Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

Written by Robdog on 08.03.2024 at 17:36

Nah, you're wrong. Gotta walk through mud to reach its goodness. Overall it demands your full attention as a performance. Better to consume the energy now rom the get go all the way through without dragging your feet through any slimey sound effects, actor voices or ballads.

You're arguing with a theatre lover here, it's like talking to a brick wall.

Written by 24emd on 09.03.2024 at 00:10

Written by Robdog on 08.03.2024 at 17:36

Nah, you're wrong. Gotta walk through mud to reach its goodness. Overall it demands your full attention as a performance. Better to consume the energy now rom the get go all the way through without dragging your feet through any slimey sound effects, actor voices or ballads.

You're arguing with a theatre lover here, it's like talking to a brick wall.

Well ok, this is one album, and then there's Train of Thought, 6°IT, Images & Words.. Those are relatively straight forward albums.. And it was expected that you were a metal-head not so much a lover of theatre, so since you're the odd one out here and we've all discovered your fascination for Disney on Ice, now I'm talking to the brick wall.

I'm sorry I missed that, did you say that you loved ballads.. or was it ballet?

Written by Robdog on 11.03.2024 at 12:47

your fascination for Disney on Ice

I highly doubt that is what 24emd was talking about when referencing theatre.
I like theatre too by the way, mostly classical, also cabaret, political e.g., also sometimes opera, not so much musicals though and definitely no ballet.

Written by Robdog on 11.03.2024 at 12:47

stuff

Not sure what the problem is here, or what I did to you. First you start stating your point of view by blatantly saying I'm wrong, then go on to make fun of me being a theatre lover. Do you expect everyone on this site to be into metal and metal alone? Metal is not even my favourite genre.

Since you're so interested, I'm not a Disney fan though I do enjoy musicals. I do like a cheesy ballad if it's done well. And on ballet I find it highly pretentious.

By the way, with the brick wall thing I was referring to myself so no hard feelings there

After listening to this for the 10 billionth time, I think the only thing I don't really like in the whole album is "Through Her Eyes". It kills the pace a little and doesn't really bring any substance, especially since we have the MUCH superior ballads that are "One Last Time" and "The Spirit Carries On".
The "John & Theresa Solo" from Live Scenes From New York is much more fitting imo and conveys the same things in a much better way (although it is very obviously inspired by Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig In The Sky")
Either way this album is still my favorite thing in the world

I think it is a wise move to insert a few songs that are considered pop-oriented in the middle of the album. Mind you, this album is nearly 80 minutes long. The slow down after the heavy instrumental is both a good interpretation of the ups and downs of the story and a way for the listener to rest their ears. Some people are also dissatisfied with the performance of the lead singer of Dream Theater, thinking that his singing is too pop-oriented. OK, I admit that James LaBrie's vocal performance has been bad since he got food poisoning, but in terms of the overall effect of this studio album, his performance here is fine. As for the style issue, hating pop things does not make you unique. James LaBrie may not be a top singer, but he is definitely suitable for Dream Theater!

I'm revisiting this one, and I got to say: this is a strong album, but I just can't see it as better than Images & Words, Awake or Train of Thought. Tracks 6, 8 and 9 are outstanding, but the rest feels a bit meandering, to be frank, and Act 1 features some, in my opinion, forced and awkward vocal melodies. Overall, the concept is strong, and I like it, but I just don't love it.

After superficially listening to this a few times without even get to the 50% of album, today I fully listened it. MASTERPIECE! In therms of instrumental this is the best metal album ever! The vocal parts aren't the best sometimes if you want hooks, but otherwise absolutely mesmerizing if you listed carefully and have experience in metal music! Images and words has much more vocal attractiveness and less instrumental complexity compared to this. This album has the opposite: more amazing instrumental, less touching vocals. But still, absolutely AMAZING album! Took me 30 years to realise how great this is!

My personal Top 3 songs from the album:

Scene Two: II. Strange Déjà Vu
Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On
Scene Seven: II. One Last Time