This week's discovery: Dream Theater

[Turdus]

I'm so bored with music, that I'm taking a look at some bands I've never paid attention to. This week, it's Dream Theater. I downloaded Systematic Chaos based on previews. It's kinda cool.

If I could only download one more, which would it have to be?

[cmatthes]

Anything else that is not Dream Theater.

[atquinn]

If you think DT is kinda cool, but would be better with no vocals, try one of the Liquid Tension Experiment albums.

-

Austin

[Turdus]

Anything else that is not Dream Theater.

Haha Chris. They're actually kinda cool. Logical progression for an old metal head/prog rock guy

such as myself ?????

If you think DT is kinda cool, but would be better with no vocals, try one of the Liquid Tension Experiment albums.

-

Austin

Austin - The vocals work just fine for me. I think the guy from Pagan's Mind is better, but I'm OK with whoever this vocalist is.

[velorush]

I checked them out with Octavarium, but couldn't handle the vocals. I also purchased the first LTE album and that didn't wear me as thin as fast. I have to be in the mood, I suppose. Neither is currently on the iPod...

You might also check out Porcupine Tree: prog. but more of a Floyd dynamic (no, they don't sound at all like Floyd, but dynamic like Floyd rather than the constant barrage that DT seems to hit me with). I also enjoyed Chimp Spanner that was mentioned here on the board by IIRC McCris - I think that is one guy doing all the work.

I'm definitely bored. I tried AltCountry for a while and found the Bottle Rockets, but then I bought the Wilco Wilco album and actually mailed that HFCer Aceldama at my expense just to get it out of the house.

I checked out Black Dub (Daniel Lanois) and found that to be an interesting if temporary amusement.

Last year's Warren Haynes album has been an inspiration if you're into R&B. Other than that, the newest thing on my iPod is Third Day's Move, released October 2010.

iTunes was promoting a new album by Lana Del Rey that I gave a listen to earlier this week. I think she has an excellent voice and I may revisit that.

[Turdus]

What may have led me to DT, was another band called Planet X. I understand that the keyboardist did a stint in DT. Picked up "Quantum" a month back. Like it a lot, but sometimes have a hard time relating to the drummer. I'm a basic 4/4 guy. whatever he is doing is beyond my comprehension.

[velorush]

Portnoy might have occasionally used 4/4, but typically it was just when passing on to 22/16 or 9.75/8 or...

The new drummer is extremely proficient, as well. Don't know if you caught their audition videos on YouTube, but they were very interesting. Really, any of the four trying out would have been phenomenal. The winner was someone they felt they could get on with the best. Speaks volumes for those trying to find a band to work with.

[veatch]

What may have led me to DT, was another band called Planet X. I understand that the keyboardist did a stint in DT. Picked up "Quantum" a month back. Like it a lot, but sometimes have a hard time relating to the drummer. I'm a basic 4/4 guy. whatever he is doing is beyond my comprehension.

Planet X is some interesting stuff. If you like more straight up rock, try Platypus - Ty Tabor from King's X, Morgenstein from the Dregs, and Myung and Sherinian from DT. I liked this stuff a *lot* more than the DT stuff. Not nearly as prog musically, but i guess i'm not as prog as i used to be...

[SteveB]

DT's best album is "Awake".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD7OdyY1js4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDCG7daJ7cc

[kizanski]

Anything else that is not Dream Theater.

lolz!

[sirDaniel]

Anything else that is not Dream Theater.

strong words coming from a KISS fan

[sirDaniel]

Scences From a Memory and 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence are good if you like Mindcrime themed full album listening.

Their newer stuff... the last 3... seem to be less interesting but still okay. Understand, I go for the theatrical style albums that create stories. Wall, Tommy, etc...

[cynic]

Understand, I go for the theatrical style albums that create stories. Wall, Tommy, Music from the Elder, etc...

For the KISS fan in ya

[silentman]

As the biggest DT fan on this board, Systematic Chaos is my least favorite overall. As mentioned Awake is my personal favorite followed by Images and Words. Cruise YouTube and check out the tracks and see what you like. DT can go from hardcore to melodic within the same song. But they also have poppy stuff and do some killer covers. What type of stuff do you usually listen to?

[Turdus]

What type of stuff do you usually listen to?

Lately, I've been going back to instrumental type stuff.... jazz rock fusion, etc. All ground I've covered before. Have recently downloaded some Satriani, after not paying him attention for 15 years. Discovered Planet X by doing a search on recent Jazz/Rock fusion. Other than You Am I (nod to my pal Cmatthes) I'm bored with rock in general, and am interested more in current Prog Rock. The more melodic, the better for me.

[hrtatak]

I think you also need to check out Falling Into Infinity. It and Awake are great albums.

[atquinn]

Austin - The vocals work just fine for me. I think the guy from Pagan's Mind is better, but I'm OK with whoever this vocalist is.

They seem like they operate in adjacent neighborhoods, but the more power metal leanings of Pagan's Mind do it for me much more so than DT. There latest album is a return to form for them IMO. You might want to check out Vanden Plas and Symphony X as well; bands that wouldn exist without DT, but are more power-metal leaning.

-

Austin

[tommy p]

Anything else that is not Dream Theater.

I thought I was the only one! I've never heard anything but Pull Me Under by them and that was years ago. For some reason, they pique no curiosity for me whatsoever.

[silentman]

If melodic is your thing check out tracks from Falling into Infinity, 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Octavarium.

[Jason01]

I'd say Awake would be my first choice if I had to limit myself to one dream theater album