YTSEJAM Digest 6703
Today's Topics:
1) Re: ToT
by Mike Shetzer <echo26@videotron.ca>
2) Train of Thought vocal melodies?
by Steve Chew <schew@interzone.com>
3) Re: ToT
by Kgahjah1@aol.com
4) Progessive Rock
by rob denni <drummerdream@yahoo.com>
5) Re: ToT
by Kgahjah1@aol.com
6) RE: AoHell
by "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
7) RE: ToT
by "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
8) Re: AoHell
by Kgahjah1@aol.com
9) Re: Don't be a sheep (extremely minor spoilers)
by WB Henderson <LycanthropicEye@comcast.net>
10) RE: ToT
by "Rob P" <ytsejam2002@hotmail.com>
11) Re: Press Release - Magellan recorded Oakland Raiders Theme
by WB Henderson <LycanthropicEye@comcast.net>
12) Re: online ordering TOT
by "Dave Schott" <admdave@qis.net>
13) like it, i do
by Partha Mukhopadhyay <ahtrap@yahoo.com>
14) Fuck Yeah !!!
by DTimagesandwords@aol.com
15) My impressions
by Andrew Coutermarsh <andrew@acvox.com>
16) TOT WOW
by Stan Tyszka <soculese@comcast.net>
17) Ralph Towner
by "Dan Costello" <iluvatar@rochester.rr.com>
18) Re: Train of Thought vocal melodies?
by Mike Shetzer <echo26@videotron.ca>
19) Re: ToT
by "Nathan J Wilhelm" <wilh0038@umn.edu>
20) Bonus Material
by "Nathan J Wilhelm" <wilh0038@umn.edu>
21) packaging question
by Billy920@webtv.net
22) Re: packaging question
by "Everonn" <progged@everonn.net>
23) Re: YTSEJAM digest 6702
by "Simon Dodd" <simon@copperstream.co.uk>
24) Re: My impressions
by "Rob P" <ytsejam2002@hotmail.com>
25) Re: Bonus Material
by Kgahjah1@aol.com
26) Re: My impressions
by Kgahjah1@aol.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 17:47:08 -0500
From: Mike Shetzer <echo26@videotron.ca>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: ToT
Message-ID: <005b01c3a8a5$bc780bc0$9b00a8c0@mizz>
Damn straight, Myung is EXTREMELY audible on this album and I'm damn happy
to hear it :)
I just watched the 8 minute "writing the album" shtick, they wrote this in 3
weeks?!!! damn...
Now i'm off to see King Crimson, and will watch the 16 minute "recording the
album" bit after. :)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 5:25 PM
Subject: RE: ToT
> Yeah man !! There is definitely some anger on this CD, and I love it.
> Very aggressive, very HEAVY. I love the CD from front to back.
> Not a disappointing moment on the entire CD.
>
> How about that BASS... JohnFuckinMyung !!! Rocking the hell outta my
> Alpines in the car, that's for sure.
>
> JM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Shetzer [mailto:echo26@videotron.ca]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 3:55 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: Re: ToT
>
>
> JM, what'd u think of the CD?
> Upon first listen I am thoroughly impressed and not disappointed. Only
> first-impression disappointment is the lack of insanity in the
instrumental.
> I see now why they chose that as the songwriting contest as it is probably
> the least complex song on the album (besides Vacant). The song still kicks
> ass, I was just expecting it to kick Dance of Eternity's complexity and
> insanity from here to Tokyo. I think the boys need some anger management
on
> this album as it is HARD HITTIN :)
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:08:11 -0500
From: Steve Chew <schew@interzone.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Train of Thought vocal melodies?
Message-ID: <20031111230811.GG25668@interzone.com>
Hey all,
I'm heading out to buy Train of Thought but I was just wondering
what people thought about the melodies on this CD? What's been lacking
for me on recent DT CDs (with some notable exceptions) are really good,
interesting vocal melodies (and the instrumental melodies to back them
up). Any thoughts?
