Listen to Dream Theater: Awake, Part 1

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[@scifimonkey3]

James before his voice was wrecked, when he could power belt with the best of them.

[@Roddrummer]

I will never forget my first taste of DT. A mate of mine said to me, "Have you heard of Dream Theater? It's like Rush meets Queensryche." I said "F*** yes, that's for me!" I went out and brought this album the next day. Instantly hooked, and a fan for life.....

[@nedrini1055]

I’ve always described them as rush on steroids

[@Roddrummer]

@ and DT have always said, there’d be no DT without Rush…

[@Nebuloid1]

My friend told me hey, you like Iron Maiden right !? And Yes and all that... Around 2002 this happened, he gave me Change Of Seasons, that's the story.

[@Ivich1203]

Dream Theater are still my favorite band to this day, but there's something wonderfully cinematic about Images and Words and Awake that's not found in any of their albums since.

[@torch8760]

Cinematic? Scenes From a Memory is a bloody screenplay! :)

[@Nebuloid1]

@@torch8760 Six Degrees is a blockbuster trilogy on it's own !

[@FyreofShadow]

The influence of Kevin Moore faded after A Change of Seasons, that may be why.

[@Rags6661]

1994 Labrie was peak! And that Innocence Faded outro is just chef's kiss!

[@rudolfbecker4313]

this album has so many chef's kisses 😆🤘

[@tiago.8977]

Awake is the greatest album ever recorded in human history imo. It has it all. I miss the Dream Theater pre Train of thought. They were flawless. From SC on they are all about sounding heavy no matter what, silly lyrics, keyboard wanting to lead and soloing all the time. Kevin Moore knew how to balance the keys solos and the beautiful atmospheres.

[@LosPompadores]

For me it's Images

[@lowdz68]

I remember back when the first LTE album came out, I was hoping the band would ditch Derek for Jordan - I was underwhelmed by Falling Into Infinity. Now, I kinda wish they had stuck with Derek as he was more of a Kevin Moore type player. But then again, would we have got Scenes and 6 Degrees?

[@drumhawk1221]

I remember back then I was still listening to cassette tapes, the song "Scarred" was not on the tape due to running time. Then someone with the Awake CD showed me the song, That's when I switched over to CD'S!

[@renanrossi5434]

James awake/Falling Into Infinity is another level

[@HollowGolem]

For those curious, the spoken-word bit in Six o'clock is from the film of Samuel Beckett's "Dubliners." Not sure about the rest of the sampled audio on the album, but I know that one specifically because I bought this album, it turns out, the year we read Joyce in high school and I watched the film and had an uncanny, strange deja vu.

[@AlAensland]

YESSSS FINALLY MY FAVORITE ALBUM FROM DT. I like it more than Images And Words tbh, it much more darker and also well, the whole Kevin leaving the band thing.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

I hope you like the following ones enough to join our journey 🤘

[@DonCarnage42]

The breakdown and solo outro in Innocense Faded is a sweet moment in DT's catalogue. Probably because I play drums, I love it so much and will never get enough of the Mike Portnoys magic here. Also see the ending of Scarred, LTE's live "Rhapsody In Blue", Transatlantic's "Is it really happening?" for other similar MP buildups.

[@revylokesh1783]

Aaah, finally! This monday is now seriously better than it was an hour ago!

[@rudolfbecker4313]

I'm glad, when I can make people feel better with "my" music😅

[@Brandon-zn8rf]

Sweet! This album was the slowest burn when I got it in 1994. Took about 6 months to digest and it is STILL the album I always come back to. Brilliant.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

It took me several turns to discover the beauty of this album, ever since it's in my TOP 3 of DT and Parasmnia won't change that😊

[@JimNewstead]

Yeah, it’s going to take a few listens!

[@lowdz68]

I feel your pain. I wa sthe same. After the perfection of I&W I struggled with the 7 string guitar sound. I love it now, but it took time. I miss Kevin Moore.

[@torch8760]

One of only three albums in the entire, vast DT catalog that is actually worth listening to all of. Enjoy.

[@monkeyhousescouse]

Just discovered you through the algorithm! New fan! Great seeing you experience this wonderful band plough though such an excellent, rich tapestry of music!! 🎉❤🎉

[@JimNewstead]

Lots of exciting material to come yet!

