laBrie is at his best on scenes from a memory

Meh.

Some of us think SFAM is overrated, so...

I didn't pay much attention to his vocals, actually. Maybe I'll go back and give it another listen and pay attention.

[QUOTE=MAthiAS]I know what you're saying. Personal taste I guess. Awake is still amazing, I just like his singing a bit better on Images and Words.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. I especially love it when he hits those highs on "Learning to Live," and especially his singing on "Pull Me Under" are just perfect for the song. They really get me into it.

Labries vocals are definately an acquired taste, many of my friends dont like the band because of the vocals, but there is always Liquid tension experiment out there for them

New here..
I see a lot of Carey/Portnoy comparrisons but frankly do not fully understand why. You're comparing apples to oranges. If both drummers were to switch bands and be "forced" to play each other's material- how good to you figure it'd sound? Not as good as they both do now in their respective bands, I bet. So ultimately, what's the point in these comparrisons? Do you think Mike sits back and thinks to himself: "hmm, I wonder if I 'pwn' Danny...?"? Likewise, do you really think Danny lounges around in his boxers wondering the same thing? My guess is no, so why are YOU? Rather than being so preoccupied with "who is better" or "who 'pwns who" why not just appreciate both drummers for BOTH of the contributions they make in the drumming world; whether you appreciate either or not. It's just respect. I admire both.

As for favorite DT album, I'll be honest; I can't narrow it down. To me, DT's best attribute is the fact that they do, over time, maintain the "progressive" idea. ToT is almost nothing like Images & Words and I see that as a positive thing. To see some so "stuck on" previous albums, proclaiming those to be "their best" just seems narrow to me. They evolve, they do different things WHILE maintaining the very progressive style fans have come to expect from them. When 'As I Am' was released, it was a very triumphant song to me. I absolutely love[d] it. The lyrics: "Don't tell me how to write" and "..I won't change to fit YOUR plan.." speak volumes to me. If these would-be DT bashers believe they can do better, I cordially invite them to DO SO and I'll promptly buy their first CD. It's quite easy to sit back and critique others, 'ain't' it?

Favorite DT songs? I have many. [so many heh..]
In no particular order:
1. A Change of Seasons
2. The Mirror
3. Pull me Under [the first DT song I ever heard]
4. The Glass Prison
5. As I Am
6. Endless Sacrifice
7. Caught in a Web
8. Erotomania
9. Misunderstood
10. Peruvian Skies [would be a GREAT song to cover live...]
11. War Inside My Head
12. Space Dye Vest
..many more, really.

As for James' voice; I'm not the biggest fan either but like others have said, I can't imagine replacing him, because narrow-opinions aside, WHO better to sing DT's music we've all come to know than James himself?.. That aside, I've often wondered what DT would sound like if Timo Kotipelto [Stratovarius] joined. [Side note: Any Stratovarius fans here?]

[quote]Agreed. I especially love it when he hits those highs on "Learning to Live," and especially his singing on "Pull Me Under" are just perfect for the song. They really get me into it.[/quote]
Yeah, I agree completely.

As far as Portnoy vs. Carey, I don't even like Tool that much, so naturally I think Portnoy >> Carey. Tool is overrated IMO.

[quote]Any Stratovarius fans here?[/quote]
Stratovarius is actually a band I'd like to get into. I've only heard Speed of Light, and its a very good song. Any recamendations?

At the risk of turning this into a Stratovarius thread, Here's some of my Stratovarius faves:
1. Elements [the song, not the CD heh..]
2. Fantasia
3. Why Are We Here?
4. I Walk
5. Mother Gaia
6. Black Diamond
7. Anthem of the World [many people like this one..]
8. Papillon
9. Run Away
10. Stratosphere

.. Those should get you going. :)

[QUOTE=sbgFX]At the risk of turning this into a Stratovarius thread, Here's some of my Stratovarius faves:
1. Elements [the song, not the CD heh..]
2. Fantasia
3. Why Are We Here?
4. I Walk
5. Mother Gaia
6. Black Diamond
7. Anthem of the World [many people like this one..]
8. Papillon
9. Run Away
10. Stratosphere

.. Those should get you going. :)[/QUOTE]
Thanks man, I'll be sure to check those out. Any particular albums?

