Dream Theater are supposedly classed as a progressive rock metal band.
So what? I don't really care how they are classified, I love their kick ass songs!
I have the albums "Images and Words" and "Awake". Both these albums are generally
known as their best products. I personally prefer "Images and Words" because that
is the one I have listened to the most. "Awake" is starting to grow on me though
and there are some really great moments on this album.
Mike Portnoy - Drums/Percussion Born April 20, 1967
John Myung - Bass Guitar Born January 24, 1967
John Petrucci - Guitar Born July 12, 1967
James LaBrie - Vocals Born May 5, 1963
Derek Sherinian - Keyboards Born August 25, 19??
James LaBrie joined the band after they had released the 1989 album,
When Dream and Day Unite. He is a brilliant vocalist and really suits
the band's style and sound. He can sing in both registers equally as well,
and he has an emotion in his voice that really comes out in some songs.
Mike Portnoy is an absolute freak! His drumming is the most technically
correct style this side of a drum machine. This does not take away from his feel
though, he has some really great grooves happening on some songs.
John Myung uses a 6 string bass live but frankly, you wouldn't know it on
the albums. He is not very prominant in the mix but most of the time you
can hear his bass lines snaking along under the mayhem.
Derek Sherinian
is new to me...from listening to Change Of Seasons, I can
say that I don't like his sound as much as Kevin's but he has a
similar style.
Kevin Moore's keys....I really like them.
I love the solos he does where he emulates a guitar. When I first heard
it I couldn't hear John doubling Kevin's parts, but after I listened to
the albums late one nite while it was really quiet, I realised John was
doubling every note Kevin played!
That leaves
John Petrucci .
John's role in the band is undoubtedly an integral one. He rivals Mike
for his technical ability, and comes out with the most shredding solos.
I get the feeling in some songs that he was held back by something, maybe
someone in the studio or something, but some of his solos seem just a little
restrained. Having the role of single guitarist in the band suits John's
sound, which is big, if there was another guitarist it just wouldn't work.
My favourite songs off Images And Words :
The song "Take The Time" is absolutely brilliant!
It has this addictive tripplet groove thing happening and the verse where James
sings in his upper register - "If there's a pensive fear/ A wasted year/ A man must learn to cope/
If his obsession's real/ Suppression that he feels/ Must turn to hope" - is just awesome.
"Under A Glass Moon" starts with a cool pitch shifted riff from John doubled
by Kevin's keys, this progression is then not repeated until right at
the end of the inspiring song. It gives me the feeling of having been taken
on a journey by the band, and now they are bringing me home.
"Learning To Live" has some great syncopated rhythms in it. It amazes me
how the band can play in time when the drummer is just going off playing
these outrageous rhythms.
My favourite songs from Awake :
This is nearly the whole album!
"6:00" is is the epitomy of Dream Theater's style.
It is packed full of great sounds and acoustic parts and a whole bunch of
syncopations from drummer. The chorus at the end of the song is just perfect.
The boys then launch straight into "Caught In A Web" which
has this big sound that just comes out of the speakers in chunks and rolls
along the floor. (well it does with my stereo anyway)
"Innocence Faded" sounds like a radio freindly pop rock song at first but the
Dream Theater beast soon rears it's head and the song gets ugly,
not bad ugly though!
My favourite songs from A Change Of Seasons
I had to get this album imported from the U.S.A.
The Elton John cover is really good. As well as the Deep Purple song.
The cover of Pink Floyd's In The Flesh is pretty good...thats coming from
a PF fan!!
The song A Change Of Seasons is just brilliant when you sit and listen
to the entire song. It takes you on a long journey that made me feel
as though I had just experienced each season of the year.
Some sections of the song have moments that almost recapture
the sheer energy and big sound of Images And Words, but on the whole,
I don't think that this recording is nearly as good.
I still enjoy it and no doubt I'll love it more everytime I play it.
Check it out one time, won't you!
You may have noticed if you're a DT fan that I have not included earlier
Dream Theater releases. Don't despair,
I have a friend who has some early DT albums,
I will get them (without him knowing, he he he) and do my thing.
You can find out a whole lot more about Dream Theater by visiting the
best Dream Theater pages I have found yet.
To check out the Official Dream Theater Internet Homepage just click
Here
You can also visit the Apocalypse Music site which has links to heaps
of DT stuff by clicking
Here
Also, check out my other site
Unofficial Australian Pink Floyd Site
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e-mail me at crustydemon@geocities.com or pmegin10@scu edu au
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