Dream Theater

[swet07]

I'm new to this band and I got a bunch of there albums. I just want to know where is a good starting point based on my style of music. I know a lot of people are gonna have different opinions and thats cool. I just wanna know.

Artists I like:
Tool - Wolfmother
Muse - 30 Seconds to Mars
TMV - Silversun Pickups
QOTSA - Led Zeppelin
NIN - Primus
Metallica
Darkest Hour
All that Remains
Modest Mouse


My Favorite song from them right now is Panic Attack(Yes from RB2) and so I just want a good place to start.

[Zeleii]

Dream Theater is an incredibly technical and instrumentally skilled band but.

LaBrei is a meh-tastic vocalist.
Mike Portnoy is way too heralded.... Dave Lombardo, Steve Flynn even Brann Dailor IMO are better
Petrucci likes himself some studio magic
Myung (Favorite memeber) great bassist.... listen to Metropolis Pt.1 The Sleeper and the Miracle you'll see
Rudess good keyboardist I listen to better.

Now with that being said, Dream Theater while technically prowessed as musicians they're meh. Their songs are boring and generally unemotional... uneventful w/e

If you like music that has a little more there when you wrap your head around it, don't worry about DT. If you like straight up in your face technical music, Dream Theater then check out Athiest.

Albums I reccommend are "Images and Words" (Best album and has their best song IMO "Metropolis Pt.1 The Sleeper and the Miracle")
And "Metropolis Pt.2 Scenes From a Memory"

[svartikins]

The closest song to the style of Panic Attack would be the album Octavarium. So I'd suggest starting from there.

[jayou521]

Albums I reccommend are "Images and Words" (Best album and has their best song IMO "Metropolis Pt.1 The Sleeper and the Miracle") And "Metropolis Pt.2 Scenes From a Memory"
I was gonna basically say the same thing.

[thehunted616]

Those who do not like Dream Theatre do not appreciate music.

Ex. Zeleii

[Villas]

Dude you should start of with Train of thought then watch live at Budakon and see their greatness on stage. There's a reason that Mike Portnoy is the second youngest inductee into the hall of fame (after Niel Pert), I also think hes the only metal drummer on there too.

[Zeleii]

Those who do not like Dream Theatre do not appreciate music.

Ex. Zeleii
Bull ****...

Athiest has loads more talent anyways.

Second of all... who's to say I don't listen to bands that are similar to them?
Alhambra, female fronted Japanese version of DT.

And in case you didn't realize I like Dream Theater's more song writing based albums.... I don't mind their other material but it's meh to me

[citric_bullets]

Those who do not like Dream Theatre do not appreciate music.

Ex. Zeleii

I suppose I don't appreciate music either then. My opinion of Dream Theater is that they're a group of musicians who are incredibly technically gifted, but have no idea how to write a song. Also, a lot of questionable keyboard sounds.

[Zeleii]

Emotion and good songwriting > Technical ability.
Anyways Citric, what I find ironic.... Images and Words and Metropolis Pt.2

Are both albums Myung had a heavy influence on the songs.

Portnoy told Myung he shouldn't contribute because his writing didn't fit with what they wanted to do.

[Villas]

I dont think thats true,john myung wrote Tial of tears and its a great song. I dont think they would have put that song on their live at budokan dvd if he felt that way after they made Metropolis Pt 2.

[Cpt. Overkill]

I dont think thats true,john myung wrote Tial of tears and its a great song. I dont think they would have put that song on their live at budokan dvd if he felt that way.

Myung is Zeleii's favorite bassist. Those two things he mentioned are his favorites from Dream Theater.

[Zeleii]

I dont think thats true,john myung wrote Tial of tears and its a great song. I dont think they would have put that song on their live at budokan dvd if he felt that way.
What I'm saying is that Myung wrote good music, that was more than "Hey look at me I can wank" hell listen to "Solar groove" that is what Myung is capable of. Emotion in music buddy. Every bass solo in a DT song... was written by him.

Portnoy didn't like that it isn't what they were going for and the band told him he couldn't write anymore :|

[Villas]

I do agree that John myung is an incredible bassist (my favorite bassist), but it sound as if you have a grudge against mike. All dream theater fans know that mike contributed in & co produced a lot of dream theaters albums starting with Metropolis Pt 2.

[Zeleii]

I do agree that John myung is an incredible bassist (my favorite bassist), but it sound as if you have a grudge against mike. All dream theater fans know that mike contributed in & co produced a lot of dream theaters albums starting with Metropolis Pt 2.
I don't hate Mike, I hate how he prevented IMO their best and most soulful song writer from actually writing.

[Villas]

I think the reason most of their songs are not heartfelt is because Petrucci writes most of the lyrics. He kinda seems like a boring guy.

[Zeleii]

I think the reason most of their songs are not heartfelt is because Petrucci writes most of the lyrics. He kinda seems like a boring guy.
And their playing really lacks emotion, it's just "Focus on playing.... look how difficult it is"

There is a reason my favorite "virtuoso" is Paul Gilbert, because he actually puts emotion into his music

[killer_roach]

Personally, I don't "get" the whole "being emotional" thing in music. If you can do it, fine, if not... no big deal. Not everything has to be done in that manner.

That being said, I agree with Zeleii on one thing, and that's that Myung is certainly the most underappreciated member of the band.

My favorite albums of theirs are Metropolis Pt. 2, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, and Octavarium.

[davidshek]

And their playing really lacks emotion, it's just "Focus on playing.... look how difficult it is"

Wow dude, if that's truly how you think DT writes their songs, they you really aren't getting it.

What I've found is that most of the die-hard DT fans I've ever talked to have been musicians themselves. Most non-musician's just don't "get it" and make comments like Zeleii just did. Of course there are non-musician fans of DT as well, but they are much more the exception than the rule.

But if you have a background in musical theory, you will see that their writing is style is definitely NOT "make it as complicated as it possibly can be". Their music is actually some of the most brilliantly-written that I've ever heard.

Sure, a lot of people don't seem to like LaBrie's voice, but ya know what? It doesn't matter. The other members of the band obviously do, or they wouldn't have kept him around as long as they have.

[ffwarrior47]

Wow dude, if that's truly how you think DT writes their songs, they you really aren't getting it.

What I've found is that most of the die-hard DT fans I've ever talked to have been musicians themselves. Most non-musician's just don't "get it" and make comments like Zeleii just did. Of course there are non-musician fans of DT as well, but they are much more the exception than the rule.

But if you have a background in musical theory, you will see that their writing is style is definitely NOT "make it as complicated as it possibly can be". Their music is actually some of the most brilliantly-written that I've ever heard.

Sure, a lot of people don't seem to like LaBrie's voice, but ya know what? It doesn't matter. The other members of the band obviously do, or they wouldn't have kept him around as long as they have.


this.

[Der_Lex]

Although I like LaBrie, my biggest problem with him is that he's been very uneven as a singer, especially live. I've seen fantastic performances by him, but also performances that were downright atrocious. You just have to get lucky when seeing him live, I guess.

However, if you want to hear LaBrie at his best, check out the album The Human Equation by Ayreon. I don't know how Lucassen does it, but he somehow gets the very best out of all the many singers on his albums.

[killer_roach]

Although I like LaBrie, my biggest problem with him is that he's been very uneven as a singer, especially live. I've seen fantastic performances by him, but also performances that were downright atrocious. You just have to get lucky when seeing him live, I guess.

However, if you want to hear LaBrie at his best, check out the album The Human Equation by Ayreon. I don't know how Lucassen does it, but he somehow gets the very best out of all the many singers on his albums.

I think it probably all goes back to when LaBrie ruptured his vocal cords years ago... that would probably make somebody really vocally inconsistent. I'm surprised he's still singing, to be honest.

As for his role in The Human Equation, I get the feeling Arjen is one of those people who would both work with the musicians he brings in to bring out their character in his music, but also potentially work them to death as he tries to perfect things. He just seems like a bit of a perfectionist, but it shows off in the music he creates.

[Der_Lex]

Funny story about LaBrie's Human Equation recording session: he came over to Arjen's studio in Holland to record his vocal parts. Arjen's studio is located in his house, which is in the middle of the woods somewhere. Apparently LaBrie wanted to go out jogging at night, and got completely lost... it took him hours to bump into one of the scarce houses over there, where he could give Arjen a call so he could come pick him up.

I don't know what would be more entertaining, not being a DT fan and having to deal with a weird long-haired dude who doesn't speak a word of Dutch on your doorstep, or being a DT fan and suddenly finding a bewildered LaBrie in your house. :D

[Villas]

And their playing really lacks emotion, it's just "Focus on playing.... look how difficult it is"

There is a reason my favorite "virtuoso" is Paul Gilbert, because he actually puts emotion into his music

I prefer steve vai, now hes an emotional player, and even shows it when he plays live. He just looks happy up there.

[Starfleet_Rambo]

Wow dude, if that's truly how you think DT writes their songs, they you really aren't getting it.

What I've found is that most of the die-hard DT fans I've ever talked to have been musicians themselves. Most non-musician's just don't "get it" and make comments like Zeleii just did. Of course there are non-musician fans of DT as well, but they are much more the exception than the rule.

But if you have a background in musical theory, you will see that their writing is style is definitely NOT "make it as complicated as it possibly can be". Their music is actually some of the most brilliantly-written that I've ever heard.

Sure, a lot of people don't seem to like LaBrie's voice, but ya know what? It doesn't matter. The other members of the band obviously do, or they wouldn't have kept him around as long as they have.

Thank you, David.

You buttered that little girl's biscuits. :cool:

[Zeleii]

Thank you, David.

You buttered that little girl's biscuits. :cool:
Oh boy... I'm not a musician?

Bull****

[Proffitt1992]

Oh boy... I'm not a musician?

