Listening to Dream Theater - Illumination Theory (Thoughts and Opinion)

[@nexuslang]

The live version from the Boston Opera House is even better than the studio one!! They're accompanied by a full orchestra and choir - truly an epic performance.

[@ledgerdavid3435]

a tip: you can watch movies on Kaldrostream. Been using it for watching lots of of movies recently.

[@nehemiahivan179]

@Ledger David Yea, have been watching on Kaldrostream for since november myself :D

[@judekarsyn9507]

@Ledger David definitely, have been watching on KaldroStream for since december myself :)

[@lincolnamari3486]

@Ledger David definitely, I've been using Kaldrostream for months myself :D

[@andersjulius4610]

@Ledger David Definitely, I've been watching on kaldrostream for since december myself :D

[@rustyshackelford4503]

Probably in the minority here but I really like this song. Probably my favorite material of theirs post-portnoy. Distance Over Time as a whole is good, this particular song stands out among this “era” of the band

[@rtrooperw8115]

Rusty Shackelford Not in the minority at all, it’s a GREAT one!

[@nedrini1387]

No I don’t think you are in the minority on this one. A lot of people love this song. I’ve seen two different reactors shed a tear doing this song

[@markfit7870]

you definitely aren't in the minority - one of my favs too.

[@thehereandnow8673]

The minority is usually people who like wither

[@nedrini1387]

Robert Anderson Well that’s a great song

[@elBanananas]

Masterpiece on so many different levels. The last movement Surrender, Trust & Passion is just one the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my life. Simple but so meaningful. I do not understand how can people dislike this song. I really don't. For the keyboards, maybe they'll grow on you. I find them really suiting the song :) Next I suggest listening to In The Presence of Enemies (both parts combined!!!). Heavy, dark, mysterious... just brilliant yet criminally underrated. By one and only Dream Theater of course.

[@ReplicantSeven]

I think you'd love Breaking All Illusions from Dream Theater, one of the best and heartfelt solos Petrucci has done, and overall incredible song. Give it a try. Your reaction to the solo from Opeth's Lovelorn Crime makes me certain you'd love it.

[@rtrooperw8115]

ReplicantSeven Yes!

[@poolmaster18]

Dream Theater songs are meant to be a rollercoaster, you cant expect the normal progression of a song with them which makes them great. I understand what you are saying about the keyboards.

[@PandafyMe]

tbh it makes me sad when people dont appreciate that middle symphonic section. of course it belonged there. thats kinda the whole point of the song. its the low point you need to hit to appreciate the highs. this song is a work of art more than it is just music and it demands to be admired and appreciated as a whole not as individual sections.

[@raultifrea5549]

People don't know how to appreciate contrast in these musical pieces, such as selkies the endless obsession by BTBAM, most I heard complain about first part being too harsh, but its what makes the second half so beautiful, the passage from grotesque and dissonant to beautiful and harmonic, my thoughts.

[@raultifrea5549]

Also, in this piece, the second entry doesn't really make sense without the middle part, it's meant to carry you away and make you dream, remember and wonder only to bring you back to reality

[@Siberian_Khatru.]

Well it's all subjective and moreover it takes more than one listen to essentially grasp all parts of a song and understand the importance and each section

[@DavidCho]

About the middle quiet portion... you actually mentioned it in your commentary about needing to hit rock bottom to appreciate the highs in life. The contrast of the middle section brings the energy built up so far to that point in the song to a complete stand still and comes back in as a slow melancholy melody. What is amazing is how from that, they are able to build the song back up all the way to the amazing climax. To me, you would not have appreciated the climax as much without that middle instrumental.

[@PandafyMe]

thats kinda the whole point of the song. thats why the middle piece is there. the song is a work of art more than it is just music and it demands to be admired and appreciated as a whole not as individual sections.

[@jasongregorius96]

Good to see you back in action and healthy Jim! Strongly suggest Erotomania > Voices from the Awake album. An earlier gem that encompasses the raw emotion and technicality of that era of DT. I think it’s right up your alley :)

[@danidelgado3015]

Images & words and Awake. My DT favourite albums BY FAR 🙌🏻 Kevin Moore was the key ✨

[@squidly12009]

It's impressive to watch them play this live at The Boston Opera House with kids from the Berklee School of Music, where they got their start.

