Del_Duio Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 QUOTE (Gompers @ Jun 4 2009, 02:07 PM) QUOTE (fledgehog @ Jun 4 2009, 02:16 PM) i'm sorry but whoever says Falling Into Infinity is anything short of "amazing" is a dunce. I happen to like FII quite a bit. Trial of Tears is a great epic. SFAM is where the problems began. See this is weird because aside from I&W everything else I own by them is SFAM and afterwards. I think Rudress is the man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Okay.... Time for Review Number 2 Dream Theater's second album...... "Images and Words" http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3nNkcQ1t7hM/R8mSSZiZtgI/AAAAAAAACz0/R_l0UsIb-zM/s400/Dream_Theater-Images_And_Words-Frontal.jpg --------------------Track #1: Pull Me Under ------------------- What more can be said about Dream Theater's one and only radio hit? It is a well designed and written Rocker from Start to finish.... A great introduction to the vocals of Dream Theater's "new" singer James LaBrie.. A truly great song with some minor transitional flaws in my opinion, but nothing less of a great opening track to the first "true" Dream Theater album. It cannot match what is also on this album.... but a very enjoyable track.. Track Score: 7.5/10 ------------------Track #2: Another Day------------------- After the heavyness of the previous track, this is a bit of a turn around, but I like it. It's evident that James LaBrie was trying to make a lasting impression vocally on this song... and it works well too. Very good instrumentation, noting too impressive (other than the Saxophone).... LaBrie steals this song... plain and simple. The lyrics of John Petrucci brilliant.... it has what Pull Me Under didn't have, but lacks what it did have (if that makes sense). Track Score: 7.5/10 ------------------Track #3: Take The Time----------- The Progressive goodness makes it's appearance here... a true plus... Dream Theater are the masters of over the top playing.... and sections of this song demonstrate this wonderfully.. The vocals are okay, but nothing like the previous song... The sampling used at the beginning of the song just doesnt't work for me.... a pattern that Dream Theater would continue. The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, despite the vocal problems in other areas. The instrument playing shines in this song, examplified during the solo sections, and it makes up for my vocal issues...(something of which is also rectified in Live versions of this song, which are much better than the studio version) Song Score: 6.5/10 -----------------Track 4: Surrounded----------- This is my second faviorate song on this album (after Metropolis)... a very great song.. and one that I have grown to love... If LaBrie stole the show in "Another Day", John Petrucci, and Kevin Moore steal it here... Great Lyrics, Great singing...I have no real complaint about this song at all, though some extended solos would have been welcome... I do have to say Live versions are even more superior (such as the Chaos In Motion version)... a masterful song.. Song Score: 9/10 --------------Track 5: Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper-------- Song Score: 10/10.......'nuff said.................. Okay....I'll comment..... Dream Theater's first true Masterpiece of a song... I delivers what "The Killing Hand" could not from the first album... a full 10 minutes of progressive goodnes... long solos, and is not too short, truly shining vocals...etc...no complaints AT ALL. Just what is this song about, not even the members have reached a consensus on the meaning of this song......but this song deserves nothing less than a 10/10 -------------Track 6: Under A Glass Moon------------ Okay....FINALLY a showcase of John Myung's Talents! A great hard rocking Metal song.... out of all the songs on this album so far this is probably the most fluid, and best arranged...as well as the best produced........but back to Myung...HE f***ing OWNS THIS SONG!!!!!!!!! LaBries vocals are good, not too much in the way of solos...etc But a headbanger...nonetheless.. Song Score: 8.5/10 --------Track 7: Wait For Sleep------------- A little too short to really grasp onto anything in particular, but a nice Kevin Moore, and James Labrie duet... cant really argue too much... Song Score 7/10 ---------Track 8: Learning to Live---------- Okay... the closing track... Once again Dream Theater impresses.... Touching and covering both Metal and Progressive elements of their style in this song.... The main thing about this element is that every member shines in this song for at least some time... and is no doubt the best "group effort" of the album, as in all the members seem to work with eachother the best in this track... The quality and production doesn't really match the other songs on this album... but a great way to close what is the best DT album until Scenes from A Memory is released...... Song Score: 8/10 --------------------------OVERALL/ FINAL Analysis---------------- This album VASTLY blows it's predecessor out of the water....(no duh?...huh?), in both terms of Production and Quality. As I said this album is the first "True" Dream Theater album, but is also their first "Masterpiece"... One thing is evident, they are truly playing with some great chops for a band only in their second album, and I am very happy to say the skill of the players can only go up... Overall there is very little in the way of negative I can say about this album....My complaints from the first album were rectified on this effort, and no overall complaints (other than the minor issues I had in the song reviews) emerged.... I love this album, and while It may not be the best (and that's saying something, concidering the greatness of this album) I can give this album noting less than an overall score of........... 90/100 (Not an Average of the song scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 I need to make the note that when I do these reviews I am doing them as I listen to the album itself (I pause after each song) , so my impression and opinion is as fresh as it can be. just a "so you know" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nappy2112 Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Agreed ! Metropolis is my favorite DT song, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Okay, time for the Review of Dream Theater's third effort "Awake" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/65/Dream_Theater_-_Awake.jpg ----------------Track #1 6:00------------------ I am totally loving the layers of sound in this song.... Progressive delight, and thrashing metal AT THE SAME TIME..... musically this reeks of awesomeness.... It's not over the top, no long instrumental sections, but for what it presents it works..... Lyrically however, I almost hate this song. Not that the lyrics are bad, nor is the voice of James LaBrie.... It is the vocal arrangement that I hate.... It just doesn't do it for me... its random and unorganized...... and once again DT does show their worst trait.... THEY CANNOT SAMPLE.... as they tried at the beginning of the song.. I know it's not the best thing to start an album off with an instrumental, but this song would have worked so much better if it were left that way... the vocals sound like something thrown in at the last second. Song Score: 6/10 ------------------Track #2 Caught in a Web-------------------- Once again instead of doing a metal heavy track, followed by a prog heavy track, Dream Theater, as with the previous track, layers the two elements nicely and one doesn't outweigh the other. The vocals and lyrics are brilliant in this. I am loving the extended solos and instrumental breaks... This song has what the previous track did, and what it did not.... a great track....One complaint is that this song ends a little to early.... it could have gone on a little more, but that's a minor grievance Song Score: 9/10 ----------------------Track #3 Innocence Faded---------- Another brilliantly arranged song..... I am going to say that LaBrie steals this song..... lyrics and vocals are just Beautiful, espically during the chorus. Instrumentally it is good, not great... Great playing, but noting really attention grabbing, other than the last minute that builds to a great finish.... but still an overall great song. Song Score 8/10 ---------------------Track #4: A Mind Beside Itself I. Erotomania---------- Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.. A Dream Theater Instrumental.............something of which "Images and Words" was lacking.. Okay this is a heavy and great instrumental.... and a great opening to the "Mind Beside Itself" suite... I love this, it gives way for long and great solo sections, beautiful arrangement. It is overall on par with their first instrumental (Ytse Jam) and is by far no "Stream of Consiousness" , but it works very good, but as one of my grievances with alot of the songs on this album, could have been extended a little more in length. Song Score: 8.5/10 -------------------Track #5: A Mind Beside Itself II. Voices-------------- I am going to go ahead and say this, all of "A Mind Beside Itself" is a masterpiece, and I did not know whether to or not rate it together as one long prog epic (which it really is), but as they are listed on the album individually, I decided I better rate them the same as well.......... One thing about this section in particular, with how good it is, this is weird not to listen to without the other 2 sections, as in this actually is actually better as a section than an individual track.. But it is musically so far the best track on the album, vocally it is just a beautiful... Song Score: 9/10 -----------------Track #6: A Mind Beside Itself III. The Silent Man----------- If "Voices" was the heavy, and melodic middle section, this is a perfect follow up and counter-part, and an awesome way to finish up this "suite" or "mini-epic" ( However you want to see it). I love the LaBrie, and Petrucci duet here. The Backing vocals, the overall acoustic feel... just beautiful in every sense of the word... a masterpiece. Song Score: 9.5/10 ............though I was done with this section yet? NO! As the old saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts... an that is definatly the case with "A Mind Beside Itself".......... OVERALL score for the "A Mind Beside Itself " Suite: 10/10 -------------------Track 7: The Mirror-------------------- After the proggy goodness of the preceding suite we get a nice and welcome change up into some more heaver stuff... The Mirror delivers. I must first give credit to John Myung, who delivers a solid and epic bass preformance, and next to Mike Portnoy for the lyrics in this song... which in of itself it considered a "prequel" to his "12 step suite" that would offically start a few albums later. Okay, the sampling is bothering me, but not to much of a grievance. Nothing too musically special, and a little repetative in parts, but overall a nice rocker..... Song Score: 8/10 --------------------Track 8: Lie------------------------------ A nice transition from the previous track, and this song continues the heaveyness going on. (Missing the prog, just a bit?) Vocally this song is okay, the LaBrie rapping at the beginning was...a bit.....weird, but okay? As before Myung continues his owning... And musically it still is a bit repetative... and nothing really special reaches out... (other than the usual saving grace of the JP solo) but not as good as the previous song, and I would like to get back into some more progressive heavy songs....(so what I have a bias.... ) Song Score: 6.5/10 -----------------Track 9: Lifting Shadows off a Dream----------------- Ask and ye shall recieve... A very nice melodic opening, with the brilliant Kevin Moore, and a suttle yet beautiful JP riff underneath.. a nice layering into the of parts in the beginning. The vocals are brilliant, and La Brie steals the beginning, until the musical break comes in... a little short, and there are better JP solos, but still beautiful. Mike Portnoy does a great job, and he definatly deserves a credit as well.. My main enjoyment in this song is that this is so far the most group effort put in a song, no one member is raised above another and the song bears the signature of all its members.... Song Score: 8.5/10 --------------------Track 10: Scarred--------------------------------------- Much like the last song can show how the group can work together without anyone outshining the other, on a progressive, and melodic song this shows exactly the same but with a more heavy and metal influenced song. A great arrangment of instruments, and great transitional into different time signatures, and stylistic changes. The instrumental break at the 7 minute mark is where the magic really happens... proving once more that John Petrucci is nothing less than a god....nuff said... One small complaint I do have is that for a song in 10minutes of length there is little stylistic differences... but once again that is a prog bias show, and detracts little from the....... Song Score 8.5/10 --------------------Track 11: Space Dye Vest-------------- Kevin Moore's swan song is a creepy yet beautiful, written piece of music that is oddly remnicent of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" Most of this song is a duet with Moore and La Brie. Oddly while I hate the sampling that Dream Theater does the sampling in this song does not detract, but kinda works. f**k it.........MOORE owns this song... The long ass guitar tones, and building into a full band intro... With Moore still being highlighted. It sucks that Kevin Moore left the band after this album, and while he was my least faviorate out of all the DT keyboardists, he was still magnificant, and this was not only a good way to mark his impression on Dream Theater, it is also a great way to finish off a great album.. Song Score: 9.5/10 ------------------OVERALL ANALYSIS------------------- Okay I have to give credit to Dream Theater for Delivering the most well balanced album (in terms of Prog vs. Metal) of what would be their whole career thus far. This offers a true great experience to either side of the Dream Theater Fandom.. The album definatly is the best produced so far, and is the most collaberative between the members of Dream Theater, and an overall exceptional album... One complaint that I did have is that there were no real Jaw-Dropping/ Holy Shit-Moments... if you know what I mean... There were some really good solos, but no one that made your brain explode, like some that would come on later albums..... Nothing really made you feel like you had to listen to the same 3 minutes over and over again, (Razors Edge, for example), but that is a minor detraction. While "Awake" may not be one of my faviorates, it is one of the best... I prefer alot of albums to this one, but there is no detracting from the mastery of this album....... OVERALL RATING FOR "AWAKE" 90/100 (not an average of the song scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 I will post the mini review of ACOS late tonight, and the review of Falling Into Infinity midday tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 phew... made it in before the bell Time for the mini review of "A Change of Seasons" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ac/Dtheater-change-seasons.jpg ---------------------------Overall Analysis---------------------------- Okay, Dream Theaters one and only EP (that happens to be longer than some of their LPs...) but first let me go ahead and get this out this release is totally awesome. First the actual song.... A Change of Seasons is the first real full-length Dream Theater Epic.... and remains to this day my favorite DT song... It is a multi-phased epic in which every member is highlighted at one point or another and the most well written/sung/ and played piece of music DT will write for a good long while. This song also marks the first appearance of the New DT keyboardist Derek Sherinian, who takes his new position remarkably. Every section of this song makes for a good listening experience from the introduction of "The Crimson Sunrise", to the epic instrumental interlude of "The Darkest of Winters" the epic vocal preformance in "Another World" and the great finish in "The Crimson Sunset"........this is what a progressive epic should be....... Now the Covers on the other hand are alright, and really offer nothing special.... but as I do with all DT covers, I find them enjoyable... And the Big Medley, and the Zeppelin Medley are the highlights of the bonus stuff.... plus its live, and some really good stuff.... Overall this whole release is a nice breather after "Awake" and before the next release of "Falling Into Infinity" as this is not a full release I will not be scoring it out of 100 but out of 50. If this were just the ACOS song by itself the EP would get a full score, but the (IMO) lackluster covers detracts very little... Score for "A Change of Seasons": 45/50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompers Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 QUOTE (The Owl @ Jun 10 2009, 12:32 AM) phew... made it in before the bell Time for the mini review of "A Change of Seasons" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ac/Dtheater-change-seasons.jpg ---------------------------Overall Analysis---------------------------- Okay, Dream Theaters one and only EP (that happens to be longer than some of their LPs...) but first let me go ahead and get this out this release is totally awesome. First the actual song.... A Change of Seasons is the first real full-length Dream Theater Epic.... and remains to this day my favorite DT song... It is a multi-phased epic in which every member is highlighted at one point or another and the most well written/sung/ and played piece of music DT will write for a good long while. This song also marks the first appearance of the New DT keyboardist Derek Sherinian, who takes his new position remarkably. Every section of this song makes for a good listening experience from the introduction of "The Crimson Sunrise", to the epic instrumental interlude of "The Darkest of Winters" the epic vocal preformance in "Another World" and the great finish in "The Crimson Sunset"........this is what a progressive epic should be....... Now the Covers on the other hand are alright, and really offer nothing special.... but as I do with all DT covers, I find them enjoyable... And the Big Medley, and the Zeppelin Medley are the highlights of the bonus stuff.... plus its live, and some really good stuff.... Overall this whole release is a nice breather after "Awake" and before the next release of "Falling Into Infinity" as this is not a full release I will not be scoring it out of 100 but out of 50. If this were just the ACOS song by itself the EP would get a full score, but the (IMO) lackluster covers detracts very little... Score for "A Change of Seasons": 45/50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 Ill post my review of "Falling Into Infinity" in a couple of hours.....stay tuned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 Sorry for the Lateness......... Here is the Review of "Falling Into Infinity" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Dream_Theater_-_Falling_into_Infinity_Album_Cover.jpg ---------------Track:1 New Millennium------------------ This song starts off great, with an awesome keyboard riff by the New DT keyboardist Derek Sherinian, on his one and only full length DT album. I like Derek alot more than Kevin Moore, and its obvious that this first track is to show off his talents and I am liking it. Nothing too special featuring any other member in this song, it pretty much belongs to Sherinian... And you can tell that (if you know the La Brie Food poisoning story) La Bries vocals are suffering, but not much in the way of negative... a good, not great, but good opening track Song Score 7/10 -----------------Track 2: You Not Me--------------------- I am going to say that this track is pretty good, for what it presented...... But this track more than any other suffered the most at the hands of the record label in pressuring of Dream Theater.... knowing what the band was wanting this song to be, and hearing the final product is kind of a let down. Edited Lyrics, Edited solos being forced upon Dream Theater made this song into almost a commericial piece of shit that you could hear any run of the mill band play on a top 40 radio station... The little that DT could flex their creativity here makes up for some of it, otherwise this is a very skipable... If you have the "Falling Into Infinity Demos" CD, listen to "You OR me" the way this song should have always been" Song Score: 4/10 ----------------Track 3: Peruvian Skies------------------------ This song is pretty "crunchy" a nice acoustic guitar line, with Bass accompaniment..and I am liking the vocally impared LaBrie vocals here. It fits the song here. When things start to get louder it is all Myung and Petrucci.. A great Bass Buildup to an awesome solo. Everyone gets a section in part of this song, there is a great, but short, Sherinain solo shortly after Petruccis that is awesome. But as the case with other songs on this album, it is going very great, and it is over before you think it even got started....sigh.....Live versions of this song are FAAAAAAR superior. Song Score: 8/10 -----------------Track 4: Hollow Years----------------------- Here is the first true highlight of this album....this is an exceptional ballad.... great lyrics, great music, awesomely sung... great orcrestration... As with instances on previous albums, there are no standouts here, but in turn you get a very enjoyable full Band experience...which at time is better than an extended solo..hearing a group playing perfectly together, is sometimes than an individual playing perfectly just for a moment of time... the whole song gives this feel..... (though I do have to admit I LOOOOOOOOOVE the Spanish Guitar) . And the Lyrics are awesome........... Song Score: 9/10 -----------------Track 5: Burning My Soul----------------------- Musically this is pretty cool, Portnoy is owning the double bass. Otherwise it is musically and vocally lackluster.........my main grief is that it is VEEEEEEERY repeatative...... even during the solo sections, in which Derek Sherenian does impress, brings the musical quality up but for a very little. The vocal synths are just weird.. but okay........... If you are not a headbanger, this is nothing too special.... Song Score: 5/10 -----------------Track 6: Hells Kitchen----------------------- Ah a Dream Theater instru............. What the Hell? Only 4 and half Minutes?! WHAT THE f**k!!!!!!!.... I loving what I am hearing.......Petrucci is owning all you bitches, and you want to give him 4 AND A HALF f***ing MINUTES!!!!!!!!!! Who do I need to get ahold of to call Shenagians?! Damn you record company sons a bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!! For what you get this is yet another almost perfect Dream Theater instrumental..... that in the time it does get is near pure epicness.....but only 4 and half minutes.........come on?! Song Score: 7.5/10 -------------------Track 7: Lines In The Sand----------------- Ah, what ear candy this song is.... Everyone is playing at top notch and what is better than opening with a Portnoy and Petrucci duet? Nothing! THAT'S WHAT! This whole song can be defined as "epic", and while they might not be playing with the cohesiveness of "Hollow Years", it is demonstrating what pure chops everyone is playing with.... Oh, and the mid-song solo.... PROGGASM..... if there is a short list of songs to prove that John Petrucci is indeed a god, then this is very near the top.. I would even call this one of James La Brie's most well sung songs... and this is certaintly the best song on this album.. Song Score: 10/10 ----------------------Track 8: Take Away My Pain-------------------- Hey, how did the Beach Boys make it onto this album.... oh wait There's LaBrie.... (that was a joke) Nah, the song is actually pretty decent.. I am not really digging the jamming/grooving during the quiet parts of the song.... not that's its bad, and if it were any other band I might enjoy it, but its just not Dream Theater thing, and feels kind of awkward... when they increase the volume and add in actual rock instruments it is pretty listenable, somehow this feels like two different songs crammed into one.... Ahhhhhhhh... I do not know why I am not liking the Congas, Triangles, and Shakers...I like that kind of music, but hearing Dream Theater playing what amounts to Island Music is really weird...not that it is bad, it pretty good, but weird........ Song Score: 5.5/10 --------------------------Track 9: Just Let Me Breathe----------------- Okay, here's a the first good heavy song of the album, and a nice break from the more melodic, quiet, and *cough* island style music that's been going on... This song is very enjoyable... The song really goes into a standout period towards the end of the song......and can I say that the replacment of Kevin Moore for Derek Sherinian was a very wise decision, espicially after hearing how he is playing here, but as that's plaguing the rest of this album, this song gets going and then it is abruptly over....sigh Song Score: 8/10 -------------------------Track 10: Anna Lee--------------- La Brie came, he wrote, he sang, and he blew away... I know that this isn't the most popular song, but I like it very much.... And this is a great and shining moment for James La Brie... which amounts to his best vocal preformance of the album.... The piano is beautiful at the beginning, and sure some of the music sounds a little like an 80's Hair Metal Anthem, but that's not the point..... and the lyrics are a bit cheesy... but I think the song works..... Song Score: 7/10 -------------------Track 11: Trial of Tears------------------ Okay, so the album save a few tracks has been very lack luster so far, but this is a definate way to close out the album despite the many flaws. The opening is awesome, (and very remnicent of "Xanadu" if I might add).. Myung is owning the first section of this song. (It's Raining), his best standout of this album so far... The vocal prefomance is good, not the best La Brie has given on this album, but the great lyrics make up for it. For the only (mini)-epic of the album it makes up for the shortfallings earlier.. The Transitions between the sections of the songs work very well. The Solos are great, not the best I've heard, but still very very good. Both Derek's and JP's solos own.... The song closes out very seemlessly which leaves a good taste in the mouth after what's been a meal with few take home experiences.... Song Score: 9/10 --------------------------OVERALL ANALYSIS--------------------- Okay, I know I have been (as many others have been before me) pretty harsh on this album.... Let me say that this is not a bad album....... I do enjoy it, and still do.... But there are alot of flaws, so I will get those out of the way BEFORE I go to what I like. First, the biggest issues I have with this album is really not the fault of