BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

That was the last album (for a very long time at least, as it turned out) with the most stable Dream Theater line-up which, I guess, the vast majority of their fanbase considers as the classic one. I have read many comments that Mangini didn't possess the musicality Portnoy did, but I have some other objections: I'm not sure that Rudess possess this musicality aside his jaw-dropping chops and also the direction here is far more safe and half as exciting as their earlier releases.

The album begins with the worst opener ever on a Dream Theater album. Although the song tries to recreate the vibe of Scenes From a Memory, either the quality falls short or the novelty has worn off and it isn't as attractive. Throwing in some shredding and some aggressive vocals by Portnoy don't help matters in the slightest. Granted, there are some dotted good parts but does that say much? Many a time have I missed the sense of melody that Kevin Moore or Derek Sherinian brought on the table, but on this album this thought came very quickly. Fortunately, on the next song things improve. A bit more melodic, the chorus is catchy even the shredding sounds much more in place in these improved surroundings. My hopes begin to rise but The Shattered Fortress, well, shatters them a bit. Clearly, the heavier side of Dream Theater doesn't appeal to me that much since it sounds like as if they are not that interested in coming up with something intelligent, instead they simply want to lay the foundation to allow their impeccable technique to shine and I say this because most of the times the rhythm part behind a solo is one that any ordinary metal band would have provided. Pretty much like on the opener, there are some good parts of course, but I never get excited while listening to this. Wither is the only song that makes me want to turn up the volume and let the music carry me away. Its simplicity, as well the lyrics for once, have won me over and it would be even better if there wasn't a break where LaBrie sings the chorus accompanied solely by the piano which sounds much too saccharine. The Best of Times initially keeps going on this direction before it transforms into a totally upbeat tune to reflect the best of times that Mike Portnoy had with his father and as it progresses the music duly is adapted to express the pain and the loss he feels. Once again it would be an even better song if there wasn't some out-of-place shredding by Petrucci in the end. Do they believe that they have to live up to the expectations of a very technical band or is the thought somewhere at the back of their mind that they should give to the fans what they want? Can't tell, of course. The Count of Tuscany is the coup de grâce to this average album and also to my relationship with Dream Theater. The riffing is unintersting, the chorus is totaly inane (more agressive vocals by Portnoy), but nothing is half as inane as the lyrics of this song. Petrucci is credited as co- producer, guitarist, composer, lyricist, well, one can't be exceptional on every level and the latter is surely his Achilles' heel. Also these instrumental parts that consist of eight-note passages in odd meters make me sick, just can't tolerate them any more. Once again some good parts here and there which can't salvage the situation.

No one expects from Dream Theater (or any prog band for that matter) to replicate themselves. Still, this effort to adapt to the 2000s metal, although did them the world of goods with regard to visibility and commercial success, was at the expense of imagination and creativity. If you don't believe me, I call to my aid no other than James LaBrie himself who said once in an interview "I felt that with Black clous and Silver Linings and Systematic Chaos our music no longer necessarily enveloped all of the styles for which we'd become known. Τhe metal aspect was becoming too concentrated". I have a distinct feeling that they were way too settled in their ways and didn't take any chances on this one. Just consider the diversity that was blooming on their earlier albums and now is totally absent. I still listen to it from time to time to see if this album of once one my ever favourite bands appeals to me in a different way, but the answer is no.

Two and a half stars is much more appropriate.

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