A CHANGE OF SEASONS

After the sudden and unsuspected left of Kevin Moore and the incorporation of Derek Sherinian, Dream Theater releases their 4th work, which includes the magnificent and glorious theme that gives name to the album "A Change Of Seasons" and some tracks recorded from the Ronnie Scott's Club Fan Concert during the Waking Up The World Tour, that as many of you know was a show in which this five guys from New York played only covers from different bands. After this historical antecedent, let's start the review.

"A Change of Seasons" was a song that was going to be included on the "Images & Words" and written before Charlie Dominici was dismissed. A demo of this song can be found in the Bootleg of The Images and Words Demos, which has a different emphasis in the singing and some light lyrics changes. The song is clearly divided in 7 segments or movements that LaBrie expresses perfectly each one of the feelings printed in these fantastic lyrics by Mike Portnoy, where he makes an excellent analogy between any person's life and the season's transition. The music is magisterially written and performed by this band from Brooklyn. John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy stand out mainly. The production is far better than the previous albums; you can notice it in the sound of the drums. Derek Sherinian has also an excellent work. This track is worth enough to purchase the album without a doubt.

Generally, Dream Theater has an excellent interpretation besides the sound fidelity is pretty good. Without trying to make any intricate arrangement or spectacular changes, the playing of the songs is pretty faithful to the original ones.

The next track is a classic song of the great Elton John, in which Derek Sherinian makes an exhibition of his well known talent. Without a doubt this was one of the best in the album.

"Perfect Strangers" is a powerful song, originally written by the Heavy Metal pioneers Deep Purple, LaBrie has a pretty decent job on the song, he was in charge of the most difficult, having in vision that Ian Gillan's voice is hard to beat or equalize.

The Medley that mixes some Led Zeppelin classic shows an excellent bass job by Mr. John Myung and in my humble opinion James LaBrie has no problems to get the original tones of Robert Plant's voice.

"The Big Medley" is like a song collage of songs that starts with "In the Flesh" the changes between each song are great. The inclusion of some progressive bands such as the Dregs, Kansas and Genesis add an excellent taste.

"A Change of Seasons" stands by itself, a great song followed by a flow of great tracks. Unfortunately the fact of being cover songs takes them out of the opportunity of being a masterpiece, but it still is a great addition to any progressive rock collection. I'll give it 4 stars.

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