Theater of Dreams - a play in an album. (Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater)

Member Name: Midrange

Product:	Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater
Date:	02/08/08 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing musicianship all round. The greatest display of progressive metal in years!

Disadvantages: Extended songs may not be to some listeners taste.

In my mind, this is, without doubt, Dream Theater's finest work.

The whole album is one illustriously produced concept - following the twisted story of a young girl's murder in the early 1900s and how a modern man comes to terms with his haunting past.

Musically, this album is breathtaking. Each musician (and there are only five of them, believe it or not!) is an expert in their field. From John Petrucci's soaring, highly melodic and blistering precise guitar playing, to James LaBries strident vocals these guys really know how to rock! They also know how to shift time signatures regularly, surprise the listeners with gentle, gospel-like movements or blow their minds with some intense keyboard-guitar unison solos. It is the keyboard playing that is of particular interest to me. This is Jordan Rudess's first excursion with Dream Theater and he sure pulls his weight! Some may hate his lavish, complex playing style, but I love it!

The songs on this album are, surprisingly, rather catchy. Even though many of them are over 7 minutes in length, there are plenty of hooks, riffs and solos to keep the listener enthralled. Notable pieces include "The Dance of Eternity", "Beyond This Life" and "The Spirit Carries On" - the last of these being a poignant ballad style piece with a really powerful, soaring chorus.

If you're new to Dream Theater - I would recommend you begin here. If you're not that keen on it, try "Images and Words" which includes the track "Metropolis" (you'll notice that Scenes From a Memory is subtitled "Metropolis Part 2" - there's a very clever connection between the orginal song and this full length album).

Summary: A powerful musical entity, producing a masterpiece of modern progressive wizardry!