Dream Theater at all... If you've watched the score documentary or know the back history of this album you already know that Dream Theater had an an awful experience with the management at their record label who exerted too much control over Dream Theater, and this impact effected the album and vicariously the music seriously. Considering that the band was originally intending for their 4th album to be a double release onto which the label flat out said no, that put Dream Theater in a bind to compress all the possible material into a (as their label wanted) a more commercial release, and therfore that led to the problem I had with this album, almost every song seemed to be cut short, or trimmed down... I felt alot of ideas were not expanded enough, and alot of thing could have been better tenfold if left with enough time. This also effected the overall playing in the album... with the limited amount of time, extened solos were short, and it did not allow for any real "Holy Shit, I just crapped myself because that was so awesome" moments. Another unfortunate factor in all of this is the food poisoning of James LaBrie, and his vocal range and ability was effected and evident on this recording.. On the Plus side....WOW what a preformance (when he was able to) by Derek Sherinian.........an what an effect on Dream Theater he did have, for the short time he was there... anytime he did get a chance to show his might, he blew me away.. And while this album had few standout tracks, the ones that did were epic, and remain DT favs, and staples into today... I like this release, despite its flaws....... I am going to give it a reasonable and fair........ even for an album that Dream Theater themselves were dissapointed with.. a score of... OVERALL SCORE OF "FALLING INTO INFINITY": 75/100 (not an average of song scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 QUOTE (nappy2112 @ Jun 7 2009, 10:23 AM) Agreed ! Metropolis is my favorite DT song, One of mine too, it's the best off I&W by a country mile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 QUOTE (The Owl @ Jun 11 2009, 12:43 AM) Sorry for the Lateness......... Here is the Review of "Falling Into Infinity" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Dream_Theater_-_Falling_into_Infinity_Album_Cover.jpg ---------------Track:1 New Millennium------------------ This song starts off great, with an awesome keyboard riff by the New DT keyboardist Derek Sherinian, on his one and only full length DT album. I like Derek alot more than Kevin Moore, and its obvious that this first track is to show off his talents and I am liking it. Nothing too special featuring any other member in this song, it pretty much belongs to Sherinian... And you can tell that (if you know the La Brie Food poisoning story) La Bries vocals are suffering, but not much in the way of negative... a good, not great, but good opening track Song Score 7/10 -----------------Track 2: You Not Me--------------------- I am going to say that this track is pretty good, for what it presented...... But this track more than any other suffered the most at the hands of the record label in pressuring of Dream Theater.... knowing what the band was wanting this song to be, and hearing the final product is kind of a let down. Edited Lyrics, Edited solos being forced upon Dream Theater made this song into almost a commericial piece of shit that you could hear any run of the mill band play on a top 40 radio station... The little that DT could flex their creativity here makes up for some of it, otherwise this is a very skipable... If you have the "Falling Into Infinity Demos" CD, listen to "You OR me" the way this song should have always been" Song Score: 4/10 ----------------Track 3: Peruvian Skies------------------------ This song is pretty "crunchy" a nice acoustic guitar line, with Bass accompaniment..and I am liking the vocally impared LaBrie vocals here. It fits the song here. When things start to get louder it is all Myung and Petrucci.. A great Bass Buildup to an awesome solo. Everyone gets a section in part of this song, there is a great, but short, Sherinain solo shortly after Petruccis that is awesome. But as the case with other songs on this album, it is going very great, and it is over before you think it even got started....sigh.....Live versions of this song are FAAAAAAR superior. Song Score: 8/10 -----------------Track 4: Hollow Years----------------------- Here is the first true highlight of this album....this is an exceptional ballad.... great lyrics, great music, awesomely sung... great orcrestration... As with instances on previous albums, there are no standouts here, but in turn you get a very enjoyable full Band experience...which at time is better than an extended solo..hearing a group playing perfectly together, is sometimes than an individual playing perfectly just for a moment of time... the whole song gives this feel..... (though I do have to admit I LOOOOOOOOOVE the Spanish Guitar) . And the Lyrics are awesome........... Song Score: 9/10 -----------------Track 5: Burning My Soul----------------------- Musically this is pretty cool, Portnoy is owning the double bass. Otherwise it is musically and vocally lackluster.........my main grief is that it is VEEEEEEERY repeatative...... even during the solo sections, in which Derek Sherenian does impress, brings the musical quality up but for a very little. The vocal synths are just weird.. but okay........... If you are not a headbanger, this is nothing too special.... Song Score: 5/10 -----------------Track 6: Hells Kitchen----------------------- Ah a Dream Theater instru............. What the Hell? Only 4 and half Minutes?! WHAT THE f**k!!!!!!!.... I loving what I am hearing.......Petrucci is owning all you bitches, and you want to give him 4 AND A HALF f***ing MINUTES!!!!!!!!!! Who do I need to get ahold of to call Shenagians?! Damn you record company sons a bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!! For what you get this is yet another almost perfect Dream Theater instrumental..... that in the time it does get is near pure epicness.....but only 4 and half minutes.........come on?! Song Score: 7.5/10 -------------------Track 7: Lines In The Sand----------------- Ah, what ear candy this song is.... Everyone is playing at top notch and what is better than opening with a Portnoy and Petrucci duet? Nothing! THAT'S WHAT! This whole song can be defined as "epic", and while they might not be playing with the cohesiveness of "Hollow Years", it is demonstrating what pure chops everyone is playing with.... Oh, and the mid-song solo.... PROGGASM..... if there is a short list of songs to prove that John Petrucci is indeed a god, then this is very near the top.. I would even call this one of James La Brie's most well sung songs... and this is certaintly the best song on this album.. Song Score: 10/10 ----------------------Track 8: Take Away My Pain-------------------- Hey, how did the Beach Boys make it onto this album.... oh wait There's LaBrie.... (that was a joke) Nah, the song is actually pretty decent.. I am not really digging the jamming/grooving during the quiet parts of the song.... not that's its bad, and if it were any other band I might enjoy it, but its just not Dream Theater thing, and feels kind of awkward... when they increase the volume and add in actual rock instruments it is pretty listenable, somehow this feels like two different songs crammed into one.... Ahhhhhhhh... I do not know why I am not liking the Congas, Triangles, and Shakers...I like that kind of music, but hearing Dream Theater playing what amounts to Island Music is really weird...not that it is bad, it pretty good, but weird........ Song Score: 5.5/10 --------------------------Track 9: Just Let Me Breathe----------------- Okay, here's a the first good heavy song of the album, and a nice break from the more melodic, quiet, and *cough* island style music that's been going on... This song is very enjoyable... The song really goes into a standout period towards the end of the song......and can I say that the replacment of Kevin Moore for Derek Sherinian was a very wise decision, espicially after hearing how he is playing here, but as that's plaguing the rest of this album, this song gets going and then it is abruptly over....sigh Song Score: 8/10 -------------------------Track 10: Anna Lee--------------- La Brie came, he wrote, he sang, and he blew away... I know that this isn't the most popular song, but I like it very much.... And this is a great and shining moment for James La Brie... which amounts to his best vocal preformance of the album.... The piano is beautiful at the beginning, and sure some of the music sounds a little like an 80's Hair Metal Anthem, but that's not the point..... and the lyrics are a bit cheesy... but I think the song works..... Song Score: 7/10 -------------------Track 11: Trial of Tears------------------ Okay, so the album save a few tracks has been very lack luster so far, but this is a definate way to close out the album despite the many flaws. The opening is