[QUOTE=sbgFX]New here..
I see a lot of Carey/Portnoy comparrisons but frankly do not fully understand why. You're comparing apples to oranges. If both drummers were to switch bands and be "forced" to play each other's material- how good to you figure it'd sound? Not as good as they both do now in their respective bands, I bet. So ultimately, what's the point in these comparrisons? Do you think Mike sits back and thinks to himself: "hmm, I wonder if I 'pwn' Danny...?"? Likewise, do you really think Danny lounges around in his boxers wondering the same thing? My guess is no, so why are YOU? Rather than being so preoccupied with "who is better" or "who 'pwns who" why not just appreciate both drummers for BOTH of the contributions they make in the drumming world; whether you appreciate either or not. It's just respect. I admire both.[/quote]

Comparing Danny and Mike might be like comparing apples and oranges, but they are only compared because they are two of, if not, dare I say it, the best progressive metal drummers out there right now. Now, before anyone tries to pwn me by saying "Omg so and so pwns both of them" shut up, because I admit I don't know every prog metal band out there. So there.

That being said, I know for a fact Mike looks up to Danny, because he was quoted as saying Danny was one of his favorite current drummers right now. That being said, I'm pretty positive that neither Mike nor Danny sit around wondering who can outdo who. Quite honestly, if those two got into a drum off, I'm sure it would end a tie, because they are both consummate musicians, and would probably respect each others' abilites too much to say "I beat you". The argument goes on so much because many fans of Tool are fans of Dream Theater, and vice versa, so naturally, they compare the two. You can't compare Jones/Chancellor to Petrucci/Myung, because unless Tool's instrumentalists have been holding back, there is no comparison to those in Dream Theater, in terms of technical ability. Songwriting ability? That's a whole nother debate for another thread.

That being said, I personally enjoy Danny's drumming more. Mike, at least lately, seems to be relying too much on a bass-snare-bass-bassbassbass-snare pattern, while Danny's use of tom patterns is quite varied and unique on Lateralus. In terms of skill, well, both men have been educated quite thoroughly, and I'm not sure who could pwn one or the other. If I *had* to pick, objectively, I'd take Danny simply because I think he's more interesting, not necessarily more talented. /End Danny v Mike debate here

[quote]As for favorite DT album, I'll be honest; I can't narrow it down. To me, DT's best attribute is the fact that they do, over time, maintain the "progressive" idea. ToT is almost nothing like Images & Words and I see that as a positive thing. To see some so "stuck on" previous albums, proclaiming those to be "their best" just seems narrow to me. They evolve, they do different things WHILE maintaining the very progressive style fans have come to expect from them. When 'As I Am' was released, it was a very triumphant song to me. I absolutely love[d] it. The lyrics: "Don't tell me how to write" and "..I won't change to fit YOUR plan.." speak volumes to me. If these would-be DT bashers believe they can do better, I cordially invite them to DO SO and I'll promptly buy their first CD. It's quite easy to sit back and critique others, 'ain't' it?[/quote]

ToT is without a doubt my favorite of theirs, because it so nicely blends heavy metal with progressive song structures. I don't like alot of their lighter material, I really don't. Stuff of I&W, or SFAM that is light and whatever...I really don't like most of it. I'm glad you're one of those who likes to see the actual progression occuring, not "I wish they still played like they did in 91" kind of people. :thumb:

[quote]As for James' voice; I'm not the biggest fan either but like others have said, I can't imagine replacing him, because narrow-opinions aside, WHO better to sing DT's music we've all come to know than James himself?..[/QUOTE]

I don't know if there's anyone who could sing DT better than him. But I do know that Charlie Dominici was [b]not[/b] the right man for them. Honestly, anyone who doesn't like James' vocals shoud go grab When Dream and Day Unite and listen to some of Charlies' vocals. The sheer power and emotion that James brings to the table is far better than Charlie, even if he does rip off Geddy Lee every now and then ;)

[quote]"I wish they still played like they did in 91" kind of people.[/quote]
I don't think anyone says that. Personally, I like I and W more, but the new stuff is great too. Its different, but its still Dream Theater, and its great music, what more can you ask for.

[quote]I don't know if there's anyone who could sing DT better than him. But I do know that Charlie Dominici was not the right man for them. Honestly, anyone who doesn't like James' vocals shoud go grab When Dream and Day Unite and listen to some of Charlies' vocals. The sheer power and emotion that James brings to the table is far better than Charlie, even if he does rip off Geddy Lee every now and then [/quote]
I recently got When Dream and Day Unite, and I am still amazed at how much better Labrie is. I agree, if you think Labrie doesn't fit their music, listen to this guy. If Labrie was on WDADU, it would probably be up there with the other albums, because the instrumental work is superb.

[QUOTE=MAthiAS]I don't think anyone says that. Personally, I like I and W more, but the new stuff is great too. Its different, but its still Dream Theater, and its great music, what more can you ask for..[/QUOTE]

I have seen enough people say that the new stuff sucks, or that heavier DT is bad, then they proceed to tell me that I&W is the best thing they've ever done, etc etc.

