This is Dream Theater's 4th full length studio album, released in 1997. Dream Theater decided to go mainstream with this album, but this album is still very progressive and is a good one to go for if you're new to Dream Theater.
The album kicks off with the psychadelic keyboard intro of New Millenium. This is a good song - Fairly upbeat, not very heavy. Takes a few listens to appreciate it more, but a nice start to the album.
Don't get put off by the nest track, You Not Me. This is my least favourite Dream Theater track. It's mainstream grunge rock and is not what Dream Theater are like.
Peruvian Skies is actually my favourite on the album. It starts off in clean, drums kick in after a bit, then after the second chorus, there's a big build up into an incredible solo then the intro riff, once played in clean, now in full distortion, very Metallica-esque. This is a brilliant song. Not typical Dream Theater, but still awesome.
Hollow Years was released as a single. This a lovely soft track, no distortion, which is very memorable. One of my favourites.
Burning My Soul is probably my second worst Dream Theater track. The lyrics are pretty bad in this song. It's fairly heavy, but nothing special.
Hell's Kitchen is the instrumental on the album. This is beautiful. You just get lost in the music with this one. This track then fades into the masterpiece of the album, Lines In The Sand.
Lines In The Sand has a very funky, yet heavy riff after a minute and a half long atmospheric keyboard intro. Funky verse and headbanging chorus, featuring Doug Pinnick from Kings X on backing vocals, which adds a really nice touch to it. The middle section, which is quiet has one of the best John Petrucci guitar solos ever. Beautiful, atmospheric stuff. It then kicks into the chorus again for one last time. Great song.
Take Away My Pain is quite similar to Hollow Years in style. Another soft song, probably not as good as Hollow Years, but still very nice. A soft song is needed after Lines In The Sand
Just Let Me Breathe is heavy, funky prog metal. Not a big fan of the lyrics. Failry bad attampt at trying to be mainstream. It's just not what Dream Theater are. Besides the lyrics, this is a really good song actually. Excellent instrumental section. Petty good.
Anna Lee is a piano-based ballad with some wonderful chords. I love this one, but not mad keen on the middle section when James LaBrie sings really high. It doesn't ruin it, but I think it should be left instrumental. Lovely modulation at the end.
The album finished with quite a Rush-esque song, Trial Of Tears. The intro is almost identical to Xanadu. Wonderful song. I haven't listened to it that much so I can't comment too much on it but it's brilliant.
Overall, this is a good album. It's the first Dream Theater album I got. I didn't see what all the hype was about aftre I got it, but fortunately, I gave them another chance when I bought Images And Words. This album is now one of my favourites though.
I wouldn't get this if you're new to Dream Theater. I thought it was OK when I first heard it, but that's cause I was expecting shredding solos and crazy tempo changes, but this album is excellent. If you're used to mainstream rock, you could well like this and it might be a nice place to start. If you're into metal or prog-metal, I wouldn't start with this. Great album.
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Mar 28th, 2005
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