The album flow is really smooth, as focused and catchy tracks like “Paralyzed” co-exist well with songs that take longer to unfold and have lengthier progressive sections, such as “Fall Into the Light” and “Pale Blue Dot”. The musicianship is flawless.
Dream Theater are by no means breaking any new ground on Distance Over Time. The album pulls from the same bag of tricks as the rest of their discography. What Distance Over Time does offer, however, is that "it" factor you can't quite put your finger on. Many lifelong fans claim the band lost their mojo the day founding member Mike Portnoy left the band. If that's the case, they seem to have found it on this release.
Dream Theater reaffirm their identity on Distance Over Time, displaying a collective hunger, abundant energy, creativity, and musical (re)discovery. This set should erase the schism between fans and win the band a whole slew of new ones.
The briskness of Distance Over Time means that the good stuff feels more concentrated, with the mediocre material mere blips on the radar. While any other band's 14th studio album might start to reveal fatigue, Dream Theater balances polish, consistency, musical excellence, and excitement on Distance Over Time.
A pretty good album. The guitar solos in Barstool Warrior and A Wit's End are absolutely amazing, and the rest of the tracks are pretty solid.A pretty good album. The guitar solos in Barstool Warrior and A Wit's End are absolutely amazing, and the rest of the tracks are pretty solid. The downside is that it doesn't have such a powerful climax like those of their legendary albums.…Expand
Dream Theater's virtuosity is on full display here, and each musician has his moment to shine. LaBrie's melodies hit notes that put goosebumpsDream Theater's virtuosity is on full display here, and each musician has his moment to shine. LaBrie's melodies hit notes that put goosebumps on my neck and shoulders. Petrucci pulled me into the groove for a bit and then broke me out of it with moments of shocking beauty. Myung never ceases to amaze with his level of maturity and authenticity. Rudess expanded his horizon of play into the ethereal, as if the Wizard was busy casting a mesmer spell. Mangini elevated his performance higher than his cymbals sat. I swear the man has an extra limb, because a few of his snare runs were just plain ridiculous in the off timing.
They have some memorable numbers on this album. While not as expansive as some of their past lengthy hits like Octavarium or Change of Seasons, the song At Wit's End is a melodic epic at 9:20 that puts chills on the spine. Paralyzed is radio-ready, and needs to get played ASAP. The general theme of the album is science, physics, math, and astronomy, with reminders to living life and feeling alive. The artwork is eye candy, centering around futurism and technology. The album feels like a homage to Hawking with a nod to Tesla.…Expand
Great songs: Barstool Warrior, At Wit's End, Pale Blue Dot
Very good songs: Fall into Light, S2N, Viper King
Good songs: Untethered Angel,Great songs: Barstool Warrior, At Wit's End, Pale Blue Dot
Very good songs: Fall into Light, S2N, Viper King
Good songs: Untethered Angel, Paralyzed, Room 137
Not memorable song: Out of Reach
The mix is very good, musicianship at the highest level as usual, a few lows here and there (sometimes lyrics are not completely convincing). But it's a very good album, possibly the best after the departure of Portnoy and, in my opinion, it might be the best one since Six Degrees.
The only miss is a long epic prog majestic song, as they did in most of the albums, but the overall level is higher than expected. And it grows at every listen.
Very well done, guys!…Expand
Technically and musically speaking, this album is perfect. The riffs and grooves are some of the best I have heard in progressive metal. EvenTechnically and musically speaking, this album is perfect. The riffs and grooves are some of the best I have heard in progressive metal. Even the lyrics are amazing, and I am especially in favor of the songs Petrucci wrote. I do, however, think the melodies could have stuck with me a little more and LaBrie's singing sometimes gets drowned out by the music despite his vocal talent. I also think it sounds very similar to the Dream Theater that I have heard before and therefore believe it deserves a high 7.…Collapse
There are some great moments here. Great proggy riffs and interludes and such, but I feel that Dream Theater has dug out a rut that they can'tThere are some great moments here. Great proggy riffs and interludes and such, but I feel that Dream Theater has dug out a rut that they can't get out of. It's their choruses. Most of the choruses on this album are essentially the same: Drums beat goes to half time, Petrucci with some sustained, slow guitar arpeggios, Labrie adds 1 harmony vocal. It has become predictable, and "predictabality" is the death knell of any prog band. Add some variety and creativity to your choruses and we go from a 7 to a 9. Perhaps that's why I loved The Astonishing so much, it didn't really have any choruses!
Anyway, not a bad album at all, not like their self-titled record which is the most bland thing they've done by a mile.
My favorites: S2N, Pale Blue Dot.…Expand
Great stuff in there. Dream Theater did it again! Musically awesome. Mangini has great drum sound compared to previous stuff. James doesn'tGreat stuff in there. Dream Theater did it again! Musically awesome. Mangini has great drum sound compared to previous stuff. James doesn't sound like previous stuff, sadly.…Expand
Sai megalomania dos últimos disco e volta um Dream Theater mais direto, era o disco que queríamos?Não, mas é o disco que precisamos, direto eSai megalomania dos últimos disco e volta um Dream Theater mais direto, era o disco que queríamos?Não, mas é o disco que precisamos, direto e reto!…Expand
