I love this album because it's not very long like the previous album. I'm sure James LaBrie was playing basketball during the recording sessions, like 20 years before.
Didn't bring anything new to the table? This was THE album that brought new stuff. Interesting vocals melodies. The music is cool and different. Fucking awesome album
We''ll have to agree to disagree on that one. Untethered Angel sounds like A Change Of Seasons + Outcry to me. Pale Blue Dot sounds like Illumination Theory. And then we have the obligatory "sounds like Rush" song: Barstool Warrior. I couldn't get into this album on account of my personal beef with the band, lots of vocal processing, and things that reminded me too much of past albums.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 I have my own thoughts on Distance over Time, but instead of saying Untethered Angel sounds like A Change of Seasons + Outcry, I would take notice how Untethered Angel has similarities with Haken, remember when you said the Brother Can you Hear Me motif sounds like Hemispheres? Well, with Untethered Angel, the songs Pareidolia at 3:43 and Nocturnal Conspiracy with the whole “I believe your conspiracy” part at 2:34 sound so similar, so I consider that the red flag of running out of creativity.
@@MassRefluxI thought I was the only one who notices the hemispheres ripoff. It was blatant. The entire idea of Ass-tonishing was a 2112 ripoff anyway. I’m sure you covered that too
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139what are you talking about. This is the same band 😂😂. If you think unthetered song like change of season, what about Metallica song? Every song and album have similar root and chord i think 😂😂
NOT AN ARGUMENT, and I actually don't have much spare time on my hands. Sunday night going into Monday morning is pretty much the only time when I'm not doing backbreaking labor. The sound clips you hear in the video were made by me several years ago. And I found the LaBrie interview because a news article about it popped up on my phone a couple years ago. P.S. The term "conspiracy theory" was popularized by the CIA to smear anyone who thought freely about the Kennedy Assassination.
If I remember correctly, there was a video on the band’s Facebook that had someone (I think JP) say that everyone contributed to the songwriting. We know that this is true but James appears to be exaggerating the amount of work he put in on D/T. I’m also a huge DT fan but this album did have some major hits and misses. At best, the album is a nice release from the sour taste that was The Astonishing and I don’t mind hearing it all in one sitting. At worst, it does make me wish that some of the lyrics were far more grounded and not just word flexing (Untethered Angel, Fall into the Light,...)
any thoughts on The Alien? I personally find it to be the typical present-day DT oxymoron of interesting riffs coupled with underwhelming vocal melodies.
Can't understand why JLB is still in DT. He just gave up being a true performer. Lip syncing is the final straw. Clearly, MP was the only guy who had enough balls to confront and put him in his place. After MP left, JLB just gave up and so JP. To be honest, JP is just letting it go...No one is happy in this band besides JLB.
For the first part,the vocals where modernized for a more of a commercial attempt like pull me under,another day and take the time were.But other things you pointed out in this video,i'm with you,brother.
I can't understand how you don't like this album bro, I have to wonder if you've given it a proper chance. I tried a bunch of times to listen to 'the Astonishing ' but could never get into it, but one day something clicked & I loved that album to death. It's clear you must of loved DT at some point. But it seems your so critical of them now that I don't know why you bother listening to them at all. Some of your criticism is so petty, especially regarding their live performances. In regards to distance over time, If you haven't listened to the solo in 'at wits end' I'd highly recommend it, & maybe listen to barstool warrior.
I haven't considered myself a fan since 2018. I was already growing weary of them in 2013, kept YouTubing about them because I had an audience I didn't want to throw away. The dishonesty seemingly never ends with this band and its audience.
Maybe. But my interest in Dream Theater is also at the lowest it's ever been since listening to them the first time in high school. There's absolutely nothing that could ever make me like this band again.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 Just focus on their classic/older stuff man. If the new era angers you that much, just stay away from it. I loved a lot of the material on DT you used to upload before it was endless videos on James LaBrie, but eh, whatever, you do you
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 much to the dismay of Nikko I’d imagine, I speak as someone who’s more generous thinking with modern Dream Theater albums, you’re not missing out on much here, Mangini has some action going on, but the song in general is bland, even Become the Knight thinks so, I’ll also add James’s voice sounds processed more than ever, and the lyrics could of been better eloquent in my eyes, needless to say, I’m disappointed, maybe I’ll think different with the other songs coming up on the new album, but yeah, I don’t think you’re missing out on much, so don’t worry.
Hey is there any links where I can watch any of your old uploads? You had some gems that I still cannot find to this day. I’ve been dying to hear The Moon version of Wait for Sleep. Can’t find it anywhere
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 Noo it wasn’t a live performance. I remember you saying in the description that you weren’t even sure if it was Kevin playing this piece. It was some original piece called “Moon” or an artist of the same name, if memory serves me right. It transitions into Wait for Sleep toward the end of the song. It was an excellent version and it’s been eluding me for years
Glad you're back after such a long time. Still waiting for another Labrie fail compilation, tho. I remember not long ago i was searching for recent shows to see wether he got better or not and got to see the "labrie it's time to go 'home'" video. Check it out of you haven't, i mean all of you who still think Labrie is still capable of singing in not just DT but any band. A nice side by side of re-recorded shows versus the live version would be nice as well. We musicians can easily tell when the performance is not live but there are people who im sure still thinks score or luna park dvds are the actual live vocal performances.
Good to hear from you. I put up another blog article today too: mrdreamtheater2retirementmessage.blogspot.com/2021/04/odds-ends-astonishing-character.html
I don't think another LaBrie fail compilation is necessary. In fact, I'm pretty much done criticizing him now unless he manages to do other shit that's stupid. Next video is probably going to be about Rudess.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 nah, i mean just for fun. Theres always the "i saw them the other time and james sounded great" or the "james is back" crap. Just have it in mind. Still looking forward to whatever it is you post bro
the problem is there are Labrie fans who still genuinely find enjoyment in his squawking even if he outright sounds like crap, perfect examples of these are 1.) him singing Portnoy's parts in A Nightmare to Remember especially his high pitched scream in "By the grace of God above, everyone's ALIIIIIIEYYEAAAAAAHHH!!" 2.) the Learning to Live F5(not F#5 since it was downtuned) in 2017 that sounds so painful to listen to. At the end of the day, they'll keep on saying "HE'S BACK!" I guess they haven't outgrown the "screaming-high-notes-makes-everything-sound-good" phase or their standards for a good singer is just crap.
I decided to revise some articles because I got two, somewhat legitimate, privacy complaints from people who were friendly with me at one point. Problem is, because I barely give a fuck about Dream Theater nowadays, it's taking me a while to summon up the energy to do it.
This album has a few good songs. My favorite is At Wit’s End. Really has a great “classic dream theater” sound while still sounding very new. But live, Petrucci can’t play the intro. It sounds so clean in the studio, constant fast 16th notes, but live it just sounds messy imo
As someone who regards A Dramatic Turn of Events, DT and The Astonishing, my 3 least favourite DT albums. I'd argue Distance Over Time was not only far better than all of them, but better than Black Clouds and Silver Linings, better than Systematic Chaos, better than Octavarium, better than their newest album A View From the Top of the World, and better than Train of Thought, possibly also better than Falling into Infinity, so I'd recommend giving it a fair shot. This album for me was a massive return to form and I'd give it an 8.5/10. I'd rank order the tracks from favourite to least favourite like this personally... 1. Pale Blue Dot 2. Room 137 3. Barstool Warrior 4. S2N 5. At Wits End 6. Paralyzed 7. Out of Reach 8. Viper King 9. Fall Into the Light 10. Untethered Angel I'm more certain on the order for bottom five, but those top 5 I could see in any order, I change preference for them all the time because they're all genuinely great tunes.
@@argoperdana6823 No, and that's mainly on account of LaBrie. His vocals have gotten worse and worse since 2014-2015. The Astonishing and Distance Over Time were both bursting with pitch correction, and I have zero desire to listen to fake vocals.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 I have to agree on this one, though. LaBrie's voice deteriorates really badly. On other note, about Mangini, do you still hate him after the dull sounding drums on The Astonishing? I mean, the drumming on Distance Over Time and their newest album is kinda epic...