[@dirtpile]

and I'm still here! :D LOVE THIS SONG! The orchestral part was written (at least partially) by Eren Basbug who was a student at Berklee and he also conducted the Berklee Orchestra for the Dream Theater live set. Check out the live version some time1

[@synen]

My favorite band of all time, if a KZbinr reacts to DT, I watch, follow and like! Thank you Jim.

[@Pulsed101]

This album is in their top 3 for me. A phenomenal band

[@palantir135]

I don’t have much problems with social distancing. Here in the Netherlands we still can go outside for a walk in the woods or take a bicycle ride as long as we keep our distance to other people. We are slowly winning the fight against the virus. Interesting Dream Theater song and I love it. Tip: Ayreon did another live concert show last year “Into the electric castle and other tales” because of the 20th anniversary of the album. I bought the blu-ray and it’s great. Fish, Anneke van Giersbergen, Simone Simons and many other musicians participated. You can find several songs on KZbin.

[@nedrini1387]

I just saw this and clicked on this immediately. Thanks for mentioning my name that’s pretty cool. I’m so glad you’re doing this so I hope you love it as much as I do

[@RhuneforgeArt]

Glad to see you back Jim! Hope everything is alright. I think the new Leprous is waiting for you, especially At the bottom. Cheers!

[@gabiesiren]

am I the only female DT fan ? I liked them since their first album when dream and day unite, saw them twice live and will go to see them again the next time they come to Montreal

[@JimNewstead]

I'm sure there's more of you!

[@stuart8465]

I enjoyed that Jim, thank you. Stay safe

[@giulianobart7674]

Hi Jim, I know who's missing on your channel! Some Coheed & Cambria! Give Good Apollo IV a try, you will love it (or hate it, nothing in between)!

[@juliangrenon-grekin5954]

Still praying for Another Isis review.. glad your back tho

[@williammann376]

Jim, your setup looks so cool! I guess I've not noticed it before on the sidecam shot. Looks like a great home studio. Are you currently working on any original music? And if so, can we hear it at some point please and thank you? Also, Haken has a new album coming out titled Virus (coincidence). The video for the first single, Prosthetic, has been released. Its worth checking out.

[@joseluislefinaogomez9113]

5:50 I like how the drums fit with the techno synths. then alittle drum solo and then fit again with synths! just before the riff section in 6:05 Just amazing

[@aschleon]

I love Dream Theater & I love your thoughts, mimics, & reactions to their songs. Most of their songs are like a story, chapters in it. The musics often resembles the lyrics. You should probably watch Illumination Theory on the live concert version in Boston Opera House. It sounded & looked better with their performances. Please keep on reacting on Dream Theater.

[@tallgrayandgruesome]

Hi Jim...thanks so much!

[@rtrooperw8115]

I almost think you need to retry this with the live version in Boston, as you will get the middle section more. Really meant to be an orchestra piece. Seen live makes it abundantly clear. But it needs the video IMO. Try it Jim!

[@palopo-t3v]

About Ruddess choice of sounds: That's why you'll always hear old fans saying that the departure of Kevin Moore meant a bigger change in their music in a negative way than the switch from Mike Portnoy to Mike Mangini.

[@AndyGrouch]

This is one of the few songs in recent DT that I actually like LeBrie's vocal parts.

[@mickjager]

Do A Change of Seasons next! One of my fave DT songs, even did a project in my english class about it!

[@matthewpugh9175]

All of the above by transatlantic is also another awesome track you should savour and relish.

[@DiegoDeschain]

Long time, Jim! Glad to see you back.

[@theanunnaki334]

Nice to see videos are coming up again. Love this album. Can I suggest The Faceless - Autothiest Movement part 1 to 3 Archspire - Remote Tumour Seeker

[@sebulban]

For ultimate Dream Theater experience I would do The Dance of Eternity, Metropolis Part I " The Miracle and the Sleeper, Learning to live and At Wit's End. Just for historic reasons Afterlife or Ytse Jam from the first When Dream and Day Unite.

[@janzojanzo9059]

That section you don't find interesting is The Embracing Circle.

[@georgebats9796]

You should definitely check out Soen-The Other's Fall

[@captainmorgan1978]

Hey Jim, good to see you back :) Hope all is well, brotha! :) Cheers!

[@JimNewstead]

Ah, there you are! Yeah, we’re all fine if a tad stir crazy! How is Korea at the mo? It’s all a bit shit here in the UK, but it is everywhere now. Waiting for more Devin from you!

