Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
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Free Music Notes for Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Free Music Review: A Magic Journey, and Surreal Listening Experience
Hit: 5 Stars
In today's music world, I'm sure many can agree that we have one too many sweaty teen-poppers, second-rate alternative bands, women-abusing rappers, and screaming wannabe-metal bands. In my musical travels, I've come across the perfect medicine. I've found music that supplies something for almost everyone. This is music that is soothing, yet heavy. This is music that is fast at times, and then slows down at others. This is music that forces you to think, and constantly gasp in awe and excitement. I give you Dream Theater.This quintet has become an underground sensation in the past ten years for their unique style of progressive-meets-thrash-metal. This means that they write concept albums with unbelievably long songs, which are full of odd time signatures, hyper-melodic guitar, and rapid beat changes. Many argue that these guys are the best musicians in the world, composers of very complex and heavy-mental music. In asking people, through casual conversation, I was shocked to find that people just don't know who they are. Their newest album, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, was released in late January of this year. Let me just say that this is one of the greatest pieces of music I have ever heard. This is the remedy for those looking for something new and failing to find anything. I present a two-disc album for the true music enthusiast:
The first disc contains five songs, the average being about nine minutes long. Don't let that scare you, though. The first song, entitled "The Glass Prison," is so entertaining that it feels only about 4 minutes long by the time it's over, although 14 minutes have passed. Mind-blowing? It's just the beginning. This song is the band's heaviest song to date. The song mingles crunchy guitar, heavy bass, and cool drumming in the heavy parts, and in the softer parts, synthesizers, pianos, and turntables provide some needed variety. There are also loads of showy guitar solos for the people that like that. The other songs on the first disc are "Blind Faith," which is a ten-minute laid-back rocker, "Misunderstood," a slightly softer, moodier, piece, "The Great Debate," another 14-minute song definitely recommended for Tool fans, and the quiet closer "Disappear." Throughout these songs, Dream Theater shows off their amazing talent in piano interludes, more solos, and the amazing vocal power of singer James LaBrie.
The real meat is on the second disc. It contains one song, the title track, "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence," which comes out at a whopping 42 minutes long! Fear not, because this song is divided into eight parts to provide easy access to your favorite movement. The song itself is quite a roller coaster, starting off with orchestral touches and turning into a metal song, quieting down into folk music, then picking up into metal again and ending with more orchestral touches. Fans of Metallica, Pantera, Tool, Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, Alanis Morissette, Incubus, George Michael, and John Williams/Johann Sebastian Bach will all find something to enjoy here. It does not feel 42 minutes long. Trust me.
On to the bad: The real downside to the album is the lyrics. In some cases they could be improved a lot. There's no profanity, and some songs, like "The Great Debate," which is about the stem cell research controversy, are well written, but others leave big gaps. Many lines are cliché and boring, others downright embarrassing. In addition, the keyboard arrangements sometimes end up sounding cheesy, like 80's-style. The guitar solos are very self-indulgent, and the songs suffer from "overplaying." LaBrie's voice can also get annoying, especially when he struggles to hit the really high notes. Not to mention that this is metal, so if that isn't your cup of tea, you probably won't like it. Other than that, it's a gem. I give Six Degrees an 8 out of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Free Music Review: Dream Theater at the best.
Hit: 5 Stars
First thing first, i don't understand all the negative reviews on this album. I agree to some of their points, but to say, money would be better spend on Blink 182. COME ON!!! Hello, there albums are shorter than half of Dream Theater's average. Half the bands out there right now, have no imagination, and are writing all the same lyrics. As far as Dream Theater "copy catting", it is not true, they are merely experimentally with different types of music, paying homage to most of it. This is the music they listen to, and they enjoy, they are musician first and foremost. They know that they have some of the greatest fans on the planet, and they always strive to please us, with every album (save FII, but i blame that on Derek S.), regardless, these guys work hard and the are best musician out there right now period. With that said, on the the review.I love this album, i can't stop playing 2nd disc, it is contagious, and wonderful to listen to. The whole album is awesome, there is not a band anywhere that can touch there musical prowless right now. They have the talent to incorporate there on style and mix in other musical style and it just flows. Yes, i admit they use a lot Floyd, Rush, and Yes influence, but that's one of the reasons we like them right? I love the fact that they are trying new stuff, it's cool to listen to "The Great Debate", and all of the sudden i am hearing Tool. I love Tool, and so does Dream Theater, that is why they did it, to pay homage to a great band, like themselves. My favorites on this album have to be Misunderstood, The Glass Prison, and Disappear. I love the entire 2nd disc, would not even try to pick out the best part of it. Blind Faith is also an awesome song, but the ones above just stand out. I have already made my comments about "The Great Debate", it is a great song, and i love the experimentation. Overall this is one of their best albums, end of discussion, in terms of melody, raw musical talent, and songwriting, it is all genius, sheer genius. And now for more of my editorial comments on Dream Theater's behalf.
Their music has to evolve or else it will get stale, and all sound the same. I know we all loved I&W, but they just revistied that album, remember SFAM? This is the natural musical movement Dream Theater should make. Jordan on the keys was the best thing they could have done, I couldn't stand Derek S., he was good just good enough. Jordan is equal to and in many areas better than Kevin, they were both keyboarding geniuses who knew how to blend all types of music. John Petrucci and John Myung are two of the greatest guitarist to ever walk the earth. As far as Mike Portnoy goes, I will just say one thing. Five time drummer of the year in Modern Drummer magazine. James is easily one of the best vocalists in prog/metal history, Geoff Tate (Queensryche)WAS good, but they lost their touch after Empire. How many other rock vocalists do you know of that have the range that he does, I mean, he has operatic voice training for goodness sake. There is nothing this band can't do, and they prove it with every album. Just remember one thing, they don't sale that many albums, and their concerts in the states usually don't sale out (although they should), so if they are not doing this for fame and fortune (compared to people like N'Sync, Britney, and BSB), what are they doing it for? Here is a hint, look in the mirror, that's right, you ,me and every other true Dream Theater fan out there. This is a band that knows their fans, and knows what they like, and will do everything in their power to deliver quality THINKING man's music. If you are new to Dream Theater start with Images and Words, then get Metropolis Part 2., Awake, and only then will you be ready for this album. To all the DT Fans out there, GET THIS ALBUM NOW!!!!!
Free Music Review: Overall A Success
Hit: 5 Stars
Where do you go? You just made one of the best albums of all time, and for my money THE BEST album DT could ever make, in "Metropolis 2, Scenes from a Memory." It was all an evolution up to the most mighty and magical concept album possible. So what next?Answer: a near-45-minute-long-song.
When I first heard about it when they were in the studio, I didn't flinch. "Yeah," I thought, "that's all they know how to do and it probably will lack some focus." Nobody can touch them for their virtuosity, but those who've got the Transatlantic, LTE, and Explorers Club stuff are well aware that this family of progrockers doesn't have to work quite as hard as, let's say, Blink 182 or Matchbox 20 (that's my little joke), to bypass radiofriendlyness and do a song that lasts for a half hour or so. I'm all about epics, and GIVEN that the mighty DT's release is guaranteed to squash anything the majority of kids are picking up these days (another little joke, I'm only 23), I'm only finding flaws with DT on the hardest of grading criteria. You'll notice this double set is still an easy 5 stars, according to me. But a 42 minute long song in and of itself isn't immediately guaranteed exemption from scrutiny...
AND...I don't know how they did it, but they did it. The epic 8 movement song is a near masterpiece afterall. ESPECIALLY when held up against Metropolis 2, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence isn't a whole lot weaker than the former. Still not quite as good, but so much better than I would have thought possible. They really did "do it again."... Again Mike, Jordan, James, and the Johns have the maturity to balance excessive overplaying with songwriting, yielding the ideal scenario from virtuosic performers: strong compositions.
