FALLING INTO INFINITY

For my Dream Theater album ratings I will discuss each of my favorite and least favorite songs on the album and any other aspects of the album that either increases or decreases the final rating I have given the album.

After the two phenomenal records that preceded this they were under high pressure to follow up with a strong record. "Images and Words" had the unexpected hit "Pull Me Under", but despite the follow-up "Awake" being a fan favorite and acclaimed it did not have any big hits. On "Falling Into Infinity" they tried hard to write a new big hit for the band, so much so that they even had Desmond Child co-write a song on the album, but they ultimately failed at creating another radio hit. Thankfully a lot of the progressive roots are kept on this album making it a strong effort nonetheless.

The record starts off decently and follows up with a mediocre song. Thankfully it picks up on the third song "Peruvian Skies" (1) which is absolutely phenomenal. Solid tracks follow up after this but when "Lines in the Sand" (2) kicks in we reach one of the top highlights of the album. Classic Dream Theater. After some hit or miss songs there is a very pretty ballad that leads into the second masterpiece by John Myung, namely "Trial of Tears" (3).

Now let's take a look at some of these standout songs.

(1) What a fantastic guitar tone on this song. Such a gorgeous song but yet heavy in parts too. A very hauntingly beautiful song that never gets old. 9.5/10

(2) This is the longest song on the album up until this point. It has a very middle eastern feel too it which the title fits very well. Some of the very best John Petrucci guitar work on the album can be found here. 11/12

(3) The album ends with the three part mini epic that is the best song of the record, in my opinion. Written by John Myung, it is his third writing credit with Dream Theater and despite both prior being great, this is his best work yet. The long gorgeous intro is incredible and I particularly love the transition when the final section "The Wasteland" kicks in. Such beautiful flute that sends chills up and down my spine every time. 13/13

Although this album has some of Dream Theater's very best work, it also has some of their weaker tracks (although not as bad as many people have it to be). "You Not Me" is co-written by Desmond Child and doesn't work very well for me but I don't hate it. "Just Let Me Breathe" and "Take Away My Pain" are both alright but the first is one of their weaker songs for me and the ladder gets very boring but has great lyrics. These three songs all lie somewhere around a 6 or 7/10.

All in all an underrated Dream Theater album. All the songs not mentioned are solid songs that are just as good as anything on any of their other records (except the two best). This album gets a weak 4 star rating. Solid release for sure.