-
Hey guys and welcome to the reviews! I will be reviewing the Dream theater songs in chronological order from albums so, Images and Words--->Peruvian Skies(FII)--->Dream theater's self titled.
Edit: This will be a write up and a ranking to my least favorite --> most favorite Dream Theater songs for each album.
-
Good luck. Looking forward to it.
-
Pull Me Under (8:14)
Pull Me Under is Dream Theater's first song on their album Images and Words. The lyricist of this song is Kevin Moore. Wow, what can I say about this song? This song doesn't have that much meaning to me and sometimes I love listening to this, but other times, I get bored of this song really easily. I guess it all depends on my mood really. But hey, this song is really popular among others. Heck, they even created Greatest Hits and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs after this song.
Now, let's get to the music itself. We are introduced to this music by John Petrucci's acoustic guitar. As the song builds up, Mike Portnoy enters on his drums, playing the kick, the toms, and occasionally the snare. Kevin Moore is next as you can see his faint piano sound and lastly Myung enters. By 0:40 seconds, we can see all of the band in action, except our singer, James Labrie. Soon, the electric guitar comes while they repeat the same notes they've been playing. After Portnoy bangs on his snare, the acoustic guitar fades and the electric guitar takes over.
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 send future to past
Every breath leaves me one less to my last
The first verse is nothing special, but the chorus, I love it to death. The chorus speaks truth. Take "Every breath leaves me one less to my last. Have you ever thought of that part? The way Labrie sings the chorus and the band leads up to it, they make it sound very dark and ominous. At first, I thought this song was very upbeat, but after looking at the lyrics and analyzing the song, I can tell that it is very grim. This is why I love Labrie. His voice fits perfectly with the band. It isn't too heavy like most metal singers, instead, he can sing songs calmly and he can sound badass if he wants to. Check out Scarred, which we will get into later. A short instrumental plays, transitioning to the second verse.
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
Now that, I would have to say is one of the finest delivery's I've heard. We can see the band momentarily stopping at Labrie belts out the lyrics "Watch the sparrow falling." Then the band comes in strong as ever as Labrie also sings the rest of this verse gratingly. It just adds on to the dark factor of this song. Now, Images and Words is not supposed to be dark at all. It is not supposed to be progressive metal like Train of Thought. Pull Me Under would have to heaviest song on Images and Words and the funny thing is, it is not that heavy. This song obviously refers to Hamlet. Sometimes, I interpret the lyrics in my own way and how it relates to my life, even if it isn't the correct interpretation. But, that's the great thing about Dream Theater, there are many meanings to a song, not just necessarily one "correct" meaning.
After this verse, the intro to the chorus is played again and the only difference is that Mike Portnoy is pounding on his drumset twice, every one second. After that, the chorus comes in, probably the most catchiest Dream Theater chorus I've ever stumbled upon.
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
Listen to that! This is what I have to say about all the Dream Theater songs. Sure, I may not like all of them, but there is this part, no matter how major or minor that I absolutely love. And for Pull Me Under, that is my highlight of Pull Me Under. I just love it and that riff that transitions into this bridge is fantastic.
Dust fills my eyes
Clouds roll by
and I roll with them
Centuries cry
Orders fly
and I fall again
After this bridge, we can hear the chorus all over again and it is played three more times before an instrumental comes in. The instrumental starts out softly with just an acoustic guitar just like the beginning. Petrucci plays the introduction to the chorus with his electric guitar and at the end, the spotlight is all to Moore, Portnoy, Labrie, and Petrucci. Labrie is done for this song and this band rocks it out until the end. At the end, the song cuts out. You just have listened to Dream Theater, your amazing progressive rock/metal band.
I would put Pull me Under at my top 50, bare minimum. The chorus is catchy, the instruments are amazing, and Labrie fails to disappoint. Nice job, Dream Theater.
-
Pull me Under is so good it almost reaches my top 5 Images and Words songs!
