YTSEJAM Digest 546
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) re:YTSEJAM digest 542
by "james (j.) wolf" <jwolf@bnr.ca>
2) Re: I've awakened...
by EMRST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu
3) Re: Picks and Quotes!!
by EMRST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu
4) Awake
by "Jason K. Schechner" <jks2x@fermi.clas.virginia.edu>
5) RE: Keys questions on Awake
by freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU
6) RE: DT is DT
by freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU
7) Awake!!!
by Kaoru Kobayashi <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp>
8) Re: your mail
by William Wright <wwright@galaxy.galstar.com>
9) Re: New Queensryche single on the radio!
by William Wright <wwright@galaxy.galstar.com>
10) DT keys
by Jens Johansson <jens@panix.com>
11) Martens on Angels...
by Hailey <pass@u.washington.edu>
12) Mirror
by MikeP81576@aol.com
13) Kevin questions
by MikeP81576@aol.com
14) Re: Who's Cassandra?
by mike.masi@chowda.com (Mike Masi)
15) 6:00 interpreted
by HOCHBERG@ALBNYVMS.BITNET
16) DT FAQ!
by Diamante <oq001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu>
17) Re: YTSEJAM digest 545
by Christopher Taylor Oates <aspect@cats.ucsc.edu>
18) Awake Hits
by Christopher Taylor Oates <aspect@cats.ucsc.edu>
19) New Queensryche CD (pointer)
by "Dan Birchall" <birchall@pilot.njin.net>
20) Wicked counterpoint
by HOCHBERG@ALBNYVMS.BITNET
21) a few things
by Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
22) Re: DT is DT
by Douglas Merrell <merrell@xi.cs.fsu.edu>
23) Re: I've awakened...
by freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU
24) Re: SDV samples
by AirDance@aol.com
25) Re: DT is DT
by Godsize@aol.com
26) HELP
by Rossy the Psychocat <bjross@mailbox.syr.edu>
27) Awake Reviews
by <jeremy@grove.ufl.edu>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Topic No. 1
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 11:57:00 -0500
From: "james (j.) wolf" <jwolf@bnr.ca>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: re:YTSEJAM digest 542
Message-ID: <"5592 Fri Oct 7 12:57:22 1994"@bnr.ca>
In message "Vai's "Still My Bleeding Heart", James Studnicki writes:
>
> Listen to the chord changes right before the solo -- simply masterful.
> Unbelievably cool lyrics. Oh yeah -- to the guy that said Bozzio and
> Stevens were just acting as "hired guns," check out their playing on this
> song, especially Bozzio's drumming during the solo. I don't think anyone
> can call that "holding back."
Giving these guys a spot here and there to show off there chops is hardly the
same as letting them put their input into each and every song. Steve Vai is
clearly in control of this whole album. With DT, each musician makes their
presence felt in almost every song where it is called for. You can tell that
when these songs were being developed that, for example, even though John P.
might have written a particular song, the other guys pretty much had there say
as to how they were going to play their parts. On "Sex and Religion",
the songs are extremely guitar oriented and Vai more or less (to my ear)
dictates where Bozzio and Stevens can go off and where they should just lay
down a groove. (90% of this album is just laying down a straight ahead
groove-the example you picked in "Still My Bleeding Heart is part of the other
10%).
----------------
Wolfman
------------------------------
Topic No. 2
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 1994 17:48:21 -0500 (EST)
From: EMRST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: I've awakened...
Message-ID: <01HI04ZF5L7SASE7QJ@vms.cis.pitt.edu>
Will someone please post the script of the sample from boxing helena, since
everyone is now sure that that's where its from.
KAI
------------------------------
Topic No. 3
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 1994 17:55:33 -0500 (EST)
From: EMRST2@vms.cis.pitt.edu
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: Picks and Quotes!!
