WIRED FOR MADNESS

All right. Jordan Rudess. I'm going to talk about my relationship through the years with his music making as to give a context, and because it's fun for me :D If you want to skip to the album review per se, go to the paragraph that starts with "The Review"

My first meeting with Jordan's music was when I bought my first Dream Theater cd in high school: the at-that- moment-just-released Scenes from a Memory. I flipped out. Dream Theater became my favorite band for years. I became totally mesmerized with their music.

Nowadays I am not such a big fan. I still find Awake quite the masterpiece, very original and my favorite of their records. I also have a place in my heart for (some songs) from Scenes from a Memory and Images and Words. But that's it. I usually can't stand anything they did from Six degrees of inner turbulence on, with some songs here and there being allright or cool, but never getting more than a couple of listens. I must admit it is mostly because of James Labrie, whose voice I get repulsed by (but does seem like a very nice man). A thing of tastes I guess.

I also discovered that I didn't like Jordan's take on the keyboards and especially composition. Even my favorite parts from Scenes from a Memory where composed with Derek Sherinian on board. So, my enthusiasm for him is low. Though I do admit his impeccable technique, I find his a million notes a second fills tiring. Again, I can't say a thing about him as a person: Very nice guy.

So in summary: Kevin Moore is my keyboardist in regards to Dream Theater. I find him simple, cool, to the point, and a great composer. Sad to say, I don't love his post DT work, just doesn't tickle me.

About Liquid Tension Experiment: I love three songs (especially Acid Rain, masterpiece) but that's it. Again Jordan doesn't add anything special for me.

As to Jordan's solo discography: Same opinion as above, it doesn't move me.

¿Why do I continue to listen to these guys then? Well, I don't usually. But last year I took my girlfriend to his solo concert because she loves piano and I thought "Hey, he's a brilliant player, let's see what happens". And lo and behold, it was a total pleasure: funny and cool (though Jordan, if you ask me, take it easy on those right hand fills). And he talked about his upcoming record, "Wired for Madness". He even, surprisingly for me, sang a song from it. And I liked it.

So, surprisingly, upon being released I was interested. And man, did I get a surprise! I find the album great. Let me repeat that: I really love it. Here's my review:

The Review: Again, I truly love this album. I was totally surprised by his inventiveness, variety and complexity. It's truly proggy music, with something that I find very scarce in prog usually: Real creativity. There are changes not only in tempo and timbres, but also in styles. This I adore. I find that prog has become a very stale genre, usually rehashing old Yes, Genesis, ELP, etc. But at the moment these bands were trailblazing, inventing new stuff every moment! Nowadays there are too many bands imitating them, not going forward. Dream Theater wasn't this way on their first records, and Jordan isn't here. I find his music fascinating. For the first time listening to him I love his timbres, his melodic vocals and over all his compositions. I love his constant changes, which is what I always look for in Prog. But in this case they are changes that make sense, that sound organic, that sound crazy but melodic. I like that he mixes genres, getting away from the sometimes confining prog metal of Dream Theater. He's got a good ear for mixing old sounding and new sounding keyboards, of inviting different styles of musicians, and even giving good hooks in his vocal lines. Yeah, he's not the best singer, but reminds me a little of an amateur Bowie, which is always a good comparison. And I like him better than Labrie, so Dream Theater, take note. I'm kidding, of course, I think Dream Theater is a thing unto itself, and it's just my taste. To each his own. (And as a side note, I didn't like Dream Theater's parallel record, Distance over Time).

I love the mixing because it's never overwhelming but it's always complex and fun. I find it is like 3d music: You can concentrate on the different lines playing on each other, and also on the great harmonies and progressions. So yeah, in summary, I love it. If I'd have to use a word to describe the sound it would have to be Psychedelic. It truly is a record that goes through the thousand colors you can see in the best trips.

I still have to fully digest Wired for Madness, and this will take months probably. The lyrics for example I haven't analyzed, but I don't care too much. As it is, it's perfect for me, and it won't change my opinion. I can already say that it is one of the best and most stimulating prog records I've heard in a couple of years. I don't usually take the time to review records, but when I find a gem that touches me I am compelled to do so. God knows I've heard so much music in my life (I'm an avid collector) and especially prog. I seldom get surprised and I as you can probably see, I am very intense in my lookout and expectations. This one gave me my fill (totally!), even through all my past experiences with Jordan. So, please, get a good sound system, put the record in the best possible quality, CD or FLAC, and give it a go. I think you will enjoy a totally rewarding ride. It is a beautiful manifestation of what we as humans can accomplish and what depths our art can get into.

I even love the cover! Which is the first Jordan Rudess solo cover I find not only acceptable but I actually dig.

Give it a go, you just might find something lovely. It's worth trying, right?

And hey, you know what? It isn't full of those lightning fast fills! Thanks man!