DENNIS DEYOUNG ROLLING STONE & THE ASTONISHING

[yogi]

Rolling Stone writer Steve Smith reviewed Dream Theater's The Astonishing today. In his review( 3.5 Stars Out Of 5 ) Smith writes about Dream Theaters frontman James LaBrie " James LaBrie gives a tour de force performance, the specter of Dennis DeYoung circa Paradise Theater and Kilroy Was Here hovering like a Jedi mentor".

[Archetype]

I enjoy Dream Theater, but I can only take LaBrie's voice in limited doses. Check out Symphony X and Seventh Wonder for awesome progressive rock/metal with vastly better vocalists. Start with their epics: Seventh Wonder's 30 minute song "The Great Escape" and Symphony X's 24 minute "The Odyssey."

[gr8dane]

Quote >Hello all - let me preface this by saying that I am not a DT fan, had never heard anything of theirs except Images and Words, and hadnt heard that in a good couple decades or so. My drummer is a fan, and I went along to see what the fuss was about. Let me also say, my friend told me that this was not a shining moment for DT, and not to get my hopes up too high.

First thing i have to say is that these guys are all monster players, well, hard to tell with the keys guy, but ill give him the benefit of the doubt on that. And the vocalist had surprising range and timbre.

So, here are a few impressions from a avid music fan and musician, but not a DT fan.

1. There seemed to be two bands on the stage, kind of opposite from each other - the bass/guitar/drums power trio, who were doing some great stuff, in a few moments truly mind-boggling stuff. the other band was the keys and vox - which to me was pretty schlocky.

2. I felt like DT is what Styx would be like if they were really good musicians

3. They only played this one album, and more and more as the show went on, I was convinced that Dennis DeYoung was an uncredited songwriter. They should have picked Tommy Shaw instead.

4. The only thing worse than a keyboard player standing still behind banks of keys, is a keyboard player trying to look cool. Also, not every song needs a keyboard intro and outro - ending on a single note as the the keyboard player looks significantly out at the audience under a single spotlight.

5. The drummer was really great - i know he is not the original, who is lionized, but he was very very good.

Im glad i saw it - i dont think it is representative of DT in general - but i kept hoping they were doing an ironic parody. <Quote




Apropos.I saw this review,kind a funny.I am not a DT fan myself.Borrowed their last album from the library and could barely get through the first cd.There is no doubt that DT can play,I just find them rather sterile and clinical.

[yogi]

gr8dane, go pick up their previous black self titled album or 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' ( last two albums before this one 'Astonishing'). Give either of them or both a few plays or a few weeks of play and get back to us.

IMO they may be the GREATEST band EVER!!. Listen to the 23 minute EPIC song 'A Change Of Seasons' which to me is the greatest piece of music ever written. I'm telling you if you give them the chance I bet in a year or two you will agree with me.

I am so hoping that they will bring their Astonishing rock opera to Dallas, Houston or San Antonio.

I really like Styx but not near as much as Dream Theater. Styx is now a distant 2nd in my favorite bands of all time.

[Baron Von Bielski]

gr8dane, go pick up their previous black self titled album or 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' ( last two albums before this one 'Astonishing'). Give either of them or both a few plays or a few weeks of play and get back to us.

IMO they may be the GREATEST band EVER!!. Listen to the 23 minute EPIC song 'A Change Of Seasons' which to me is the greatest piece of music ever written. I'm telling you if you give them the chance I bet in a year or two you will agree with me.

I am so hoping that they will bring their Astonishing rock opera to Dallas, Houston or San Antonio.

I really like Styx but not near as much as Dream Theater. Styx is now a distant 2nd in my favorite bands of all time.

I wouldn't go as far as to say they're my favorite, but probably in my top 5 or 6 right now. I love their work ethic. Studio album every other year and a live DVD in between. You can always count on this band to give the fans something new. The Astonishing, though an impressive undertaking pales in comparison to their previous 3 studio records. Obviously including the final one with Portnoy. Still Mangini is better for Dream Theater and fits perfectly in that band. I think overall the fans feel the same.
DT is an all star band. Their guitarist, keyboardist, drummer and bassist are all some of the absolute best at what they do. No joke. How many bands can claim that? None.

[gr8dane]

gr8dane, go pick up their previous black self titled album or 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' ( last two albums before this one 'Astonishing'). Give either of them or both a few plays or a few weeks of play and get back to us.

IMO they may be the GREATEST band EVER!!. Listen to the 23 minute EPIC song 'A Change Of Seasons' which to me is the greatest piece of music ever written. I'm telling you if you give them the chance I bet in a year or two you will agree with me.

I am so hoping that they will bring their Astonishing rock opera to Dallas, Houston or San Antonio.

I really like Styx but not near as much as Dream Theater. Styx is now a distant 2nd in my favorite bands of all time.

Sorry Yiodeliyogily .DT does not turn my crank at all.I listened to that Epic COS.I stayed limp.
Black album ,had to stop after song 3.To me nothing of that sounded better or worse than the Astonishing.
When looking at the albums, I realized I gave them a go a few years back .The one with all the highways crossing.
Not even a tinkle.
I think if I want something like what DT do,I am just gonna go for Black Sabbath.
Anyways.Main thing is you really like them and I hope they will drop by your neighbourhood soon.

[Archetype]

Check out this epic. Fans of the longer Dream Theater type stuff might enjoy it.

The Greatest Show On Earth