TENEMENT FUNSTER/FLICK OF THE WRIST/LILY OF THE VALLEY

I intentionally write a review down here from the Deluxe Edition (3 CD set) of the band's latest release 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' album officially released in Jun 23, 2009. This cover version of Queen, taken from 'Sheer Heart Attack' album, was actually available as download version but I only got this version when the CD package came to my address last week. I practically never done a download task because I don't like MP3 with bad bitrate while I typically make MP3 from CD with quality bit rate (320 or a bit lesser). That's why I can only make my review now.

I have to thank Dream Theater for picking 'Tenement Funster / Flick of The Wrist / Lily of The Valley' - three songs that are performed in one entirety as original version by Queen - due to the fact that I love this track very much. In fact, I knew Queen for the first time from this song which blew me away at the first time I heard it when I was teenager. The reason I upgraded my cassette to digitally remastered CD version was because of this song and 'Brighton Rock'.

Original version of the song starts with guitar fills followed with vocal line singing 'My new purple shoes. Bin amazin' the people next door...' and the music flows nicely to another segment and next track in seamless way. Dream Theater version does not differ so much from the original version. Petrucci guitar sound has been set to emulate unique guitar sound of Brian May. Unfortunately what comes out is the guitar sound that similar to Kenny Wayne Shepperd's (blues guitarist). He tries his best to emulate including the shot at minute 6:24 - a shot that was originally there in original version. I actually expected that Mr Rudess provides his inventive fills as this song is originally no keyboard work. However, overall I am quite happy with this cover even though not much innovatively different from original version. Keep on proggin' ..! because proggin' is healthy.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW