A CHANGE OF SEASONS

This was my first DREAM THEATER record and I still remember listening to it as I drove to work being so amazed at the title track. I was so impressed with the guitar solos, and the drumming, and of course James' vocals as they each stood out at different times through this epic track.This would turn out to be the first release without Kevin Moore who I admire so much, but Derek is such a talent too and I really like the synths in the intro, and the organ a little later. Naturally with a song of this length there are many shifts in tempo and moods.

The live cover songs to follow remind me in a way what RUSH would later do, which is really paying homage to the music and bands they grew up listening to. And I think that is probably an honourable way to tell them "Thankyou". They also thank Steve Howe, Bruce Dickinson, Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery in the liner notes who may have all been a part of their weekend at the club in England where they played these songs live. The first song they do is "Funeral For A Friend" an Elton John song that they do a fantastic job on. I have to say that Elton John put out many incredible records in the seventies (of which I own several) before taking his music and jumping off a cliff with it in the late seventies. I think James has a little better vocal range then Elton. (Haha). "Perfect Strangers" is a DEEP PURPLE song is done to perfection ! James pulls off the deep vocals that work so well on this classic tune. Nice organ intro as well, very Lord-like. The LED ZEPPELIN songs are hit and miss. I really like "The Song Remains The Same" but James is no Robert Plant and shouldn't have even tried. The only other song that didn't quite work for me was "Turn It On Again" from GENESIS, but the PINK FLOYD, QUEEN, DIXIE DREGS and KANSAS songs all are fantastic ! The JOURNEY tune is fun as Steve Perry has long been one of LaBrie's favourite singers.

So yeah I like this record a lot. Certainly better then their follow up album to this "Falling Into Infinity".