15 albums in Dream Theater is a band I must admit that has never really grabbed me, but 2021 is year to try new things whilst we’re all still so restricted so here we go! The opening to ‘The Alien’ certainly has a lot of energy as the drums burst in and frenetic guitar sizzles before things get all melodic and Satriani-like. Opening with an almost ten minute song that takes a couple of minutes to get to the lyrics isn’t normally my cup of tea nor is ‘Prog’ in general. If I’m honest, whilst I can see the appeal – lots of frenetic action, lots of time changes, lots of ‘blue sky’ guitar soloing and a driving drum backbone that I’m sure would lose most Rock drummers for me it’s all a bit fussy. Sure I can appreciate the skill and technical ability and love LaBrie’s vocals I guess it’s music that you just have to be in the mood for. On teh other hand stick on a set of headphones and close your eyes and this takes on a different feel entirely – but it is music you need to concentrate on not casually listen to.
The merely eight minute long ‘Answering The Call’ is actually more accessible and like a few here that seem to be held together by the beat it’s an easier listen – still progressive, still expansive but more coherent. One of two sub-seven minute songs drops next – ‘Invisible Monster’ a luxurious soundscape that has two distinct hooks and really manages to grab you. It’s separated from the other shorter offering by the sprawling ‘Sleeping Gant’ which is definitely a ‘headphones on’ song and one that seems to reach back in time for its feel – it’s actually quite compelling as is the juxtaposition of light and shade in ‘Transcending Time’. The latter is a song that starts out like a melodic Rocker before the synth takes a distinctly progressive meander. It’s great stuff.
‘Awaken The Master’ the penultimate track here immediately takes on a heavier Progressive groove with spacey keys, shuddering guitars and gritty rhythm section it feels like a breakdown the band throws together when the vocalist leaves the stage for a costume change. It’s nice, interesting, largely instrumental for the first third but for me at least strangely unsatisfying and unresolved.
The final track ‘A View From The Top Of The World’ is a 21 minute plus extravaganza that if you’re a fan I’m sure you will love, with the speakers on it’s the aural equivalent of a mini-movie – broken largely into different movements or sections there’s plenty going on and each part has it’s own identity, I’m sure you Prog fans out there will love this craziness! Overwhelmingly uplifting it’s a great way to end what for me at least was a strangely accessible Progressive offering.
‘A View From The Top Of The World’ was released on October 22nd.