-
Pull me Under is so good it almost reaches my top 5 Images and Words songs!
:lol
i never got sick of this song even when it was being a pain in the butt to FC in guitar hero and it's just a really solid prog metal song, probably vaguely in the upper half of DT songs but it's one of the most memorable for sure
just that DT has so many better songs because they're DT
-
^^^ Yeah, was pretty BS because the whole song was fairly manageable, nothing too tricky if you could do the three note chord changes with the x3 percussive strums at the end, but I remember those pre chorus solos were great at breaking your streak, even though they're barely a few seconds long. I don't even have the new systems but I kinda want a PS4/XONE to play Rock Band 4 just for Metropolis. :lol
Regarding Pull Me Under in general, this song kind of increases in my ranking then falls again. ( :loser:) Great song but sometimes I need to take a break from hearing it for my enthusiasm to be reinvigorated.
-
Thank you for your opinion guys. Luckily, I was able to squeeze this in. Take the Time will be tomorrow.
Another Day (4:23)
Ah, Another Day. I'm sorry guys, but there are Dream Theater songs that are people's top 5, but are in my bottom 5 and vice versa. I just wanted to say to not take any insult or offence to my song choices, because honestly, compared to Dream Theater fans I know, my music choices are somewhat different. Like this song for example. I would put this song as my number 2 song from Images and Words, number 1 being Metropolis part 1. Yes, I know, for some of you, Learning to Live, and Under a Glass Moon beats Another Day by a long shot, but not for me. That is what makes each and every one of individuals unique. The song itself just gets to me every time and was close to breaking me many times, although there is 1 song that does, but it won't come until later.
Now, let's get started. The music starts off with a piano and acoustic duet and Labrie is quick to come in. After Labrie's oh, Petrucci, Portnoy, and Myung come in. Petrucci plays a quick electric guitar solo and all the instruments fade except the piano and that is when Labrie officially comes in. When Petrucci comes in on the guitar, he doesn't shred nor does he flaunt, but he plays the song passionately. This song was written by Petrucci himself and just by hearing that guitar solo, so simple, but passionate, made me think 'Dang, Petrucci must cherish this song very much.'
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
Look at Labrie. I don't know why people are slamming Labrie. In my opinion, he is perfect for this band. Sure, he has gotten food poisoning, damaging his vocals and sure, his singer style is not gruff nor dark, but he fits Dream Theater perfectly. He is way more consistent than Charlie Dominici and his vocal range, oh man. It can get high as heck and he can get low also. Look at the song Lie. To me, this verse is talking to someone about how they should live another day, how they shouldn't end one's life this day. This is backed up by "Find another reason to stay." A character might have been thinking about suicide and the main character is telling them that there is so much more to life. You should live every day you can.
You won't find it here
Look another way
You won't find it here
So die another day
And here is the official chorus. Labrie sounds pained when he sings this. The chorus is talking about how you won't find death here and you should look another way. He repeats that you won't find it here and he tells his friend/family to not die today. To die when the time has come. After that, Jay Beckenstein from.....Spyro Gyra comes in with the soprano saxophone. It is absolutely beautiful.
The coldness of this 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
Just listen to that. This is like a story becoming real. The main character's friend/family is becoming distant and introverted and even being cold towards the main character. The character refuses to speak to anyone and the main character's voice is distant to his friend. As the chorus rolls in a second time, you can hear that it is much stronger now. Labrie belts this out passionately, as if he was in the main character's shoes. If I had someone close to me that wanted to commit suicide and try to kill themself (cringes), then I would do everything within my power to stop them. I would scream their name, I would convince them that there is more to life and I wouldn't give up.
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
What did I just listen to? A real masterpiece. This is just absolute pleasure to my ears. His voice gets higher and higher with each sentence and peaks at "they'll fall." When I listen to this song, anytime, the tears threaten to fall down because I can relate to someone I lost. I will get more to that on the song Disappear. I don't want to break down right now while giving my thoughts about this song. This message is just saying that dreams won't always come back to us. There are some missed dreams and if a dream doesn't come down to you, don't force it down and disgustedly throw the broken dream away. It would be better to save the mystery, save the future than to know what is in store for us.
