Funny that the instrumentalists were writing the lyrics as well. Why don't they just kick out LaBrie? They don't need him.
BTW, i've always thought thier lyrics were DT's weakest point. Some lines are killer, but overall there's lots of improvement to be made.
In regards to Jordan Rudess, I think his grasp of classical piano is phenomenal. He is simply a more "jazz" keyboardist than the other guy was, and some people might not be able to adjust to that.
Also, ever stop to wonder if maybe they (the songwriters) simply aren't giving Rudess the time of day? I feel like the times when he has solos, he totally takes the stage. So why not have him blasting us with his talent during all moments of every song?
Probably because the drummer and guitarist of this band are egotistical and like themselves in the spotlight. Look at it on a broad scale... probably 75% of DT's songs focus primarliy on drums and guitar.
Nothing wrong with that; rock and metal are pretty cool with great drums and great guitar. But when you write music BY a drummer and guitarist, FOR a drummer and guitarist, that's really lame. :/
Also, what's this business about people hating Six Degrees? That is a fantastic album. The band really comes together as a whole, and LaBrie finds his old voice again. If you think Rudess is lacking in harmonic and melodic skills, listen to this album all the way through. It makes you guys just sound like a bunch of whiners. lol.
Along that vein, Scenes From A Memory is even better an example of what Dream Theater can do when they really come together as a team. Too bad Petrucci and Portnoy are hijacking the show on other albums...
And finally, I do think Octavarium is a great track (even though his vocals are strained at times). It's quite the prog epic. I like how it portrays the agony and fruitlessness of our lost generation, the moment when they realize that they will never achieve enlighenment or self-actualization in this lifetime. The death of the mainstream man, encapsulated in song.
BTW, i've always thought thier lyrics were DT's weakest point. Some lines are killer, but overall there's lots of improvement to be made.
In regards to Jordan Rudess, I think his grasp of classical piano is phenomenal. He is simply a more "jazz" keyboardist than the other guy was, and some people might not be able to adjust to that.
Also, ever stop to wonder if maybe they (the songwriters) simply aren't giving Rudess the time of day? I feel like the times when he has solos, he totally takes the stage. So why not have him blasting us with his talent during all moments of every song?
Probably because the drummer and guitarist of this band are egotistical and like themselves in the spotlight. Look at it on a broad scale... probably 75% of DT's songs focus primarliy on drums and guitar.
Nothing wrong with that; rock and metal are pretty cool with great drums and great guitar. But when you write music BY a drummer and guitarist, FOR a drummer and guitarist, that's really lame. :/
Also, what's this business about people hating Six Degrees? That is a fantastic album. The band really comes together as a whole, and LaBrie finds his old voice again. If you think Rudess is lacking in harmonic and melodic skills, listen to this album all the way through. It makes you guys just sound like a bunch of whiners. lol.
Along that vein, Scenes From A Memory is even better an example of what Dream Theater can do when they really come together as a team. Too bad Petrucci and Portnoy are hijacking the show on other albums...
And finally, I do think Octavarium is a great track (even though his vocals are strained at times). It's quite the prog epic. I like how it portrays the agony and fruitlessness of our lost generation, the moment when they realize that they will never achieve enlighenment or self-actualization in this lifetime. The death of the mainstream man, encapsulated in song.