Dream Theater - Self titled album coming Sept. 24th

Petrucci sounds incredible, quite flawless playing

This is a dream for any parent...

I've watched that cover before (the kids).. so awesome.

Stream the album here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...miere-20130916

Surprised no one has posted in here today. I am downloading the album right now. About halfway through listening and sounds pretty good so far.

I've streamed it a few times on SoundCloud. Much better than the last album. I feel like this album is a bit more back to their roots. Some of it feels very Rush-like.

I really like this album, probably my favorite one in recent memory. However, the endings to The Looking Glass and The Bigger Picture really bother me. Finished with the reprise? Okay, end it with a quick flourish.

The slow piano song blows and the worst moments are still brought to you by LaBrie. This is probably the best album in a while though. I dig most of it. Mangini really shows off some chops.

Seems to marry the more recent, heavier stuff with the 90's approach quite nicely. Maybe we wont see a ton of people asking for Awake to be re-made, yet again. I am still getting to grips with it but I agree that the piano is a little overdone and that LaBrie goes for some things that don't quite come off. Petrucci's riffing impressed me more than the solos and Mangini is putting in some real work. Portnoy who?

I disagree. On a Dramatic Turn of Events, yeah, Rudess's keys were pretty prominent. They just let him off the leash in that one. But this album definitely integrates his sound a lot better.

As for LaBrie, I'm always inclined to point fingers to vapid lyrics. They managed to write less cringeworthy lyrics this album though. But then again, I'm a big fan of LaBrie + acoustic guitar/piano backing (Silent Man, Spirit Carries On, etc).

@Alex which "slow piano song" are you referring to?

Neph_sl said:

@Alex which "slow piano song" are you referring to?

Click to expand...

The Bigger Picture. Bad song.

I agree with Braen. Myung can be heard clearly on most of the tracks.

Different strokes I guess, I actually like that song (save the ending).

But yes, more Myung is always welcome. You knew that he was keeping up with everyone else before, but it's nice to be able to pick out his sound for once.

After A Dramatic Turn of Events I was about to write Dream Theater off, but this is probably the best album since Scenes from a Memory. There's still too much Velveeta to fall in love with the album.

I've fully embraced Steven Wilson as my favorite nerdy prog artist these days. He can do no wrong.

To me, they just sound like they're happier as a band without Portnoy's heavy-handed manner. The music is brighter, and more positive in feel to me. Petrucci is still my favorite guitarist out there. Period.

Agreed. They do sound happier overall.

They have a new DVD out. LaBrie sounds pretty fantastic. This is the best I've ever heard him