awesome, (and very remnicent of "Xanadu" if I might add).. Myung is owning the first section of this song. (It's Raining), his best standout of this album so far... The vocal prefomance is good, not the best La Brie has given on this album, but the great lyrics make up for it. For the only (mini)-epic of the album it makes up for the shortfallings earlier.. The Transitions between the sections of the songs work very well. The Solos are great, not the best I've heard, but still very very good. Both Derek's and JP's solos own.... The song closes out very seemlessly which leaves a good taste in the mouth after what's been a meal with few take home experiences.... Song Score: 9/10 --------------------------OVERALL ANALYSIS--------------------- Okay, I know I have been (as many others have been before me) pretty harsh on this album.... Let me say that this is not a bad album....... I do enjoy it, and still do.... But there are alot of flaws, so I will get those out of the way BEFORE I go to what I like. First, the biggest issues I have with this album is really not the fault of Dream Theater at all... If you've watched the score documentary or know the back history of this album you already know that Dream Theater had an an awful experience with the management at their record label who exerted too much control over Dream Theater, and this impact effected the album and vicariously the music seriously. Considering that the band was originally intending for their 4th album to be a double release onto which the label flat out said no, that put Dream Theater in a bind to compress all the possible material into a (as their label wanted) a more commercial release, and therfore that led to the problem I had with this album, almost every song seemed to be cut short, or trimmed down... I felt alot of ideas were not expanded enough, and alot of thing could have been better tenfold if left with enough time. This also effected the overall playing in the album... with the limited amount of time, extened solos were short, and it did not allow for any real "Holy Shit, I just crapped myself because that was so awesome" moments. Another unfortunate factor in all of this is the food poisoning of James LaBrie, and his vocal range and ability was effected and evident on this recording.. On the Plus side....WOW what a preformance (when he was able to) by Derek Sherinian.........an what an effect on Dream Theater he did have, for the short time he was there... anytime he did get a chance to show his might, he blew me away.. And while this album had few standout tracks, the ones that did were epic, and remain DT favs, and staples into today... I like this release, despite its flaws....... I am going to give it a reasonable and fair........ even for an album that Dream Theater themselves were dissapointed with.. a score of... OVERALL SCORE OF "FALLING INTO INFINITY": 75/100 (not an average of song scores) You know, this past weekend I broke down and ended up buying both this and Octavarium. At first listen it seemed to me that Octavarium was far superior to FII in every way but over these past 4 days or so I find myself listening to FII much more often. It really is an awesome album and very different than any of the others I have. In fact, I'd rate it above I&W overall (flame shield up!) The production has this organic feel, Mike's snare finally sounds ace, and oh yeah you can hear the BASS for once! A lot of the songs have a lot of feeling to them and some of the lyrics are very deep and powerful (Peruvian Skies, Hollow Years, etc.) What surprised me though is the best track on here is Lines in the Sand (IMO, of course). Holy shit what a song! I wonder how they play this live? Does Mike sing the backups on the chorus? Hell's Kitchen I might like more than Stream of Consciousness.. well, maybe not, but it's pretty killer. I guess to me this album is loaded with DT trying to write actual songs instead of trying to meet some note quota. Not that there's anything wrong with that when done right The weaker tracks here are You not Me and Anna Lee (which sounds like a lost Boston track to me). Awesome overall, same with Octavarium, two fine additions to the collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompers Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 QUOTE (The Owl @ Jun 11 2009, 01:43 AM) OVERALL SCORE OF "FALLING INTO INFINITY": 75/100 (not an average of song scores) Much better than 75. At least a 90. Sherinian was a huge factor this album was so good. Not mention it has Trial of Tears. Close to the the last of DT's best written epics. Trial of Tears makes this album a must have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 QUOTE (Gompers @ Jun 11 2009, 06:13 AM) QUOTE (The Owl @ Jun 11 2009, 01:43 AM) OVERALL SCORE OF "FALLING INTO INFINITY": 75/100 (not an average of song scores) Much better than 75. At least a 90. Sherinian was a huge factor this album was so good. Not mention it has Trial of Tears. Close to the the last of DT's best written epics. Trial of Tears makes this album a must have. I am not docking "Trial of Tears". there were only a handful of standout tracks (the other 2 I mentioned were "Hollow Years", and "Lines in the Sand") but there were alot of problems during the rest of the album... and I mentioned that most of it was not their fault.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilCastro Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 I love FII, I probably would have given it a higher score too. Hell's Kitchen/LitS is so amazing as is Trial of Tears. I believe that Hell's Kitchen is fine how it is, length-wise i mean. Just the way it builds and builds, it cant really go on much longer than it does IMO It just gives the perfect segue into LitS... I love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 Scenes from a Meomory coming in just a short while.... Stay Tuned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 Ah, the one I've been waiting for... Here is the review of... "Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes from a Memory" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Dream_Theater_-_Metropolis_Pt._2-_Scenes_from_a_Memory.jpg -------------------Act 1, Scene 1: Regression (I won't be saying Track Numbers... lol)------------------ Ah, that ticking noise.... could only be the intro to what still is my faviorate DT album.... and who is that? BRROOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!! very cool, I love small yet quiet sampling from future parts of the album.... and then the guitar and great singing By James La Brie, and great lyrics... leading into........... Scene Score: 8.5/10 --------------------Act 1, Scene Two: I. Overture 1928-------------- ENTER THE PORTNOY!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, shit I need to write this thing, the head banging must stop.......... What an overture.... there is nothing I can say in the way of negative about this, and is a remarkable way to start of the album... Great work by Portnoy, and Petrucci... I love how well thought out this is, featuring some teases of themes from later in the album... and it blends seemlessly into the next phase....... Scene Score: 9.5/10 ----------------------Act 1, Scene Two: II. Strange Deja Vu------------------ Let me say this first.... the story of this album is very very good and well thought out... and as some concept album seem to get very pretentious at times.....well this does too.......but it is a very good thing.... Pretention and Prog go like butter and bread.... and this is the introduction to the story of Scenes from a Memory... great lyrics and singing here... Musically it is just a great.. A little heaver than the rest of the album especially during the second half, and it might seem a little out of place overall, but very minor. But "I just can't help myself" THIS f***ing ROCKS! Scene Score: 9/10 -----------------------Act,1 Scene Three: I. Through My Words------------------- Enter the true beauty of this album.... beautiful lyrics, and beautiful singing..... a little short, but offers a taste of what we will later in hear in "Through Her Eyes" Scene Score: 8/10 ----------------------Act 1, Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy------------------ Ah, the new keyboardist makes a great first intro with an errie piano leading into a heavier part of the song... Welcome JORDAN!!!!!!!!! This song is masterfully arranged...a utter perfect transitions from chorus to music back to vocals, and into the utter PROGASMIC solo sections in the second half of the song, and once again what a way to show off the new Keyboardist... Scene Score: 9/10 -------------------------Act 1, Scene Four: Beyond This Life------------------- Here is a nice long chunck of the album that is filled with lyrical and musical delight... As rarely happens with Dream Theater songs the beginning is a great highlight of the songwriting.backing vocals fit in really nice. The Chorus section is awesomely sung, and the The music during the beginning is a bit repeatative during the beginning, but it moves on to more diversity leading towards the middle and ending sections of the song. The Musical half of this section of the album is probably the most metal part of the album, but accompanied by some great solos.....once again featuring the Great Jordan Rudess....this song is intense....but leads into a beautiful and softer arrangement.... Scene Score: 8.5/10 ----------------------Act 1, Scene 5: Through Her Eyes--------------- So we're going to start off with a JP solo and a beautiful female vocal preformance(playing the character Victoria) ? WOW........... Can guitar solos make you cry...........YES THEY CAN......and now the piano and the acoustic guitar..... this song is beautiful in every sense of the word.... The lyrics are a bit cheesy..... Nicholas crying at Victoria's grave... but the backing music......shit.... WOW... a nice change up from what's been been going on musically but this is no doubt one of the best ballads DT has ever written.............though the JBL moaning at the end does weird me out a bit... Scene Score: 8.5/10 -----------------Act 2, Scene Six: Home---------------------- A very very nice startup.... I am loving the instrumentation into the nice buildup into the body of the song... As with other albums there is usually one or two track where the uniformity of the band is better than other tracks... and this is it for ScFAM. I am loving the way all the guys are playing together here. And the lyrics are just awesome... JBL is definatly on key here.. The talking parts, during the middle of the song, and the victoria sex sounds towards the end are kinda off, and feel out of place...but that's minor. There are some great solos once again around 9 minutes in, and that leads well back into a very well placed chorus reprise. And as the intro to this piece was impressive, so is the outro and the transition into the next section Scene Score: 9/10 ---------------------------Act 2, Scene Seven I.: The Dance of Eternity------------ While usually I would say that an instrumental would seem out of place in a concept album, such is not the case here... This is another sampling of epicness... and is sometimes overwhelming..... In all phases.. Everyone's chops are shown to great form here, and everyone comes in with the best musically so far of the album... The instrumental is not to short, nor is it too long...and It works well to bridge the story, if your paying attention to that... (I am).... Scene Score: 9.5/10 --------------------------Act 2, Scene Seven II. One Last Time--------------- Nice Transition into this section.. And once again we are given a break from the intensity, to this more mellow part....... JBL shines vocally again, and the songwriting is great, if your following the story.. This section is kind of short, and could have been a little longer... musically some of the things they were going for could have been stretched out a little more.. It seems to be focued on the story and building for the last part of the album... Scene Score: 7/10 ------------------------Act 2, Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On--------------- If you were going to define, Beauty, Epic, and Outstanding with one song... you would present this song.......... There is not one bad thing about this song...... The Lyrics, the playing, the singing, the reprise of the vocals from "regression"....... and that f***ing solo.....WOW! WOW! WOW! (Though the version from "Score" remains my favorite) Scene Score: 10/10............ nuff said ---------------------------Act 2, Scene Nine: Finally Free-------------------- Broon + John Petrucci on an acoustic= A great song intro... This song is a great wrap-up to all things that have happened throughout the album... the story, the musical themes.... And the singing and playing is just as good as it has been on this album.......Musically this album culminates with this song (duh?) and I am loving how the music revisits previous sections of this album (Like the One Last Time reprise) both lyrically and musically, while offering something in itself.. and there are a couple of great solos thrown in as well....... The sound effects and sampling are oddly welcome here... as it goes with the story and it fits. The song ends in a fadeout... which is cool, but I would have preferred more of a punctuation type ending... but it fits the story nonetheless... and still great. Scene Score 9.5/10 ----------------------OVERALL ANALYSIS--------------------- Concept albums are hard to rate in a song by song basis... as more so than with other albums the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that is the case with this album... This is a Masterpiece, and it is why it still remains my favorite DT album. There is little I can say in the way of negative, (other than the very little I mentioned in the song reviews), as it is really hard to think of anything at all! All the issues with the record label that plagued "Falling Into Infinity" are gone..... thanks to Mike Portnoy giving the label a big "Leave us the f**k alone". And this album shows what DT is really capable of when they can produce an album by themselves. While I can go on for ages about the merits of this album I do want to mention one thing in particular... and that is of course the addition of Jordan Rudess into the final lineup of Dream Theater.. and what an impact he made.. Both Kevin Moore, and Derek Sherinian were great, very great, but what Rudess brought to this album and to future albums is something which could not be told without Rudess.. Welcome.... All that being said......... I give this album a...... 95/100 (not an average of the song scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nappy2112 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Best album of the 90's ! (IMO) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilCastro Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 QUOTE (nappy2112 @ Jun 13 2009, 09:01 AM) Best album of the 90's ! (IMO) Its up there! DT's Masterpiece IMO... Nothing will ever top it. What a magnificent album! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 Okay, I am going to do 2 mini-reviews, one for each disc... each disc maximum possible score of 50/50 points, and the overall analysis and score will be posted as a combined score. I will do a short overall synopsis for each disc, then a full overall analysis at the very end...... My Review of "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/Dream_Theater_-_Six_Degrees_of_Inner_Turbulence.jpg Disc 1 Review ------------------------Track 1:The Glass Prison--------------------------- I like the new thing DT is doing right off the back, where the sound being left off from the previous album (in this case the static sound from the end of Scenes from a memory) is carried over to the next album... And it leads right into the start of a great piece of music, and the first installment of Mike Portnoy's "12 step suite".... A very great introduction layering the guitar on top of the heavyness. The truly remarkable thing about this track in partucular is the keen ability to layer really progressive elements, ususally in the form of Jordan Rudess, on top of some more metal driving elements... which leaves you wowed, and somewhat confused....lol..... Lyrically the song is pretty good.... not to special, and not as good as future installments in the 12 step suite, and vocally it is not La Bries Most spectacular preformance... just sit back and enjoy the heavy and over-the-top music... and listen carefully... you will hear some of this stuff again on the next few albums... Track Score: 8.5/10 -------------------------Track 2: Blind Faith----------------------------------- Disc 1 of this album is turning out to go for the more heavy elements, and while I will admit to having a prog bias, I am liking this very much... But really I am much more impressed the vocals of JLB and the lyrics, which were written by JLB. Musically the song is somewhat repeatative, there some good solo stuff close to the end of the song that leads to a great ending, but while the music is great, there are no real highlights musically... Track Score: 8.5/10 ------------------------Track 3: Misunderstood-------------------------- Okay, feel like you have been getting your ass kicked by this album so far, I know I have.. Well here is a bit of a breather... I am going to say that this is my favorite track on the first disc of this album... Great intro on the acoustic along with the "spacey" sounding background, electric violin, and of Course James La Brie... then gradually the song builds.....add some small percussion...... louder...........and then the fully energetic full band intro...........EPIC is a understatement.......... Track Score 9.5/10 ---------------------Track 4: The Great Debate------------------------- If there is one aspect of Dream Theater that I am a constant critic about it is their poor ability to sample.... and the outset of this song, the whole premise of this song is the using of sampling for the effect of the song, and it actually works, kind of. The Lyrics of this song are great, especially for a touchy subject matter. Musically however it seems to be relying and letting the sampling gain the main attention, at least at the beginning.. When the sampling fades away for at least a while, we return to the heavyness that is rampant throughout this first disc. Its a good thing, but the lack of proggyness is starting to get to me. The mid song solos are great as usual, but are short lived... Vocally JBL does a good job.... other than the vocal synth section before the choral section.. I do want to comment on what I think was a standout preformance by both Mike Portnoy, and John Myung.... Track Score: 7/10 ------------------------Track 5: Disappear------------------------------ Errie beginning........ and a great example of how the talents of Jordan Rudess can be used, and strangly remnicent of "Space-Dye-Vest".. Then the beautiful duet between JLB vocals , and Petrucci. This is a great ballad, with great lyrics... When the full band makes their into... like in Misunderstood, it is epic........ and a great way to finish out the first half of this album... Track Score: 9/10 ------------------------------------- Analysis of Disc 1---------------------------- Okay, I'm going to try and ignore my biases here.... This first disc was heavy as hell... and offered little in the way of proggy goodness... but I am not going to let that have an impact on the score...because this first disc was great... 5 very well written and preformed songs... some of which are really really cool. This is without a doubt the heaviest stuff released so far (until Train of Thought).. I liked it very much.... not loved, but liked.. Overall Score for Disc 1 of "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" 43/50 Not an average of the track scores. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc 2 Review ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------Track 1: SDOIT: Overture------------------------ Wow.... here we go...........and what a f***ing intro, anything DT labels "Overture" you know what it is going to be epic for at least the next half hour.... and this is no different. If the first disc left you jonesing for some progressive stuff......well here you go!!! I love how this song is giving some teasers for the movements later in the album.. This is what an overture should be......... Track Score: 9/10 --------------------Track 2: SDOIT "About to Crash"--------------------------- If you do not know the whole of SDOIT is about 6 different neurological or mental disorders, and how certain people are affected by them... this first one is about Bi-Polar disorder, and the lyrics tell the short story of a suffer of this situation beautifully, and La Brie sings it amazingly... Musically it begins great, transitioning out of the overture masterfully via the piano ability of Jordan Rudess, than moves into some heavy and melodic, crazy time signature, and thematic piece of musical delight. A great JP solo at the end of this makes for a score of... Track Score: 9/10 -------------------Track 3: SDOIT "War Inside My Head"-------------------- This short but sweet, heavy but melodic piece of music telling the story of a war veteran suffering from "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" is another delight.. I would have liked to have seen this go on a bit more... there is a certain errieness about this, that captures the mood of war, and hints at the flashbacks the PTSD suffer would be feeling... and I love how the music reflects it.... a bit short, but great........and a great setup for the next movement.... Track Score: 8.5/10 -----------------------Track 4: SDOIT "The Test That Stumped them All------------ This song about schizophrenia, shows that you can lay on the heavyness, and progressive together perfectly... It is a definate headbanger, and fits in nice with this section of the overall epic... and as with the previous movement... the music reflects the lyrics and the mental disorder therin. John Myung owns this section... IMO....There is some really good work from Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci that is definatly worth acclaim in the form of a couple of short solo........that will later be outshined by themselves Track Score: 9/10 ------------------------------Track 5: SDOIT "Goodnight Kiss"------------------- Whew......... after the asskicking we took in the last movement, something a bit softer is definatly welcome... Here is a melodic and beautiful arrangement about a mother suffering from "Postpartum Depression".... The lyrics are a little cheesy, but the emotion does register......while the beginning is beautiful...everything changes when the EPIC is layered in when John Petrucci joins in... and WOW.......what a f***ing EPIC, and Extended solo.... that surmounts any solo he's preformed studio wise in all of DT history.... WOW.... PLAY JOHN PLAY... Track Score 9.5/10 ------------------------------Track 6: SDOIT "Solitary Shell"---------------------- This song transitions very well out of Goodnight Kiss. Into a nice and melodic song about the childhood and adulthood of a man with Autism. The lyrics, and the preformance of Jordan Rudess steal the show... Rudess' solo at the beginning reminds me so much of Rick Wakeman.. After the Lyrics close out this song still rocks out for another minute or two... and Jordan is still the highlight... until the end.... Track Score: 10/10 -------------------------------Track 7: SDOIT "About to Crash" (Reprise)-------------- A Very nice revisit to an earlier theme... and this time with much more energy, and with the band playing their best together.......It's not repeatative much....and it gives the feel that we are starting to move towards the end of our epic......not much in the way of standouts like in the first run of "About to Crash", but still very impressive... Track Score: 8.5/10 --------------------------Track 8: SDOIT "Losing Time/Grand Finale-------------------- The theme of "Multiple Personality Disorder" kind of loses feeling, and the final track deals little with this mental disorder at all, and really lasts the first third of the track... But the last part of this EPIC masterpiece is the Grand Finale... Every theme that has persisted throughout the previous 39 minutes returns and culminates here... Musically this is vertiually a 4 person solo at the same time, topped with the awesome lyrics, and vocal preformance by James La Brie... finishing the song in a great epic finish worthy of any Progressive Masterpiece. Track Score 9.5/10 -----------------------------Disc 2 Analysis------------------------------------- WOW... this 42 minute track blew my elusive mind... While "A Change of Seasons" remains my favorite singe Dream Theater "work", there is no doubt that this is at least the better of the two, and is the Best work DT has crafted. There is nothing bad about this Masterpiece... in every term of the word...save a few minor infinatly small grievances I may have posted... I can only give this a full score... It deserves it.. Score for Disc 2: 50/50 (not an average of the track scores) ----------------------OVERALL Analysis--------------------------------- Well, this album was a full package? And a definate split in Dream Theater styles... the first disc was heavy and more metal oriented, while the second focused more on being "progressive".. I love the duality of this album, and offers a listening experience like none other. If "Scenes from A Memory" showed that Dream Theater could make a great self produced album, then "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" Proved it.. even outstripping it's predecessor in many ways... Now.... I will give you ample time to consult an ear doctor about treatment (If you were like me, this album was at "11" the whole time, volume wise), and when you come back I will have the review of Train of Thought ready... OVERALL SCORE FOR "SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE": 93/100 (Combined score of the Disc 1 and 2 scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Fatal Tragedy, Finally Free & Beyond this Life are automatic 10's in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 6DOIT highlights for me: The Glass Prison The Great Debate (although some if it sounds too much like Tool) Disappear 6DOIT (all) -- I can't get into the other songs on disc 1 but disc 2 is worth the price of the thing. I only wish that War Inside My Head was longer but that's such a nitpick. This and SFAM are probably their best albums that I've heard, although Train of Thought is way up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 QUOTE (The Owl @ Jun 13 2009, 01:20 AM) ---------------------------Act 2, Scene Seven I.: The Dance of Eternity------------ While usually I would say that an instrumental would seem out of place in a concept album, such is not the case here... This is another sampling of epicness... and is sometimes overwhelming..... In all phases.. Everyone's chops are shown to great form here, and everyone comes in with the best musically so