Dream Theater returns...thinking
Published January 12, 2004
Train of Thought
Dream Theater
(Elektra)
The band's last album, the two-CD Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, was about as easy to get into as a Mosque in Mecca is for a non-Muslim. It was just a bit too turgid and unininviting for all but the most ardent DT fan. ToT returns to a bit more accesible prog music and the result is a pleasant 7 track affair which is rather good. It ranges from flowing proggy tunes to the more metally 'Honor thy Father' which would not be outplace on a Metallica album (well not the last one).
To begin with is the excellent 'As I Am' and proceedings are ended with the equally good 'In the Name of God'. While not being as stunning as "Scenes from a Memory' this is a truly good album from a very talented band. It seems the band have rid themselves of their truly navel-gazing episode and are now back to producing fairly accesible prog-albums. I suspect, like with almost every DT album, this one will only improve with time.
Rating 4.5
Marty's band, Growing Old Disgracefully, can be found at: Disgraceful Music. His Cthulhu tales can be found at Temple of Dagon. 
- Dream Theater returns...thinking
- Published: January 12, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Metal, Music: Progressive Rock
- Writer: Marty Dodge
- Marty Dodge's BC Writer page
- Marty Dodge's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Too many notes, eh? I'll have to check it out!
it's pretty heavy duty.
it's just that, with a double-cd, you end up losing your place after a while...if you know what i mean.
They lost me with Six Degree - too many riffs ripped off from other bands to form entire songs (especially Tool on the one song - it sounds exactly like them.) And the concept disc was ridiculous, with that overblown Disney-esque overture. However, I have to say that I've actually quite enjoyed Train Of Thought, riff-ripage and all. I just wish these guys could get back to playing something that really sounded original - the last time they did that was Falling Into Infinity. They make too big a show now of showing off the pieces of other great songs they've learned.
there's a lotta stuff here that reminds me of QueenReich
Little excessive use of the word "truly" in your review don't you think?
The metal album that no metal band could ever hope to pull off.
Rock on DT!
p/g
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/11646)
"Six Degrees..." is in my player right now.
man, they play a fricken' bazillion notes on this thing.
there are some good moments on it but it's a little excessive.