Steve
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:02:47 EST
From: Kgahjah1@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: ToT
Message-ID: <77.1c2520e4.2ce2c497@aol.com>
--part1_77.1c2520e4.2ce2c497_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
so much for spoilers.
i've just listened to it once and through the computer (wife and kid watching
tv), so i'm not going to rip anything apart except to agree that the rap has
got to go. what are they thinking?
they know WAY to many chords to be the next lincoln park (and yes, i like
lp).
jacko
--part1_77.1c2520e4.2ce2c497_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 15:09:29 -0800 (PST)
From: rob denni <drummerdream@yahoo.com>
To: ytsejam <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Progessive Rock
Message-ID: <20031111230929.41645.qmail@web10709.mail.yahoo.com>
To the guy who likes Prog Rock, not Technical Metal,
what was so progressive about FII anyway? That seems
to throw your whole arguement out the window.
====
"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." -- Robert Heinlein
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:15:09 EST
From: Kgahjah1@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: ToT
Message-ID: <1e1.132d674e.2ce2c77d@aol.com>
--part1_1e1.132d674e.2ce2c77d_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
hey, here's a question for the computer savvy folks out there.
how do i use the computer options on the tot cd on my computer if i'm using
that f***ing piece of crap aol?
aol says the file is too large.
i got their file.
jacko
--part1_1e1.132d674e.2ce2c77d_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 17:22:47 -0600
From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
To: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: RE: AoHell
Message-ID: <4642CF49B0BEB44386CA20BD34DC243801C8F155@hhpech01.healthaxis.dom>
AOL is the root of all evil. Gotta get a real ISP bro............
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 17:25:46 -0600
From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
To: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: RE: ToT
Message-ID: <4642CF49B0BEB44386CA20BD34DC243801C8F156@hhpech01.healthaxis.dom>
What? Not enough Progressive? I dare you to try counting time
signatures and say this CD is not Progressive. lol Every element is
there. :)
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob P [mailto:ytsejam2002@hotmail.com]
The melody on this album is lacking. Being heavy for the sake of it too
which is pretty sad. Too much NUMETAL...not enough PROG!! I expect more out
of these guys. This is not a bad album but it sure is nowhere near SFaM or
god forbid Images & Words! Throwing notes all over the page and being
heavier than hell? NOPE. [sigh]
Rob, the lone naysayer
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:55:16 EST
From: Kgahjah1@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: AoHell
Message-ID: <1a8.1c141cb6.2ce2d0e4@aol.com>
--part1_1a8.1c141cb6.2ce2d0e4_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
yeah, preaching to the choir. i went directly to the dt web site, followed
the instructions three different times and still don't have permission to see
the bonus stuff.
i'm felling very special right now.
jacko
--part1_1a8.1c141cb6.2ce2d0e4_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 18:57:44 -0500
From: WB Henderson <LycanthropicEye@comcast.net>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: Don't be a sheep (extremely minor spoilers)
Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20031111181131.00b2d580@mail.comcast.net>
Simon Dodd wrote:
>I won't be purchasing the new
>Machine Head album because however good a thrash metal album it may be, I
>lost interest in hearing Ride The Lightning clones years ago
Must've been awhile since you heard Machine Head! They're not even metal
now, let alone thrash. Total nurock.
>I'd love to believe that "As I Am" is hugely unrepresentative of
>the rest of the album" - but all the indications from FANS, not from
>critics, from FANS - is that it's fairly representative.
I hear ya. I've got the same fears and have read similar reports, many of
which seem to match my initial impressions of the single. Breaking my
pledge to listen to the whole album before judging (since that may not be
for awhile)... As a metalhead, I was not impressed by the band's efforts
to affect a 'heavy' vibe on "As I Am." It's heavy on the same level as,
say, Godsmack. Which is to say 'not very'. As a prog fan, I wasn't
pleased either. As a music consumer with limited resources and an already
lengthy 'to buy' list, at this point, I'm thinking I'd sooner save my
shekels. Sorry, DT.
Brian
[NP...Macabre - Murder Metal]
=============================================
WB Henderson [LycanthropicEye@comcast.net]
=============================================
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 19:25:00 -0500
From: "Rob P" <ytsejam2002@hotmail.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: RE: ToT
Message-ID: <Law15-F109bkUBHZEKe00031cb3@hotmail.com>
No offense but having odd time signatures does NOT instantly make this truly
progressive. Not even close. If that's all you expect from your prog, then
I be you love this CD. And yeah elements are there...forced in nicely.
These guys need a producer. Yeah this album does sound like it was made in
3 weeks. Sorry folks, it's decent but we're settling here. I am trying it
yet again tho...5th time.
Rob
>From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
>Reply-To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
>Subject: RE: ToT
>Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 15:35:00 -0800 (PST)
>
>What? Not enough Progressive? I dare you to try counting time
>signatures and say this CD is not Progressive. lol Every element is
>there. :)
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rob P [mailto:ytsejam2002@hotmail.com]
>
>
>The melody on this album is lacking. Being heavy for the sake of it too
>which is pretty sad. Too much NUMETAL...not enough PROG!! I expect more
>out
>
>of these guys. This is not a bad album but it sure is nowhere near SFaM or
>god forbid Images & Words! Throwing notes all over the page and being
>heavier than hell? NOPE. [sigh]
>
>
>Rob, the lone naysayer
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
MSN Messenger with backgrounds, emoticons and more.
http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/cdp_customize
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 20:45:13 -0500
From: WB Henderson <LycanthropicEye@comcast.net>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: Press Release - Magellan recorded Oakland Raiders Theme
Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20031111185901.00b33888@mail.comcast.net>
Francesco Racioppa wrote:
>Trent Gardner of Magellan Prog Rock Band has written a theme song called
>"Football soul" for Oakland Raiders Team. The Song has been Perfomed by
>Magellan with the special appearance of Robert Berry (Three, Asia, GTR)
>on guitar and bass. You can download the song at
>http://web.infinito.it/utenti/r/racioppa/audio.htm.
Heh-heh. Pretty good. Thanks for the link. That's just the sort of thing
local newscasts/radio shows might give airtime, too. Good business move on
Gardner's part. (It's almost a pity the Raiders are 2-7.)
Brian
=============================================
WB Henderson [LycanthropicEye@comcast.net]
=============================================
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 20:55:32 -0500
From: "Dave Schott" <admdave@qis.net>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Re: online ordering TOT
Message-ID: <004d01c3a8c0$0ea66940$0200a8c0@Two>
How does one check that?
-Dave Schott (AdmiralDave)
admdave@qis.net
http://www.bangarangband.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stan" <soculese@comcast.net>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 9:51 AM
Subject: online ordering TOT
> Online ordering can be a beautiful thing. So far, CDUniverse has never
> burned me, and today looks like no exception. UPS lists my small brown
box
> containing TOT as shipped yesterday and already out for delivery!!!!! It
> will be on my doorstep when I get home from work tonight. THIS IS GONNA
> ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Stan
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 19:16:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Partha Mukhopadhyay <ahtrap@yahoo.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: like it, i do
Message-ID: <20031112031650.81856.qmail@web21409.mail.yahoo.com>
not worth offering up an opinion because it'll change
(as someone has wisely observed)....but observations
I'll offer.....
I like what I hear so far, and yes, it is largely
heavy with few of the lighter moments that leaven
previous albums....vacant is a better "and now for
something completely different" song than disappear
was on 6doit, but....it doesn't fit in all that well.
first couple of listens, I like Endless Sacrifice best
so far....that chorus is catchy....
This third time through, I'm taking a break from their
stuff to throw in a couple of the better songwriting
contest attempts at SoC (Mark Moore and Brian Wherry),
to be followed by the real thing. Just to see how
close they came....
About the songwriting contest: is the winner the best
song? or the one that comes closest to the DT version?
just curious....
partha
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard
http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 22:32:04 EST
From: DTimagesandwords@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Fuck Yeah !!!
Message-ID: <199.224dcfde.2ce303b4@aol.com>
--part1_199.224dcfde.2ce303b4_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
I wont give a formal review for about a week but at least this release does
not contain any real shit. FUCK YEAH !!!!! While SFAM was generally cool and
the Happy-Penis CD did have some *honestly* amazing stuff, this is the only
one in a loooong while that I would not be ashamed to recommend to metal
friends. James actually sounds good for chrissakes !!
Give it TIME. Let it grow on you I say. Great DT is not appreciated
immediatley !!!!!
Regards, and respect yer Ytse-Elders !!
Marky-Mark
--part1_199.224dcfde.2ce303b4_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 22:54:32 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Coutermarsh <andrew@acvox.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: My impressions
Message-ID: <20031111225311.N27181@samurai.ruin.org>
Here's my list of impressions of the album. I've had it for about a week,
but I've only listened to it about five times.
