A good album, some classic Dream Theater mixed but somewhat marred by a couple of songs (Octavarium - Dream Theater)

Member Name: SnooP_WiggleS

Product:	Octavarium - Dream Theater
Date:	17/12/07 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Title track is excellent, as is most of the album. good symphony work to..

Disadvantages: A few diversions such as 'I Walk Beside You' are a little disappointing.

Being the 8th album of Dream Theater, this is somewhat an iconic experience, the last album recorded at the 'Hit Factory' before it closed down, and the last album on Atlantic Records. While not the best Dream Theater album this is a good effort, and not as widely criticized as the all out metal 'Train Of Thought' (I didn't mind that one though). A run down of all the songs:

Root of all evil:
A good start to the album. This one is a continuation of the 'alcoholics anonymous' suite that has featured on the last few dream theater albums. Heavy guitar riffs, and some familiar vocal passages set the pace. A good effort, typical dream theater style and length with numerous solos.

The Answer Lies Within:
A big departure for dream theater, this is largely a fairly simple (by dream theater standards) pop ballad. Its perhaps a little generic. Once it gets going its a passable song, with some good orchestration towards the end.

These Walls:
One of my favourites on the album. Quite catchy in a good way 'Tear down these walls for me, I can't stop from sinking under..'. Excellent guitar work as always from John Pretucci and complementing synth work from Jordan Rudess. Good feel with acoustic guitars in the verses to full blown band for in the chorus.

I Walk Beside You:
Another often criticized song for being a little too pop. Get Bono to sing it and it could be a U2 ballad. Catchy chorus, though in this case not necessarily a good thing.

Panic Attack:
Another often criticized song for sounding a little too 'muse' like. I dont mind it, it suites the song, a song called 'panic attack' really benefits from the muse style to it. Ends with a weird ambient filler thing.

Never Enough:
Quite similar to panic attack in style, not as big a fan of this one. Some good synth work and guitars as always but the chorus just doesn't do it for me. I always like those dual guitar/keyboard solos though, not for long enough in this case.

Sacrified Sons:
Now the album gets back to more 'classic' dream theater territory with this long (close to 11 minutes) dealing with the touchy subjects of 9/11 and religiously motivated terrorism. A good epic feel to it, with some great orchestral work as well. It doesn't feel like it drags on either. Again some great extended solo work from John Pretucci and Jordan Rudess. My favourite bit is the last verse where the guitar goes with an all out metal riff, fantastic stuff.

Octavarium:
The title track and masterpiece of the album. exactly 24 minutes of epic dream theater spanning 5 sections with numurous solos shifts in style, anyone who likes 'a change of seasons' will get a kick out of this song. The start is very ambient intentionally pink floyd esqe, before eventually leading into the first passage with acoustic guitar accompany and flute. The song continues to gradually build with each section until its all out metal (dream theater metal of course) by 'razors edge'. One can easily loose track of time being absorbed by this song, it never feels like 24 minutes or even close. A fantastic achievement that alone justifies the album.


Sound Quality wise this is generally ok, though not really that 'stereo' enough, perhaps its a little 'mushed' together with individual instruments not sounding separated enough. Perhaps a little 'muddy' too not really crystal clear definition, but its not too bad - i've heard far worse. However there's some great backup symphony work on quite a few of the tracks that adds to the epicness of it (especially sacrified sons and the title track). If you have the chance grab the live dvd 'score' as well to see a symphony play the songs live, a great experience. The mix is well balanced, Though as usual Mike's kick is a little obvious perhaps on some songs, though thats probably more an issue of the mix being a little too 'punchy', though most albums by any band are that way now. Nowhere near as bad as systematic chaos where the kick drum is almost unbearable with its unnatural over punchy sound at least. Everyone gets a good place in the mix, With John Myung's bass work even having chances to take front stage on places such as sections of the title track. Mike's drums are perhaps more 'complementing' to the mix rather than 'dominating' as it has often been in parts of Train Of Thought, or Scenes From A Memory. Not really a bad or good thing, just different.

For those interested, this album has a lot of references to '8' and the golden ratio, Dream Theater obviously spent some time crafting them all. see wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavarium

Summary: Good enough to satisfy any Dream Theater fan, but except for title track may not impress them.