Message-ID: <01HI051E4AF2ASE7QJ@vms.cis.pitt.edu>
> Hey, I was just really wondering if any of you guys out there know what
>lines are being sampled in SDV? I could swear I've heard them from some movie,
>but I'm just not completely sure!! Also, when I bought my AWAKE copy the other
>night, I got a really cool AWAKE guitar pick!! Did all of the rest of you
>receive one as well? Good gimmick, I'd say,
Yeah, I got a couple actually, but I gave the extras to my friends. If I
decide to ever step foot in the shop again, I'll see if they have any
leftovers. They dicked the Awake listening party pretty bad and I was pissed,
but I really don't want to get in to it. The pick is cool though. I also got
a couple of postcards with the Awake cover on it, advertising the listening
party. I have one extra, and I might possibly give it away, depending on my
mood.
KAI
ps (Mike B.) - I'm talking about Eide's. They fucked us bad. I'll never buy
there again. Do you have the postcard?
------------------------------
Topic No. 4
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 18:34:38 -0400
From: "Jason K. Schechner" <jks2x@fermi.clas.virginia.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Awake
Message-ID: <199410072234.SAA149954@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU>
Jeff: Yeah, I hear the TV noise too, and the first time it
freaked me out because I was listening to it in the car! I had to
drive about an hour or so to find the CD and on the way back I was
listening to SDV and heard that "TV noise" which surprised me because
I didn't hear it on the tape. Actually, I think it's an
oscillator circuit, not capacitors, but that's just what I've been
told. Funny thing is that my brothers and I can hear it, though my
parents can't. Strange.
Matthias hit it on the head when he said that scientists
should listen to what they want. I'm a computer scientist (in fact,
that's my job title) by profession, even though I have a degree in
chemistry. You'd never guess that by looking at me, though: Long
hair and earrings don't exactly fit with the stereotype, but I like it
that way. Don't let stereotypes color your judgement of others,
folks. That's not what music is about, especially great music like
DT's. As James just said "Does this voice the words of your soul?"
Sorry to be going on like this, but I'm in that kind of mood.
Back to listening to Awake....
-Jason
PS: Anyone else think that last little thing after CiaW is really cool?
------------------------------
Topic No. 5
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 1994 20:10:20 C
From: freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: RE: Keys questions on Awake
Message-ID: <009859A7.EB5A64C0.11691@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU>
>Okay, I may be way off on this first one, but it sounds to me like the
>first solo on 6:00 (right before the "The pain inside coming outside"
>part is keyboards. It is a bit "grittier" than kev's normal solos, but
>something about it keeps me thinking keyboards... Any other opinions?
Yes, that WAS keyboards.... so was the first melody that comes in over drums...
I didn't catch it until the 2nd time I listened to it, but I have a feeling a
lot of people don't realize that this song really has a lot of keys in it. I
think it's one of Kev's better key solos, actually....
> ~Chris
from another Chris.... :)
------------------------------
Topic No. 6
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 1994 20:35:22 C
From: freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: RE: DT is DT
Message-ID: <009859AB.6AB44B20.11693@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU>
>Did anyone else notice how in GFTPM how they said that the song writing in
>SDV was just silly? That really pissed me off. Cracking on Kev like that.
> As we all know he is great. Did this make anyone else mad?
Yeah, well, Guitar also review the new Savatage in the same issue, and they
basically said it sucked... They thought one of the "Hot Spots" was "Nothing
Going On", which is the most juvenile song on the whole album (simple lyrics,
very un complex music); it sounds like something written to show off Skolnick's
playing rather than be a real song. It sticks out like a sore thumb on an
otherwise good disc...
The best part is, someone else wrote a big article on Skolnick in the same
issue, and it praises his work on the album.
Don't worry, their reviews are shitty anyway... just giving their stupid
1-listen opinions without mentioning why something doesn't sound good to them.
I think that dork felt he could take cheap shots at Kev because he's not with
DT anymore, and because there was actually a good song where the guitar really
wasn't a driving force. Heh... I bet Petrucci would like to have some words
with that guy, as would quite a few of us! :^)
------------------------------
Topic No. 7
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 1994 10:19:00 +0900
From: Kaoru Kobayashi <GCH06672@niftyserve.or.jp>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Awake!!!
