FALLING INTO INFINITY

Falling Into Infinity is an interesting Dream theater Record. On one hand we have some amazing tracks like New Millennium and Lines In the Sand, but we also have more commercial tracks like Anna Lee and Burning My Soul. The sound of the album is also radically different from any other Dream Theater album, perhaps in part to do with Derek Sherinian's keyboard sound. Also, the album is hardly metal; in fact I dare say it is their least metal album. Regardless, there are some truly amazing moments on this album.

The album starts off with the excellent 'New Millennium,' which has an amazing intro and never lets up. This is definitely a good example of Dream Theater playing with a more progressive rock sound as opposed to the metal they are usually fond of.

'You Not Me' is one of the many commercial tracks on this album that Dream Theater was pressured into writing. The song isn't really horrible, but it truly sounds nothing like DT, no thanks to the chorus which just screams pop.

'Peruvian Skies' is a good track built around a very memorable riff similar to Metallica. The song structure is really quite simple, but there is enough going on to make it enjoyable.

'Hollow Years' (3/10) is another more commercial track in the form of a ballad. It is pleasant sounding to the ears, but really lacks any substance.

'Burning My Soul' is easily the worst track of the album and possibly of Dream Theater's discography. It's loud and messy and doesn't have any hooks or interesting progressions.

'Hell's Kitchen' is a short but sweet instrumental and remains one of Petrucci's best solos in my opinion.

'Lines In the Sand' is what really saves this album. It is a classic dream Theater song, but sounds completely different. It may have the best intro to any of their songs. Myung is all over the place on this song and gives a really groovy feeling in some parts. Petrucci also offers one of his most soulful solos midway through the song.

'Take Away My Pain' is yet another commercial song, but it's slightly more tolerable than You Not Me, at least. It does have a catchy chorus that is well sung by LaBrie.

'Just Let Me Breathe' is a bit more metal sounding like Burning My Soul, but it at least has some interesting parts with a really grooving feeling throughout.

'Anna Lee' is another ballad like Hollow Years, and is completely inappropriate for the Dream Theater sound. Though I will admit, out of the context of DT it would be a decent ballad.

'Trial of Tears' is another fantastic song and is the other track over ten minutes. It has plenty of great ideas, and they are all driven by Myung's funky bass lines. It's not as cohesive as Lines in the Sand, but compared to the lackluster rest of the album, this track is great closing.

It's truly a shame this album had to be made like this. There are plenty of good ideas in the longer songs, but inconsistency really hurts this album. If a Change of Seasons had been recorded during this time and included on this record, it would easily become one of Dream Theater's best. But I guess such was not meant to be.

(4/10)