The overture is amazing, quite suited for a filmscore really, but it displays Jordan's multitalented brain, as he doesn't just do a good job playing, but he's got great arranging skills as well! "Goodnight Kiss" is my favorite of the movements, as it is paced perfectly, the timbres are experimental yet not "Ladies and Gentlemen, The 21st Century and Ms. Spears!", and the chords are to die for. It molds slowly into "Solitary Shell," a song that proves good music CAN be catchy, and builds to one of my other favorite moments, a blues-tinged solo from Petrucci that seems to pay homage to Slash and his work in GNR's epic "Coma." Oh so soulful! James's climax at the end is a bit underclimactic after all the buildup (42 minutes for God's sake!) but it doesn't ruin anything either.
Oh, right, the first disc.
Well, to be honest, it's not all that great. If that were all there was, I would be MAJORLY disappointed. Except for a few obvious spots (the last song was defintely inspired by Bartok), there's not a whole lot of creativity or soul, and the recurring theme of mental illness sounds more intellectual than heartfelt. "Glass Prison" really baffled me, as it's a real bad way to lead off the album; lack of originality is bad enough, but to drag it on for too long is even worse. That said, all of the songs on the first disc are still good, just not like the level of DT one would have been hoping for.
Nonetheless, I am very amazed at how good and relevent this whole offering turned out, especially given the shoes of 3 years back that had to continue to be filled. Also this band is extremely patient and humble. They aren't clamoring for mainstream success, but they wouldn't mind it either. In another 10 years, maybe enough people will know them so they will debut PAST the 40's (where this one was)! If anyone deserves mass recognition, it's Dream Theater. But either way, in a world of so much turmoil, things are looking up; good music is alive and well.
Free Music Review: Overall a success
Hit: 5 Stars
Where do you go? You just made one of the best albums of all time, and for my money THE BEST album DT could ever make, in "Metropolis 2, Scenes from a Memory." It was all an evolution up to the most mighty and magical concept album possible. So what next?Answer: a near-45-minute-long-song.
When I first heard about it when they were in the studio, I didn't flinch. "Yeah," I thought, "that's all they know how to do and it probably will lack some focus." Nobody can touch them for their virtuosity, but those who've got the Transatlantic, LTE, and Explorers Club stuff are well aware that this family of progrockers doesn't have to work quite as hard as, let's say, Blink 182 or Matchbox 20 (that's my little joke), to bypass radiofriendlyness and do a song that lasts for a half hour or so. I'm all about epics, and GIVEN that the mighty DT's release is guaranteed to squash anything the majority of kids are picking up these days (another little joke, I'm only 22), I'm only finding flaws with DT on the hardest of grading criteria. You'll notice this double set is still an easy 5 stars, according to me. But a 42 minute long song in and of itself isn't immediately guaranteed exemption from scrutiny...
AND...I don't know how they did it, but they did it. The epic 8 movement song is a near masterpiece afterall. ESPECIALLY when held up against Metropolis 2, Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence isn't a whole lot weaker than the former. Still not quite as good, but so much better than I would have thought possible. They really did "do it again."... Again Mike, Jordan, James, and the Johns have the maturity to balance excessive overplaying with songwriting, yielding the ideal scenario from virtuosic performers: strong compositions.
The overture is amazing, quite suited for a filmscore really, but it displays Jordan's multitalented brain, as he doesn't just do a good job playing, but he's got great arranging skills as well! "Goodnight Kiss" is my favorite of the movements, as it is paced perfectly, the timbres are experimental yet not "Ladies and Gentlemen, The 21st Century and Ms. Spears!", and the chords are to die for. It molds slowly into "Solitary Shell," a song that proves good music CAN be catchy, and builds to one of my other favorite moments, a blues-tinged solo from Petrucci that seems to pay homage to Slash and his work in GNR's epic "Coma." Oh so soulful! James's climax at the end is a bit underclimactic after all the buildup (42 minutes for God's sake!) but it doesn't ruin anything either.
