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[Metallus Maximus]

Metallus Maximus � Metallus Maximus Forums � Metal On Metal (Moderator: Hellboy)
Dream Theater "Black Clouds and Silver Linings"

[mak28]

I figured we needed a fresh thread for thoughts since the other was more about the boxed-set with a few album comments.

I like it.  It feels good!  The songs may be long as usual but the "songs" are back.  They tell personal stories with heartfelt impact and we're back to Scenes From A Memory areas.  I'm far from absorbing this whole album but, this time, I really want to spend the time rather than fight through.  The songs breathe and flesh out to these lengths rather than being filled with waste.  I hardly remember and extended instrumental passage.  Also, when it's heavy it's heavy but there's no machismo.  It's natural.

I suppose that's a choppy assessment but it's early.  I'm just glad that I'm enjoying this so early on.

[Hellboy]

There's just something about Black Clouds and Silver Linings that put its above Systematic Chaos, which was a great album in it's own right. It could be the overall vibe of the album, it seems a bit more focused for some reason. I don't want to analyze it too much, but I sure enjoy it!

Mak, Did you get the 3CD special edition or just the regular one?

[mak28]

The special edition.  I'm really disappointed that the book is glued in.  I heard that's not the case for all of them but I'm a lyric reader and it's a huge bother!

[Klschmann]

Agreed, I like this album a lot.  Much more than SC and 8to already.  It's too early for me to tell where it lands in the catalog, but I haven't enjoyed a DT like this out of the gate in ages.

I just got the regular 1 disc version.  I'd probably never bother with the intstrumental and would listen to the covers once. 

[Firefarter]

i stiil have this in the queue,i'll try to listen to it tonight.

[mak28]

I just got the regular 1 disc version.  I'd probably never bother with the intstrumental and would listen to the covers once. 

Jewel case?  I'd like to have a separate book.

I'm an instrumental nerd when it comes to albums I enjoy (don't like instrumentals in general).  I've been listening to the album instrumentally all morning.  I like to hear and absorb everything.

[Klschmann]

Yeah, it's a jewel case.

I thought I'd like it that way too, but once I hear songs with vocals over them I just can't get into the intstumental versions.

It is a cool idea for super fans though, I'd probably love it if Maiden did that.

[Venom]

I like the album but damn those 2 16+ minute songs are just 2 long....

[Pelata]

I wanted to buy this while at the beach...but alas, I did not...will buy it on Friday since I'm off work again for July 4.

[Hellboy]

Aside from the music itself, I really dig the cover artwork on this latest DT platter.
I'm really starting to regret not getting the limited box set...

[Pelata]

I love the album...so dark and heavy in places...my son commented how far removed it was from I&W and he's right...I love the way James sings the songs and I love the vibe of the album as a whole..."Wither" is awesome!

[concussed]

glad to see the good reviews.  I bought it yesterday and will finally get around to playing it later today...

[Bleak]

I have had many Dream Theater rants during the last few years, (on message boards and in e-mails with V), but that's only because they used to be one of my favourite bands.

     After Six Degrees.....they seemed to forget how to write "songs". They collectively entered a Look-How-Awesomely-We-Can-Play-Our-Instruments phase. I mean, they are probably the most talented band on the planet, (with the exception of Labrie), and they can shred with the best of them. But for me, there's not a single memorable track on the last three albums before this latest one.

    I was expecting to be disappointed when I bought Black Clouds but thankfully I was not. This sounds like the DT I used to worship, but even more talented. And they are writing songs again! And the super-long tunes don't seem long at all which is the sign of truly good "long songs".

[Pelata]

With the exception of LaBrie?? The man is a fantastic vocalist...

[mak28]

     After Six Degrees.....they seemed to forget how to write "songs". They collectively entered a Look-How-Awesomely-We-Can-Play-Our-Instruments phase. I mean, they are probably the most talented band on the planet, (with the exception of Labrie), and they can shred with the best of them. But for me, there's not a single memorable track on the last three albums before this latest one.

    I was expecting to be disappointed when I bought Black Clouds but thankfully I was not. This sounds like the DT I used to worship, but even more talented. And they are writing songs again! And the super-long tunes don't seem long at all which is the sign of truly good "long songs".

I'm not getting into the Labrie thing again but I agree with everything above to some degree.  I did think there were some great songs on those albums but the emphasis on playing was cranked way up!  The new album does have songs and they are very well written.