IMAGES AND WORDS

I've been a fan of Dream Theater's music ever since I heard them on the radio somewhere around 2001/02. My first impression was strong enough to make me want to hear more from the band. I did just that by purchasing Scenes From A Memory followed by Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence and attending it's supporting tour in 2002. Since I wasn't a one of the hardcore supporters who have been following the band ever since the '90s, I had a lot of catching up to do with the band's history and seeing that Images And Words was considered a break-though release for Dream Theater it obviously was highest on my purchase list at the time.

To tell you the truth, Images And Words was initially a huge disappointment for me. I really made an effort to get into this album's material but it just seemed to reject me as its target audience. My main concern had to do with the typical '80s sound production that had no appeal on me whatsoever plus there was also a concern related to the quality of this material that I just could never overlook. Most of these compositions are really great like Learning To Live and Metropolis - Pt. I, but then there are those moments like Take The Time and Under A Glass Moon that come off sounding too sloppy and unfocused for my tastes. It's like the band has a great idea around what riffs they want to play but forgot to create noteworthy transitions between the different sections and let's not forget that hideous '80s metal production which at times makes me feel like I'm listening to a highly technical Glam Metal band.

Lately I've become more accustomed to Images And Words which by no means implies that I consider it a great album, but at least I can now appreciate some of its charm. This album was the reason why it took me another 7 years until I finally had the courage to experience Awake, but more on that in my next review! As for Images And Words, it's a good album that just doesn't work for me as much as I would have wanted it to so my rating should come as no surprise.

**** star songs: Pull Me Under (8:12) Another Day (4:23) Metropolis - Pt. I (9:32) Surrounded (5:30) Learning To Live (11:30)

*** star songs: Take The Time (8:21) Under A Glass Moon (7:03) Wait For Sleep (2:31)