Message-ID: <199410080143.KAA02688@inetnif.niftyserve.or.jp>
Hi!!
I'm going to send Awake Japanese Edition on 11th. I will be very busy so I
won't be able to post here about it soon then, but I will surely send them
on 11th.
By the Way, I got my Awake!!!
I have no time to write my opinion for all songs on Awake now, but I would
like to say : AWAKE is marvelous!!! Some songs are still difficult to
understand, however, Awake appeals to me so much. I think I will love it
more after listening to it for several times.(When I first heard I&W, I
couldn't understand Metropolis or UaGM, but finally I became loving its.)
About the bonus track, Eve, it's studio / band version.
It is very similar to on DoE, but there are no sampling words from Joyce's
novel. Just played by 5 members of DT.... It touched me deeply. I remained
Kev is no longer with DT and I felt very sad again... Eve is so beautiful,
a little sadly, and brightly song.
Later,
***********************************************************************
* " If spirit's a sign, then it's only a matter of time. " *
* Kaoru Kobayashi gch06672@niftyserve.or.jp (from Japan) *
***********************************************************************
------------------------------
Topic No. 8
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 22:46:05 -0500 (CDT)
From: William Wright <wwright@galaxy.galstar.com>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: your mail
Message-ID: <199410080346.WAA15378@galaxy.galstar.com>
> In that order,
>
> 1) _The Promised Land_
> 2) "I am I"
> 3) October 18 (Tuesday)
hmm... know anything else about it, like how many songs, song names,
total CD lenght, etc?
------------------------------
Topic No. 9
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 22:50:41 -0500 (CDT)
From: William Wright <wwright@galaxy.galstar.com>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: New Queensryche single on the radio!
Message-ID: <199410080350.WAA15403@galaxy.galstar.com>
> For those 'ryche fans that are wondering, the Queensryche album
> The Promised Land should be released October 18, with the first single
> I am I already released to radio. A few questions about this: Does anybody
> know anything about this album, like how long it is and if The Real World
> is on it? Also, has anyone seen a video for I am I yet?
The Real World? Like the MTV show or what?
------------------------------
Topic No. 10
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 94 12:52:10 GMT
From: Jens Johansson <jens@panix.com>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: DT keys
Message-ID: <199410080520.AA03604@panix.com>
>> I just got back from Tower Records in Paramus where I got Awake and
met the band. [...] Not a bad evening...I got Awake signed by all of
them, and WDADU signed by Portnoy, Petrucci, and Myung (right on their
picture). <<
Nice! :) One thing strikes me as I read this post: <whoever's playing
keyboards now> apparently doesn't get to participate in the in-stores,
videos, publicity pix, interviews, etc. It's interesting. In light of
this info, I can safely guess that life doing keys for DT would have
been pretty humiliating. (I mean, for me. Perhaps they figured as much..
(Probably would have been like playing with Yngwie actually, but without
the innocence of youth (and all the fun 80's Viking debauchery... :) ) )
Alas, with only four "full members" remaining each one gets 25% more of
the net income. If nothing else, it makes financial sense not to hire
someone permanently and make them a part of the band. (What I call the
"Metallica Move." :) Consequently, I wouldn't expect a real firm
replacement for Kevin until well after the tour in support of 'Awake' is
over with.
Just my $0.03... :)
------------------------------
Topic No. 11
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 21:12:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hailey <pass@u.washington.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Martens on Angels...
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9410072159.A39833-0100000@homer16.u.washington.edu>
I'm quite sure that the Martens referred to in SDV are Doc Martens (a
wildly popular heavy-soled shoe worn by kids, mostly of the alternative
persuasion)(I think they're rather ugly myself)(the shoes, that is).
This would make sense, IMN-S-HO, seeing as how he (Kevin) is leafing
through a magazine in the song.
