Dream Theater
Falling Into Infinity

THE REVIEW

Defined by Dream Theater themselves as a mediocre album produced in too little time (due to issues with the record label), "Falling Into Infinity" is the most criticized yet one of the best-selling works in their history. Many, due to the strong presence of ballads, label it as merely a commercial operation aimed at capturing a broader audience. But is it all true? Are we really faced with a work of such low quality? Let's see...

"Falling Into Infinity" opens with "New Millennium": a typically progressive intro provided by Sherinian's keys introduces the track. The instrumental part is very extensive with bass and keyboard always in the foreground, Labrie enters on few occasions without ever giving us any special emotions. Everything flows easily, leaving you a bit unsatisfied. The following "You Not Me" confirms the initial sound with a bit more simplicity provided by the repeatedly echoed chorus and virtually nonexistent virtuosity. It's a normal song, not deviating from a certain type of sound and remains predictable. Next up is "Peruvian Skies" which presents a calm sound with Labrie always present; let's say it's a "semi-ballad" where a metal break and a riff by Petrucci halfway through liven things up until the conclusion that resumes the track's theme with more power. With "Hollow Years", however, we enter a true ballad complete with the inevitable classical guitar, and a slow/syrupy rhythm typical of the genre. Once again there is a tendency to break the thread with these small "stops" which are, in my opinion, not adequately connected with the rest of the tracks... indeed the start of "Burning My Soul" is anything but calm with Myung in the front line setting the pace. After a few minutes, you're met with a typical Dream Theater sound with the exception of some voice filtering used in the chorus background which, let me say, is a shock to anyone who knows this band.
After 5 so-so tracks, "Hell's Kitchen" brings back some excellent music, it is certainly the best thing on the album and I would place it among the most beautiful instrumentals made by the American quintet. It has all the characteristics: great "gallops" by Petrucci accompanied by an excellent melody and good rhythm, but above all an ending worthy of applause. Engaging until the very end. The final note ties in with "Lines In The Sand", the start gives me more of the idea of a Liquid Tension piece with hinted and strongly "prolonged" sounds, then it jumps to a fast rhythm. The track doesn't disappoint in the sung parts and finally even Labrie brings out some vocal power. Midway through, the rhythm changes in a fully instrumental section where Petrucci focuses more on melody than his usual narcissistic virtuosity... (finally). A good, typical song of the band. "Take Away My Pain" is more of a "rest" track, calm, simplistic, light, with easily digestible melodies. Bare and colorless, it remains inconsiderable.
With "Just Let Me Breathe" we return to more listenable sounds, the instrumental part is well done and ties well with the rest. Certainly better than the previous one.
The first notes of "Anna Lee" are strikingly profound, simple but melancholic. I could write many pages about this track which gives us true emotions. Sherinian's piano gently carries us through the first minutes, then in my opinion, Petrucci's guitar is too forcibly sought... his presence is certainly excellent, but let's say it breaks the initially created atmosphere. Perhaps it should have concluded more quickly and "softly," leaving also that mysterious veil that allows any track to become a masterpiece. Naturally, this is my opinion and I still define "Anna Lee" as a great piece.
Everything closes with "Trials Of Tears". The sung parts are good, while the instrumental ones vary from a soporific slowness to a disorganized speed, but overall, a more than decent conclusion.

And now let's analyze the whole.
An album presenting a very strong and predominant progressive vein, with ample spaces dedicated to melody. On the other side, a metal enclosed in short times and given in small doses (the exact opposite of the more recent "Train Of Thought").
It can certainly seem like a great work for those who have little knowledge of this group or for those approaching them for the first time, but it absolutely does not reflect the true soul of Dream Theater, in my opinion.
It can't be called a failure because good ideas are present, but neither a masterpiece for obvious reasons (it's absurd to give it 5......). So, a 3.