My list of negatives for Train of Thought:
* The parts that have structure sound as if they were directly removed
from other bands' songs.
* The solos are pointless and wanky.
* The lyrics are trite and unthoughtful.
My list of positives for the new album:
* It is definitely heavier than any previous album, including Awake.
* As I Am, especially, is very catchy.
* The use of a real cello on Vacant is just gorgeous.
* What's that I hear? Oh my GOD, is it? It is! It's a bass guitar! Hot
damn!
Here's what I think DT could do to improve their next effort:
* GET AN OUTSIDE PRODUCER. I cannot POSSIBLY stress this enough. They
need somebody who's able to go, "Uh, guys... Don't do that." This person
could also convince them that they don't need to do a huge meandering
instrumental in EVERY SONG.
* Start taking some Ritalin. They've become this band that is afraid
to develop an idea for more than thirty seconds before moving on. They go
"Hey! Look at this! No, wait! Look at THIS now!" and they don't get any
great ideas that they can exploit because of this. I think that they feel
that this is what their audience wants, but why would anybody really want
that?
* Let Myung start writing lyrics again(or encourage him to do it if he
doesn't want to for whatever reason). I KNOW I'm not alone on this one.
* Let Jordan do his own thing instead of reining him in so much (from
what I understand, Jordan doesn't have a whole lot of freedom to play what
he wants; he's pretty much just a hired gun for JP and MP right now). If
you've ever heard his solo stuff, he's got some GREAT stuff out there.
People who think he's a bad fit for the band because of what he plays
don't seem to realize that if he was left to his own devices, he could be
adding some really great stuff to their music.
* SHORTEN THEIR SONGS. Dream Theater needs to FOCUS, folks. They're
writing long stuff just for the purpose of being long, and it absolutely
100% shows.
* Get Shirley off of that mixing board. Despite the fact that this mix
is far better than his previous mixes, there's still the major issue of
his overcompressing and totally clipping the sound. What's the point of
mixing anything if all you're going to do with it is completely distort it
by ramping up the volume?
I'm not going to make any comments about this vs. their previous material,
but I do definitely believe that they need to look at how they worked back
during their first few albums. I'm not talking musically, but rather HOW
they did it. I think it would definitely be in their best interest to
reexamine what it was about their first albums that made people like them
so much.
An add-on: To tell the truth, the more I listen to this album, the more I
like about it. I'm not afraid to admit that. However, I still just have
trouble reconciling all of the "borrowed notes" that are in it.
-------------------------------------------------
Andrew Coutermarsh - http://www.acvox.com/
Email Address: andrew at acvox dot com
-------------------------------------------------
"On my income tax 1040 it says 'Check this box
if you are blind.' I wanted to put a check mark
about three inches away."
- Tom Lehrer
-------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 23:03:10 -0500
From: Stan Tyszka <soculese@comcast.net>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: TOT WOW
Message-ID: <20E9F2FA-14C5-11D8-BED3-000A27B4B1C6@comcast.net>
My thoughts on the train, HEAVY! There is Slayer, Pantera, Megadeth,
some Rap. They really made a melting pot on this one. I agree with
the comments about them not being progressive rock, they have always
been and will be progressive metal in my eyes. They just don't rock
sound. Sounds like Mike let a few more demons out of his closet on
this one too. I was hoping for a continuation to The Glass Prison and
I got it. This Dying Soul is so wild. I hear all kinds of Megadeth
influences and really love how they worked parts of the original song
in there. James has really started to get into using that distorted
effect on his voice. I cannot say I am thrilled about it, but it is
his voice not mine. As for lyrical content, this one is dark. I am
not so sure that I understand all the complaining everyone ever did
about not being able to hear John Myung. I have never had a problem
and this is no exception. Hearing James curse is still something that
sounds awkward. Canadians are not supposed to say the 'F' word! Love
the guitar sound, drum sound lacks some tone, but mike finally achieved
a METAL drum sound. I am very satisfied with this release. I can only
imagine how some of these songs will sound live. BTW, anyone planning
on going to Mike's Meet and Greet at Sam Ash in Cherry Hill NJ? Am I
going to have to blow a day of work for this, or do they typically do
these things at night? I have rambled enough, back to listening to the
CD.
