Dream Theater - Octavarium
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Free Music Notes for Octavarium
Free Music Review: I'm Very Surprised!
Hit: 5 Stars
Dream Theater's OCTAVARIUM is another recording that has continued the long string of controversy that really started by their 2002 album SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE. Each DT album has a different style, and it seems that they have a broad fanbase to match. So when each CD comes out, a large group of people love the album, but the rest hate it saying its their worst album. TRAIN OF THOUGHT had the heavy metal camp cheering and applauding Dream Theater, while this album again has controversy, with the same heavy metal crowd critcizing the "popish" ballads and mellow sections. It makes me ill that if Dream Theater makes a metal album, they are criticized for "wanking", and if they make a restrained, lighter, more atmospheric album, they get criticized for being boring!!!
I think that with OCTAVARIUM, however, that Dream Theater has come together to make some of their best music since Kevin Moore left the band after 1994's AWAKE.They have heavier tracks like "The Root of All Evil" and "Panic Attack" that show their aggressive, metal side. More commercial songs like "The Answer Lies Within" and "I Walk Beside You" are anchored on catchy choruses, simple but beautiful melodies, and restrained/effective playing by all members of the band. Songs like "Sacrificed Sons" and "These Walls" that are classic Dream Theater songs that display what they are known for: powerful songwriting combined with incredible playing. "Never Enough" apparently has a huge Muse influence and while I love the track I hope that it isn't plagarism on their part...
Then we have the EPIC Octavarium, a 24-minute track that brings something new to the band. The first few minutes are atmospheric synth and Jordan Rudess playing on his new Haaken Continuum, a dynamic fingerboard that he uses to play some crazy guitar samples. A fuzzy Continuum melody ushers in the distorted guitars before they fade away to a flute solo, and the use of this and the orchestra at the end marks something new for the band as well. Another highlight is steel acoustic (or lap guitar?!) that is used in the first verse/chorus of this song, and up to the 12 minute mark they build up the music with some great vocals by LaBrie and overall amazing chord progressions, including a wonderful groove/solo by bassist John Myung. At the 12 minute mark, it launches into prog instrumental madness with a blistering Moog solo by Jordan Rudess, one of the best things I've heard from him in all his years with the band. The vocal part keeps building up the song with some great call and response vocals; following this is a great instrumental section that evokes memories of the instrumental sections of Metropolis and The Dance of Eternity! The climax at around the 20 minute mark had James LaBrie screaming "Trapped inside this Octavarium" at the top of his lungs...with great distorted guitar which fades away to the Orchestra, which leads the band for the next for minutes, including an amazing 2 minute guitar solo by John Petrucci, which makes me wonder why people are criticizing his lack of soloing!
I could go into that kind of detail for every song, because I love each one, but I wanted to go into detail on the title track to show you the top-notch songwriting and what new, innovative things are coming out of the band. I think that people should be OPEN-MINDED about their music, and if there is a more commercial/pop sounding song it should be ok, you're allowed to like short catchy songs...and I think that DT has executed and written them in a way that no radio band ever could, with some great chord progressions and orchestration. If you enjoy a wide palette of music styles, a more atmospheric/restrained side to virtuoustic music, and love music that probes into your soul you should definately get OCTAVARIUM!
Free Music Review: Top contender for best of the year
Hit: 5 Stars
Other than a few cds, including the new Dark Tranquillty, this could very well be the best cd of the year. Dream Theater is a progressive metal band which makes it obvious they are going to change. But this is a very different cd than anything they have done previously. First of all, while not as heavy as Train Of Thought, it is pretty heave. Tracks 3 and 4 are ballads (more on them later) but everything else is pretty heavy. The thing is, it's a more of a slower style heavy rather than frantic like a lot of parts in TOT. Some say Petrucci doesn't do much on this album but their only reason for saying this is because of his lack of guitar solos. First of all, there is plenty of solos on this album just not as much compared to previously releases. Since when is a guitar player judged by how good he can solo? It should never be like that. Guitar masturbation means NOTHING. But John does shine with his riffs. people must have forgotten that guitar players tend to play riffs too, not just solos. Plenty of awesome heavy riffs on this album.
Now lets talk about mr. drum god himself Mike. Though his drumming isn't as fast, frantic, or heavy as all their previous releases, it is NO LESS complicated, intricate, and interesting. I think this is some of his finest drumming.
Unlike past DT releaes, the music doesn't show it's emotions with crazy drumming and soring guitar solos. All the emotion and melody comes with three things this time: James, Jordan, and Myung. Myung's bass is always excellent and this release is no different. Jordan has proven himself to be the their best keyboard player and on this cd he really sines. This is HIS album, folks. And James..never thought he was that great of a singer but on here he proves me wrong. Rather than getting all high pitched (can't stand his voice when he does that), he keeps his singing quiet, smooth, and fully of melody. His voice keeps the songs flowing.