A guitar solo comes by John Petrucci and all the angst and heartbreak can be summarized by this single guitar solo. At this point I am shaking as I think about how Petrucci must have felt when he was writing this song. To put his passion into his solo and the raw agony of it, makes this song all the more beautiful and is cherished deep within me. The chorus comes in one last time. Oh my God. Oh my freaking God. An absolute beauty. This my friends is why this song is at the top of my list. His voice is just flawless here. He belts out the last two sentences of this chorus with all his heart and it sums up all the sadness and sorrow that was penned up.
After that, the saxophone comes back one more time as the music becomes more mellow, the saxophone leading the rest of the song. You have just listened to the second best song in Images and Words.
-
These are some nice write-ups, and it's always refreshing to hear a female perspective on DT!
-
Thank you sir. I just love Dream theater that much. I can relate to almost any of their songs.
-
Aren't there 95 songs from IAW to DT?
Good write-ups, will be lurking here a bit.
-
You shouldn't feel sorry for liking Another Day, you should only feel sorry if you don't like it.
-
Eagerly following!!! :corn :metal
Also, thank you for putting so much time and effort in making this DT songs complete review! It's great to see so much love for Dream Theater, they really deserve it! :tup :tup :tup
-
No interest in the debut album?
-
No interest in the debut album?
Not yet :/
but hopefully soon
-
Cool.
-
Have you also tried to listen to "When Dream And Day Re-unite"?
-
Kind of.
I only listened to the Ytse Jam and Metropolis part 1. I loved how Rudess and Sherinian went head to head. I also liked the two different styles between Dominici and Labrie, but those were the only two songs.
-
I loved how Rudess and Sherinian went head to head.
Same here. The solos traded between Sherinian, Petrucci and Rudess are great.
-
Take The Time (8:21)
Ah, Take the Time! It is a fantastic song written by all five of the band members. Imagine that....each band member had a role in this phenomenal song and the chorus was written by every member of the band also. This song starts off with Kevin Moore in the background. After a while, Myung joins in then Portnoy and Petrucci. Petrucci begins by playing a riff as Portnoy also follows the style of the riff. Later, we can see Kevin Moore on his lead and he fades off. Petrucci plays a sharp note and he fades away also. We can hear Myung more prominently now as Portnoy also jams away. What is followed immediately is some sampling.
"Hold it now...
Wait a minute...
Come on...
Whew..."
Let me tell you something about sampling before I begin. In some cases, I like sampling very much, but other times, it just annoys the heck out of me. Some good samplings are The Mirror, Voices, Space Dye Vest, and my personal favorite, Honor thy Father. Some samplings that I generally dislike are 6:00 and this part of Take The Time. I dunno, it just gets under my skin sometimes just like Portnoy vocals. Anyways, after this sample, Labrie immediately comes in.
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
Wow, aggressive much? This part is very staccato and you can hear the aggressiveness in Labrie's vocals. The band stated that this song was about the change they had to go through with letting go of Collins, Dominici, and finding a new record label. We can safely assume that this part was written by our main man Mr. Mike Portnoy. His songs usually are very aggressive like The Mirror, The Test That Stumped Them All, This Dying Soul, etc. "I need a new voice, a new law, a new way" talks about Charlie Dominici, a new record label, and a new style of their music, respectively. The band wants to pick up the broken pieces off the floor and start all over hence "Go back to square one." It was indeed a tough time for them as they were frustrated with trying to find a new singer until Labrie sent in his tape. This song further proves how important Labrie is to the entire band. Labrie can indeed sing raw and aggressive as shown in this part, which brings us to the next verse.