[@jmurray2018]

This is the first Dream theater album I bought - 2 years ago just before hurricane alley kicked in. After listening to this again it makes me think of another album I bought after Extreme released that “Rise” single called 3” sides to every story” It’s a bit prog and some of the guitar work in this reminds me of that album. You have to listen to that album it’s cool and really really old

[@EricArmstrong-vo6dp]

LaBrie’s voice was never the same after he got food poisoning.

[@jamesderekeikeland9048]

Big DT fan and this album has slowly moved up to spot 1 of my favorites by them, did take some years he he

[@rudolfbecker4313]

I think it's hard to pick "the one" favourite album, I usually name I&W, Awake and Scenes ... as my personal trinity of DT🤘

[@jamesderekeikeland9048]

Juppsie, they are the great three and my taste and favorite might vary from mode and day​@@rudolfbecker4313

[@JimNewstead]

I have a similar problem with Maiden albums, the first 7 always jostle for the top spot!

[@scifimonkey3]

TBH Awake has never got the plays on my system that many other DT albums have but its weird because every time I do pull it out of its sleeve I am always asking myself why I don’t play it more. Am doing it again right now!

[@rudolfbecker4313]

@@scifimonkey3 .. and ? how was it ?

[@der_drummer8143]

Loved it

[@rudolfbecker4313]

well, if a drummer doesn't like it, something must be wrong with him 🤣 or a Tool fan, because according to them, there is only one person on this planet, that can play drums 😆😆

[@der_drummer8143]

@@rudolfbecker4313 True that I'm such a big Dream Theater Fan

[@sebulban]

This album is one of the 2 CD’s that i listened so much that I had to buy a second copy as my car player rupinen the record 😂 There are couple of tracks on this record (mainly erotomania) that made me bought my first official tabulature book. I just had to learn those Petrucci solos. At the time, they were unheard of in almost any level. At least to me 😊

[@rudolfbecker4313]

So did you manage to play ... Erotomania and others ?

[@sebulban]

@ Yes. I was quite persistent 😊 I had already played quite many years before. Also, just because of that solo in voices, I begged my parents to by me a wah wah pedal 😂 So satisfying to play that solo with good amp/distortion/wah combo.

[@fretmyster]

Ooh like this!

[@francesco1455]

I hope this will become a serie like the yes one, a lot to discover with this magnificent band!!

[@rudolfbecker4313]

it's a journey, we've just started, but it's not gonna be an album every month ...

[@JimNewstead]

It will!

[@francesco1455]

​@@rudolfbecker4313 all of dream theater's albums require multiple listening to digest everything, so even if we have dt reactions every 2 months I'm fine with that

[@palantir135]

Hi Jim, Well known to me, great album, love it. And you too I noticed

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Hi Will, do you have any favourite song(s) on this album ?

[@palantir135]

@ hi Rudi, I almost always listen to live concerts by DT (as I do for many bands) so remembering which song of this album I liked most is difficult because I really don’t know which song of a live concert is from which album. I have heard each studio album a few times and I remember I liked this one. I did a quick re-listen of the songs and Erotomania and the Mirror I like the most.

[@JimNewstead]

It’s fab!

[@TheAsphyx666]

God, I miss Kevin Moore. His playing fit the band much better than Jordan's, imho. It was moreatmospheric and inventive and didn't rely as much on classical scales and progressions. Also, I miss LaBrie's pipes. It's not his fault that his voice isn't what it was, and I respect the band for sticking with him. And yet, I feel that his reduced range noticeably limits them in their writng. In any case, a standout album from a great band.

[@thelmctodaythelmctoday4037]

@@TheAsphyx666 that's like saying someone's girlfriend from when they were 13 was better for them instead of the adult women they married

[@TheAsphyx666]

@thelmctodaythelmctoday4037 I'm not quite sure how to read that metaphor, but don't get me started on all the people I know whose teenage gfs were a better match for them than their wives. 😆

[@MrScary67]

This was before James hurt his vocal cords...

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Which you can hear... as I wrote in my comment to part 2 - the best James ever😮

James LaBrie at his best !

