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Rating:
Reviewing an album that has practically defined an entire genre, that of prog-metal, is not easy, but I'll do my best.
The band is recovering from the half disappointment of their debut album "When Dream And Day Unite"; an album that, although partly outlining the characteristics of Dream Theater's music, was not enough to bring the band the success they would later achieve. But to realize the "dream," only the second album is needed. A clearly unexpected success, given that usually what starts poorly is destined, according to many, to continue equally poorly.
Images And Words is undoubtedly the masterpiece of progressive metal: anyone who wants to get a general idea of what it is must start with this album! The album indeed contains all the characteristics of the genre: superb technique, experimentation, long and intricate tracks but also a strong melodic sensibility. Decisive among the group's choices was the departure of Charlie Dominici, the vocalist of the first album, who, after unimpressive performances in the band's initial live shows, was replaced by a voice surely more mature and powerful: that of James LaBrie. Among all the lineup changes the band has undergone, perhaps this was the most decisive; who knows how things would have turned out without such a change! Would they have continued to be a garage band? Or maybe just collectors? But that's not what interests us; we're only interested in what Dream Theater is now: one of the most followed bands in the world, with thousands and thousands of fans registered in the various fan clubs, performing three-hour concerts and, unfortunately, also receiving numerous criticisms!
The album starts with "Pull Me Under", a song not excessively complex, rather straightforward, based on Petrucci's powerful guitar, but offering some excellent melodic moments thanks to Kevin Moore's keyboards; the ending might shock the listener: the track ends abruptly as if the plug had been suddenly pulled; at first glance, one might think it is a recording error and even consider returning the album to the store, but that's exactly how the track concludes.
Then comes a ballad, an element that will henceforth appear on every album of the band. It's "Another Day", based mainly on the melodic line of the piano; noteworthy is also the presence of a saxophone, playing both in the second verse and the ending; Petrucci shines before the finale with a good solo.
But here is finally a true example of technique: "Take The Time". The first three minutes are characterized by frenetic guitar riffs and heavy funky rhythms supported by Myung's bass, then comes a delightful instrumental part where guitar and keyboard express themselves at their maximum potential, sometimes playing in unison, sometimes separately; the ending is crafted by Petrucci fading away with yet another solo after the last chorus.
"Surrounded" starts slowly, with a beautiful piano accompanied by keyboards, then Petrucci enters and the guitar sound becomes harder and harder, reaching a peak of power after which the track slows down again, ending once more with the piano accompanied by keyboards.
And here's the signature track of the album, "Metropolis pt. 1". Signature track of the album? No, of their career! We are facing the band's classic par excellence, the one that will always be requested by fans in live performances, and whose absence will inevitably leave a bitter taste for those leaving the arena (trust me, it happened to me too when I went to see them at the Datch Forum last October 29th). The start is very theatrical with all instruments entering one by one, the first four minutes characterized by a bright and linear melody... Then, for about four minutes, guitars and keyboards create all sorts of effects literally making your head spin! Then the tempo slows down, leading to an equally cinematic ending.
Underestimated, perhaps unjustly, is number 6 "Under A Glass Moon". It also starts very cinematically, worthy of Spielberg's finest film. Undoubtedly the most aggressive track of the album, but Kevin Moore also contributes to giving this track a melodic aspect. In the instrumental part, Petrucci gives us one of his most beautiful solos. To relax a bit, a nice "Wait For Sleep" is necessary, a short but touching ballad: two and a half minutes of piano and voice carrying the excellent signature of Kevin Moore.
And to conclude, here's the track that best highlights the band's progressive vein: "Learning To Live", a track where multiple styles succeed each other. The beginning is aggressive with excellent keyboard melodies, then it slows down to where the keyboards offer a soft and touching melody; the tempo keeps building until it becomes aggressive again, then slows down once more to make way first for excellent keyboard melodies and then for a more blues section marked by a beautiful acoustic guitar playing over a keyboard background; the tempo increases again until reaching the last part, less aggressive and more melodic, with keyboards taking the lead; note also a reprise of "Wait For Sleep". A very well-crafted conclusion, first with the bass, then with a guitar riff playing infinitely.