[@captainmorgan1978]

@@JimNewstead things in Korea are looking much better... Korea was on top of it from the beginning... Unfortunately my move back to the US is literally on hold. The government has stopped any immigration so my plan to get back in July is definitely not happening. I hope the UK people are not like the Americas going to be a long road for them..

[@spybloom]

You mentioned the start of the song is like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. The ending reminds me a lot of it, too. The ritardando into holding the last note with drum rolls behind it (Can I quickly mention that the snare roll sounds awful there?), and it's exactly the same note as Six Degrees, as well. Dream Theater's been going down the path of everything being clean and samey for years, and this song is just recycled parts of other songs. The overture and ending is Six Degrees, Rudess and Petrucci playing the same runs (one in each ear) is Octavarium, the soundscape in the middle is Count of Tuscany. Is it played well? Absolutely, they're still Dream Theater. I feel like past a couple songs here and there, the creativity just hasn't been since at least Systematic Chaos.

[@timeforsmalltownlivin]

The live version is EPIC!!!

[@the_real_schopenhauer985]

Hello Jim, may I once more recommend checking out Psychotic Waltz-Into the Everflow. Btw. their new album The god-shaped void has been released in February. Cheers

[@GoskitarDTV]

Man, you missed the last part. In those 3 minutes you a beautiful piano. I can't believe it. I am a super hiper DT's Fan and well. You should have listened to the last part.

[@nikelodeon6852]

The last piano part shouldn't be there. The song was done with. I always shut it off after the end.

[@GoskitarDTV]

@@nikelodeon6852 Forgive him/her, God of music. He/She doesnt know that he/she is saying.

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@GoskitarDTV He is a man unless you can't make that out from the video. What are you even trying to say lol..

[@GoskitarDTV]

@@nikelodeon6852 I was mentioning you. I am not from your culture. So I just ssai both.

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@GoskitarDTV dude u need to learn English first. Ssai is not a word and what exactly are you even trying to say...

[@exogenesis4273]

You truly need to try both the song "A Change of Seasons" and the album "Scenes from a Memory". As good as the songs you've already heard are, these two works are regarded as *the* peak of Dream Theater by most fans.

[@dv1860]

And In The Presence of Enemies.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

Excellent! :) Greatly enjoyed that... so you like ze g'tars. Hm. Try: Animals As Leaders: Weightless (2011) esp. the tracks: An Infinite Regression, Odessa, Somnarium, Isolated Incidents, Do Not Go Gently....

[@zodiac8829]

check out "a change of seasons" by dream theater it's one of their best tracks

[@jmcruz5385]

Honestly, Jim, Illumination Theory is probably the in the mid-tier songs of DT. I'd rather listen to Erotomania than it but I digress. Try listening to ADAGIO's Next Profundis from their Underworld album. :)

[@rtrooperw8115]

Thx Jim!

[@matthewpugh9175]

Jim you need to get a change of seasons into your life. It’s a melodic masterpiece

[@jorgemarquez5314]

the middle of the song is very similar to "The Revealing Science of God by YES !!! very good song by TD

[@janzojanzo9059]

The orchestra ection doesn't fit in the song? It's called THE EMBRACING CIRCLE and it is a good part. You should have watched the Breaking The Fourth Wall Live in Boston so that you would understand what I mean.

[@lockerdownses]

Try Anne by Discus 👍

[@felipecosta2180]

Jordan Rudes listening Dream Theater.

[@JimNewstead]

Hahahaha..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g53dZYWvh6ippqc

[@HarshitMathur1994]

@7:46 was that just a coincidence, or were they teasing The Astonishing?

[@alancooke6630]

Can I suggest Mostly Autum - Questioning Eyes - live

[@nikelodeon6852]

Literally every band with a keyboardist has the same synth patch when they solo. U can check any other prog band including haken you'll find the same thing lol your complaint doesn't make sense.

[@jordansaultry2728]

No they don’t bud but ok

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@jordansaultry2728 they do but ok... I'm just a keyboardist studying in a conservatory that's all...no one important enough to have any experience to voice out a fact...

[@milton1448]

@ 9:29 DT's "Close to the edge" moment

[@andresaedozapata7549]

Theres only one epic song left from the band! And is called A Change of Seasons!

[@369edu]

The only song that i like without mike portnoy.

[@bernardodc9631]

this nursery routine is really killing us all (of time)

[@juancarlos-mj6kq]

Dudddeee! You literally cut off one of the most beautiful parts of that masterpiece. 😳

[@thecarpetcrawler1962]

illuminated masterpiece!!!!!!!