\
STAN
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 23:55:23 -0500
From: "Dan Costello" <iluvatar@rochester.rr.com>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Ralph Towner
Message-ID: <BOEAJJBDNFPALMNMJONIKEABCGAA.iluvatar@rochester.rr.com>
Any of you guys familiar w/ Ralph Towner? My recording teacher just turned
me onto his stuff. Think classical & 12-string guitar meets very melodic
improv jazz w/ some really tasty piano. I hate most jazz improv - it's too
meandering - but this stuff was quite pleasing. I've got a couple cd's on
order. See if you can download "Icarus" from his "Diary" album.
-Dan.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 00:15:29 -0500
From: Mike Shetzer <echo26@videotron.ca>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: Train of Thought vocal melodies?
Message-ID: <002101c3a8db$fd569540$9b00a8c0@mizz>
LOL, i dont think anyone replied to this yet, but the answer is VERY little
(at least upon first listen...). The boys have become tough and angry in
their years, I think it kicks ass but buyer beware :)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Chew" <schew@interzone.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 6:04 PM
Subject: Train of Thought vocal melodies?
>
> Hey all,
> I'm heading out to buy Train of Thought but I was just wondering
> what people thought about the melodies on this CD? What's been lacking
> for me on recent DT CDs (with some notable exceptions) are really good,
> interesting vocal melodies (and the instrumental melodies to back them
> up). Any thoughts?
>
> Steve
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 23:54:22 -0600
From: "Nathan J Wilhelm" <wilh0038@umn.edu>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Re: ToT
Message-ID: <001501c3a8e1$6d718510$0d00a8c0@nathan>
After the first couple listens I would call it good, but not great. Better
than 6DOIT anyway. There are some really good spots and some not so good
ones. I didn't think that I would ever say this, but I think DT's gotten too
hard with their last couple albums. It just doesn't seem to suit them well.
The occasional hard section is always nice, but they seem to be overdoing it
a bit. I enjoy the more laid back sections better. The big example being
Vacant... that is a great song.
Does anyone know why John Myung doesn't ever write any lyrics anymore? Or
Jordan for that matter. It seems to have been monopolized by Mike and John
Petrucci as of late (with James writing an occasional song here and there).
Nate
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 23:55:52 -0600
From: "Nathan J Wilhelm" <wilh0038@umn.edu>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Bonus Material
Message-ID: <002801c3a8e1$a1e7d920$0d00a8c0@nathan>
Has anyone been able to get to CDKey thing to work? It keeps saying it can't
find the CD in my computer.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 03:04:11 -0500 (EST)
From: Billy920@webtv.net
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: packaging question
Message-ID: <2843-3FB1E97B-9353@storefull-2115.public.lawson.webtv.net>
Howdy Folks,
I guess now I finally have a reason to de-cloak.....As I am
accustomed to buying new DT on the release date.. ( yeah I have the
original SFaM cover) I went to the local store and got my copy of ToT..
dig it..however I have some questions about the packaging.. it seems the
middle section is missing because the lyrics skip from This Dying Soul
to Vacant.. no mention of Endless Sacrifice or Honor Thy Father..which
is disappointing on 2 levels .1 I like reading the lyrics ( which I have
always held DT in the highest esteem for excellence ) and 2 I dig the
artwork a lot ( the cover is freakin' me out ..but in a good way ) am I
alone here and just the unfortunate buyer of a bad copy or is this some
kind of mishap ??? Also I have a problem with the sound .. there are
moments on tracks 2 and 3 that sound as if they were cut and pasted by 2
different engineers and then mixed by an idiot using a dual cassette
recorder (muddy in places too bright in others, transitions not
fluid.and Rudess mixed very low on the first 4 tracks...perhaps this is
my system but everything else I play sounds as usual ) don't get me
wrong I really like the album overall and look forward to several dozen
listens before I decide where it will end up on my personal list of DT
albums ( for now its SFaM, Live SFNY, Awake and of course I&W, with all
others close behind..least fav being WD&DU which I do really enjoy it's
just my least listened to of them all )
So please before I go to my local record store and demand an
exchange can someone please enlighten me as to the full content of the
packaging and opinion of sound ( no I am not a "sheep" interested only
in others opinion I would just like a basis for comparison..) Thanks and
much Thanks to the guys for yet another timely release..unlike Type O
Negative who almost had me organizing a search party before releasing
Life is Killing Me...Oh well here's to new music ...