Chris
*---* "I am a Rock, I am an Island" -- P.Simon
*
* R.Christopher Hailey *---* I am one who delights in ________*_*_*_
* pass@u.washington.edu *---* all manifestation of the ________ _ _ _'
* tfunster@aol.com *---* terpsichorean muse -- mp * * *
*
*---* "One must put up barriers To keep one's self intact" -- N.Peart
------------------------------
Topic No. 12
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 94 23:03:28 EDT
From: MikeP81576@aol.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Mirror
Message-ID: <9410072303.tn117113@aol.com>
> Now here is what I think about Puppies -> Mirror. When I 1st
> heard Puppies on the bootlegs as an into to Take the Time,
> I liked it. To me, it seemed like it was kind of a "joke" thing,
> kinda "making fun" of cheesy heavy metal stuff like Pantera or
> something.
Most people on the list seem to really get off on Mirror, but am I the only
one who agrees with the above? Kevin's keys at the start sound like
something out of a bad Vincent Price movie.
Mike
------------------------------
Topic No. 13
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 94 23:05:25 EDT
From: MikeP81576@aol.com
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Kevin questions
Message-ID: <9410072305.tn117216@aol.com>
Maybe it's a little premature to be bringing this up, but I hope it goes
without saying that if anyone hangs out with the band after the upcoming
shows, the band would probably love it if everyone would refrain from asking
100,000 questions about Kevin. I can just see them getting really sick of it
really quickly. Especially Kev's replacement.
I'm not trying to be a prick, but it just strikes me as the polite thing to
do.
Mike
------------------------------
Topic No. 14
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 1994 17:30:10 GMT
From: mike.masi@chowda.com (Mike Masi)
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: Who's Cassandra?
Message-ID: <9410072311281622@chowda.com>
> Maybe I'm just Cassandra fleeting
> Twentieth Century Icon Bleeding
> Anyone have a clue as to what this means? (religious? what)
Funny you should ask...
In my Literature class we are studying Homer's _Illiad_ (the
story about the Greeks vs. Trojans). In it, there
is reference to a Trojan named Cassandra, who is able to forsee
the future.
Take whatever inferences you want from that...
Mike
------------------------------
Topic No. 15
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 1994 03:06:43 -0400 (EDT)
From: HOCHBERG@ALBNYVMS.BITNET
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: 6:00 interpreted
Message-ID: <01HI0M1EYWCQ8WYML5@albnyvms.BITNET>
Thanks to a few suggestions from folks on this list, as well as a much closer
scrutiny of the lyrics, I've come to the unequivocal conclusion that "6:00" is
about Kev's disillusionment with DT and his subsequent split with the band.
I apologize if I'm re-hashing points which have already been made, but I've
deleted previous posts relating to this song after having read them once and
don't have them handy for proper reference. Sorry.
Line by line (almost), here we go:
Six o'clock the siren wakes him from a dream
The "siren" signifies some sort of emergency which demands that he take
immediate action. The "dream" is, quite obviously, Dream Theater.
Tries to sheke it off but it just won't stop
Can't find the strength but he's got promises to keep
And wood to chop before he sleeps
He'd like to stay in the band, but he's got this gnawing feeling that he
should be doing something else. He doesn't really know how he's gonna muster
the courage to leave the band, but he knows he has other goals to achieve
before his career/life is over.
I may never get over
but never's better than now
I've got bases to cover
He's _really_ disillusioned with his role in DT. He may never make it big,
but _anything's_ better than what he's doing now. He knows he has to move on.
He's in the parking lot
just sitting in his car
It's nine og in his car
ooooops... it's nine o'clock but he can't get out
He feels as though his career is stagnant if he stays with DT. Time keeps
moving along and it's becoming more difficult to leave the band.
He lights a cigarette
and turns the music down
but just can't seem to shake that sound
He tries to sit back and relax and forget about all the great experiences he's
had in DT, but he's still torn. He knows he's gotta move on. but he has
regrets.
