AWAKE DEMOS

'Awake Demos' - Dream Theater (4/10)

This is essentially; 'Awake' without any production magic, mastering or anything beyond the instruments playing in a lo-fi atmosphere.

While I myself am definately not the biggest fan of the actual studio 'Awake' album (I don't find it that interesting, to be quite honest) I found the 'Awake Demos' to be worth a listen. While it's technically a demo and not a remix, it might as well be a remix because you can hear things that you wouldn't normally have an easy time hearing in the finished product.

While no one except hardcore fans of Dream Theater are going to get a kick out of 'Awake Demos,' it's a fine example of a group of musicians that don't need studio magic to help them sound good.

Demos again? Yes... For fans Only? Yes, again...

This is one of the many official Bootlegs that mr Mike Portnoy has put on sale through their own label YTSEjam Records. This one in particular is the compilation of all the songs that makes it to the final version, almost in the order that were composed.

To be fair, there's nothing fantastic about this album. All the post-production and high quality of sound, mixing and mastering is not there, just the songs as were played before the magic. And about that, Dream Theater shows that they don't need to be overdubbed to sound great. Just besides of James Labrie's voice, the rest of the band sound great and the performing is tip top. While James tends to sound a little exaggerated and sometimes without guidance during some particular parts, this album shows the potential of the songs previous to the make-up.

There very few differences between the songs, that any Awake fan could detect, so, if you are really in love of this album, try it, you will be glad to hear it. If you are not a fan from Dream Theater, please skip this. Good album and production for been a bootleg, 2 stars is what it deserves.

As would be expected when any band releases an album consisting of demos, these tracks lack the polished production or finesse that a band like Dream Theater are known for, thus making this one strictly for the diehard fans.

Most of the songs are near-identical to how they appear on the 'Awake' album, with the only noticeable changes being slight differences to some arrangements, lyrics, guitar riffs or keyboard solos.

If you like 'Awake' then it's a nice look at how the songs were originally arranged, and as usual with this band, the musicianship is fantastic. However, because this is nothing more than a demo album, this is best kept for the Dream Theater collectors who need to own everything.

Like me. And my bank account does not approve.