Billy
np...duh ..what else???
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 03:46:55 -0500
From: "Everonn" <progged@everonn.net>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Re: packaging question
Message-ID: <000f01c3a8f9$8689d990$b5268bd0@ASIDOM.asifalcon.com>
> So please before I go to my local record store and demand an
> exchange can someone please enlighten me as to the full content of the
> packaging and opinion of sound ( no I am not a "sheep" interested only
> in others opinion I would just like a basis for comparison..)
Well I can't speak comparatively about the sound quality of your disc, but
mine sounds fine. Beyond that, it definitely sounds like you've got a
defective booklet. You are missing some pages there...my copy has complete
lyrics and accompanying artwork. I'd definitely take it back and get a
non-defect copy.
- Chris
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 09:59:53 -0000
From: "Simon Dodd" <simon@copperstream.co.uk>
To: <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
Subject: Re: YTSEJAM digest 6702
Message-ID: <000501c3a903$b85378a0$06a9a8c0@network.griffin.net.uk>
> From: "Souter, Jan-Michael" <JSouter@healthaxis.com>
> To: "'ytsejam@torchsong.com'" <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
> Subject: RE: Don't be a sheep
> Message-ID:
<4642CF49B0BEB44386CA20BD34DC243801C8F128@hhpech01.healthaxis.dom>
>
> Oddly enough, Dream Theater has never been a Progressive ROCK band at all.
> They are Progressive METAL.
>
> Progressive ROCK bands are like Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings..
I Disagree entirely. Sure, they use heavy rock sounds all over all their
previous albums, Awake in particular, but I regard everything up to and
including FII as progressive rock. Somewhere between FII and Scenes, they
seem to have decided that Yes was no longer one of their biggest influences,
and instead taken up the standards of Metallica and Rush. I won't argue at
all that Scenes is prog metal, but from all the signs, TOT is a technical
metal album. I don't hear anything remotely prog in "As I Am" - I hear Racer
X.
Funnily enough, at about the same time, heavy rock has been enjoying a huge
resurgency in musical fashions. ;) Given the prevalent musical fashions of
the times we live in, I'm sure that they will garner immense commerical
success with the metal sound on this album, which will no doubt prompt them
to do some more of it.
So I'm thinking I'll probably pass on this album, and as and when (and if)
they choose to make another prog rock album, I'll buy that. Dream Theater
are always going to have the problem that their three classic releases (I&W,
Awake, FII) walked a very fine line between a lot of different genres, and
by leaning too heavily into any of those influences they'll get mildly
toasted (see FII), or by jumping in feet first (see TOT), they're going to
alienate a substantial chunk of their fanbase.
---YTSEJAM-FILTER: This message was posted using the YML command
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 07:30:09 -0500
From: "Rob P" <ytsejam2002@hotmail.com>
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: My impressions
Message-ID: <Law15-F53IDBhHDRCKM0001d063@hotmail.com>
I agree with ALL of Andrew's points. He sums everything I've been thinking
perfectly. The outside producer would help and I nominate Steven Wilson who
would not allow the borrowed notes and would keep them focused. There is
filler and it does show! I will go in on the Ritalin with you, Andrew.
Kudos on the Jordan comment too. The video pointed out clearly that unless
Mike says so, Jordan can't play what he wants. This is the Petrucci and
Portnoy show. I think if things don't change James will be the first to
leave and eventually Myung will grow tired of it. Again, not a bad album
but certainly nowhere near what they COULD do if they spent some time on it.
>From: Andrew Coutermarsh <andrew@acvox.com>
>Reply-To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list <ytsejam@torchsong.com>
>Subject: My impressions
>Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 20:06:31 -0800 (PST)
>
>Here's my list of impressions of the album. I've had it for about a week,
>but I've only listened to it about five times.
>
>My list of negatives for Train of Thought:
>
> * The parts that have structure sound as if they were directly removed
>from other bands' songs.
> * The solos are pointless and wanky.
> * The lyrics are trite and unthoughtful.
>
>My list of positives for the new album:
>
> * It is definitely heavier than any previous album, including Awake.
> * As I Am, especially, is very catchy.
