistically.

I'll give it a few more good listens before I cast my final judgement though... [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

-Kenn

[AlexL]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

Just got it this morning and listened to it twice.

It is a definite improvements over TOT, which was a HUGE disappointment for me with the exception of "In the Name of God" which is one of their best songs (only soiled by Petrucci's pointless guitar solo; I love the guy, but I hate that lead).

I guess I was most pleased to find that James didn't feel the urge to "rap" any of the vocals. That really turned me off of TOT. Octavarium is very similar to 6DOIT as someone pointed out, and I walways liked that album. I am already starting to get into this disc.

Definitely pick it up if you are a DT fan. You can only decide for yourself if you like it.

- E.

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

I like 6DOIT a lot, but Octavarium does not come close, imho.

[JRE]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

[ QUOTE ]
One thing you've got to credit DT for is that they don't just remake the same album over and over. If you don't like this one, you might like the next one, since it will be different.

I really need to spend more time with Octavarium before I can say much more about it than I did earlier. There's a lot going on in DT albums, and sometimes they take awhile to sink in.

[/ QUOTE ]



AGREED!

Sometimes they take QUITE a while to sink in.
In fact, some of the ones I have still have yet to do that!
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

That said, it is still going to be better than 90% of the crapola that the labels put out there now, and as such, i am sure i'll own it at some point soon.


[img]/images/graemlins/band.gif[/img]

[horns666]

Re: New Dream Theater...thoughts anyone?

"it is still going to be better than 90% of the crapola that the labels put out there now,"

not the labels I know...