far of the album... The instrumental is not to short, nor is it too long...and It works well to bridge the story, if your paying attention to that... (I am).... Scene Score: 9.5/10 I also like how this song has bits of Metropolis in it, especially the way the bass solo is set up. Of the 2 bass solos this one's my least favorite though, it just seems distorted and messy. No doubt it's probably still impossible to play just the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Owl Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Ready for some Hard-Core Headbanging prog-metal... Here is the my review of the heaviest DT album to date...... "Train Of Thought" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Dream_Theater_-_Train_of_Thought.jpg -------------------------Track #1: As I Am-------------------------------- Entering from the synth cord left off from "Six Degrees" is the softest thing you will hear on this album (aside from the Ballad)... Enter Petrucci and Portnoy and this thing is off. Myung is Owning this track throughout the body of the song... The lyrics and vocals are very good... and while one is used to La Brie singing the high notes... the low register of his vocal ability is very good here... The JP solo is great, but kind of short.. Overall the song is great but kind of repeatative, and nothing in the way of any standout parts, but I have a feeling that that's not what they are going for on this album.. regardless this is a standout track and gets.. .5 (8.5)/10 Metal Guys -----------------------Track #2: This Dying Soul---------------------------- If the previous song gave you the impression that we are going full metal, this song proves it.. The song starts off with two great solos by both John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess. This is of course the second installment of Mike Pornoy's "12 Step Saga" and musically this is one of the best songs on the album, As all the installments of the 12 step saga there are certain musical and lyrical themes repeated on different albums.... even a reference to the (what some people consider) prequel of the 12 step saga "The Mirror" from "Awake( "Hello Mirror, so glad to see you my friend"), and that makes an impression. One thing that bothers me about this album, that they do in this track in a other few tracks, is they try to add some of the "hip-hop" NU metal vocals into the lyrics, I will discuss further in the OVerall Analysis section........but it doesn't stop me from giving this track a earned.. Song Score: 9/10 --------------------Track #3 Endless Sacrifice-------------------------------- A great guitar opening, (Anyone else reminded on Metallica's "One" here?) into a great JR solo....but short lived. The lyrics are kinda unfitting for Dream Theater (I need to see your face, to keep me sane, to make me whole?)......and going into some really DT fitting metal lyrics... not bad, but not the best. What Does work is the great buildups and transitions between the softer, and heavier parts of the song... as well as a couple of great solos between JP and and JR...which thankfully go on for a while.... Song Score: 7.5/10 -----------------------Track #4 Honor Thy Father------------------------- Wow.... we sure turned the metal factor up? Didn't we? The lyrics are kind of angsty... and do not really connect, and the vocals are just awful... IMO... at least 3 different styles of singing (cringe.... to the NU metal). The music unfortuneatly presents little in the way of standouts and solo, and like other songs on this album, the music gets a little repeatative after a while..........and DT again decides to use some sampling.......ughhhh It does not work. This song has the metal scene of 2002-03 all over it... not my thing........... and is about 5 minutes too long. (The only time I will ever say a DT song is "Too Long)The one thing going for this song is a good JR solo at about 7 minutes in... but nothing more. Track score: /10 (4 "What the f**k was thats/ 10) --------------------------- Track #5 Vacant--------------------- Feeling Overwhelmed with metal ownage.? Ears Bleeding? Need A Break? Well try out this piece of Dream Theater Ballad.... Once again we are greeted by a James La Brie and Jordan Rudess duet.... Errie as Hell, but soothing... a little short in the end, but a great break from all the ass kicking we have been dealt on this album... Song Score: 8/10 ----------------------------Track # 6 Stream Of Consciousness---------------- Here we go......... the epitamy of a Dream Theater instrumental, I have name dropped this beauty and held it as the measuring stick to all Dream Theater instrumentals since I started doing my reviewing marathon... This is without a doubt the best Dream Theater instrumental........ so much that they have not dared to try and record one to top it... (Really, SOC is their last recorded instrumental)... but this song is epic in every sense of the word... and I cannot say anything negative about this... Every member works together perfectly, and everyone shines out at one particular moment or another... and to date this is as solid as anyone's chops have ever been.. This is just as heavy as the rest of the album has been, but does what the other tracks have not done as well... Lay the technical and epic aspects of what little progressive elements have been on display... I could go on, but I am going to go ahead and lay down it's well deserved and long awaited score of .. Song Score: 10/10 ----------------------------Track 7: In the Name of God------------------------ Another great transition out of the previous track into what is probably my least favorite Dream Theater Epic, but an otherwise great DT track. First the lyrics are beautiful, and this is the best vocal preformance James La Brie has put forward thus far on this album. And musically you could call this the most "progressive" of all the tracks, there are many different sections and transitions in this piece, and some great layering of sounds and time signature changes... all while retaining the heavyness that has persisted throughout the album. The first half gets a little redundant at times, and offers little of the way of what I would call "epic", but the second half of this song is where this song shines... a truly great solo by John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess, probably the best of the album..lie herin. Then the last 4 minutes offer a great shot of epicness before closing out the alubum and leaving the last piano notes that would segway into "Octavarium" Song Score: 8.5/10 ----------------------------Overall Analysis------------------------------- Okay I am going to get my complaints out of the way first... First, What the f**k were Dream Theater thinking when they decided to use the Nu Metal, and hip-hop style metal vocals? James LaBrie... be thankful that you ARE NOT Fred Durst... and don't ever try to be again.... just NO NO NO NO! My second complaint is not really a complaint, and I will openly admit it is a bias in the way of progressive rock....... I missed it on this album, and from the onset of this album the goal was for this to be like the first disc of "Six Degrees"... but I would have liked to seen the technacility and diversity that has been accoustomed to Dream Theater music... the little way of that I loved, but mabey they sacrificed a little TOO much in the name of making an almost straightfoward Metal album.. And while he did get a great deal of exposure, and what we got of him equaled to epic almost every time he got the spotlight... I would have loved a little more Rudess exposure. THAT BEING SAID............. This was still a very very good album... and while the above paragraph might give the impression that I am a hater of Metal..... noting is further from the truth... While I felt it was overbearing at times, and would have liked more of the progressive element... the Metal presented in this album was epic.... and full of energy..and very very enjoyable, and very good... And very well written. Plus this album has "Stream of Consciousness" on it.... a very good + One other thing I would like to note is that this is thus far the best "sounding" (quality and production wise) DT album to date... I listened to this on a good 50 buck pair of noise canceling headphones, and it sounded great! Train of Thought gets a final score of..... 85/100 (not an average of the song scores) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del_Duio Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Naw, Honor Thy Father's way better than 4 out of 10 metalheads or whatever. "Don't cross the crooked step!" Although it was the one song that took a few listens to grow on me. Also the break in Endless Sacrifice is one of my favorites they've done yet. I'll agree with the WTF distortion on the vocals on This Dying Soul. Not as bad as the mega-WTF monster distortion for the Portnoy parts of The Dark Eternal Night but it's a stepping stone to it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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