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Rating: Prefacing that the author of this review is the most avid Dream fan, I will try to have a fairly critical eye (or at least I'll try) on this CD.
When you listen to "Scenes From A Memory" for the first time, you can already understand that you are in front of one of the most beautiful works, not only in progressive metal, but in the entire modern musical scene. The CD consists of 12 tracks and tells a tragic love story: two twins (The Miracle and The Sleeper) are in love with a woman named Victoria. The two have completely different lives, in fact, The Miracle has succeeded in his work, while The Sleeper has ruined himself with drugs. Victoria is initially in love with the richer brother, but over time, she realizes she loves The Sleeper and for this reason, both are killed by The Miracle, who then manages to cover everything. However, this story is told through a fourth person, Nicholas, who is the reincarnation of Victoria. Nicholas is tormented by nightmares and goes to a hypnotherapist to understand their origin. From here the narrative of the story begins, which will gradually unfold track by track.
The CD opens with the words of the "doctor" who hypnotizes Nicholas and slowly you begin to hear the notes of the first track where the protagonist describes the sensations he feels as he falls asleep. A very light melody, accompanied by La Brink's splendid voice, concludes "Regression". It is followed by "Overture 1928", which is the first instrumental piece on the CD, where some musical passages are presented that appear in the other tracks (notably: the beginning of "Overture" is taken from "Metropolis" contained on their album "Images And Words" (1992), which had presented the story of The Miracle and The Sleeper, which makes us understand that the work continues the track offered in the past). "Strange Deja Vu" is the third song (one of the most beautiful in my opinion) and has a very easy-to-remember melody that will also be echoed later. The 4 instruments intertwine perfectly with each other to create a very engaging and good-tempo music. Next is "Through My Words", which is very calm and short (a strange thing for a Dream song...) featuring La Brink with Rudess in the background on the keyboard, and can be defined as a "bridge" song between "Strange Deja Vu" and the following track, "Fatal Tragedy", which starts very slowly and then gains rhythm leading to a really beautiful and compelling all-instrumental finale.
In these last three songs, Nicholas realizes he is the reincarnation of Victoria and the tragedy begins to unfold. "Beyond This Life" has lyrics that are perhaps somewhat different from the others; in fact, they report the words of the front page of a 1928 newspaper, which talks about the murder of Victoria and The Sleeper: here The Miracle claims to be the only witness to the tragedy and tells of seeing his brother kill the girl and then take his own life. The music in this track is very lively but the chorus has an absolutely unique beauty, especially the last 30 seconds are really beautiful, a pity for the central instrumental part, where Rudess throws in a terribly bad solo: absolutely to be avoided! From here the CD changes face: the songs (apart from some) become more melodic and the rhythm slows down, but in the finale, Dream Theater gives us two truly applause-worthy songs!
"Through Her Eyes" is absolutely the only sour note in the entire CD: too slow, too melodic, too tear-jerking, the refreshing part is hearing the novelty of a female voice... the lyrics speak of Nicholas who finds himself in front of Victoria's tombstone and reflects on all the tragedy that the girl lived. It is followed by "Home", which has a beginning that can be defined as ""Vintage"" and is a typical example of a Dream song: a calm start where the rhythm keeps growing, sung part with fast rhythm, instrumental part, final chorus. Nothing new but a listenable track, with a very good performance by La Brink. "Dance For Eternity" is the second and last instrumental piece, beautiful and with a very "dark" beginning, then there are too many technical parts (maybe they overdo it, but it's typical of their CDs) but even the end is enjoyable. "One Last Time" has a nice chorus (which we'll hear again in "Finally Free") and especially the reprise of the "Strange Deja Vu" melody fits perfectly with the initial part. Here Nicholas begins, or at least tries, to understand the entire Victoria affair.
Now starts the absolute best part of the CD. "The Spirit Carries On" is a song of incredible depth with an extraordinary voice of La Brink who once again proves to be the soul of this group. One of the most touching songs ever written by Dream Theater, it can be deeply appreciated even by reading the lyrics, which talk about how our soul continues to "live" after death. And now the grand finale... turn the volume up because you're about to listen to one of the masterpieces of modern music. "Finally Free" is the last track: beautiful, a melody that gives you chills, a song that stays with you... a real masterpiece, especially in the finale. 12 minutes that fly by in a surreal atmosphere where Victoria's tragedy is revealed.
Surely the most successful album by Dream Theater, where you can notice their more progressive soul (which I appreciate much more compared to their metal side...). Melodies that remain with you and a fascinating story. What more could you ask for???? From this CD, you can understand the difference between commercial "music" and Dream Theater. If only everyone in this world could hear this masterpiece at least once, they would understand that the music they hear every day from TV or radio lacks soul, but unfortunately, many prefer being manipulated instead of having their musical taste...