@@argoperdana6823 I remember him sounding better on Distance Over Time than the previous two records. I have never "hated" Mangini to the same extent as LaBrie. I think Mangini is a talented, but unfortunately, submissive, person who got completely screwed over by Petrucci, Rudess, and Richard Chycki.
The album was ok. But James ruined it on this one. Even Astonishing and S/T didnt have vocals this bad and compressed. I mean this guy must have something on the guys for them to keep him. I cannot believe JP and the others cant see how much of a fucking traiwreck JLB has been for the last decade.
From what I hear, it stems from Dream Theater's business contract. They all hold stock in the "company" in accordance with how long they've been in the band, and LaBrie would have to voluntarily sell his stock to leave, or something like that. Even then, the saying "where there's a will, there's a way" applies here. Petrucci could have found a way to get rid of LaBrie if he really wanted to. Kevin Moore violated his contract by leaving DT when he owed the record company several more albums.
I think that JP is doing everything to put James in front of the harsh reality (eg by organizing an unsustainable tour based on I&W, or by insisting on the formula "An evening with" based on 3-hours-gigs for 3 nights a week) in order to convince him to leave the band. Maybe Petrucci hopes that, sooner or later, James will say "I could stand anymore, i quit", finally leaving DT the chance to replace him with a better singer. Why JP would do this? Because I am pretty sure that both him and the rest of the band are perfectly aware of James' conditions, but that they simply cannot fire him for contractual conditions (as TRRM said before) and even to prevent the fanboy audience from revolt against them. The only way out of this situation is to put James on the spot; if James quits, there will be no legal issue and nobody could say that the band fired him. But I don't know if this would ever happen: JLB seems to live in a world of tantasy where he's still a good singer (do you remember his solo tour planned in 2018 and totally disappared?), he lacks the self-critical spirit, he rejects criticism, he continues to defend himself with the excuse "that night I was sick". Meanwhile, he keep forcing the band to use autotune on studio album and overdub vocal tracks on DVDs. Furthermore, James knows very well that, if he'd leave the band, this could imply the immediate return of Mike Portnoy...and of course, he wouldn't allow this to happen, because we know that they hate each other.
@@albertandrew1183 You're forgetting about Petrucci's statement in the Rick Beatoff interview where he says he doesn't have a problem with JLB's singing.
I love this album because it's not very long like the previous album.
I'm sure James LaBrie was playing basketball during the recording sessions, like 20 years before.
I need this version of Wait For Sleep now :D
Yeah,sound good and kinda melancholic
@@loganmars8333 DT fanboys say I have no musical aptitude because I call attention to JLB's lack of musical aptitude.
The Bridges in the Sky reprise is pretty interesting too, very baroque sounding
Labrie is well known for exaggerating his musical contributions lol
Didn't bring anything new to the table? This was THE album that brought new stuff. Interesting vocals melodies. The music is cool and different. Fucking awesome album
Agreed
We''ll have to agree to disagree on that one. Untethered Angel sounds like A Change Of Seasons + Outcry to me. Pale Blue Dot sounds like Illumination Theory. And then we have the obligatory "sounds like Rush" song: Barstool Warrior. I couldn't get into this album on account of my personal beef with the band, lots of vocal processing, and things that reminded me too much of past albums.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 I have my own thoughts on Distance over Time, but instead of saying Untethered Angel sounds like A Change of Seasons + Outcry, I would take notice how Untethered Angel has similarities with Haken, remember when you said the Brother Can you Hear Me motif sounds like Hemispheres? Well, with Untethered Angel, the songs Pareidolia at 3:43 and Nocturnal Conspiracy with the whole “I believe your conspiracy” part at 2:34 sound so similar, so I consider that the red flag of running out of creativity.
@@MassRefluxI thought I was the only one who notices the hemispheres ripoff. It was blatant. The entire idea of Ass-tonishing was a 2112 ripoff anyway. I’m sure you covered that too
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139what are you talking about. This is the same band 😂😂. If you think unthetered song like change of season, what about Metallica song? Every song and album have similar root and chord i think 😂😂
Jeebuz, you have a lot of time. This is some conspiracy theory level shit.
NOT AN ARGUMENT, and I actually don't have much spare time on my hands. Sunday night going into Monday morning is pretty much the only time when I'm not doing backbreaking labor. The sound clips you hear in the video were made by me several years ago. And I found the LaBrie interview because a news article about it popped up on my phone a couple years ago.
P.S. The term "conspiracy theory" was popularized by the CIA to smear anyone who thought freely about the Kennedy Assassination.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 please can you send me your version of Wait For Sleep? 😍
If I remember correctly, there was a video on the band’s Facebook that had someone (I think JP) say that everyone contributed to the songwriting. We know that this is true but James appears to be exaggerating the amount of work he put in on D/T. I’m also a huge DT fan but this album did have some major hits and misses. At best, the album is a nice release from the sour taste that was The Astonishing and I don’t mind hearing it all in one sitting. At worst, it does make me wish that some of the lyrics were far more grounded and not just word flexing (Untethered Angel, Fall into the Light,...)
any thoughts on The Alien? I personally find it to be the typical present-day DT oxymoron of interesting riffs coupled with underwhelming vocal melodies.
Can't understand why JLB is still in DT. He just gave up being a true performer. Lip syncing is the final straw. Clearly, MP was the only guy who had enough balls to confront and put him in his place. After MP left, JLB just gave up and so JP. To be honest, JP is just letting it go...No one is happy in this band besides JLB.
I doubt even LaBrie is happy. He's the one who makes a fool out of himself with his live singing, and has to deal with the online blowback from it.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 JLB thinks he's untouchable...Mangini is like a trophy for him.
That version of Wait For Sleep at 2:09 is awesome where did you find it?
I made that several years ago. Remember: DT fanboys claim I have no musical talent because I dare to question LaBrie's "talent."
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 please share this
For the first part,the vocals where modernized for a more of a commercial attempt like pull me under,another day and take the time were.But other things you pointed out in this video,i'm with you,brother.
I can't understand how you don't like this album bro, I have to wonder if you've given it a proper chance. I tried a bunch of times to listen to 'the Astonishing ' but could never get into it, but one day something clicked & I loved that album to death.
It's clear you must of loved DT at some point. But it seems your so critical of them now that I don't know why you bother listening to them at all. Some of your criticism is so petty, especially regarding their live performances.
In regards to distance over time, If you haven't listened to the solo in 'at wits end' I'd highly recommend it, & maybe listen to barstool warrior.
None of what you said pertains to the topic of the video: LaBrie lied
Dream theater hate channel hasn't uploaded in a while
The point being what exactly?
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 That we have a sliver of hope you’ve finally put your creative energy to good use.
Thank's for your truth and work again,man!
You're the real Dream Theater fan,not a stupid fanatic that love everything with this logo.
I haven't considered myself a fan since 2018. I was already growing weary of them in 2013, kept YouTubing about them because I had an audience I didn't want to throw away. The dishonesty seemingly never ends with this band and its audience.
1:10
What's the song?
The mechanical snare makes me think it's from Mangini's era.
Bridges in the Sky.
Mangini better than Portnoy...
Great videos as usual! Any instance of bringing back "Black Queens and Silver Disco Balls"?
Maybe. But my interest in Dream Theater is also at the lowest it's ever been since listening to them the first time in high school. There's absolutely nothing that could ever make me like this band again.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 Just focus on their classic/older stuff man. If the new era angers you that much, just stay away from it. I loved a lot of the material on DT you used to upload before it was endless videos on James LaBrie, but eh, whatever, you do you
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 You should make the Rudess exposé video
Is the song at the beginning Lie but pitch shifted?
what's ur opinion on the new single?
Haven't listened to it and don't give a shit.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 no need to get aggressive. you should at least give it a listen
@@swaggedup6934 Nah
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 ur loss! Mike Mangini's rhythms are crazy
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 much to the dismay of Nikko I’d imagine, I speak as someone who’s more generous thinking with modern Dream Theater albums, you’re not missing out on much here, Mangini has some action going on, but the song in general is bland, even Become the Knight thinks so, I’ll also add James’s voice sounds processed more than ever, and the lyrics could of been better eloquent in my eyes, needless to say, I’m disappointed, maybe I’ll think different with the other songs coming up on the new album, but yeah, I don’t think you’re missing out on much, so don’t worry.
Nothing new to the table? Pale blue Dot is nothing new to the table?
smells like hate spirit
Pale Blue Dot sounds way too much like Illumination Theory to me.
Hey is there any links where I can watch any of your old uploads? You had some gems that I still cannot find to this day. I’ve been dying to hear The Moon version of Wait for Sleep. Can’t find it anywhere
Are you talking about Moon Bubbles? There are several versions of that on TH-cam, for example, this one: th-cam.com/video/yavNZtbYLQI/w-d-xo.html
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 Noo it wasn’t a live performance. I remember you saying in the description that you weren’t even sure if it was Kevin playing this piece. It was some original piece called “Moon” or an artist of the same name, if memory serves me right. It transitions into Wait for Sleep toward the end of the song. It was an excellent version and it’s been eluding me for years
@@Zelda12592 I know what you're talking about now. No, it's not Moore. It's a fan recording. I'll have to look around on my old hard drives for it.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 Dude I would be forever grateful if you managed to find that hahaha
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139did you found this
Glad you're back after such a long time. Still waiting for another Labrie fail compilation, tho. I remember not long ago i was searching for recent shows to see wether he got better or not and got to see the "labrie it's time to go 'home'" video. Check it out of you haven't, i mean all of you who still think Labrie is still capable of singing in not just DT but any band. A nice side by side of re-recorded shows versus the live version would be nice as well. We musicians can easily tell when the performance is not live but there are people who im sure still thinks score or luna park dvds are the actual live vocal performances.
Good to hear from you. I put up another blog article today too: mrdreamtheater2retirementmessage.blogspot.com/2021/04/odds-ends-astonishing-character.html
I don't think another LaBrie fail compilation is necessary. In fact, I'm pretty much done criticizing him now unless he manages to do other shit that's stupid. Next video is probably going to be about Rudess.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 nah, i mean just for fun. Theres always the "i saw them the other time and james sounded great" or the "james is back" crap. Just have it in mind. Still looking forward to whatever it is you post bro
the problem is there are Labrie fans who still genuinely find enjoyment in his squawking even if he outright sounds like crap, perfect examples of these are 1.) him singing Portnoy's parts in A Nightmare to Remember especially his high pitched scream in "By the grace of God above, everyone's ALIIIIIIEYYEAAAAAAHHH!!" 2.) the Learning to Live F5(not F#5 since it was downtuned) in 2017 that sounds so painful to listen to. At the end of the day, they'll keep on saying "HE'S BACK!" I guess they haven't outgrown the "screaming-high-notes-makes-everything-sound-good" phase or their standards for a good singer is just crap.
@@mr.sidecomments9278 The people who defend LaBrie do so mostly out of pity.
Hey man how do I get access to your blog?
I decided to revise some articles because I got two, somewhat legitimate, privacy complaints from people who were friendly with me at one point. Problem is, because I barely give a fuck about Dream Theater nowadays, it's taking me a while to summon up the energy to do it.
Where do you get these beautiful remixes of classic DT?
