For my first review, it would only be acceptable if I start with my favorite album by my favorite band, the American prog-metal legends Dream Theater.
Images and Words, released in 1992, was Dream Theater’s second album but is still regarded as one of their best works. It would be unfair to classify the track listing into any one genre of music as Dream Theater has always been the best at breaking across genres. The album perfectly provides each member of the band to showcase the musical proficiency they picked up at Berkeley School of Music, only the most reputed music college on the globe.
The opener, Pull Me Under, starts with a powerful yet smooth intro before building into a classic metal masterpiece as Mike Portnoy brings in his double-pedal bass drum. Truly poweful drumming sets the tone for the album, telling the listener to be ready for some highly technical yet perfectly musical instrumentation.
Every day sends future to past,
Every breath leaves one less to my last.
Another Day starts with a surprise appearance by Jay Beckenstein on the saxophone, paving the way for an exquisite song with strong lyrics and vocals by LaBrie. An almost jazzy undertone prevails in the track, reinforced by the softer dynamics of the drums and the frequent riffs of the saxophone. One might argue it to be the simplest track on the album, by keeping away the heavy guitars and replacing them with a crisp and clean guitar solo. This song definitely sets itself apart from the rest of the album, leaving the listener with an odd peace and calm.
Better to save the mystery,
Than surrender to the secret.
Metropolis Part 1 and Take the Time are extended songs. As one can predict from this band’s other works, these songs have more focus on instruments than lyrics. Dream Theater manages to maintain its signature feel as if these songs were just recordings of improvised jam-sessions. On the spot solos and riffs have always been the strong suits for Moore and Petrucci.
The unbroken spirit obscured and disquiet,
Finds clearness this trial demands.
Clocking in an odd time signature of 9/4, Surrounded is undoubtedly a delight to listen to. Even with complex counts, Dream Theater manages to keep the listener engaged in the song. Unlike most bands, they manage to make all their songs with odd time signatures effortless, and this album has a quite a few of them. Each jump Portnoy makes across signatures, oozes confidence and command of the song.
Let the light surround you
Under A Glass Moon is once again a long, heavily rudiment-ed song with great technical proficiency showcased by all instruments. Dream Theater has not missed any opportunity to show that they know their way around their instruments, yet have managed to keep the musicality of each song intact. In stark contrast, the drums absolutely disappear from Wait For Sleep and Kevin Moore takes center stage in this short painting with vocals that give this album a sweet closing.
Beneath a blackened summer sky,
Praying for time to disappear.
The last track of the album, Learning to Live, tells the story of a man who must learn to appreciate the art and beauty of life, lifting his soul in the process. Interspaced with dramatic pauses, the song jumps across genres. We are treated to funky keyboards and Spanish guitar riffs alike. While this song may not appeal to the mainstream listener (like most DT songs), it manages to gain the respect of the musician in you. It is hard not to appreciate the sense that each artist possesses to show off all their skills yet leave enough space for enjoyment. It is a long track but it delivers good balance to anyone who enjoys some theatricallity.
The way your heart beats makes all the difference in learning to live.
While Dream Theater may not have achieved mainstream fame, they certainly made their mark with this album. Still heralded as a milestone album, Images and Words has influenced countless musicians for almost two decades and continues to remain a nostalgic reminder of the top quality of music that this band produced in the old days.
An extraordinary album by a band of legends, I couldn’t really have faulted it, now could I?
thesmilingsadist 