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 Status Seeker (05:09)
Heart sick at the sight of the
Status Seeker
In a sense I'm not beyond reproach
The aspiration to drop a name
When any rose might smell the same
Maybe you'll figure it out someday
'I want to know you now...
You know I've always believed in you.'
Nothing is sacred...
You draw the bottom line
With a dollar sign
Change of opinion...
At the drop of a dime
Graceless intrusion...
Are you sanctified in your judgment of me?
All that I deserve is what you were unable to see
In the garden where the seeds were spilled
I favored the few that stood strong in the sun
As I reached for the profit of my prize
I found I had trampled the forgotten ones.
Nothing is sacred...
You draw the bottom line
With a dollar sign
Change of opinion...
At the drop of a dime
Graceless intrusion...
Are you sanctified in your judgment of me?
All that I deserve is what you were unable to see
You're running in circles
And I'm turning away
You refused to believe
Now I'm turning away
Nothing is sacred...
You draw the bottom line
With a dollar sign
Change of opinion...
At the drop of a dime
Graceless intrusion...
Are you sanctified in your judgment of me?
All that I deserve is what you were unable to see
You're running in circles
And I'm turning away
You refused to believe
Now I'm turning away
04 The Killing Hand (08:59)
An Angel's kiss now fallen
Descending scarlet cuts the sky
Faded names left on the wall
Honor the fighting leave life to die
Remembered is the sacrifice but
No praisal of blood still flowing
Who were the leaders?
What controlled the Killing Hand
That caused this mourning?
Crossing over...
05 Eve (05:03)
''Chapter One. Once upon a time, and a very good time it was,
There was a moo cow coming down along the road.
So He came Himself in weakness not in power
And He sent thee, a creature in His stead,
With a creature's comeliness and luster
Suited to our state.
And now thy very face and form dear mother,
Speak to us of the eternal;
Not like earthly beauty, dangerous to look upon,
But like the morning star which is thy emblem,
Bright and musical, breathing purity,
Telling of Heaven and infusing peace.
O harbinger of day! O light of the pilgrim!
Lead us still as thou hast led.
In the dark night, across the bleak wilderness
Guide us on to our Lord Jesus, guide us home.
"Tower of Ivory?" they used to say, "House of Gold?"
How could a woman be a tower of ivory or a house of gold?''
08 Caught in a Web (05:33)
Silence disguised
I watch you
Show me the hurt
That haunts you
Would you despise the thrill
If all you hide were mine?
I can't hold on any longer
These feelings keep growing stronger
Echoes that deafen the mind
Will bury my voice in their wake
Caught in a Web
Removed from the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning the lies
Devised in my head
I've seen the path
The one you take
Shows the truth
For you to make
This turn of phrase
We might not see
Is the thirst of desire
Found so easily
Try to push me 'round
The world some more
And make me live in fear
I bare all that I am
Made of now
Attractive I don't care
'Cause even when I danced with life
No one was there to share
Does this voice the wounds of your soul?
Does this voice the wounds of your soul?
Caught in a Web
Removed from the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning the lies
Devised in my head
Tried to live the life
You live and saw
It doesn't work for me
I bare all that I am
Made of now
Attractive, I can't be
Inside the Dance of Life is one
I'll never hold to me
You can't heal the wounds of my soul.
You can't heal the wounds of my soul.
Caught in a Web
Refused by the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning the lies
Devised in my head
Caught in a Web
Refused by the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning a cage
Denied and misread
09 A Change of Seasons (17:13)
I remember a time
My frail, virgin mind
Watched the crimson sunrise
Imagined what it might find
Life was filled with wonder
I felt the warm wind blow
I must explore the boundaries
Transcend the depth of winter's snow
Innocence caressing me
I never felt so young before
There was so much life in me
Still I longed to search for more
But those days are gone now
Changed like a leaf on a tree
Blown away forever
Into the cool autumn breeze
The snow has now fallen
And my sun's not so bright
I struggle to hold on
With the last of my might
In my den of inequity
Viciousness and subtlety
Struggle to ease the pain
Struggle to find the same
Ignorance surrounding me
I've never been so filled with fear
All my life's been drained from me
The end is drawing near...
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Other reviews
By Marco88DreamT
"This album, (even though calling it an album is reductive since it’s a true opera divided into acts) captivates from beginning to end."
"The Spirit Carries On is the true gem of the CD that I immediately fell in love with. The song is splendid, with immense emotional impact."
