What?: DT's 7th album, the first without Mike Portnoy on drums.
Why?: Habit. I come away from every Dream Theater album thinking it will be my last, but I always give in and get the next one... I was suckered in this time thinking a new drummer might change things up a bit.
Tell me more!:
I've listened to this album so many times over the last few weeks and it just doesn't stick. Maybe I'm not made for listening to the traditional Dream Theater million-ideas-per-song album? Maybe the melodies aren't catchy enough? I don't know what it is, but every listening is both too familiar, but also fresh...
Don't get me wrong... I find something to enjoy in every listen. Modern day Dream Theater is very slick. Everything is clear, the riffs are solid and chugging, the keyboards and strings aren't lost in the mix. They've thrown everything at this album: throat singers, choirs, strings, and it all sounds great.
But it's all a bit... flat? And LaBrie's vocals still send unpleasant shivers down my spine, that can't be helped. It's not his fault.
While I wouldn't say the new drummer had made as big a difference as I would have liked, I think this album has seen a shift back toward more progressive music as per their earlier albums, which should be encouraged, especially as it's combined with DT's recent heavier sound.
There are numerous moments in this album where I'm reminded of Vince DiCola's keyboard heavy prog soundtracks, or classic game soundtracks in general. All of which are clearly 70s prog (Yes!) influenced ("Breaking All Illusions!" is a great example). All of which I should love. But...
Almost every song is too long, with too much going on, and all so perfectly produced, that the notes, the riffs, the lyrics, all merge into one giant mess, and it fades to the background of my conciousness as I stare out the window, or read my book. Sometimes a catchy balladesque chorus, or particularly heavy or strange riff will catch my attention briefly, but it always fades again.
Maybe a semi-fan could bring a hacksaw to this album and cut it into 4 minute songs, like someone apparently did to some recent Metallica albums? I think I'd enjoy that more.
I'd listen to this again. Lots of times, but I wouldn't really be listening.
4/10
Sunday 23 February 2014
Thursday 6 February 2014
[1995] Dream Theater, "A Change Of Seasons"
What?: A single/EP with the title track and numerous live covers.
Why?: I originally bought "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" on a work mate's recommendation back in 2001 and loved it so went on a Dream Theater catch-up and bought everything.
Tell me more!:
I can tell you I thought this was an album when I bought it. It was probably cheap...
The title track, the 23 minute plus epic "A Change Of Seasons" was intended to be released on 1992's "Images and Words" but I suspect it was too long.
I like early Dream Theater. They're a little rougher, a little more metal, a little less produced. These days I feel like they've gotten too slick, and James LaBrie's voice irritates the crap out of me.
On "A Change Of Seasons" they still throw in every idea ever, but they've mixed it well into a single song. It flows nicely, the repeating themes hold my attention, and it's full of killer riffs. I like that some of the guitar effects sound cheap and I like that James keeps his singing to a minimum.
The covers are interesting in that I recognise the artists (Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple) but not the songs. I suppose that shows my ignorance a little. It's only in the final Medley that I recognise anything. Who doesn't love KANSAS' "Carry On My Wayward Son"? Assholes that's who. Even then, I don't think anyone should really go near Bohemian Rhapsody live, not even what's left of Queen.
Covers are fun, and I generally say if you're going to do them, do them live, but they're just too well done. They're played perfectly, and as such, aren't very interesting. I'd also like to think I'd take an interest in tracking the originals down, but I don't hear anything I really enjoy. Sorry, I never really caught the Zeppelin/Purple bug.
"A Change Of Seasons" is good and I suppose the covers are a nice bonus, but they're nothing really.
3/10
Why?: I originally bought "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" on a work mate's recommendation back in 2001 and loved it so went on a Dream Theater catch-up and bought everything.
Tell me more!:
I can tell you I thought this was an album when I bought it. It was probably cheap...
The title track, the 23 minute plus epic "A Change Of Seasons" was intended to be released on 1992's "Images and Words" but I suspect it was too long.
I like early Dream Theater. They're a little rougher, a little more metal, a little less produced. These days I feel like they've gotten too slick, and James LaBrie's voice irritates the crap out of me.
On "A Change Of Seasons" they still throw in every idea ever, but they've mixed it well into a single song. It flows nicely, the repeating themes hold my attention, and it's full of killer riffs. I like that some of the guitar effects sound cheap and I like that James keeps his singing to a minimum.
The covers are interesting in that I recognise the artists (Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple) but not the songs. I suppose that shows my ignorance a little. It's only in the final Medley that I recognise anything. Who doesn't love KANSAS' "Carry On My Wayward Son"? Assholes that's who. Even then, I don't think anyone should really go near Bohemian Rhapsody live, not even what's left of Queen.
Covers are fun, and I generally say if you're going to do them, do them live, but they're just too well done. They're played perfectly, and as such, aren't very interesting. I'd also like to think I'd take an interest in tracking the originals down, but I don't hear anything I really enjoy. Sorry, I never really caught the Zeppelin/Purple bug.
"A Change Of Seasons" is good and I suppose the covers are a nice bonus, but they're nothing really.
3/10
Sunday 2 February 2014
[2012] Muse, "The 2nd Law"
What?: Muse's 6th album and soundtrack to the 2012 London Olympics and World War Z.
Why?: I do like Muse, but it's a complex relationship. I wasn't going to get this album but in a moment of weakness (probably armed with birthday cash or a 20% off sale) I gave in.
Tell me more!:
I first heard Muse via the radio, and ignored them. All that high voice guitar wankery put me off.
Much later I heard them live on Triple J during one of their Impossible Music Festival days. I was fairly impressed, which put them back on my radar.
Shortly after that, the double whammy of the excellent overblown "Knights Of Cydonia" video, and my friend lending me a copy of the album that song is from, "Black Holes And Revelations", put the band in front of my consciousness.
Given all of their previous albums are cheap, devouring their past was easy.
I heard this album (The 2nd Law) was causing controversy with fans due to some aledgidly large swings away from their traditional sound, with dub step being mentioned, along with comparisons to Queen albums. Such talk just couldn't be ignored.
I enjoyed the album on the first listen but wasn't as impressed as the fans and media. I might have unkindly said something like "if this is Muse's Queen album, they must have meant Hot Space", but spending more time with it I appreciate what they've done.
Unlike most bands, who sound identical on each album, Muse have managed to shift their sound over the last few albums, with 2nd Law the obvious extention.
In all fairness the dub step elements do feel a little like pandering to the times, but they've done a better job of it than Korn did. Further, we're talking a couple songs ("Follow Me" and "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable"), not the whole album.
Much of the album actually feels like a tribute to the pop produced rock of the early 80s. "Panic Stations" could be anyone from INXS to Talking Heads. "Madness" could with a bit of imagination come from of of the more adventurous bands of the late 80s.
Speaking of Queen, I'm sure there must be deliberate humour in how ridiculous "Survival" is. The first thing that came to my mind was Regurgitator's "Crush The Losers". I'm a big fan of a well played over-produced joke.
"Supremacy" is the Bond theme that never was. "Animals" is straighter Muse, but played a little differently it could be Coldplay, or even U2, except for the huge riffs ending. It's Muse's strongest point to fill their songs with enough variety to avoid comparisons to other bands.
"Big Freeze" is another great example that could be U2 if not for the big slab of bass that is the chorus. It couldn't be anyone else.
If I wanted to pick low points, both "Save Me" and "Explorers" drift too far into ballad territory.
I stand corrected with "Liquid State", with bass player Chris singing, it sounds like a whole different band. I love a band with multiple vocalists.
If putting an economics version of the second law of thermodynamics to dubstep and orchestra doesn't get the kids learnin' I give up, this generation is lost.
I like the drawn-out Tubular Bells attempt at the end of the album, it's better than a fade out.
I like my albums diverse. I like bands to take risks. I like Queen level production. I like a bit of humour. I like a band with a singer who can hit some decent notes, and who lets their fellow band members sing. I like the 80s, I like when rock crosses over with dance.
So I should love this album? No. A lot of likes are still just a like.
6/10
Why?: I do like Muse, but it's a complex relationship. I wasn't going to get this album but in a moment of weakness (probably armed with birthday cash or a 20% off sale) I gave in.
Tell me more!:
I first heard Muse via the radio, and ignored them. All that high voice guitar wankery put me off.
Much later I heard them live on Triple J during one of their Impossible Music Festival days. I was fairly impressed, which put them back on my radar.
Shortly after that, the double whammy of the excellent overblown "Knights Of Cydonia" video, and my friend lending me a copy of the album that song is from, "Black Holes And Revelations", put the band in front of my consciousness.
Given all of their previous albums are cheap, devouring their past was easy.
I heard this album (The 2nd Law) was causing controversy with fans due to some aledgidly large swings away from their traditional sound, with dub step being mentioned, along with comparisons to Queen albums. Such talk just couldn't be ignored.
I enjoyed the album on the first listen but wasn't as impressed as the fans and media. I might have unkindly said something like "if this is Muse's Queen album, they must have meant Hot Space", but spending more time with it I appreciate what they've done.
Unlike most bands, who sound identical on each album, Muse have managed to shift their sound over the last few albums, with 2nd Law the obvious extention.
In all fairness the dub step elements do feel a little like pandering to the times, but they've done a better job of it than Korn did. Further, we're talking a couple songs ("Follow Me" and "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable"), not the whole album.
Much of the album actually feels like a tribute to the pop produced rock of the early 80s. "Panic Stations" could be anyone from INXS to Talking Heads. "Madness" could with a bit of imagination come from of of the more adventurous bands of the late 80s.
Speaking of Queen, I'm sure there must be deliberate humour in how ridiculous "Survival" is. The first thing that came to my mind was Regurgitator's "Crush The Losers". I'm a big fan of a well played over-produced joke.
"Supremacy" is the Bond theme that never was. "Animals" is straighter Muse, but played a little differently it could be Coldplay, or even U2, except for the huge riffs ending. It's Muse's strongest point to fill their songs with enough variety to avoid comparisons to other bands.
"Big Freeze" is another great example that could be U2 if not for the big slab of bass that is the chorus. It couldn't be anyone else.
If I wanted to pick low points, both "Save Me" and "Explorers" drift too far into ballad territory.
I stand corrected with "Liquid State", with bass player Chris singing, it sounds like a whole different band. I love a band with multiple vocalists.
If putting an economics version of the second law of thermodynamics to dubstep and orchestra doesn't get the kids learnin' I give up, this generation is lost.
I like the drawn-out Tubular Bells attempt at the end of the album, it's better than a fade out.
I like my albums diverse. I like bands to take risks. I like Queen level production. I like a bit of humour. I like a band with a singer who can hit some decent notes, and who lets their fellow band members sing. I like the 80s, I like when rock crosses over with dance.
So I should love this album? No. A lot of likes are still just a like.
6/10
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