Ah, what an effort, eh? I conclude by saying that "Images And Words" is an incredibly difficult album to imitate; in my opinion, one of the best albums ever, not just of this genre. Are you in shopping season and don't know what clothes to buy? A tip, forget the clothes and go buy yourself a nice CD: a masterpiece like this certainly wouldn't do you any harm!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Pull Me Under (08:14)
Lost in the sky
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Arrows fly
Seas increase and then fall again
This world is spinning around me
This world is spinning without me
Every day sends future to past
Every breath leaves me one less to my last
Watch the sparrow falling
Gives new meaning to it all
If not today nor yet tomorrow
Then some other day
I'll take seven lives for one
And then my only father's son
As sure as I did ever love him
I am not afraid
This world is spinning around me
The whole world keeps spinning around me
All life is future to past
Every breath leaves me one less to my last
Pull me under
Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
All that I feel is honor and spite
All I can do is set it right
Dust fills my eyes
Clouds roll by and I roll with them
Centuries cry
Orders fly and I fall again
This world is spinning inside me
The whole world is spinning inside me
Every day sends future to past
Every step brings me closer to my last
Pull me under
Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
Living my life too much in the sun
Only until your will is done
Pull me under
Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
All that I feel is honor and spite
All I can do is set it right
Pull me under
Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
Living my life too much in the sun
Only until your will is done
02 Another Day (04:24)
Live another day
Climb a little higher
Find another reason to stay
Ashes in your hands
Mercy in your eyes
If you're searching for a silent sky
You won't find it here
Look another way
You won't find it here
So die another day
The coldness of his words
The message in his silence
Face the candle to the wind
This distance in my voice
Isn't leaving you a choice
So if you're looking for a time to run away
You won't find it here
Look another way
You won't find it there
So die another day
They took pictures of our dreams
Ran to hide behind the stairs
And said maybe when it's right for you, they'll fall
But if they don't come down
Resist the need to pull them in
And throw them away
Better to save the mystery
Than surrender to the secret
Whoa ohhh
You won't find it here
Look another way
You won't find it here
So die another day
03 Take the Time (08:21)
Hold it now
Wait a minute
C'mon... whew...
Just let me catch my breath
I've heard the promises, I've seen the mistakes
I've had my fair share of tough breaks
I need a new voice, a new law, a new way
Take the time, reevaluate
It's time to pick up the pieces, go back to square one
I think it's time for a change
There is something that I feel
To be something that is real
I feel the heat within my mind
And craft new changes with my eyes
Giving freely wandering promises
A place with decisions I'll fashion
I won't waste another breath
You can feel the waves coming on
It's time to take the time
Let them destroy you or carry you on
It's time to take the time
You're fighting the weight of the world
But no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind
Unbroken spirit, obscured and disquiet
Finds clearness this trial demands
And at the end of this day sighs an anxious relief
For the fortune lies still in his hands
If there's a pensive fear, a wasted year
A man must learn to cope
If his obsession's real
Suppression that he feels must turn to hope
Life is no more assuring than love
It's time to take the time
There are no answers from voices above
It's time to take the time
You're fighting the weight of the world
And no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind
I close my eyes
And feel the water rise around me
Drown in the beat of time
Let my senses fall away
I can see much clearer now, I'm blind
"Ora che ho perso la vista, ci vedo di piu"
You can feel the waves coming on
It's time to take the time
Let them destroy you or carry you on
It's time to take the time
You're fighting the weight of the world
But no one can save you this time
Close your eyes
You can find all you need in your mind
Awww awww
Yeah...