[@Sir_Blobfish]

I like your prattles... prattle away! 😉

[@DrawAndErase]

Derek sherinian will agree with you on Jordan's cheesy keyboards, shame they got rid of him from dream theater.

[@Easy_Skanking]

The best fit keyboardist for Dream Theater was Derek Sherinian. His style can be raunchy, beautiful and heavy and just fit with them as a band. Perhaps you have the time to listen to "Change of Seasons" to hear what I'm talking about. Peace...

[@markfit7870]

Derek is a great keyboard player but he's definitely the least best fit for Dream Theater.

[@kevinkuypers]

I used to be a huge DT fan until Black Clouds, after that, they kinda started losing their spark unfortunately. For me, this song is exemplary for many things wrong with the band and I think it's rather terrible - apart from great technicality of course. The song is formulaic, full of self-references (or self copying?), LaBries voice is drowned in effects (coz he's become a terrible singer), Mike Mangini writes awful drum parts and the production and mixing is atrocious. I could go on... This song is basically a worse version of "The Count of Tuscany". And as a keyboard player, i definitely agree with what you said, Jim. If you compare this song to the other great longtracks (Octavarium, Change of Seasons, Count of Tuscany, Presence of Enemies etc.), it's just sad...

[@markfit7870]

I dont think that I could disagree any more with this if i tried. Black Clouds and Systematic Chaos were the low points for me (I prefer WDADU to those) and to say Mangini writes awful drum parts is ridiculous. The drums on this track are phenomenal. I could go on.

[@dandavidson1704]

There is some truth to what you said, sometimes I don’t love mangini’s drum parts, but the mix is on petrucci and he did a lot better on DOT. And thus song is the worst of the long epics, but not by that much. Only by a little bit. This song has more groove than the count of Tuscany and in the presence of enemies. So honestly I don’t even know if I would put this one lower then those. But I do get what your saying, they don’t sound quite the same with mangini. And they’ve been kind of all over the place with mangini. I think that with DOT they found their sound with him. I guess I just like their new sound more than you do

[@nikelodeon6852]

The hell do you mean it doesn't fit the song lol..

[@JimNewstead]

Just an opinion! For me, it doesn’t fit, bit s as I said, I’m sure that for them it was an important part....

[@nikelodeon6852]

@@JimNewstead Jordan Rudess is as integral a part of the band as Petrucchi. It's like saying Petrucchi shouldn't have a solo or be there in every song. It makes no sense lol.

[@hm_nn_5633]

Well ... they're Dream Theater, love them or loathe them. They've completely changed my musical outlook - DT fan since Day 1.

[@Rojk]

I'm sorry, but neither the sound or the creativity of the drums are near what it was with Mike Portnoy in the band....

[@rtrooperw8115]

Rojk Disagree. Both are great.

[@nedrini1387]

Rojk I am so tired of hearing the comparisons. Unless you know anything about drums you can’t say One is better than the other

[@markfit7870]

disagree completely - the sound of the drums isnt his fault. Blame others for that. The creativity is 100% on a par with Portnoy. The drums on this track are amazing.

[@willcooper7345]

I like Portnoy a LOT. The flurry of drums leading into the slow section was great. However, listen from 17:40 - 18:25, the build is all buildup Mangini into the ending is master-class. It is as if the drums are "singing" - which is not an easy feat for any drummer. Then the interaction with Mangini and Petrucci is brilliant also. Saying Mangini plays exceptional does NOT subtract from Portnoy's brilliance nor the contributions to his band.

[@willcooper7345]

@@Deukapi OK, so you don't like the mix and the keyboard sounds.... fair enough. I get it. As for the drum sounds, you are a drummer and I am not (although I do play other instruments and enjoy music immensely)... so I won't argue the sound of the kit either. I will say that the bass feels buried underneath the keys and guitars... like he's playing amazing stuff that gets lost or struggles to fight for space to be heard... but I have felt this off and on at other times, not just on this album. I will just say I like Mangini's work on this song and I like the Dream Theater album as a whole... as well as the back catalog. I like Portnoy too. I guess I just like the tune and think the interplay between Mangini and Petrucci are enjoyable as they seem to share some rhythmic interactions... I still think there is a lot of pushback about Mangini being in the band and well, I look at it as he's just different. Finally, I can also add, I was not as impressed with the latest effort from DT so I await what is next. Thanks for sharing.