Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events review
| Band: | Dream Theater |
| Album: | A Dramatic Turn Of Events |
| Style: | Progressive metal |
| Release date: | September 07, 2011 |
| A review by: | Dream Taster |
01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface
There is no denying Dream Theater has been an enormous influence on progressive music for the last two decades. Every new release of theirs usually generates a buzz among fans and media alike. But since founding member, natural leader and revered drummer Mike Portnoy left the band unceremoniously last year, the free press the band is getting has been off the charts. After an overly publicized series of auditions whence drumming instructor Mike Mangini came triumphant, expectations were at an expected all-time high. A lot of doubts and uncertainties were lingering in the air. So what? You ask. Well, it all depends who's giving you the answer. Reviews have been split across the internet spectrum. But since you're stuck with me, here are my thoughts.
First of all, the essence of Dream Theater is intact. If you were unaware of Portnoy's departure - like you just came back from your space mission - you mightn't be able to tell. Seriously, Mangini was picked by the stranded band members because he can sound so much like Portnoy. And he does effortlessly or so it seems. Nuances or subtle between the two drummers, and in my opinion there isn't anything to nitpick about. So let's move on.
More interestingly the songs all have something distinctive. It takes a while to appreciate them though, which isn't that surprizing considering we're talking about archetypical progressive music. Once the musical assimilation hits you full-blown, a few standout tracks emerge. Notably the epic "Bridges in the Sky" has something of a old-fashioned DT aftertaste despite the unconventional intro while songs like "Lost Not Forgotten" and "Outcry" possess that oomph factor that has been missing in recent years. Let me put it this way. I have been listening to the album since it came out and still at this point in time there isn't a track I would skip. Not a single one. Even their ballads took a hold of me quite quickly and that is the mark of a successful album.
On the flip side of the coin, the keyboard work is at times overbearing even by Dream Theater standards. However, technically this is mesmerizing work by Jordan Rudess I must admit. John Petrucci seems to be thriving again. He finally relaxed the blockade of ostentatious overpowering riffs to restore a balance in his playing that makes one equally thrill whether he's soloing like a madman or hitting the softest note. James LaBrie solo works seem to have steadied him and inspired him to take more risks. John Myung is his usual perfect self on bass and Mike Mangini shows that he belongs one hundred percent.
Sure their solos are sometimes over the top and some songs would have benefited from an earlier wrap but overall A Dramatic Turn of Events is smooth and more consistent than its recent precursors. Give it a serious listen while keeping an open mind, there is much for you to discover.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 8 |
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Written on 02.11.2011 by
Bringing you reviews of quality music and interesting questions such as: "A picture is worth a thousand words. How many words is a song worth?" I have only got so much patience and skills, you do the math. |
Rating:
5.8
5.8
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Rating: 5.8 |
It seems that something like that must have happened eventually. Mike Portnoy is gone, and A Dramatic Turn of Events is the first occasion for the metal community to find out how Dream Theater fares without their co-founder and co-leader. Let me tell you straight away that it sucks. It sucks much more than I feared it would having heard the first song off the album, whose name I won't even bother to mention. Why would I want to waste time typing names of crappy songs? Read more ›› |
Rating:
5.0
5.0
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Rating: 5.0 |
Dream Theater is my favorite band. They've been for a while now. However, a lot of people classify their music as mindless wankery and dislike them because of that, and while it's true that their 2000's releases to some extent fall in that category, for a long time I never really could understand what made that so unappealing to some. However, after hearing this album, I instantly knew what they meant. Following the pretty good Black Clouds And Silver Linings, which was a huge step up from the very mixed Systematic Chaos and Octavarium, it seemed like everything was going great again for Dream Theater. However, the departure of founding member Mike Portnoy left them in quite a weird spot; he had been one of the lead writers for two decades and was one of the pillars behind their success. The band now had to prove themselves capable of writing great stuff without him, using their new drummer Mike Mangini. And I'm gonna be honest, they did anything but succeed. Read more ›› |
Comments
| The Voyager The Table Posts: 152  |
Might want to fix Mike Petrucci in the next-to-last paragraph. Other than that, great review. I agree, and I think this album has gotten unfair hate.
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| Dream Taster The Enemy Within Staff Posts: 1337  |
Dude, thanks. I'm seeing Mikes everywhere now.
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| Aetherius Posts: 219  |
I tend to agree with this review a lot more. Although I didnt like this one as much at first, I kept it on my playlist and after a few listens I certainly like it a lot more now. I dont know why but if i had to pick a closest DT sibling to this one, I keep going back to Falling Into Infinity. It too, took me longer to like than the rest of their albums. 
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| Mr.Wilson Posts: 60  |
At last a well writen and fair review by someone who clearly understands Dream Theater and not by a Portnoy Worshiper.. well done;) i agree 100% with the review:)
---- "..Damned in any Language..."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
Of course all the DT fans are going to like this review more and agree with it, because the score is closer to an 8 than Daniell's. I don't care about the band or their releases and I think both reviews are well done as they both present the positives and negatives each reviewer uncovered; I just think it's funny to see how people blindly agree with reviews that score closer to their personal rating. "Finally we have someone who knows how to review an album, unlike that Daniell troll!" baaaa
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6120  |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 02.11.2011 at 08:44 Yes, finally a decent review, unlike that ridiculous hogwash that dared rate DT so low 
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| neonxaos Posts: 166 |
Finally someone who knows what I want to hear them talking about  No, sorry, not gonna add fuel to the fire. I gotta admit, DT seem to be struggling a bit these days, but maybe something good will come of it. In the mean time, I'll be over here listening to Symphony X and Haken  Thank Nature (yeah, take that, nonexisting God!) for the wonder of choice, amirite?
