At high levels, but no surprises

At high levels, but no surprises

Dream Theater (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

Customer Review

I had intended to be brief, but heck :-). Below is an attempt to sort out my thoughts many a little.

For tape: no great surprises. John Petrucci frickelt as usual at the highest level and in its own league. He is and remains a virtuoso, but plays like on a dramatic turn of events not too much in the foreground. However, what stands out is that John Myung and Jordan Rudess will be given a total of more space. Myung may let off steam, his bass playing is more variable than before, in some places it hisses formally, at others it pops quite violently to the fore. But above all there is the album to my ears a bit more groove than its predecessors. The keyboard of Rudess submit all the quieter and more melodic parts of the album, but it interrupts repeatedly with unexpected changes. I can well imagine that many fans will think at this time the keyboards too much. James La Bries vocals are the other great constant, its spectrum remains the same, exploring new territory, see how on his solo albums here no. In some places, however, his singing seems a little bit too familiar. Please Just compare The Bigger Picture with Strange Deja Vu, the last part before all. Whoever finds large differences in the vocal parts, gets a prize ;-). Something remains unimpressive Mike Mangini. Good Job As already on the predecessor, but he did not really succeed until his parts in ENIGMA MACHINE DT Sound add something new.

For album compared to backcatalogue: Not so easy to classify. Self Titled actually leads the sound of a dramatic turn of events continues, which was indeed considered by many fans as a pleasant step back and sets just like the predecessor again very much emphasis on melodies. Perhaps Selftitled is best classified with the sound of DT at the turn of the millennium, and thus it is then on the shelf next to Scenes from a Memory. Bordered on the other side of Awake, because of its high proportion of simple and catchy choruses and melodies.

The songs: Specifically, simply ignored when it is too long-winded.

False Awakening SUITE opens the album orchestral. A significant clue to the Scenes from a Memory Six Degree of Inner Turbulence phase

THE ENEMY INSIDE was already known as a single. The song is great, a real electric shock, very heavy. He begins with a riff that lasts more than minute ;-), only put an keyboards and vocals.

The Looking Glass is the classic radio-friendly hit, which is on almost every album DT. I say this because I know that it is precisely these songs belching some DT fans sick. So just keep tilt if you belong to this group ;-). Who this beautiful melodious numbers like are repeatedly, is here to have his true joy for me to be associations with Images and Words awake. The bass playing and the beautiful guitar solo make the song a candidate in my DT favorites list.

ENIGMA MACHINE is an instrumental. It starts very very tough, but then takes on more and more momentum. The harmonies and mood is very gloomy, subjected to the song structure constant change. As mentioned above, ENIGMA MACHINE is the only song, the Mangini really can impress a stamp. Particularly his short breakneck solo at Minute 5 shows its potential. Exciting!

The Bigger Picture is the exact opposite to the previous song. It is epic and melodic. The piano part of Rudess are very well done and carry the mood of the song. A typical DT ballad that features a small tempo changes only in the last part of the song.

BEHIND THE VEIL comes a bit too familiar already, Awake Greetings. The song begins with a nice keyboard intro that quickly then meets earthy Metallica riffs. But after that happened not too much exciting, although the melody is very well done.

SURRENDER TO REASON is a DT ratios rather straighter and dry song very reminiscent of the highly esteemed Rush. Myung's bass playing is outstanding aggressive. Very nice!

ALONG FOR THE RIDE is the second ballad of the album and I find something better managed than the bigger picture.

ILLUMINATION THEORY me already reading the Beihefts let the water run together in her mouth, 5 chapters and a total of 22 minutes in length, which is of course immediately catches the eye and stirs up pretty big expectations in front listening to the opening bars. And indeed, the last song of progressive highlight of the album. All known facets are taken up again and combined with each other. Petrucci has enough space for its Solis, Rudess can show in some places his addiction to the 70 models and in the middle part, the band takes completely out of the game, making room for an orchestra that again takes up and continues all previously played topics. Before then changes the end a real fireworks, musical, but also melodic. The song is a clear sign of how much DT their status and the freedoms it brings, enjoy.

Conclusion: A good album, but this time not a very good album. Perhaps the tension of two years ago but was simply due when no one knew whether DT is digesting the departure of Portnoy. Outstanding songs are ILLUMINATION THEORY, THE ENEMY INSIDE, SURRENDER TO REASON and on the ballads page ALONG FOR THE RIDE. All known elements are present. In some places, but lacking a little surprises. I hear Selftitled and find myself, that I know the sound of course familiar degenerates, but that I wonder at the same time, if I'm really landed on a new album, or just listen to an old one. However, this assessment is, of course, with a large but connected to both the band is older, as well as the listener. Maybe it's about time to just be a little more grateful that DT still play and bring out good albums on high musical and compositional level, without still expected further quantum leaps

As usual 1A goods from Ansmann Rank: 5/5
December 20
I am very pleased! 37 Rank: 4/5
January 31
Useless for my understanding! Rank: 1/5
January 14
Perfect for lunch Rank: 5/5
November 16
Perfect for Kindle Travel Rank: 5/5
May 4
1 Silicone Cases Rank: 5/5
March 14

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