Once I thought I'd get over
but it's too lat for me now
I've got bases to cover
He thought he'd be satisfied in DT, but it's obvious that he's not.
It's time to follow his calling...
Melody walks through the door
and memory flies out the window
And interesting twist on the old parable, "When money walks in the door, love
flies out the window". Hmmm. I'm not sure what to make of this. Maybe it's
flies out the window". Hmmm. I'm not sure what to make of this. Maybe it'ss
GODDAMN THIS EDITOR!!!
Maybe it's got something to do wih the new music he's got in his head, and
how it's helping him forget about his past achievements in DT... or perhaps
it's more literal in the sense that he's been spoiled by DT's success with
the last album, and how he's lost track of his real musical direction.
Or something like that.
and nobody knows what they want
till they finally let it all go
More ambivalence about leaving DT.
The pain inside
coming outside
It's beginning to affect his relationship with the rest of the band.
So many ways to drown a man
So manyt ways to drag him down
Some are fast and some take years and years
Some of his reasons for leaving are recent developments, but some have been
building for a long time...
Can't hear what he's saying when he's talking in his sleep
Finally found the sound but he's in too deep
The rest of the band didn't realize he was feeling this way, and now that
they know, it's even more difficult (?)
I could never get over
Is it too late for me now?
Feel like blowing my cover
Pretty self-explanatory.
But don't cut your losses too soon
'cause you'll only be cutting your throat
And answer a call while you still hear it all
'cause nobody will if you won't
More ambivalence. Don't quit DT, because even though you might not be as
happy as you might be on your own, it's a "sure thing". On the other hand,
don't remain trapped in a situation you don't wanna be in, because you only
live once, etc. etc. etc....
Flames are welcome!!! Sorry for all the typos... it's late and I've been
drinking :). By all means, tear apart my interpretation piece by piece.
I've surely over-paraphrased and jumped to many conclusions.
-- Jeff
------------------------------
Topic No. 16
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 03:08:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Diamante <oq001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: DT FAQ!
Message-ID: <199410080708.DAA19079@uhura.cc.rochester.edu>
Hi guys!
I'm a lurker but I've decided to come out! I would love for someone to
kindly send me the DT FAQ! I've misplaced mine! And about Awake, it's simply
incredible, I can't stop listening to it! Thanks!
Orlando oq001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
------------------------------
Topic No. 17
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 01:08:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Christopher Taylor Oates <aspect@cats.ucsc.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 545
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9410080044.A28816-0100000@am.ucsc.edu>
Why Awake someone asked?
Well, I don't see the album as dark on the whole, and certainly not all
awakenings are pleasant.
My takes, partially borrowed from other posts I've seen:
6:00
I don't get "lost of a loved one" from this at all. It's about someone
realizing too late that their life is not what it should be. Yes, the
metaphor used is someone stuck with a sound or a song, but to me that
"spng" could be any idea where you suddenly feel "Oh my god, what am I
doing _here_?" in your life. He finally finds the sound (realizes what
his life should be) but he's in too deep (cannot change)
A rude awakening
Caught In a Web
Realizing that one's life is a lie. Similar to 6:00 in a way, but rather
seeing what one's life should be specifically, more a realization that
the life lived is just a trap. "Tried to live the life you live and saw
it doesn't work for me" Quick analysis on my part...
Innocence faded
Fairly obvious, another rude awakening. SO far, the beginning is al
about coming into awareness of bad situations...
A Mind Beside Itself
THis seems to me to be sort of a spiritual inner awakening, kind of a
hybrid of Surrounded and Take the Time where "The netherworld which you
desire is only in your mind", but differnet, where TTT was about finding
what you need within, Voices is more about coming to realize that you
need to eventually escape your mind and become Awake and outside, which
leads to SIlent Man, I do think that the character "he" is the same for
these two, as the "victom of his woman, of his father" relates to the
first verses of Voices. It's still a bit beyond me now, but the
tranquility of SIlent man seems to indicate the acceptance needed in
voices and the awakening of something within.