So, whiile everyone who likes I&W might not think that way, I have seen plenty of people who do, which is a sahme, because ToT is brilliant in and of itself :thumb:

[QUOTE]I'm pretty positive that neither Mike nor Danny sit around wondering who can outdo who. Quite honestly, if those two got into a drum off, I'm sure it would end a tie, because they are both consummate musicians, and would probably respect each others' abilites too much to say "I beat you".[/QUOTE]

That sums it up, yup.

As for who is more talented, who is more creative, who is more hairy, who has a bigger nose, who has more friends, who can drink more, who has the most drums, who has the most MD Awards - Does it all really matter? LOL.. It's as though these people who say "Well <enter name here> is more creative.." are trying to, withuot actually saying it, sway anyone who might differ as if anyone with a different opinion is a threat.

Rather than compare Tool and DT - let's compare DT and Tool AGAINST the mainstream "rock greats" of today. That'd be a more worthwhile venture, no? Let's compareDT to Linkin Park just to see what happens.. Let's compare DT to just about any 'mainstream' band today.. ;) As far as I'm concerned Tool and DT might as well tour together; both as headliners. :P

[QUOTE=The JoZ]
So, whiile everyone who likes I&W might not think that way, I have seen plenty of people who do, which is a sahme, because ToT is brilliant in and of itself :thumb:[/QUOTE]
Indeed it is. Dream Theater is actually one of those bands when I listen to a certain album, I might consider it their best at that time, then change my mind 5 seconds later when a song off a different album comes on. Same way with Iron Maiden.

[QUOTE=sbgFX]Rather than compare Tool and DT - let's compare DT and Tool AGAINST the mainstream "rock greats" of today. That'd be a more worthwhile venture, no? Let's compareDT to Linkin Park just to see what happens.. Let's compare DT to just about any 'mainstream' band today.. ;) As far as I'm concerned Tool and DT might as well tour together; both as headliners. :P[/QUOTE]

I would kill tons of people to see Tool and DT do a tour together.

John Myung is a big fan of Tool too, which astonished me a little actually.

Seriously, a Tool and DT tour would just...rock so hard it isn't even funny

[QUOTE]Dream Theater is actually one of those bands when I listen to a certain album, I might consider it their best at that time, then change my mind 5 seconds later when a song off a different album comes on.[/QUOTE]

haha...yup.

PS: Sorry... new here, how do you "quote" like that? [with the original poster's name?] All I know is the bb code [ quote ] etc.... :)

Hit the Reply button in the bottom right hand corner of the post :thumb:

[QUOTE=The JoZ]Hit the Reply button in the bottom right hand corner of the post :thumb:[/QUOTE]

testing... :-P LOL...

[QUOTE=The JoZ]I would kill tons of people to see Tool and DT do a tour together.

John Myung is a big fan of Tool too, which astonished me a little actually.

Seriously, a Tool and DT tour would just...rock so hard it isn't even funny[/QUOTE]
That would seriously rock

or metallica and dt. they're signed to the same label (elektra), so why not? i would give all my money and my left nut for tickets to that.

[QUOTE=The JoZ]I would kill tons of people to see Tool and DT do a tour together.

John Myung is a big fan of Tool too, which astonished me a little actually.

Seriously, a Tool and DT tour would just...rock so hard it isn't even funny[/QUOTE]
I was thinking of a DT/Rush tour. They said one of their dreams is to tour with Rush someday.

[QUOTE=shawnson]or metallica and dt. they're signed to the same label (elektra), so why not? i would give all my money and my left nut for tickets to that.[/QUOTE]
Metallica and Dream Theater? Are you Kidding? I like the old metallica but Those they really don't fit together....

Yeah a tour with Rush would be great! The did one with yes, so why not?

I could see Rush and DT. DT toured with Yes, and they all say Rush is a big influence, so its definitely possible.

I'm more for a DT and Symphony X tour. I'd probably have a heart attack.

DT/Rush > DT/Symphony X > DT/Tool

[QUOTE=Speedy Fingers]I'm more for a DT and Symphony X tour. I'd probably have a heart attack.[/QUOTE]
That would be the best. I would pick up tickets as I could.

[QUOTE=MAthiAS]DT/Rush > DT/Symphony X > DT/Tool[/QUOTE]
Actually....yeah, you're right.

Dream Theater and Pain of Salvation.

Now that's a line up :D

My guitar teacher said the first time he saw/heard of DT they were opening up for Maiden... I envy him.

God **** it, that'd be amazing to see them together.