| Product: |
Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater |
| Date: |
25.03.08 (43 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Great story coupled with exceptional playing
Disadvantages: It's hard to criticise such beauty - would be like saying God needed a shave!
Considering I have reviewed a fair few concept albums lately from the likes of Marillion and Pain of Salvation I thought I would review what has to be one of the greatest concept albums of all time. This goes beyond the norm and tries to actually tell a story rather than relying on sub-context to guide the listener through its intricacies.
Dream Theater (no, I haven't spelt it wrong - they're American) are a progressive rock band formed originally in 1985 under the name of 'Majesty'. The name Dream Theater, which the band name eventually became, was taken from a movie theatre in California. The group consists of five people each one being classically trained in their particular field which helps create their sound which can be very intricate.
The album is a follow-up to a track called 'Metropolis Pt. 1: The miracle and the Sleeper' which appeared on the bands 'Images and Words' release in 1992. 'Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory' was recorded in 1999 and was voted No.95 in Guitar World's list of the greatest 100 guitar albums of all time.
Track Listing
ACT I
1 - Scene One: Regression
2 - Scene Two: Pt. I Overture 1928
3 - Scene Two: Pt. II Strange Deja Vu
4 - Scene Three: Pt. I Through My Words
5 - Scene Three: Pt. II Fatal Tragedy
6 - Scene Four: Beyond this Life
7 - Scene Five: Through Her Eyes
ACT II
8 - Scene Six: Home
9 - Scene Seven: Pt. I The Dance of Eternity
10 - Scene Seven: Pt. II One Last Time
11 - Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On
12 - Scene Nine: Finally Free
The album begins with the sound of ticking before the voice of a hynotherapist gently leads Nicholas 'under' as he undergoes regression therapy. Nicholas, in this hypnotic state, begins to focus his attentions on a girl named Victoria Page whose life somehow seems to mirror his own. We learn of the recurring dream he has of Victoria whenever he closes his eyes and are given details of the house he enters where he encounters a young girl's reflection in a mirror. The girl is Victoria and she explains why she is 'haunting' Nicholas.
I don't want to give too much of the story away but she tells of the difficult situation she found herself caught up in in 1928 and of her murder which is later recounted in an old newspaper article Nicholas finds.
The band throughout switch time signatures and musical styles as the story progresses from past to present and different emotions come into play. Being classically trained some of the playing is exceptional and very moving in parts. James LeBrie's voice holds up well as he sings of the pain and loss Victoria suffered and the track 'The Spirit Carries On' is the sort of thing you could ask them to play at your funeral without having them raise an eyebrow in disgust. 'Anarchy in the UK' it ain't!
The story is a tangled web of intrigue which can take a few listens to actually gain the complete picture but it is well worth it as what transpires is a work of such unique quality that at times it actually feels like your watching a movie rather than listening to a piece of musical theatre.
The album only reached No. 73 in the US despite being hailed as Dream Theaters 'magnum opus' by fans and critics alike and is a shame as this obviously prevented more people from being made aware of this monumental recording. It can often be the kiss of death when someone sings the praises of some film or piece of music by claiming it is 'the greatest thing since sliced bread' but with this album the critics are right for once.
I came across the band a few years ago now and a lot of their material is very detailed with weird timing and jazz-like soloing but it is never boring. 'Scenes from a memory' takes them to a new level as they attempt to articulate through music a tale of murder, betrayal and reincarnation. If you like your music to be a touch cerebral then you can do nothing better than picking up this album, slapping it on the CD player, turning off the lights and giving yourself up for 77 minutes of prog rock that can beat the others into a cocked hat.
Also posted on Ciao.
Summary: A truly great release that rewrites the concept album rule book
|
Last comment:
 |
Frankingsteins - 26.03.08 I like it a lot, but have a few problems with it - firstly, as with all DT, the influences/homage/theft of bands is obvious throughout, and also parts of it are just too damn long. All the same, it's the last album they released that I really enjoyed (preferred the first three albums though). |
|