Mirror
I'm not entirely clear on the structure of this. Is it that at first the
narrator thinks he is the victim, then realizes that he is the one who is
hurting or does the perspective shift in the song? I don't know... It
sounds like another coming into awareness fo something bad that has
happened...
Lie
THis also seems to be another dark song, but look at the last lyrics
beginning with ""I had gotten usd to being a soul destroyed She comes in
apparently to fill the void" it seems like a cynical person learning that
there is still good in the world. I don't know, but it doesn't seem as
dark as initially perceived.
Lifting SHadows off a Dream
Beside the Awakening like title, this really is about realizing that good
exists in "her". Like the concept album that people are hinting at, this
ties neatly in after Lie.
Scarred
I don't know how this could be considered a dark song with the last line
"I'm inspired and content" This is to me the end of the concept
developing with a reflection of what has happened since "The Mirror" and
coming out with a feeling that "Won't let them fill me with fatalistic
remedies" - he will not allow himself to be caught up in only seeing the
dark side.
SDV:
Yup, this one's dark. It doesn;t fit in with the rest of the awake
concept really, but it's Kev's farewell and I'm VERY glad to have it.
So, there seems to be 4 parts to Awake: The first 3 songs, about
realization of problems, AMBI, about awareness of one's self, the next 4,
more of an awakening of hope and SDV.
This is really just some thought, so don't worry about offending me if
you think it's crap. :)
~Chris
------------------------------
Topic No. 18
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 01:13:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Christopher Taylor Oates <aspect@cats.ucsc.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Awake Hits
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9410080111.A28816-0100000@am.ucsc.edu>
I don't think DT does anything to have it be a Hit Song, but one must
consider that the big hit of of I & W was Pull Me Under. Another Day
didn't get nearly the airplay PMU did. So it is more logical to assume
that the heavier songs 6:00 Lie and Web will be the hits as listed on the
sticker and Scarred is there because it is the "Extra" track on the CD.
just another few pennies for the pyre.
~Chris
------------------------------
Topic No. 19
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 94 5:47:46 EDT
From: "Dan Birchall" <birchall@pilot.njin.net>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: New Queensryche CD (pointer)
Message-ID: <CMM-RU.1.4.781609666.birchall@pilot.njin.net>
Patrick asks,
)> Does anybody know anything about this album, like how long it is and if
)> The Real World is on it?
The album is not very long - only about 45 minutes. 'Real World' is not
on it; it's entirely new material.
If you'd like to keep up with all the latest information on the album,
please subscribe to the Queensryche net-digest, "Screaming in Digital."
The subscription address is queensryche-request@pilot.njin.net, and the
next issue (coming out Monday) will have a lot of information on the
album and the individual songs on it. (I know, I'm the editor ;)
-Shag (it's rather a good album, by the way ;)
------------------------------
Topic No. 20
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 1994 05:18:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: HOCHBERG@ALBNYVMS.BITNET
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com
Subject: Wicked counterpoint
Message-ID: <01HI0SWSSVXU8WYII4@albnyvms.BITNET>
Check out that shit at the 5:29 point in "Erotomania"... sheesh!
Almost rivals that crazy-ass counterpoint in "Learning to Live".
Douw!!!
-- Jeff
------------------------------
Topic No. 21
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 10:46:51 -0500 (EDT)
From: Michael Burstin <mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu>
To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com (Ytsejam SERVER)
Subject: a few things
Message-ID: <199410081446.KAA11523@rasp.cs.brandeis.edu>
A few comments...
First off, while I don't have a copy of The Promised Land yet, I have
heard various things about it, varying from it sucks to it is
incredible, so we'll have to wait to make out own judgements. I do
know someone who has a bad generation copy, but he said that the
entire thing is only 47 mins :( I don't think that they are taking
the hint from DT... :)
Let's see, about the survey, I did mention Ytsejam in red pen while
filling the rest out in blue... they should see that :)
Ok, favorites... well, after listning to Awake for possibly the
better part of the past month, my favorites so far are Voices, Scarred
and SDV (count Erotomania as a long, incredible, intro to Voices).
