Black Clouds And Silver Linings - Dream Theater

_Wow. I got the special edition of this album in the post a few days ago and I must say, I am impressed. This album is the equivalent of finding twenty quid in the pocket of some old trousers. I have to say, I forgot about the band for a while. Thank God I refound them!_



''' 1. Nightmare to Remember'''

This track is unbelievable. The intro is a storm with thunder sounds, then a freaky piano played by Ruddess ...
...helluva journey with car crashes, life support machines, and overall the darkest feeling I have ever had from a Dream Theater track. I can imagine this was likely to be Portnoy's + Petrucci's creation. Portnoy also uses his first `blast beat` which is a extreme metal, drumming technique. Although when you first hear it, it doesn't sound like it fits with the overall movement of the track, but after a while (like most Dream Theater songs) it really ... more

_Wow. I got the special edition of this album in the post a few days ago and I must say, I am impressed. This album is the equivalent of finding twenty quid in the pocket of some old trousers. I have to say, I forgot about the band for a while. Thank God I refound them!_

1. Nightmare to Remember

This track is unbelievable. The intro is a storm with thunder sounds, then a freaky piano played by Ruddess comes in to make you jump. This track is a helluva journey with car crashes, life support machines, and overall the darkest feeling I have ever had from a Dream Theater track. I can imagine this was likely to be Portnoy's + Petrucci's creation. Portnoy also uses his first `blast beat` which is a extreme metal, drumming technique. Although when you first hear it, it doesn't sound like it fits with the overall movement of the track, but after a while (like most Dream Theater songs) it really does start to find its niche. This song is so expansive in genre, feel, emotion and musical technique that it is truly mind-blowing. really is a nightmare to remember.

2. A Rite of Passage

This song, I don't think, should've been the album's single. Although it has been written as a shorter song with a catchy chorus and all the other techniques DT use to make a single, I really think that 'Nightmare to Remember' would be a more attractive song. Dream Theater have always thought that releasing the most generic song on the album, which 'A Rite of Passage' certainly is, as a single is the best way to attract ears. I think that to release the most listenable is the best thing to do. Dream Theater have never been scared of cutting down longer songs to make them singles before, and that is what i think they should of done with Nightmare to Remember.
Rite of passage has some less `LaBrie` style vocals (i.e whining) which i think was another technique Dream Theater used to attract listeners. I think this was kind of false because it gives a very different impression of what the band really sounds like. I think this album actually focuses on `de-Labrie`ing` (or however you are supposed to write that!). This I think was not necessarily a good thing. I found 'Scenes from a Memory', composed largely on a LaBrie basis, was la creme de la creme of DT music. I reckon Dream Theater should either stop hiding him or get a new singer!
Rite of Passage has an amazing fantastical story to it. The story is very `Petrucciesque` and I like that about it. It revolves around a secret following of a cult who have "radical ideas"; exactly what those are is quite ambiguous. The video is largely sacrificial and scary.
All in all good song, and i love the panning vocal effects in the verse. They make the song sound very different and original, although the song in its entirety is still largely generic.

3. Wither
This song was the first song that really caught me in this album - I love most of Dream Theater's ballad style songs, where LaBrie excels himself. I think the intro `Let it out, let it out` is catchy and gives the song depth. The lyrics are impressive and have a deep meaning to them. While I have absolutely no idea what lines like `I feel like this baroness consumes me`, it does sound awfully poetic. This song is very impressive, and definitely an asset to the album.

4 The Shattered Fortress
This song is the final part in Portnoy's rehab steps. It is basically a mix up of all the previous steps (being Glass Prison, Dying Soul, Root of All Evil, Repentance) with some new riffs in. I think this song is great - it's sad that the saga has finished as these songs usually excel in the album, though 'The Shattered Fortress' serves as a great conclusion to the line. It is definitely a very powerful and nostalgic song, and embodies a content and satisfied aura. This song is probably the heaviest and most eye catching for all the metal fans out there.

5 The Best of Times
I have to say this song did annoy me. Cheesy, cheesy, cheesy. It is about a boy playing with his father and it says that the boys father is his `idol and best friend` - terribly OTT, soppy and melodramatic. Though, again, it does grow on you, I thought it was the weakest link in the album.

6. The Count of Tuscany
WOW. This song is a roller coaster. It is astonishing. I love the chorus - THE most catchy out of the whole album. Usually you can count on Dream Theater to produce one epic song per album (apart from Octavarium where pretty much ever song was!). 'The Count of Tuscany' ticks that box - a definite DT classic.
The song has it's own intricate storyline to it, which I couldn't even attempt to divulge. Best song for me on the album.

In conclusion this album is simply amazing, and definitely worth buying. There are several different versions you can buy, such as the SE, which has 3 discs. However, what is disappointing is that there is no 60min documentary that is usually included with albums, so fingers crossed some footage will turn up on the net.

Overall, great package from Dream Theater. Thumbs up

Ali =)  

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