IMAGES AND WORDS

No question, no doubt, no compromise, in my humble opinion (IMHO) this album is a true masterpiece! May I suggest you for not reading any review that gives this album less than 4 (out of 5) stars rating? Thank you for whatever decision you take. I suggest you should also not read my review below as you may get bored with a lot of admiration about this album. Just one thing, if I may suggest, BUY THIS CD! (. and do NOT read the write-up beyond this line because it will poise you! - probably. Unless, you are skeptical........).

Now, let me give my rationales why do I give full five stars despite this band was not the founding fathers of prog in the glorious year of end of sixties and seventies. [I don't think even the band was aware that their music considered prog. Listeners were the ones who box the kind of music they played. So, we're the one to put the box for DT music.]

Rationale # 1: Dream Theater is the pioneer of a new progressive metal sub-genre. Early 90s was the birth of this sub-genre and this album represented the best example of what kind of sound the prog met is all about. We have seen obviously the sheer influence of Dream Theater to many prog met bands in 90s and 2000s; almost all of their music were compared to the standard of DT music (including this second album of DT).

Rationale # 2 : Dream Theater's music unifies people of different ages. This is obviously true! The early generation who were teenagers during the glory years of 70s when they listened to the kind of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, King Crimson and so on can accept and enjoy DT music really well. I find even some of them were amazed about how skillful the guys in DT are! Some early generation even commented that in DT music they can get a sense of Rick Wakeman's keyboard style augmented with speedy and technical guitar fills. My friend, Leo, was a classic rock music minded and just listened to this album couple years ago and amazed with this album. Another part of the generation (the marketer used to call it as Generation X) who are young people enjoy the kind of DT music. Couple weeks ago I met my nephew who was just grade 6; he told me that he played bass guitar covering DT music! What a big surprise for me! What surprised me more was that many of his friends love Dream Theater music. Uuughhh ...!!!

Rationale # 3 : This album has powerful songwriting, tight structure featuring heavy riffs (in the vein of metal) and changing tempo, most of the time in fast tempo, melodic and is cohesive as an album. From opening track "Pull Me Under" to "Learning To Live" you will enjoy the power and beauty of their music. Even this morning, the classic track "Pull Me Under" lifted up my spirit at the opening of the day with all positive energy!

Rationale # 4 : (you write your own rationale, as I am very sure there are many more!)

Rationale # 5 : (you write your own rationale, as I am very sure there are many more!)

My conclusion: this album is a true masterpiece! Rating: 5/5.

Another recommendation:

Watch, listen carefully and observe Disc 2 of Dream Theater "Live at Budokan" DVD. You will comprehend and understand ...

GW, Indonesia.