Each DT album is different and with each new album, the New Yorker exceptional players go piece by piece on a new musical territory. "Octavarium" is no exception and dispense it again, to be a rehash of previous successful works such as "Images and Words" or "Scenes from a Memory" - a good thing! Catchy musical gems as "I Walk Beside You" (WDR2-fit, somehow U2 ajar) or the gentle "The Answer Lies Within" duel formally Metal smashers of the variety "Panic Attack" or "Never enough". The whole has an orchestral touch and is deliberately provided with not quite as many gimmicks, as was the case when it consistently right metallic embossed predecessor work "Train of Thought". Another positive factor is striking the specially unusual on this album vocal performance by James LaBrie, who explores the variability of his voice perfectly. Since "Images and Words" has - in spite of all class - not a DT album as fresh and varied sounded like "Octavarium". Perfect and perhaps the introduction for listeners demanding rock music, which Dream Theater were far too technical or too bulky.