There is more of a radio friendly song on here, track 4 (i walk beside you) but that is not a bad thing. Unlike most dream theater fans, i don't judge a song by how technical or long it is. I judge by if i like it. and ilike this song. Just beause it's mainstream sounding doesn't mean it's not good. and it's really good, a beutiful song. One of my favs by DT. Track 2 is the other ballad, it's very good too. But let's talk about the title track.
At 24 minutes, it's one of their longest tracks. Most fans were expecting some kind of insane mile a minute track but if you do, your gonna be mad. LIke the rest of the album, this song creeps in your head and works it's magic on you with mult. listens. It stats out very pink floydish with it's ambient noises and sparse instrumentation. But at 3:48, it picks up with cool music and it goes into a good slower song until about the 12 minute mark when it picks up and doesn't stop until the 24:00 mark. This song is VERY pink floydish sound, and that's why I like it. I love Pink Floyd.
All in all, I can't say this is my favorite DT (that goes to awake) but it's just as good as anything else they have done.
but this masterpiece now.
Free Music Review: OCTAVARIUM...AN UNEXPECTED BUT NECESSARY STEP...
Hit: 5 Stars
Almost every band needs to evolve at a certain point of its history. For some bands, the evolution process is continuous - as the concept of progressive music righteously requires. Based on the definition of evolution, it is possible to say that, DT has been evolving since the day "When Dream and Day Unite" was released, for every DT album is at least slightly different than the other. However one thing remained unchanged and was dominant throughout every album: Display of extraordinary instrument playing skills. I consider "Octavarium" as an unexpected but long awaited step in the musical evolution of DT.
In Octavarium, the performances of LaBrie and Rudess seem to take the spotlight. For a very long time, I have never witnessed a better performance from James LaBrie. The vocal lines are strong and very melodic. Rudess and his keys are dominating the album and his performance is also outstanding. Myung's playing is greater than his ego as usual.
However, contradictory to my opinion that LaBrie and Rudess taking the spotlight, I feel that the real heroes of Octavarium are Portnoy and Petrucci. For the first time in DT history, I am hearing a less busy and streamlined playing from the duo, which I find to be quite professional and more mature. I was among the bigmouths who accused Portnoy and Petrucci for overplaying and for displaying a constant show of virtuosity - in TOT to be specific-. We all know how well these guys can play, and they do not have to and they should not try to prove anything to anybody at this stage of their musical development. Virtuosity, which should be used when necessary, should serve the music and the song, but vice versa is not preferable. At least this is what I've learned from the music of Rush, ELP, Marillion, Queensryche and 17 years of professional musicianship. I am not saying "less is more", but "more is definitely not always more". As a drummer I'd like to classify the drumming in Octavarium as "flawless" and hail Mike Portnoy. No extra or missing notes and definitely mature playing. The rhythmic progression in "Never Enough" is incredible. Same goes for Petrucci. The solo album seems to work well for him.
Except for the title track "Octavarium" and "Sacrificed Sons", the songs in Octavarium are less complex than the former DT songs, both in terms of composition and level of displayed virtuosity. However please note that, it is always more difficult to make a simple (for DT standards of course) song click. The first six songs really clicked for me after a couple of listening. Especially, "Root of All Evil", "Never Enough" and "These Walls". In addition "Sacrificed Sons" is a wonderful song. At first, it was very difficult for me to get into the title track "Octavarium", but now I really enjoy the masterpiece.
I do not care if people blame DT for trying to be commercial. To me "Octavarium" is not an act of commercialization, but a successful attempt to write good music without overconsidering the aspect of virtuosity. It had to happen someday, and I'm glad that it happened.
Free Music Review: 7 Excellent tracks, and 1 tour de force.
Hit: 5 Stars
Many people seem to be ambivilant about Octavarium, not saying it's good, and stopping short of saying it's bad. At the very least, it seems that many listeners consider this to be a somewhat lackluster album.
My friends, this is the farthest thing from the truth that one could say about this. "Octavarium" is one of Dream Theater's finest hours. It combines everything they have learned over the course of their long, illustrious career, from the melodic passages of "Images and Words" and "Scenes From A Memory" to the bone-crushing ferocity of "Train of Thought." Following is a track-by-track critique.
