STRING QUARTET TRIBUTE TO DREAM THEATER

Let's say you have just left your suite on one of the upper floors of the Waldorf. You step into the elevator, and as you descend to the lowest floor you hear this lilting dark repose played by string instruments. You mutter to yourself, "Is that Hell's Kitchen?" You listen a bit longer and say, unintentionally loud, "THAT is Hell's Kitchen!" By this time everyone freaks out on the elevator, expecting they are plummeting into the abyss.

OK a bit dramatic, but I had to somehow define this CD. The Vitamin String Quartet has produced dozens of tribute rock and pop tributes, so if your taste in music is string quartet rock tributes, then you have found one to add to your collection! Or if you have parents who dread the thought that you actually listen to rock and roll, you could buy this for them and say "This is what I listen to" and they would think you have finally seen the musical light.

It's hard to acclimate your musical ear to a string quartet tribute of Dream Theater tunes, but IF you accept the music on its own merit, without making comparisons to the original songs, you could actually learn to like it. I personally favored three of the tunes:

As I Am: Sounds like an Icelandic Indian native rock string dance production. Peruvian Skies: Percy Sledge waking up from an all-nighter at the top of Machu Picchu. Hell's Kitchen: Makes for an interesting elevator ride conversation.

I have to give this CD a 3 Star rating for a couple of reasons: Is it an "essential" for a progressive rock fan? NO. Is it an essential for a die-hard Dream Theater fan? Probably not. Is it an essential for a String Quartet fan? Maybe Yes. The musicianship is excellent, the arrangement is top-notch - you just have to be a fan of string quartet arrangements or classical music in general to really appreciate the music. Because of the talent, the rating has to be high, it's just not an easy sell to those without classical music inclinations.