Subject: [themirror] Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
I was just wondering if it`s just me, or is Dream Theater showing tendencies to
start playing a lot more easier stuff now than they were before? I mean, listen
to "A Change Of Seasons" and "Burning My Soul"....... there IS a certain
difference...
The style of DT:s "Falling Into Infinity" is a bit commercial to me, isn`t it?
I mean, hell, it`s a really good record but I can definitively say that if it
hadn`t been for Kevin Shirley (the producer of FII), the songs would have been
more.... more.... I don`t know.... more DIFFICULTLY PERFORMED..... I`m not
throwing any shit at DT or Mr. Shirley now, but I`m just wondering... If this
continues there will not be too much of a contrast between Dream Theater and
Hanson after a few years.... And we don`t want that, do we? What if Hanson and
Dream Theater does a World Tour together in 2010?!? :)
Discuss with me!
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
From: Chris
>The style of DT:s "Falling Into Infinity" is a bit commercial to me, isn`t
it? I mean, hell, it`s a really >good record but I can definitively say that
if it hadn`t been for Kevin Shirley (the producer of FII), the >songs would
have been more.... more.... I don`t know.... more DIFFICULTLY PERFORMED
I totally agree! I started this thread a while back and people were not too
pleased. But I think you're right. Mr. Shirley definitely influenced the
direction of FII. I think it took a turn for the worse. I haven't listened
to FII since about last November... I feel that Shadow Gallery and Enchants
new releases are much more enjoyable.
If you get a chance, try listening to the live stuff that DT did before
Kevin Shirley's interference. The FII stuff then was amazing.
Craig.
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
Ok, there was a bit of exaggeration in your hypothetical comparison of
DT and Hanson, but I think you've also made a good point. Dream
Theater's Falling Into Infinity does has significant differences from
most of their previous stuff. Yes, I would agree that it has more
commercial leanings, such as:
A) having Desmond Child co-write some of the music
b) writing songs that are less "chops-oriented" and more
"groove-oriented", and
c)including 3 quieter songs which could be described as more
"radio-friendly" than most DT offerings.
I don't think, however, that making a more commercially viable record
necessarily has to result in a 'less musical' or 'artistically inferior'
record. I mean, look at a prog band like Pink Floyd, who's album Dark
Side of the Moon was tremendously successful in the general music
market. Or take, for instance, Rush, who has had great success with
radio singles over the years as well. Obviously, a band doesn't HAVE to
sacrifice artistic integrity for commercial success.
This said, I DO think Dream Theater is trying to make themselves appear
more commercially viable. But is that so wrong? I don't think so. Apart
from musical creation alone, they likely have other goals. For instance,
I assume they want to be able to bring their music to as large an
audience as they can AND at the same time, reach a degree of financial
stability in which they can provide a decent quality of life for
themselves and their families in the future (Don't forget, musicians
rarely have pension plans :)
Anyway, that's my opinion.
Feel free to respond, everybody.
Alistair
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
I think they are trying to gradually introduce people to dt, most people don't
want to be challenged by the music they listen to.....i.e celine dion, hanson,
matchbox 20.....if more people listen to dt because they trimmed the odd times
out of some songs, or don't play a lick at 132bpm...I don't blame
them.....they have to make a living playing music....I don't agree with a
producer doing it though.....if you love the songs, don't question it, I say
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
I think you're way off by saying that they are selling out. Not every band
can make the same album 5 times in a row, they'd get really bored. Images and
Words and Awake don't sound the same. ALot of it has to do with Derek's
influence in the band. They are evolving not selling out. If people can't
accept that then that's their problem. They are still making unbelievable
music and will continue to do so. We as their fans shouldn't spend our time
trying to figure out what they're gonna do next. We should try to absorb what
they have given us thus far and wait for whatever they do next. I also think
that if things with Kevin were different and he had stayed in the band, they
would sound alot different.
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
"Falling Into Infinity" had some good aspects to it, but it deffinately
wasn't the DT i'm used to. I'm sure that's not all bad; there are some
very beautiful compositions on the album. The thing that frustrated me
about the "Falling Into Infinity" project was "You Not Me"; the first
Dream Theater song I really didn't like at all. I've loved everything
they've done, but for some reason "You not me" seems like it's trying
super to get some radio play. I guess that's understandable, but, god,
it's not even catchy. Oh, well.. I'm sure there's plenty of people out
there who can appriciate it :) Also, I have no idea why Dream Theater
decided to work with Derek Sherinian instead of Jens Johanson or Jordan
Rudess, who are both superior keyboard players in my opinion. And the
technical aspect aside, while reading an interview with Sherinian I come
to find out he doesn't even like Dream Theater's music done before he
started playing with them. He seems to think that his influence on the
band has made Dream Theater a good band, which he doesn't think it was
before. Who know's. If that is the case, I think he's a conceeded
pric, but I'm sure I could be missinformed.
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Subject: [themirror] Re: Is Dream Theater Backing Off?
A Change of Seasons is an excellent, as well as difficult song, i think its
one of the best songs i've heard from DT