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| Milena gloom cookie Staff Posts: 4603  |
Written by neonxaos on 02.11.2011 at 12:10 Dear God, I hope so. I'd hate to see them lose whatever fire is left in them. At least now they've got a skillful drummer AND a wonderful, mature, dedicated person behind the kit.
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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| Mountain King K i K o Posts: 1361  |
Im not a DT fan. I just like the band and i think this album is really good although i didn't like some songs. One of them being "Bridges In The Sky". But seriously "On The Back Of Angels", "Lost Not Forgotten", "Breaking All Illusions" are just amazing tracks. I like the production more on earlier albums though, and portnoy's sounds a lot better but it's no problem. ..
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| Warman Erotic Stains Posts: 7695  |
Great review and I think you're mostly spot on. According to me, this could be their best stuff since "Six Degrees...". "Breaking All Illusions" is mindblowing, gives me the chills every time! BTW, just me who thinks the album sounds like a mix of "Six Degrees..." and "Train of Thought"?
---- 
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| jhook Posts: 37 |
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| Berserk Posts: 164  |
This review's a lot better than the other one . I'd give it a similar rating to yours.
---- Fear the Old Blood
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| jhook Posts: 37 |
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| ToMegaTherion Posts: 718  |
This is an album that didn't disappoint me at all. I expected a very average album and got just that. I think they are just trying too hard to make the music more and more complex that its just becoming so generic. This album is just that, generic, and very expected. Daniell's review is probably a little harsh, but not unwarranted it is probably the worst album they have come out with to date.
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| Quinaitor Posts: 51  |
I will repeat the same thing I've said like 2948723984 times already... The album is GREAT! but it did not create the "OMFG I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS ALBUM" feeling that every other DT album did... And this... is the word of a freaking DT lover...
---- Metal is flowing through my veins...
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| Angelic Storm Melodious Posts: 6675  |
Written by jhook on 03.11.2011 at 03:03 But the quality in music is totally subjective. (although talent and musicianship isn't) I am very objective in how I approach individual albums, but my opinion on them is still subjective to an extent, as it is only my personal opinion. And that's all that reviews are, is just one person's opinion. Some people place far too much importance on reviews IMO (especially if they are by staff members on a forum like this, or "professional" music critics), and see them as more than just merely one person's opinion on an album. Which is really all they are. You would be unjustified in saying that "Lulu" is musically better than say "Ride The Lightning", at least coming from a place of pure musicianship. However, you would be perfectly justified in saying that you preffered "Lulu" over "Ride The Lightning". As there is no right and wrong as far as personal opinion on music goes.
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| jhook Posts: 37 |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by jhook on 03.11.2011 at 06:28 Everyone has the same definition of quality now? Huh. Wonder when that happened.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| DNorbs Posts: 3 |
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| nb Posts: 248  |
Just like with any DT albums, I have enjoyed it since the first listen. I have heard 4 or 5 times by now and the songs stick in my head for a long time after listening to them. With this album I believe they removed from the music some elements that they themselves where not happy with, and stuck to more melodic passages. I did not find the keyboards to overwhelm all other instruments, I think they are very balanced. The drums seem to be a little in the back of the mix, though. Very good review.
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| 1Yossarian1 Posts: 44  |
I really love this album. i wont pretend to be the biggest DT fan or an expert on their previous work, but i don't really understand the criticism towards this album, i personally see it as far better than their two previous releases. My major criticism towards DT is James LaBrie's vocals, which, at times, feel as though he is trying to sing like other musicians, rather than just being himself. However on this album his vocal performance is truly outstanding, and, in my opinion, really makes the album great.
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| Renard Solitaire Posts: 21 |
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| Passenger Lost To Apathy Posts: 1464  |
In retrospective, this is, indeed, better than Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds.
---- You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it ~ Mean Streets
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| Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 966  |
Written by Passenger on 05.09.2013 at 19:53 Well, if you really wanted to, you could make the case that's it's more consistent than those albums. It's not as all-over-the-place, nor does it have those drastic shifts in quality. It lacks the peaks and valleys ("Build Me Up, Break Me Down" is awful though) of its predecessors, which (along with the flat sound) also means it's a dull listening experience. More consistent, but also incredibly bland. Which is not really a criticism you can level against Systematic Chaos or Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
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| Passenger Lost To Apathy Posts: 1464 |
Written by Azarath on 06.09.2013 at 14:59 I understand what you're saying, but disagree it's dull in consequence. You could probably say that about Falling Into Infinity. Then again, I love Build Me Up, Break me Down.
---- You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it ~ Mean Streets
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| Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 966 |
Written by Passenger on 07.09.2013 at 14:22 Well, I love Falling into Infinity, so there you go. Different strokes and all that.
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| Passenger Lost To Apathy Posts: 1464 |
Written by Azarath on 09.09.2013 at 20:21 For sure
---- You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it ~ Mean Streets
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