Originally Posted by: crataegusYes, I think you are right. I also see two significant parts: On the one hand Dream Theater together with bands like Opath, Spock's Beard (... the "progressive nation") - and on the other hand Pink Floyd, Marillion, ...Haha did you by chance mean Opeth? They happen to be one of my favorite bands. And in my mind, when it comes old school progressive, they can pull it off well.
Don't know where the exact definition is, perhaps just the "non-standard".
At first I even didn't like Dream Theater - perhaps because of being non-standard. But if you ever get to the point and "understand" the music ... or "feel" the music ... don't know how to explain. Then you cannot even compare their music to other's - it's just an own world.
So perhaps you give them another try?! ;-) I recommend "Scenes from a memory". Don't listen to one or two songs, just the complete album.
Here is a good example (yes they are technically death metal, but theres no cookie monster in this song, Im sure alot of you will like):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7sdZVSJhK0
The writer of Opeth is a huge DT fan by the way.
