IMAGES AND WORDS

Not much can be said about Images & Words that hasn't already been said. Not only is it great music by a talented band in its prime, but at the time it was a refreshing breath of air for music, containing a new sound that would be used in the years to come: prog metal. Of course there were bands like Queensryche and Fates Warning producing progressive metal before this, but Images & Words is something different. It focuses far less on the metal attributes and far more on the prog attributes of the genre, creating a wonderful new sound.

Of course, there are metal elements. "Pull Me Under" and "Metropolis" both contain standard palm mute chugging by metal bands and have a few heavier elements, while "Under a Glass Moon" and "Take the Time" give off a power metal vibe. But there are also plenty of songs on the album that aren't heavy in the slightest. "Surrounded", for example, would fit well on a neo- prog album, opening with soft keyboards and James LaBrie's beautiful vocals.

Every song on this album contributes to the whole very nicely, but each also has a unique personality unlike the other songs. Therefore, every track is a highlight of the album. From the metal opener "Pull Me Under" to the energetic and complex "Take the Time" to the unique ballad "Wait for Sleep", every song is wonderful. However, there are some standouts among standouts. "Metropolis Pt. 1" is a near perfect blend of emotion and complexity. It has one of Dream Theater's most complex instrumental sections, and once they build at the end of it, they create one of the most emotional endings as Labrie belts out "Love is the dance of eternity". Also notable is the beautiful closer "Learning To Live", which, along with plenty of complexities has soaring melodies and wonderful keyboards, closing the album with an epic outro.

As I said, nothing much more can be said about this album. Any fan of prog should enjoy it wholeheartedly, as there truly are wonders to be found on Images & Words.