Petrucci

[Jacko123]

Seems to be a lot of Petrucci fans here. I've never listened to Dream Theatre. So what is the "essential Petrucci" I should be checking out?

 

[grc911]

Hi Jacko
I think the new album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is a good intro to what our John can do. All the sounds he is known for.
If you like it then explore the back catalogue.
Sit back and turn the volume up!

Greg

 

[Sixstringpsycho]

Hey, start with listening to "Pull me Under", "Metropolis pt 1", "Ministry of lost Souls", and like stated before the Black clouds and silver linings is a great album, also check out songs "panic attack" and "these walls". Cheers.

 

[MesallicA]

Images and words is all the DT you need.

 

[Erotomaniac1928]

Start from Images and Words and work your way through the years. Its best way to really understand his playing and his development.

 

[MesaGod666]

JP Rock Discipline DVD.

Petrucci is God.

That is all.

 

[Jacko123]

Thanks guys. I'll check those out for sure.

 

[dmcguitar]

everyone has there own favorite.. buy what type of music do you really dig?

they have been getting heavier as the years go by.

when day and dream unite (production's not great, it was a first album) is like and 80's prog record... its like they just played to have fun and write as technical as they could... influences show alot on it (i really like that album)

images and words, is an improved versioin of that album i think (same sorta writing and feel, new songs of course)

awake, they start going heavy (the 7 string comes in)

(i'd go with those 3 albums, unless you really dig heavy music more.. then just start with the new album, which i think is the best since their 1999 album scenes from a memory)

and to finish what i was saying

falling into infinity, is very radio friendly ish, they were forced to have "hit" songs.. great tunes though

metroplois part two: scenes from a memory.. awesome all around.. getting darker / heavier, not as radio ish as the album before it, and cool writing like IAW.

The next few albums all continue from the end of that album with a trend, in songs and general heavieness..

 

[TimeSignature]

If you only listen to ONE album... make sure it isnt "Falling into Infinity!" :wink:

The rest rock!

Actually each album is amazing in its own way.

I personally like "Scenes from a Memory" followed by "Train of Thought."

 

[lshred365]

Get any of there live DVD's like a greatest hits with video.

 

[Erotomaniac1928]

If you only listen to ONE album... make sure it isnt "Falling into Infinity!" :wink:

The rest rock!

Actually each album is amazing in its own way.

I personally like "Scenes from a Memory" followed by "Train of Thought."

With the exception of "You Not Me", Falling Into Infinity is a great album. "Lines In the Sand", "Hollow Years" and "Trial of Tears" are DT classics which they still play on a normal basis.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Get any of there live DVD's like a greatest hits with video.

That's actually a really good idea.

I'd go with 'Scenes From a Memory', 'Images and Words', and 'Train of Thought' for starters though. The newer stuff is pretty good, but you can't beat the older stuff.

 

[MesallicA]

the problem with them live is the singer can be pretty bad.

 

[TimeSignature]

Erotomaniac1928, I see your point, my opinion is that Falling into Infinity doesnt really represent what DT is all about. Although there are some insanely technical parts, I also do not think that it showcases Petrucci and the progressive sound that DT fans typically love. That was a sell out album. I know I share that opinion with lots of DT fans. For some reason I just could never get into that album.

I'm not a hater, DT is probably my favorite band. I have met JP (in NYC mid 90's) and have been following the band religiously since 1995.

Yeah, please look past the singing on some of the live stuff, especially the earlier live stuff.

 

[Erotomaniac1928]

Erotomaniac1928, I see your point, my opinion is that Falling into Infinity doesnt really represent what DT is all about. Although there are some insanely technical parts, I also do not think that it showcases Petrucci and the progressive sound that DT fans typically love. That was a sell out album. I know I share that opinion with lots of DT fans. For some reason I just could never get into that album.

I'm not a hater, DT is probably my favorite band. I have met JP (in NYC mid 90's) and have been following the band religiously since 1995.

Yeah, please look past the singing on some of the live stuff, especially the earlier live stuff.

I see exactly what you mean, even Portnoy has said the album was a sell out. But even when DT sells out theyre still amazing, haha.

To comment on the singing (this is to everyone), James in my all time favorite vocalist. His early years singing (studio and live) cant be beat. Check out Live At The Marquee EP, or bootlegs from shows around '92, '93 and youll be floored. Granted, James has had some pretty bad live moments as all singers do, especially after his vocal rupture.

 

[MesallicA]

his singing on I&W is awesome, i haven't really liked anything else by him though. He has an annoying quality i cant put my finger on, and he sings with his tongue out, its gross to watch!

 

[MusicManJP6]

...and he sings with his tongue out, its gross to watch!

A friend of mine compares him singing high notes to a cat getting choked. Pretty funny actually! His vibrato is terrible IMO. I like his work on older albums and find myself singing along most of the time. DT would not be the same without LaBrie, but I still mostly listen to their stuff for Petrucci's guitar work as well as the other accomplished musicians skills in the band.

 

[dmcguitar]

i listen to almost all music now for the guitar part... i think i sing more guitar parts then vocals from songs. I usually get into bands by listening to the guitar and ignoring the vocals (dream theater doesn't apply to this though) for instance lamb of god, i saw them live and said this is cool, and got some albums and at first was put off by the harsh? singing. i couldnt understand them and it was grumbly, so i skipped through songs listening to the awesome drum / guitar work.. then the singing kinda just became a background part, i guess like someone listening to britney spears, or lady gaga woudl consider the guitar part in their songs.

don't forget to grab petrucci's solo album, and liquid tension experiment (which is basically dream theater without the vocals)

 

[Erotomaniac1928]

...and he sings with his tongue out, its gross to watch!

A friend of mine compares him singing high notes to a cat getting choked. Pretty funny actually! His vibrato is terrible IMO. I like his work on older albums and find myself singing along most of the time. DT would not be the same without LaBrie, but I still mostly listen to their stuff for Petrucci's guitar work as well as the other accomplished musicians skills in the band.

Funny fact: Adam Lambert, of American Idol fame, uses the same technique with his tongue (coicidence his range is similar to LaBrie's?) From what I understand, it's relieves tension on the throat.

 

[LTE]

I personally love all members of DT, and they are one of the few bands that I can listen to not only for their musical talent but also their songwriting/lyrical skill.

I love their concept albums and masterpieces like A Change of Seasons.