Following that, Mirror, Caught In A Web, IF, LSoaD, Lie, SM, 6:00.
Finally, someone posted about the meaning of some songs... Just think
about Lie... Looking through, Kevin really did say alot about his
feelings in the band... "and I won't get out til I figure it out" and
"it's a hundred degrees, I can't breathe" Pretty strong thoughts
there with feelings about the band... (again, I could be full of BS,
but I am guessing that he wrote it about the band... )
-- +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Let's stare the problem right in the eye | | It's plagued me from coast to coast | | Racing the clock to please everyone | | All but the one who matters the most | | Dream Theater The Mirror Awake | | Get AWAKEned. Available in stores everywhere!!! | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Michael Burstin Brandeis University | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ For info about Dream Theater, finger mikeb@cs.brandeis.edu------------------------------
Topic No. 22
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 94 16:31:10 EDT From: Douglas Merrell <merrell@xi.cs.fsu.edu> To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Re: DT is DT Message-ID: <199410082031.QAA24030@xi.cs.fsu.edu>
> Did anyone else notice how in GFTPM how they said that the song writing in > SDV was just silly? That really pissed me off. Cracking on Kev like that. > As we all know he is great. Did this make anyone else mad? > >
Yeah!
Who the hell do they THINK they are?!?! I hope the author was just some alternative junky and really doesn't know what the HELL he is talking about! I bet that is the case because if it isn't, he has NO concept of what life is like and how lyric writing can be a vehicle of expression for situations like this!!!! THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU ALMOST FEEL SORRY FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW SHIT ABOUT PROGRESSIVE MUSIC.
I H A T E A L T E R N A T I V E P U N K S !!!!!!!!!!!
D. Merrell
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Topic No. 23
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 1994 13:55:23 C From: freel@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Re: I've awakened... Message-ID: <00985A3C.B483E4E0.11911@Iowa.Physics.UIowa.EDU>
>Will someone please post the script of the sample from boxing helena, since >everyone is now sure that that's where its from. > >KAI !---------------------------------
It's from "A Room With A View". I saw it last night.
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Topic No. 24
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 94 18:56:47 EDT From: AirDance@aol.com To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Re: SDV samples Message-ID: <9410081856.tn159390@aol.com>
pandora <pandora@u.washington.edu> wrote:
>>>I seem to remember someone mentioning it a while back, but I cant remember who did so sorry for not applying credit where credit is due, but, one of the samples (Im fairly certain- its sounds right) is of commentary from O.J.'s drive down the freeway... anyone else wanna jump in here, havent figured out any others...
~Jeff<<<
I wasn't the one who brought it up (I'm the one who figured out the first sample, the _Room With A View_ quote, though:), but I believe the O.J. theory is correct. I was watching the whole thing unfold on tv the night that it happened like probably every one else in the US, and not only does that quote sounds *very* familiar, the man's voice does too, perhaps one of the NFL sports commentators who was following the chase for one of the networks?
At any rate, watching the OJ coverage on tv that night made me late to the King's X show at the Palace in LA, where I met up with Mike Portnoy & Jim Matheos (of Fates Warning) and hung out with them for pretty much the entire concert. (For any of you on the list who met Mike that particular night, I was the girl standing beside him in the green velvet dress, holding his beer while he was signing autographs. :-) I told Mike that I was late because I was so engrossed in watching OJ's chase on tv that I completely forgot about the concert and he said that he & Jim were also late and for the *exact* same reason. :) Knowing how Mike loves to videotape stuff, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if he taped the entire OJ thing, especially considering that we were missing the climax of it because we were at the concert. So, that's probably where the sample came from. My best guess, anyway. :)
Just for the record, on Kevin's demo version of SDV, the _Room With A View_ quote is in the exact same place as the album version, but all of the other samples are *completely* different and, on the demo, they sound a lot more like someone flipping through tv channels.
Jennifer ________________________________________________ air dance@aol.com mriodom@delphi.com
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Topic No. 25
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 94 20:01:15 EDT From: Godsize@aol.com To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Re: DT is DT Message-ID: <9410082001.tn162454@aol.com>
I hate alternative too!
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Topic No. 26
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 94 20:49:19 -0400 From: Rossy the Psychocat <bjross@mailbox.syr.edu> To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: HELP Message-ID: <9410090049.AA05675@mothra.syr.edu>
Is anyone on Ytsejam going to the Buffalo show (given on IRC as being on October 24th)? If so, how did you get tickets???? Phone numbers are requested...Ticketmaster doesn't have a clue, and I can't get the number of the venue from information (ie. phone companies don't have a clue, either)...Please let me know how to get tickets (and directions, if you have 'em) or tell me that this show isn't really happening/is sold out so I can make alternate plans...(Hopefully) thanks in advance...
Warning: This .sig is not Shareware. Please do not distribute. Infinitely, E-mail at: Rossy the Psychocat bjross@mothra.syr.edu "All that you worship, destroyed by human hands" Paradise Lost
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Topic No. 27
Date: Sat, 08 Oct 94 21:18:36 -0400 From: <jeremy@grove.ufl.edu> To: ytsejam@anthor.arastar.com Subject: Awake Reviews Message-ID: <199410090118.VAA11685@bay.circa.ufl.edu>
Everyone is posting first impressions of Awake, and while this is getting a bit annoying, I am going to do so, also. In doing so I will probably give a lot you can disagree with.
Here are my first impressions of Awake after seven listens over the last two days, with switches off to IAW and WDADU for comparison:
This decision may change, but right now I would place Awake as Dream Theater's best album, just slightly above When Dream and Day Unite. It's hard for me to do this, because all the three albums are clustered so close in my mind--they're just different than each other.
The songs on Awake are much more coherent and better composed than those on IAW. Almost all of the songs hold your attention from beginning to end, by bringing themes introduced in different parts of the song back in different ways, while still keeping the ever-interesting experiments of DT, like on WDADU. Plus the musicians are stronger than ever, and James's voice is improving (and better than Charlie's).
In addition, unlike on any of the albums before, the individual instruments blend together as a whole. Awake is more tastefully done than IAW or WDADU. This is more good than bad, I think, and something new to Dream Theater albums. This is part composition and part production. This is also where Awake comes out a little better than WDADU.
Now I only place this a little above WDADU for the following reasons: One, there are no really weak songs on WDADU, but Awake-- while better than IAW in each case--contains CiaW, which I find somewhat boring; IF and Lifting Shadows..., both which are a bit too pop-oriented for my tastes (though IF has the bizarre time scheme which destroys it for the popular media and Lifting has that very nice Cure-inspired intro/keyboard part).
(Two and three are simply my missing some of what DT seemed to have lost to a more subdued/tasteful style, so they probably aren't too valid.)
Two, while it is better compositionally to blend the instruments, I do still miss the pompous interludes where different band members (though unfortunately never John Myung) take some time to show off. I miss Kevin stepping forward and just going insane, leaving the rest of the band behind. I wish they had picked a more middle ground on a few songs.
Three, I also miss some of the Metropolis-style majesty on the earlier albums, where they then hit you over the head with the metal. It's good that DT isn't getting into a rut, but I liked some of the tasteless changes from super-heavy to super-light.
Oh yeah, and "Scarred" may now be my favorite DT song, above LtL. It's got Myung, doing some of the most amazing stuff! If only the jazz/Queensryche (Della Brown) inspired beginning was more emphasized throughout the song.
-- (jeremy@grove.ufl.edu) FAVORITE SF TV SERIES: REAL MEN watch ST:TOS REAL ROLEPLAYERS watch _Babylon 5_ LOONIES watch _Red Dwarf_ MUNCHKINS watch ST:TNG/ST:DS9/whatever has the most plusses
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End of YTSEJAM Digest 546 *************************
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