Falling Into Infinity - Dream Theater

Advantages: Some great tracks. Has Trial of Tears on it.
Disadvantages: Some radio friendly, not so good songs.

This album has always had a hard time from critics and fans alike. It's an attempt at radio friendly songs 'apparently', and even the band themselves say this. Personally I like this album, it took a couple of listens to get into it, and it has a couple of poor songs, but some really shine through. The poorer songs on the album are: 'You Not Me'; it's not too bad, but it lacks heaviness for my tastes, very radio friendly and commercial! 'Hollow ...
...a tad generic. It picks up a little bit at the end. 'Take Away my Pain'; similar comments to above, I like the solo and centre part of it, but the rest drags on a lot, and seems a bit long. The above songs are very lightweight compared to a lot of DT stuff, having said that it's not like they ruin the album or anything like that, in fact it does all fit together nicely, but don't judge the album on the above songs. Now the other songs: 'New Millennium'; ... Read review

Advantages: Great first track, a refreshing change from prog
Disadvantages: Can get slow and boring, mainly covers.

...- Guitar and Backing Vocals Jordan Rudess - Keyboards and Synthesizers Overall, a good quality album, but the only track really worth listening to is the title track. It's available in most good music stores from £10.99, but can be found in Martian Records for around £8 and the same sort of price on the internet. The lyrics for the first track are in the inlay, but no other lyrics are included, just recording details. This is because all the other tracks are cover off other artists so dream theater aren't allowed to print their lyrics. Other albums: I would highly recommend Awake, Falling Into Infinity and Metropolis Part Two: Scenes From A Memory. The best album to buy first is Awake, as it will enable you to get used to Dream Theater's diverse sound (from prog metal to power ballads). Once you're sure you like their music, then I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Improved live versions of 'Train of Thought' material.
Disadvantages: A confusingly unsatisfying mix of old and new.

...favourites,' the distinctly retro sound makes them stand out against the more modern, heavier material, and the contrast would have been more effective and less jarring if some of the more experimental and notable songs from those early albums had been chosen instead (but of course, there's the issue of the rotating set-list!) The next stage of evolution that is charted is rather oddly the black sheep of Dream Theater releases, 1997's 'Falling into Infinity.' Rather than focusing on its excellent predecessor 'Awake,' which arguably perfected the fusion between classic heavy metal and prog, this album was produced under the scrutiny of a record label that wanted something more radio-friendly, so it's quite a surprise to see three songs ('Hollow Years,' 'Trial of Tears' and 'New Millennium') celebrated here. If the purpose is to contrast starkly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful