Dream Theater - Octavarium
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Dream TheaterBrand: DREAM THEATER
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Published: 2005
CD Release Date: 2005-06-07
Music Label: Atlantic
Product features:
- DREAM THEATER OCTAVARIUM
- Root Of All Evil
- Answer Lies Within
- These Walls
- I Walk Beside You
- Panic Attack
- Never Enough
- Sacrificed Sons
- Octavarium
Free Music Notes for Octavarium
Free Music Review: EPIC !!!! DESTINED TO BE A CLASSIC!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
First off, I would just like to say this: I purchased this album on its release the minute my record store opened. I have listened to it all the way through at least 12 times.
Like all Dream Theater material, you need to listen to the songs many times and REALLY LEARN them to make an honest review. Some people here are listening to songs once or twice, and are quick to judge. YES, you are entitled to your opinion, but that shouldn't come at the cost of putting the band down.
Now as far as my review, I can say that I will give an honest one, since I have really stopped and listened to this record. First, I would like to note: anyone new to Dream Theater might want to check out Images & Words, Awake, and Scenes From A Memory. I believe any long time DT fan will agree with me.
Now, here is what I think of each song:
1) The Root Of All Evil-
This is the 3rd installment of Mike Portnoy's ongoing theme of AA (This song covers steps 6&7). There are hints of "This Dying Soul" in the intro riff, and later in lyrics and vocals (and the way those are sung). There is also a hint of "The Glass Prison" on some vocals. Mike plans to continue this theme for each album. So far, we have the 3 I mentioned above, and I can't wait for the next ones. I can say that although not as heavy as the previous songs, "The Root Of All Evil" still is a really good addition to the story.
2) The Answer Lies Within-
I can't understand why some people do not like this song. DT has always done slower songs well. One thing I will say is this: if JP had added a guitar solo in this one (particularly the piano section that comes before the last chorus), it would be near perfect. Otherwise, this is still a great song for DT fans, especially if you like "Anna Lee", "Hollow Years", or "Through Her Eyes"(to name just a few)
3) These Walls-
This song will definitely become DT staple for years to come (in my honest opinion). It has a great intro, and great chorus. It has a few classic DT elements here. Has a subtle, yet fluid guitar solo which fits the song well. And you gotta love that Keyboard riff!
4) I Walk Beside You-
This song definitely has a more "radio friendly" feel to it. But seriously, this song has one of the best build-ups to a chorus, and quite possibly one of the best choruses I have ever heard. After one listen, you will already be singing along. The music is extremely well thought out and written; the lyrics are great; and the vocals are superb. 5 Stars definitely. This will definitely become a hit.
5) Panic Attack-
HERE IT IS!!! For every DT fan hoping for another sweet metal tune like "The Glass Prison", or TOT material, look no further. First off, the bass is amazingly good here (as it always has been, but especially here). The intro riff is very, very good. The first verse has vocals and guitar switching off lines and this verse is by far one of DT's best. Basically, this song far exceeded my expectations of DT's follow up material from TOT. Great speed riffs, too. And even a little epic sounding with the String sounds provided by Jordan. Great vocal melodies are all over the place.
6) Never Enough-
Another heavy, fast song is what you will find here. Has a really cool Keyboard intro in which JP and JM join in later. This song also has a great chorus. One aspect of songwriting that DT does well is this (and especially present in chorus parts): The way the music is written under it is never what you would expect. It has good changes, and doesn't follow the standard 4 bar chorus riff. And for DT fans wanting to here a great unison section between Jordan and Petrucci, here is one! Very epic sounding, and extremely precise and fluid. They play it perfectly together (as they always have). There are sounds reminiscent of Metropolis. Those sweep arpeggios are great to (Guitar players will know exactly what I am talking about)! All in all, a really good song.
7) Sacrificed Sons-
An Epic to say the least. Kind of reminds me of "In The Name Of God". This song, as well as the latter, marks the first time that Dream Theater has used an orchestra (Besides the one they call Jordan!). Very well constructed. Longer, epic songs are really hard to write, but according to MP and JP, they have a harder time writing shorter songs. This song has a very good, somewhat sad sounding chorus. Has a great jam section, and some cool keyboard sounds and solos. Lots of time changes, very progressive. Some will say that this sound reminds them of "The Great Debate" (both start off with news anchor/various samples, and have a somewhat political message.) Has a good Guitar solo; short, but good. This is followed by a sweet riff with some great harmonics by JP (which he also overdubs harmonies). A definite DT classic.
8) Octavarium-
For those DT fans waiting for an epic follow up to "A Change Of Seasons" and "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence", the wait is finally over. This song checks in at 24 minutes (1 more than Change Of Seasons). The Orchestral arrangements are superb (Hats off to Jamshied Sharifi). The intro has a somewhat similar sound as "The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun" from WDADU. Great intro which is followed by a sweet flute solo over some subtle strumming of the guitar. This part of definitely one of the highlights of the song, as it really gives you a feel of where the song is going musically. It is followed by a slow acoustic riff, which reminds me somewhat of Randy Rhoads' "Diary Of A Madman". The music shifts to a more upbeat sound afterward. After some sweet bass riffs, the song goes into a great piano/guitar riff. Then we come to one of my favorite vocal parts in the song, where LaBrie sings "Medicate me...Infiltrate me..." Nicely done. Then as we get to the 12:14 mark, here is where the fun begins. This keyboard line is easily now in my all time favorite Jordan keyboard riffs (many of which you will find in SDOIT). This riff sort of reminds me of a happy progression kind of like "Solitary Shell" (from SDOIT). It is then followed by a heavier riff, which brings me to my next favorite part of the song. This next part has LaBrie/Portnoy trading Vocal lines, and it is sooo damn good. Reminds me of "The Test That Stumped Them All", minus Portnoy's falsetto (Laughs, those were very "King Diamond" sounding). It then goes into some very progressive riffs on everyone's part. Especially the ascending/descending riffs played by Jordan and Petrucci. Then we have an utterly fast ascending unison line between JR and JP, which has many changes and bass stabs after. Here comes the next serious section of the song! We hear a great (Yes, I mean it) acoustic riff, followed by a great Guitar Keyboard Harmony (Very Iron Maiden Esque). Then they transform the acoustic riff into a great unison line. Then, the song gets some heavy vocals, with some slight lower Octaves added (not as strong as "This Dying Soul"). This section is very intense, with LaBrie singing his ass off! You can hear his overdubs screaming at the top of his lungs; it is VERY powerful and intense! It is then followed by a great string line, which slowly descends the song. The last lyric of the song is "This story ends where it begins" which, coincidentally, ends the same way the album begins. This is AFTER a great epic outro guitar solo by Petrucci (very much like "The Spirit Carries On", which is one of his best ever). I love the way the solo ends with the Violins in an ascending run. Then, the Violins revisit the vocal melody heard earlier when LaBrie sings "Medicate me...Infiltrate me..." and it is the perfect ending to the song.
All in All, this album is so good; I can't stop listening to it. When I first got "Scenes from a Memory", I listened to that album 2 or 3 times a day for 2 months straight, I kid you not. This album looks like I will do that again. You see, with Dream Theater, I believe many listens are essential. Just like when you meet someone knew, the more you talk to them, the more they grow on you. This is definitely the case with "Octavarium". This song easily ranks up there with their other epics. My All Time favorite song is "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence", but the more I hear the Title Track "Octavarium", the more I love it, and the more I realize that I can have more than 1 all time favorite!
Seriously though, you have to give the record a few spins to really take it in. If you love epic songs as much as I do, you will absolutely, hands down, LOVE THIS ALBUM. I can't wait to hear these songs Live!
Sorry for the really long review, but this is the way I feel. I hope that this will inspire new DT fans as well as older ones.
Octavarium Poster
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