> * The use of a real cello on Vacant is just gorgeous.
> * What's that I hear? Oh my GOD, is it? It is! It's a bass guitar! Hot
>damn!
>
>Here's what I think DT could do to improve their next effort:
>
> * GET AN OUTSIDE PRODUCER. I cannot POSSIBLY stress this enough. They
>need somebody who's able to go, "Uh, guys... Don't do that." This person
>could also convince them that they don't need to do a huge meandering
>instrumental in EVERY SONG.
> * Start taking some Ritalin. They've become this band that is afraid
>to develop an idea for more than thirty seconds before moving on. They go
>"Hey! Look at this! No, wait! Look at THIS now!" and they don't get any
>great ideas that they can exploit because of this. I think that they feel
>that this is what their audience wants, but why would anybody really want
>that?
> * Let Myung start writing lyrics again(or encourage him to do it if he
>doesn't want to for whatever reason). I KNOW I'm not alone on this one.
> * Let Jordan do his own thing instead of reining him in so much (from
>what I understand, Jordan doesn't have a whole lot of freedom to play what
>he wants; he's pretty much just a hired gun for JP and MP right now). If
>you've ever heard his solo stuff, he's got some GREAT stuff out there.
>People who think he's a bad fit for the band because of what he plays
>don't seem to realize that if he was left to his own devices, he could be
>adding some really great stuff to their music.
> * SHORTEN THEIR SONGS. Dream Theater needs to FOCUS, folks. They're
>writing long stuff just for the purpose of being long, and it absolutely
>100% shows.
> * Get Shirley off of that mixing board. Despite the fact that this mix
>is far better than his previous mixes, there's still the major issue of
>his overcompressing and totally clipping the sound. What's the point of
>mixing anything if all you're going to do with it is completely distort it
>by ramping up the volume?
>
>I'm not going to make any comments about this vs. their previous material,
>but I do definitely believe that they need to look at how they worked back
>during their first few albums. I'm not talking musically, but rather HOW
>they did it. I think it would definitely be in their best interest to
>reexamine what it was about their first albums that made people like them
>so much.
>
>An add-on: To tell the truth, the more I listen to this album, the more I
>like about it. I'm not afraid to admit that. However, I still just have
>trouble reconciling all of the "borrowed notes" that are in it.
>
>-------------------------------------------------
>Andrew Coutermarsh - http://www.acvox.com/
>Email Address: andrew at acvox dot com
>-------------------------------------------------
>"On my income tax 1040 it says 'Check this box
>if you are blind.' I wanted to put a check mark
>about three inches away."
> - Tom Lehrer
>-------------------------------------------------
_________________________________________________________________
Compare high-speed Internet plans, starting at $26.95.
https://broadband.msn.com (Prices may vary by service area.)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 07:50:27 EST
From: Kgahjah1@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: Bonus Material
Message-ID: <b4.24cb4a36.2ce38693@aol.com>
--part1_b4.24cb4a36.2ce38693_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
mine says i have the CD, but i am not allowed access. then it won't redirect.
jacko
--part1_b4.24cb4a36.2ce38693_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 08:02:37 EST
From: Kgahjah1@aol.com
To: ytsejam@torchsong.com
Subject: Re: My impressions
Message-ID: <51.37225343.2ce3896d@aol.com>
--part1_51.37225343.2ce3896d_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
i'm not a sheep or a lemming, but i'm with andrew on almost all points. get
an outside producer who i allowed to make discussions, stick to an idea for
more than a few beats, and dump the rap {should white canadians be rapping
anyway? lol }.
so far i like the second half much more than the first.
the second half, to me, sounds better produced and is easier to listen to.
the lyrics don't seem as forced.
jmho,
jacko
--part1_51.37225343.2ce3896d_boundary
---YTSEJAM FILTER: Rest of message skipped because of attachment
------------------------------
End of YTSEJAM Digest 6703
**************************
=== Contributions to ytsejam: ytsejam@torchsong.com ===
=== Send requests to: ytsejam-request@torchsong.com ===
=== More information at: http://www.dreamt.org/local/ytsejam.php ===
=== Brought by the ghost of ytsejam@arastar.coms past ===
=== Reach the owner of this list at: ytsejam-owner@torchsong.com ===
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Apr 01 2004 - 19:14:42 EST