The background music I mean
This album has a few good songs. My favorite is At Wit’s End. Really has a great “classic dream theater” sound while still sounding very new. But live, Petrucci can’t play the intro. It sounds so clean in the studio, constant fast 16th notes, but live it just sounds messy imo
As someone who regards A Dramatic Turn of Events, DT and The Astonishing, my 3 least favourite DT albums. I'd argue Distance Over Time was not only far better than all of them, but better than Black Clouds and Silver Linings, better than Systematic Chaos, better than Octavarium, better than their newest album A View From the Top of the World, and better than Train of Thought, possibly also better than Falling into Infinity, so I'd recommend giving it a fair shot. This album for me was a massive return to form and I'd give it an 8.5/10. I'd rank order the tracks from favourite to least favourite like this personally...
1. Pale Blue Dot
2. Room 137
3. Barstool Warrior
4. S2N
5. At Wits End
6. Paralyzed
7. Out of Reach
8. Viper King
9. Fall Into the Light
10. Untethered Angel
I'm more certain on the order for bottom five, but those top 5 I could see in any order, I change preference for them all the time because they're all genuinely great tunes.
He says the song. Not the album on interview i hearing in audio you shared. What song? Not the album i think
Now do one for A View From The Top Of The World
Haven't even listened to that album and have no intention to.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 so, you don't have an open mind anymore, when it comes to DT?
@@argoperdana6823 No, and that's mainly on account of LaBrie. His vocals have gotten worse and worse since 2014-2015. The Astonishing and Distance Over Time were both bursting with pitch correction, and I have zero desire to listen to fake vocals.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 I have to agree on this one, though. LaBrie's voice deteriorates really badly. On other note, about Mangini, do you still hate him after the dull sounding drums on The Astonishing? I mean, the drumming on Distance Over Time and their newest album is kinda epic...
@@argoperdana6823 I remember him sounding better on Distance Over Time than the previous two records. I have never "hated" Mangini to the same extent as LaBrie. I think Mangini is a talented, but unfortunately, submissive, person who got completely screwed over by Petrucci, Rudess, and Richard Chycki.
dude.... labrie and others member were to old to in best performance.... they are your grandfather.... not your father.... understand that brooooo
The album was ok. But James ruined it on this one. Even Astonishing and S/T didnt have vocals this bad and compressed. I mean this guy must have something on the guys for them to keep him. I cannot believe JP and the others cant see how much of a fucking traiwreck JLB has been for the last decade.
From what I hear, it stems from Dream Theater's business contract. They all hold stock in the "company" in accordance with how long they've been in the band, and LaBrie would have to voluntarily sell his stock to leave, or something like that. Even then, the saying "where there's a will, there's a way" applies here. Petrucci could have found a way to get rid of LaBrie if he really wanted to. Kevin Moore violated his contract by leaving DT when he owed the record company several more albums.
@@theravenskillrebelmilitia139 So? Portnoy had to do this too?
@@necroplastful Yes, Portnoy sold his stocks when he quit Dream Theater.
I think that JP is doing everything to put James in front of the harsh reality (eg by organizing an unsustainable tour based on I&W, or by insisting on the formula "An evening with" based on 3-hours-gigs for 3 nights a week) in order to convince him to leave the band. Maybe Petrucci hopes that, sooner or later, James will say "I could stand anymore, i quit", finally leaving DT the chance to replace him with a better singer.
Why JP would do this? Because I am pretty sure that both him and the rest of the band are perfectly aware of James' conditions, but that they simply cannot fire him for contractual conditions (as TRRM said before) and even to prevent the fanboy audience from revolt against them. The only way out of this situation is to put James on the spot; if James quits, there will be no legal issue and nobody could say that the band fired him.
But I don't know if this would ever happen: JLB seems to live in a world of tantasy where he's still a good singer (do you remember his solo tour planned in 2018 and totally disappared?), he lacks the self-critical spirit, he rejects criticism, he continues to defend himself with the excuse "that night I was sick". Meanwhile, he keep forcing the band to use autotune on studio album and overdub vocal tracks on DVDs.
Furthermore, James knows very well that, if he'd leave the band, this could imply the immediate return of Mike Portnoy...and of course, he wouldn't allow this to happen, because we know that they hate each other.
@@albertandrew1183 You're forgetting about Petrucci's statement in the Rick Beatoff interview where he says he doesn't have a problem with JLB's singing.