DISCONNECTED

This album continues where Queenryche's 'Operation Mindcrime' stopped (now that's a statement) and Dream Theater went on. Yes, I owe you an explanation. Operation mindcrime has absolutely been an inspiration. Disconnected starts and ends with a spoken sentence. Not 'I rememeber now' but "I think we're disconnected". And has the same effect . ONce the record started, you enter the ride. Not as energetic or aggressive as queensryche, but with similar melodic lines and vocals. Allthough it takes a while before the record hits you. Actually the beginning also reminds of Jeff Wayne's war of the world. It must be the melodramatic sound in the beginning. But then the records really takes off teh song 'one'. The first 4 songs are short, but nr 5 and 6 are real progressive songs, more than 10 minutes. The songs have strong melodic lines, patiently it builds to a climax. For me this climax is the sixth song ('still remains'), with an excellent guitar solo. Not to show how skilfull Jim Matheos is (and he is), but to give you the shiver (to get chickin skin is a dutch expression). It is the effect we know from Steven Rothery and Gary Moore; something Yngwie Malmsteen doesn't understand. And then it stops where it ends, we seem to have been disconnected. And you want to play this record again. All and all, a very nice album. So why only 4 stars? First of all, there is no 4,5 stars, because this should be the rating. And because the album is relatively short (approx 51 minutes). It could easily be stretched with one or two songs. And no, it is no Operation Mindcrimes (there can only be one) and does not reach the Dream Theater perfection of the lost DT albums. But I can certainly recommend this one if you are into heavy progressive music.