The Root of All Evil--A great way to start off. A continuation of Portnoy's AA suite, it carries on the themes of The Glass Prison and This Dying Soul. 4.5/5
The Answer Lies Within--I used to despise this song..I found it far too similar to The Spirit Carries On, and also too sugary for my tastes. However, after giving it a chance, it's really grown on me. The lyrics are overly-simple, but if you have an open mind, it's really quite charming. Also, Labrie's voice is in top shape on this song. 4/5
These Walls--In my opinion, the weakest track on the album. There are some thrilling moments, such as the build ups to the chorus, but overall it's nothing special. 3/5
I Walk Beside You--A track that is mercilessly bashed. Despite it's obvious commercial aspects, I really enjoy this song. It's smooth and flowing. It's quite refreshing to have a restrained song from Dream Theater once in awhile, and this song works wonderfully. 4/5
Panic Attack--The best of the first 7 tracks on the album. The intensity of this song will shatter your brain into a million pieces. It far surpasses anything on Train of Thought, and Petrucci and Rudess' solos are nothing short of amazing, as always. 5/5
Never Enough--The beginning of this song sounds almost EXACTLY like the beginning of a song by Muse. Nevertheless, this is another great song. I love the distortion that Labrie's voice has. The chorus is a little weak, but overall it's a worthwile listen. 4.5/5
Sacrificed Sons--I'm a little undecided about this track. I enjoy the first 2/3 of it, but after that it seems to fall off into incoherance. Also, there is a section that sounds almost note for note like a part of Ozzy Osbourne's "Diary Of a Madman."
And finally, that brings us to...
Octavarium--Holy [...]! This is truly one of the most amazing musical experiences I have ever had, and seeing it performed live makes it even better...this is Dream Theater's Magnum Opus, and is in my opinion their best work so far. 100/5!
The theme of octaves is present throughout. Obviously, there are 8 tracks on the disk. Also, the 1st track is titled "The Root of All Evil," with "root" being a musical term for the foundation of a chord or, in this case, an octave. The beginning and last note are the same, which creates a feeling of truly being "trapped" inside the album--however, one wouldn't mind being trapped inside such an amazing feat of musicianship at all!
Free Music Review: Progmasterifically delicious!
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm very surprised with the lukewarm reception this DT album has received. This is by far one of their best works. I actually put off buying this one, because the reviews were not that great. I saw them live last weekend, and they played the full 24 minute Octavarium suite. Oh my! The next day I purchased the CD, and it's really one of the best DT albums ever.
I must say, I am not a fan of their soft rock balladry. In fact, at the live show, I sarcastically lit up my lighter every time they started with the metal ballads. To my chagrin, other people did this in a sincere manner. I love soft rock the way 70's Genesis did it. Dream Theater's soft rock gives me diarreah. Jame Labrie is an excellent singer, but when he does his vocal ballad stuff, it makes me want to vomit and purge my bowels simultaneously. That said, Dream Theater are one of my favorite bands. Seeing them live, I realize they keep the soft rock to a minimum, and play all of the best songs... It's not really a matter of opinion. It is very obvious which songs are strong, and which songs are pop diarreah... I really wish Dream Theater could write higher quality soft rock tunes, like Genesis, 80's Marillion, or IQ. DT's soft rock is so commercial sounding, it's a real turn off. I wouldn't be surprised if someone sang a DT ballad on American Idle...
The thing I love about Dream Theater is when they get wickedly complicated. If you like that, you will like Octavarium. They keep the soft rock to a minimum, and present some of the most nefarious and technically mind-blowing works to date.
The editiorial review mentions this being "lean". Did the reviewer manage to listen to the last 24 minute track? What's lean about that? The IQ/Genesis/Bach-esque keyboard solo on that one is played on a 20 foot tall modular synthesizer. What's "lean" about 2 stories of analog electronics patched together with wires? I don't get the notion that Petrucci or Rudess are "toning the solos down". This is not true. This is some of the most impressive work by DT ever!
My favorite thing about Octavarium is what I suspect to be IQ influence. Yes, both bands are influenced by Genesis, and Tony Banks borrows a lot from classical music, particularly J.S. Bach. But there are some serious IQ-isms in the new Dream Theater. As amazing as the musicianship is in IQ, Dream Theater are even better. So they take some aspects of IQ's sound, and run with it -- no, fly with it... I applaud the direction they are moving in. I suspect that Portnoy is aware of the resurgence of progressive music (I've seen him at NEARfest), and it seems that Dream Theater are moving more in this direction. This is impressive, considering how "prog rock" they already were.
I'm really impressed with this work and the direction this band is heading. I can only hope they continue to filter out the mainstream and commercial aspects of their sound, and create new directions in progressive rock music. Perhaps this is why Octavarium isn't getting so many 5 star reviews -- this is a lot less commercial than previous DT releases.