Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings - Page 4

Braen · 07-15-2009, 06:39 AM

I got this a few days ago and have been listening to it a lot over the last few days and I have to say it is their best work since Scenes From a Memory (which was their best work since Awake).

The first song is a great hard opening to the CD and the second is a purely DT formed song. But my standout song that I just can't stop listening to is The Count of Tuscany. The layers and prsogressions of the music remind me, in some parts, to be an homage to Xanadu and La Villa Strangiato by Rush especially during the instrumental parts. The story at first was really strange as, per the wiki, it is supposed to be based on an event that happened to John Petrucci. But what stands out for me is the last 5 minutes of the song. I just love that ending.

I am glad they finished the AA tribute that Mike Portnoy was working on. Not that it was horrible, but hearing the same call back riffs, one song on every album , just seemed to waste space for "new" stuff.

But my biggest prise for this album is, for the first time in a LONG time, I didn't mind James LaBrie's vocals. It seemed in the past they would push his higher register to the point where you couldn't understand a word he was saying. It's liek they wanted him to be Geoff Tate but he just couldn't sing up high without losing the ability to form words. In this album they kept his vocals down in lower registers and it flowed better and I didn't find myself looking at liner notes for lyrics.

Anyway, if you haven't picked it up yet, grab it. It is well worth it for any DT or Progressive rock/metal fan. Also, I recommend the Special Edition release that has the main CD, a CD of covers and the this CD especially as it has instrumental mixes of the songs off the album. I hope stey start doing this more often as I think it is great to be able to listen to the songs without hearing the vocals every once in a while.

Neph · 07-22-2009, 02:17 PM

At first, I couldn't get past the first cover song because it just sounded awkward to me, but after listening to the entire cd, it's a pretty good change of pace. One thing I wonder about, though, is that Myung sounds really good in the covers, but doesn't seem to do that much interesting stuff in the regular album tracks.

Flood950 · 07-22-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braen

The first song is a great hard opening to the CD and the second is a purely DT formed song. But my standout song that I just can't stop listening to is The Count of Tuscany.

The first song, A Nightmare To Remember is easily my favorite. Count Of Tuscany is really good too but the first one is the one I cannot stop playing.

The only song I am not overly thrilled with is The Best Of Times, it is just personal taste, it is well put together etc, just something about it doesnt appeal to me that much.

AlexTheDictator · 07-23-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flood950

The first song, A Nightmare To Remember is easily my favorite. Count Of Tuscany is really good too but the first one is the one I cannot stop playing.

The only song I am not overly thrilled with is The Best Of Times, it is just personal taste, it is well put together etc, just something about it doesnt appeal to me that much.

I would like A Nightmare to Remember a lot more if Portnoy didn't have any vocals.

Neph · 07-23-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTheDictator

I would like A Nightmare to Remember a lot more if Portnoy didn't have any vocals.

At that point, I just laugh and grumble along with him. It's pretty difficult to take that part seriously.

Going back to the point I brought up earlier (Myung's presence in the cover tracks), it seems like it's because whenever Myung's doing something interesting on their actual tracks, he's with Petrucci or Ruddess or both. But in the Odyssey, for one, he's got his own cool lines, while Petrucci or Ruddess are together.

darkseid · 09-22-2009, 06:27 PM

Anyone listened to the CD with covers of songs, such as "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" by King Crimson?

Gotta say they made an awesome job on those, they sound spectacular.

AlexTheDictator · 09-23-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkseid

Anyone listened to the CD with covers of songs, such as "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" by King Crimson?

Gotta say they made an awesome job on those, they sound spectacular.

The King Crimson song is especially on point. I love listening to that instrumental.

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07-22-2009, 02:17 PM	#47 (permalink)
Neph Late to the party Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 843 +6 Internets	At first, I couldn't get past the first cover song because it just sounded awkward to me, but after listening to the entire cd, it's a pretty good change of pace. One thing I wonder about, though, is that Myung sounds really good in the covers, but doesn't seem to do that much interesting stuff in the regular album tracks.

09-22-2009, 06:27 PM	#51 (permalink)
darkseid I'm back, baby! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,010	Anyone listened to the CD with covers of songs, such as "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" by King Crimson? Gotta say they made an awesome job on those, they sound spectacular.