Find all you need in your mind
If you take the time
Find all you need in your mind
If you take the time
04 Surrounded (05:30)
Morning comes too early
And night time falls too late
And sometimes all I want to do is wait
The shadow I've been hiding in has fled from me today
I know it's easier to walk away than look it in the eye
But I will raise a shelter to the sky
And here beneath this star tonight I'll lie
She will slowly yield the light
As I awaken from the longest night
Dreams are shaking
Set sirens waking up tired eyes
With the light the memories all rush into his head
By a candle stands a mirror
Of his heart and soul she dances
She was dancing through the night above his bed
And walking to the window
He throws the shutters out
Against the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
'Let light surround you'
It's been a long, long time
He's had awhile to think it over
In the end he only sees the change
Light to dark
Dark to light
Light to dark
Dark to light
Heaven must be more than this
When angels waken with a kiss
Sacred hearts won't take the pain
But mine will never be the same
He stands before the window
His shadow slowly fading from the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
'Let the light surround you'
Once lost but I was found
When I heard the stained glass shatter all around me
I sent the spirits tumbling down the hill
But I will hold this one on high above me still
She whispers words to clear my mind
I once could see but now at last I'm blind
I know it's easier to walk away than look it in the eye
But I had given all than I could take
And now I've only habits left to break
Tonight I'll still be lying here
Surrounded in all the light
06 Under a Glass Moon (07:03)
Tell me
Remind me
Chase the water racing from the sky
Always beside me
Taste the memories running from my eyes
Nervous flashlights scan my dreams
Liquid shadows silence their screams
I smile at the moon
Chasing water from the sky
I argue with the clouds
Stealing beauty from my eyes
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
Beneath a summer sky
Under a glass moon light
Night awaits the lamb's arrival
Liquid shadows crawl
Silver teardrops fall
The bride subsides to her survival
By your hand
I've awakened
Bear this honor in my name
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
07 Wait for Sleep (02:32)
Standing by the window
Eyes upon the moon
Hoping that the memory
Will leave her spirit soon
She shuts the doors and lights and lays her body on the bed
Where images and words are running deep
She has too much pride to pull the sheets above her head
So quietly she lays and waits for sleep
She stares at the ceiling and tries not to think
And pictures the chain she's been trying to link again
But the feeling is gone
And water can't cover her memory
And ashes can't answer her pain
God give me the power to take breath from a breeze
And call life from a cold metal frame
In with the ashes
Or up with the smoke from the fire
With wings up in heaven
Or here lying in bed
Palm of her hand to my head
Now and forever curled
In my heart and the heart of the world
08 Learning to Live (11:31)
There was no time for pain
No energy for anger
Sightlessness of hatred slips away
Walking through winter streets alone
He stops and take a breath
With confidence and self-control
I look at the world and see no understanding
I'm waiting to find some sense of strength
I'm begging you from the bottom of my heart
To show me understanding
I need to live life
Like some people never will
So find me kindness, find me beauty, find me truth
When temptation brings me to my knees
And I lay here drained of strength
Show me kindness, show me beauty, show me truth
The way your heart sounds
Makes all the difference
It's what decides if you'll endure the pain that we all feel
The way your heart beats
Makes all the difference
In learning to live
Here before me is my soul
I'm learning to live
I won't give up till I've no more to give
No more to give
Listening to the city
Whispering its violence
I set out watching from above
The 90s bring new questions
New solutions to be found
I fell in love to be let down
Once again we dance in the crowd
At times a step away
From a common fear that's all spread out
It won't listen to what you say
Once you're touched you stand alone
To face the bitter fight
Once I reached for love
Now I reach for life
Another chance to lift my life
Free the sensation in my heart
To ride the wings of dreams
Into changing horizons
It brings inner peace within my mind
As I'm lifted from where I've split my life
I hear an innocent voice
I hear kindness, beauty and truth
The way your heart sounds
Makes all the difference
It's what decides if you'll endure the pain that we all feel
The way your heart beats
Makes all the difference
In learning to live
Spread before you is your soul
So forever hold the dreams within our hearts
Through nature's inflexible grace
I'm learning to live
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Other reviews
By petrucci
This CD is a true masterpiece that will go down in history as one of the best progressive CDs.
Forget about those who tell you they’re only technique and no substance!
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
How did they manage to release such a beautiful collection of songs?!?
With this CD, the American band has confirmed its domination in the world of progressive metal!!
By Necron
"You have to listen to this music not with your ears but with your heart."
"In my opinion, they are the best existing band and nothing will change my mind."
By BrianCrow
"Images And Words is an album from which every musician could learn something."
"In this, as in no other Dream Theater record, chilling atmospheres and unmistakably original sounds are created."
By Altra Dimensione
Pull Me Under... simply gives you goosebumps.
Take the Time... a sort of programmatic manifesto of what Theater's music is.