[@kenl2091]

First of all, apologies to Rudi. I have heard 6.00 (easily recognisable) Erotomania and Voices from the times when I have seen DT live - the setlist website is very very handy for failing memories like mine. But were they any good? You'll need to wait for the other parts to find out but let's say I agree with Jim - 6.00 is fairly old school hard rock played by virtuosi and is very exciting. Caught in a Web shows more of their progressive metal style to their huge advantage and Innocence Faded is more power balladry to its detriment. The drums did keep it interesting however.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Hi Ken, you don't have apologize. Keep writing your honest comments, that's what I want... because it sometimes makes you relisten and maybe change your mind... to the better😮

[@JimNewstead]

Agree with Jim, agree with Jim!!!!

[@WooBino.]

I hear a Kansas and Dio combo.

[@JimNewstead]

Hey Walt!!! 👋👋

[@WooBino.]

@@JimNewstead 🍵😊🗽👍

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Hi Walt, it's been some time, since we saw you here. Everything ok ? But what reminds you of Kansas ? no violin 🤔 the voice different 🤔 let us know

[@WooBino.]

@@rudolfbecker4313 The musics rhythm, the use of the hammonds and the theatrical singing reminds me of Kansas. I've been on a prog sabbatical for a bit, listening to alot of my boring favorites from over the years. I love a good melody and prog has always lacked in that department.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

@@WooBino. maybe you want to check my Blind Ego mixtape... and I can also recommend Transatlantic and Neal Morse Band. Neal Morse is a "Master of melodies"

[@anistissaoui]

Oh! I miss the wah wah/talk box Petrucci stuff. He doesn’t do that often these days 😢

[@rudolfbecker4313]

I miss some real new sounds in the newer DT records .. the 90s was their best phase, even though I like lots of the 2000s stuff

[@rudolfbecker4313]

pretty good beginning, isn't it ? 😆👍💪🤘

[@palantir135]

Hi Rudi, I agree

[@JimNewstead]

Pretty good!

[@Jester1411]

for me the best DT album, metropolis very close second (although much more mature)

[@rudolfbecker4313]

yes they are quite different, but both great ... and if you consider what they did in between ... probably their most controversial album, what do you think ?

[@ks2122]

You picked best Dream Theatre album, I am interested to hear what you think. Thank you

[@rudolfbecker4313]

yes, the final judgement is, what I'm also excited about

[@JimNewstead]

You have to wait and see!

[@Giovane38]

the best album from DT! REACT NEW ALBUM FROM SOUTHERN EMPIRE

[@ks2122]

Would you please play Image and Words album by Dream Theatre, this album is one of the best from among the best.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Jim already did it, check last years videos😅

[@ks2122]

Thank you very much.​@@rudolfbecker4313

[@nickhelvey5532]

For fun, here is my rankings for the album. 10 One of the best songs I’ve heard 🔥🔥 9 this is a pinnacle prog metal song 8 this is a really great song 7 this is a good song 6 I like it, not bad 5 eh, it’s alright 4 nah, I’ll pass. 3 Not good, bad 2 this is pretty bad, and a stain on discography 1 complete ass. Horrendous! 0 one of the worst songs I’ve heard🤢🤮 Awake 6:00 8 Caught In A Web 6 Innocence Faded 7 Erotomania 8 Voices 9 The Silent Man 8 The Mirror 6 Lie 7 LSOAD 6 Scarred 8 Space-Dye Vest 7 Song Average: 7.2

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Hi Nick, is this your ranking after having heard the album for the very first time ?

[@nickhelvey5532]

@ no, I’ve listened through this album a couple times but then really sat down to listen to it.

[@jeanlundi2141]

I like a lot of things about DT but I still feel they are a bit overrated. But Awake is a GREAT album, adn their best album for me. They lost something with the departure of Kevin Moore on keyboards.

[@rudolfbecker4313]

I would like to know, which progmetal bands you rate higher than DT ? What do you think of Fates Warning and Queensryche ? or do you like any of the newer ones better?

[@jeanlundi2141]

@@rudolfbecker4313 No I don't like those bands. Closest thing to prog metal I can think of I enjoy would be stuff like Devin Townsend or Gojira. Wait....this old swedish band, I believe called Andromeda....is pretty cool. But I really don't dig stuff based on genre...it's always case by case. The super group "Office of Strategi Influence" by Moore (and Portnoy) himself, might be called prog metal....and I really love them.

[@jimjones6419]

I feel bad for you. You've missed so much greatness and think that you've discovered something so many of us have loved for decades. It's a shame. Anyway, not subscribing and moving on. Keep putting ads in the middle of your videos where people live for constant sales.