YAY!

"Train of Thought" is the latest from one of the incredible theatrical bands of our time.

I will waiting outside my local best buy for this one for sure!

These guys know how to rock!

Train of Thought (http://www.dreamtheater.net/disco_dreamtheater.php?s=tot)

I'll be getting a copy around lunch-time today. I've heard As I Am, sounds like a radio-ready song similar to something off of Awake. Not a bad song, but I'm assuming the usual noodling is all over the remaining tracks.

who's Dream Theater?

The most well-known and successful progressive metal band of the past decade.

Tucker you don't know who Dream Theater is?

You need to get to know them.

They are 5 perfectionate musicians who love to rock! Check them out, you will not be disappointed.

I second Ksyrup's comment.

I got it! I got it!

Now I just have pop this bad boy in the cd-rom and give it a listen....stay tuned.

All I've been able to listen to is the first song, which I had already heard anyway. Sounds good. It's definitely a radio-ready song in the vein of Enter Sandman (in fact, one of the riffs sounds like an inverse variation of the Enter Sandman riff), but of course, "Dream Theater-ed up."

It's a sad state of affairs when the best prog metal band has to also double as the best metal band.

5 songs and 3 hours later he will be back ;)

Close.

Track 1 - 7:47
Track 2 - 11:28
Track 3 - 11:23
Track 4 - 10:14
Track 5 - 2:58
Track 6 - 11:16
Track 7 - 14:16

I only have a 20-25 minutes drive home, so it makes it difficult to listen to a DT album. I have to space it out over a few days.

Surprisingly, I not familiar with them either, but I might have to check 'em out. I didn't discover Radiohead until 2001; what a surprise that was!

To be fair, they (and prog metal in general) are not everyone's cup o' tea. They are all extremely gifted musicians - I think 4 of them were Julliard students, and the singer performed opera in Canada. However, they are the antithesis of the recent wave of "minimalist" rock groups like the Strokes, Hives, etc. Most of their songs are long, complicated, and drawn out, usually running through a number of tempo and time changes within one song. In fact, some of their best albums are actually concept albums that tell a story over 1 or 2 CDs, sometimes with songs as long as 40+ minutes. It's definitely not for the 3 minute radio song crowd, that's for sure.

Most negative comments about DT and prog in general concern the lack of focus on songs as opposed to virtuoso "noodling" (as I call it) - a number of critics hate it simply because they think the musicians are showing off just because they can. Others have criticized them for being un-rock 'n roll-like because the songs and their performances are so clinical and unemotional. I guess it just depends on how it strikes you, because I've never felt that way.

At times, the music can be a bit overwhelming, but overall, I think it's simply awesome what they can do. And it's even more amazing to see them play the same songs, note for note, live.

When you listen to bands like Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Spock's Beard, etc. You need to have patience. Sometimes it takes 3-5 minutes before the vocals even start. But it's not about the destination, it's all about the ride. They sure take you on a trip, that's for sure.

I've seen Dream Theater in concert 4 times now, and have about 50 shows of their bootlegs on CD. Can't get enough of those guys.

This album is MUCH heavier than usual for them, probably more along the lines of Awake than any of their other albums. I love it so far!

I was just about to say the same thing. I've only gotten through the first 3 tracks, but DAMN! This is bordering on prog thrash in places. Those of you who only know nu metal should take a listen to this - the best of prog AND thrash that was so popular in the 80's. Great stuff so far.

Dola.

BTW, since you mentioned Spock's Beard, what the hell is with Neal Morse? Has a great thing going, quits the band that he founded because God told him to, and then he puts out a Spock's Beard Part II solo album. I wasn't that impressed with the Neal-less SB. He WAS the band, so I don't understand why they continued with the name.

I can't do music like this - I appreciate the talent and musicianship that it takes to create it, but it's not for me.

I'm the type of person who cannot just sit and listen to music - I need it to be in the background while I'm doing other stuff. Any complicated, complex melodies and themes are totally lost on me - probably why I find classical, jazz, and progressive rock to be music that, sadly, is impenetrable to me.

Understandable. For me, 99% of the time, I actually focus on the music. When I'm in the car, and my wife wants to talk about something, I turn the CD off so I can pick up where I left off when she's done talking. I don't just hear music, I listen to it. It's rarely background noise for me.

Originally posted by Ksyrup
Understandable. For me, 99% of the time, I actually focus on the music. When I'm in the car, and my wife wants to talk about something, I turn the CD off so I can pick up where I left off when she's done talking. I don't just hear music, I listen to it. It's rarely background noise for me.

and it's sad that I'm the exact opposite. I really wish it wasn't the case.

But hey, on the bright side, it allows you to appreciate Shakira, Britney, etc. And I care too much about music to allow myself to do that! Sometimes I wish I could just let it ride, but my contempt for their "music" is impossible for me to hide.

Originally posted by Ksyrup
But hey, on the bright side, it allows you to appreciate Shakira, Britney, etc. And I care too much about music to allow myself to do that! Sometimes I wish I could just let it ride, but my contempt for their "music" is impossible for me to hide.

you forgot Kylie Minogue. ;)

I've never listened to Dream Theater though I've heard of them fifty million times. I think I downloaded them one time and didn't really like it. Progressive metal bands I prefer more is Opeth and old Extol.

dream weaver?

Originally posted by Front Office Midget
I've never listened to Dream Theater though I've heard of them fifty million times. I think I downloaded them one time and didn't really like it. Progressive metal bands I prefer more is Opeth and old Extol.

I just recently started listening to Opeth. As a rule, I can't really handle death metal vocals, but they switch it up with enough frequency to make it listenable. And of course, the music is terrific. Their acoustic CD is amazing as well.