Bull****
If you became a musician, what instrument would you play?

[StreamOfNath]

Now with that being said, Dream Theater while technically prowessed as musicians they're meh. Their songs are boring and generally unemotional... uneventful w/e

It's now painfully obvious you've never listened to Six Degrees and Inner Turbulence from start to finish.

[Zeleii]

It's now painfully obvious you've never listened to Six Degrees and Inner Turbulence from start to finish.
I've listened to every DT album, I used to have a huge boner for technical out the ass music.

STFU now please

[killer_roach]

I've listened to every DT album, I used to have a huge boner for technical out the ass music.

STFU now please

At least we know who not to ask for their opinions on the genre around here... heck, if you consider DT as nothing more than a technical band, I really don't know what to say in response other than to offer my deepest condolences.

[Zeleii]

At least we know who not to ask for their opinions on the genre around here... heck, if you consider DT as nothing more than a technical band, I really don't know what to say in response other than to offer my deepest condolences.
I'm sorry I know plenty of people who will say the same too. Just because you have a boner for Dream Theater doesn't mean you have to defend it tooth and nail...

Without evidence

[swet07]

I don't care if they write from their soul or not. Seriously, is there a need to have a two page argument about it. I started the thread for good suggestions about where to start with listening to them. Those who don't like the band really have no purpose on this thread at all. So quit arguing about it. And just for whoever said they don't write from their soul or whatever should think about this-WHY DO THEY MAKE MUSIC THEN?

[Zeleii]

I don't care if they write from their soul or not. Seriously, is there a need to have a two page argument about it. I started the thread for good suggestions about where to start with listening to them. Those who don't like the band really have no purpose on this thread at all. So quit arguing about it. And just for whoever said they don't write from their soul or whatever should think about this-WHY DO THEY MAKE MUSIC THEN?
To show off...

And apparently you missed my first post, way to be ignorant. I said Images and Words and Metropolis Pt.2 Scenes From a Memory

[swet07]

Your first statement worked. I liked Metropolis pt 1 still listening to pt 2.
I get angry when people flame on each other cuz of stupid disagreements. Your opinion is yours but why does everyone need to ***** at you cuz you think their songs have no meaning or whatever. its stupid

[Zeleii]

Your first statement worked. I liked Metropolis pt 1 still listening to pt 2.
I get angry when people flame on each other cuz of stupid disagreements. Your opinion is yours but why does everyone need to ***** at you cuz you think their songs have no meaning or whatever. its stupid
I'm vocal about opinion, almost forceful. IDK people seem to take offense to my opinion.

[Starfleet_Rambo]

I'm vocal about opinion, almost forceful. IDK people seem to take offense to my opinion.

Because you're a ***** and nobody asks for your constant replies of your opinion.

This wasn't a debate thread, it was a new DT fan asking for other DT fans about their most enjoyable album so they could swallow any lesser material they would run into.

I still love you though. You're very pretty girl.

[Der_Lex]

I'm vocal about opinion, almost forceful. IDK people seem to take offense to my opinion.

Because you haven't yet mastered the fine art of giving your opinion without A: making it sound like gospel truth and B: voicing it in an overly aggressive manner. It's fine that you have a different opinion (although coming into a thread that asks for album recommendations of a certain band to say 'don't listen to that band, they're not very good, listen to band X instead' is borderline trolling, and I probably would have deleted it as irrelevant to the thread if you hadn't thrown some actual recommendations in), but the sheer negativity with which you express it and your own intolerance for opinions than yours will indeed cause people to take offense or at least not take you very seriously.

Having a opinion with some decent reasoning behind it only gets you halfway there; you also need to learn how to properly express that opinion if you want to have an actual discussion instead of just arguing.

[killer_roach]

I'm vocal about opinion, almost forceful. IDK people seem to take offense to my opinion.

I think you answered your own question there, especially around prog fans. A lot of us don't take the concept of "force" of anything too well. :)

That being said, it's possible I'm coming from a completely different place in terms of my musical background than you, having classical and jazz training in both voice and low brass instrumentation (and, to a significantly lesser extent, percussion), and therefore approach music from a different direction than you. Not every song needs to have some deep underlying emotion; sometimes it is the journey itself that is the true delight within music.

I'm familiar with the expression "don't just know your notes, know why they were meant to be played", but music, like the people who make it, does not necessarily have just one motive.

IMO, IaW is one of the band's best albums in terms of the songs on it, but the album as a whole is at times a bit of a disjointed mess, changing stuff around with almost head-snapping frequency. Definitely better to listen on Shuffle than try to make any sense of listening straight through.

[ArmsAreLoud]

Images and Words is the bomb. It's their most progressive album, and every track off the album is absolutely epic.

[killer_roach]

Images and Words is the bomb. It's their most progressive album, and every track off the album is absolutely epic.

Most progressive? I think Octavarium, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, and Metropolis Pt. 2 would all have a word about that, but it's definitely up there.