Oh, right, the first disc.
Well, to be honest, it's not all that great. If that were all there was, I would be MAJORLY disappointed. Except for a few obvious spots (the last song was defintely inspired by Bartok), there's not a whole lot of creativity or soul, and the recurring theme of mental illness sounds more intellectual than heartfelt. "Glass Prison" really baffled me, as it's a real bad way to lead off the album; lack of originality is bad enough, but to drag it on for too long is even worse. That said, all of the songs on the first disc are still good, just not like the level of DT one would have been hoping for.
Nonetheless, I am very amazed at how good and relevent this whole offering turned out, especially given the shoes of 3 years back that had to continue to be filled. Also this band is extremely patient and humble. They aren't clamoring for mainstream success, but they wouldn't mind it either. In another 10 years, maybe enough people will know them so they will debut PAST the 40's (where this one was)! If anyone deserves mass recognition, it's Dream Theater. But either way, in a world of so much turmoil, things are looking up; good music is alive and well.
Free Music Review: Perfect Turbulence
Hit: 5 Stars
I just realize it takes me almost 7 years to make a review about this phenomenal album by Dream Theater, and it wasn't because I didn't want to but I just feel this albums Six Degrees was one step behind other DT albums (except Falling into infinity which is my least favorite), but even though I always liked this album I never felt its greatness until this weekend when I took my Ipod an decide to listen the Portnoy's saga in its entirety, starting with The Glass Prison and concluding with The Shattered Fortress (included on DT's new album Black Clouds & Silver Linings) and man something really grabs me there and I am not going to get immerse on describing all these five songs that compose the saga and how incredible it is to listen all of them continuously (it will be great to have a live set of this 5 songs¡¡¡ hopefully soon DT will give us this chance)
The thing was that this weekend I just loved the sound of The Glass Prison I think it is a perfect song to start Portnoy's saga, so once I finished this idea I decide to give a new try to the hole 1st cd and maybe thats were the problem was because I always thought that the 1st CD wasn't as good as the 2nd therefore I always listen only to this one, so this time I did the opposite and man I still don't know what happen but I just loved, really loved this 1st CD and now I must say that I was so wrong considering Six Degrees an album not as great as Scenes, Images, ToT or Systematic indeed it is an excellent album just in the same category of all DT albums (again with the exception of Falling into infinity which even though I really like it I still believe there is something missing)
So Six Degrees is an outstanding album not as heavy as ToT but very close in some parts¡¡ this album as always with Dream Theater has everything you want, heaviness, dark passages, excellent riffs, sad and slow moments, epic and very prog moments. It is simply a perfect blend of what DT is about and that is the only reason you need to go and buy this album and if you already got it then plug your headphones and enjoy it again.
At this very moment I must say that the five songs on the 1st CD are fantastic but if I must pick then I would say that my favorites will be The Great Debate, The Glass Prison, Misunderstood & Disappear (a song that has all the emotion you require for a very sad and lonely moment, incredible to listen all by yourself), which are slightly ahead to Blind Faith (a song that sometimes I really loved and sometimes not that much)
The 2nd CD (8 "short" songs that totally length over 40 minutes) is simply mind blowing whether you listen to it on its entirety or only a few songs it is just perfect¡¡ what a masterpiece they create here, the Finale is amazing and in concert this part just gives me the Goosebumps...
It is incredible to listen how diverse DT can be not just from one album to the other but in the same album, now I understand the title of this album its just the perfect turbulence you want to feel when you listen a DT album.
So now 7 years from its release I am so thrilled as if this album has just been released today, I have discovered a lot of new things in this album and it really worth the time to really understand the album, the songs are great, the mix, the production everything is amazing, and again the band sound so tight so perfect¡¡, and the best part is that this songs sound even better LIVE¡¡
DT is the best band in the world and for me the best Band that ever existed... by FAR¡¡¡