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
The next verse is probably written by Moore. We know that his lyrics can be really obscure sometimes and this proves it. Labrie sings this part of the verse as if the band knew there was hope in store for them during there darkest hours. He immediately transitions from dark and aggressive to hopeful. This verse mainly talks about how the band felt that they needed to be something real. They wanted to be real in terms of progressive music. Heck, even I have a hard time deciphering this next verse. It can mean so many different things and sometimes, obscure lyrics can be fun to try and attempt to decipher. Petrucci plays a quick riff after this song and the chorus immediately comes in.
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
Wow, ain't that the truth. The waves can represent any obstacle in which if you overcome it, it benefits you, but if it overcomes you, it will destroy. Some examples of the wave can be life, time, hardships, struggles, etc. Life is present in every part of your situation. If you overcome life, it can carry you to new heights, but if life overcomes you, it could slowly destroy you. If Dream Theater didn't overcome life and just gave up on finding a new record label or a singer, what would have happened to Dream Theater? I don't think they would have been as phenomenal as they are right now. They were fighting the weight of the world. The world was threatening to crush them and at that state they were at, the world could have indeed crushed them and if that happened, who would have been able to save them?
This could be put in our perspective of life also. I also was at a phase in which I was holding the weight of the world and it was going to crush me. I could have let it crush me. I could have let life overcome me, but instead I stood up and overcame life. If Dream Theater could overcome their obstacle and make an incredible progressive rock album, why can't I? Now do you see why Dream Theater stuck with me? I can relate to a lot of their songs and they have helped me overcome some trials and difficulty.
The 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
I will go with a guess that this is John Petrucci. Petrucci himself stated in the Q and A forum that he writes lyrics that are spiritual. Sometimes, he also writes obscure lyrics. Check out Under a Glass Moon if you don't know what I'm talking about. Another proof that I think Petrucci wrote this was the phrase "The fortune lies still in his hands." Petrucci himself wrote Fortune in Lies and the words in the sentence fits Fortune in Lies. Petrucci is talking about how a spirit or the band's spirit that faced the trials are obscure and disquiet. If your facing through a tough trial, you can either keep strong and go on or let the trial overcome you. If the trial overcomes you, it is over, but if you keep going strong, you will not go on without being obscure and disquiet (worried, anxious.) At the end of the trial, when you overcome it, you will sigh in relief, but it might be anxious because you just finished a tough trial that could have possibly scarred you and being scarred can make you more introverted or anxious about life. The reason the band is sighing because they are relieved that they know that their fortune, their future, lies in their hands.
If there's pensive fear, a wasted year
A man must learn to cope
If his obsession's real,
Suppression that he feels must turn to hope
I am thinking this part of the song, Labrie wrote. We can hear Labrie's vocal explosion through this part of the song and I love his vocal explosions. I can't think of any explosions that I hate, but I get mildly annoyed with Innocence Faded's vocal explosion, but it is still fitting. These lyrics talk more about hope and is saying that if there is a year that is wasted or fear that is thoughtful, a man must learn to cope. If our environment drastically changed, we must learn to cope with that environment. If the weather got hotter and rarely hit degrees under 90 degrees Fahrenheit, we would have to cope or die. The suppression that you feel (harmful), you must turn it to hope (helpful). It would fit with turning lemons into lemonade. If life gives you lemons (sour), turn it to lemonade (sweet).
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
The chorus rolls around again and the only difference are the first two sentences.
I close my eyes
And feel the water rise around me
Drown the bead 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."
This lyric is probably written by Myung. Wow, this is really deep as is most of Myung's songs. The proofs that lead me to believe that this is Myung is the water imagery and "I can see much clearer now, I'm blind." Myung refers to water a lot of times, just check out Lifting Shadows off a Dream. Trial of Tears also have water that is portrayed by rain. As they close their eyes, the water rises all around them. Sometimes, having water rise all over you can be a soothing feeling. They are at peace, and time is being drowned as their senses slowly fall away. I laughed when I heard the sentence "I can see much clearer now, I'm blind," because I thought it was pretty silly, but Myung was smart to write that there. As he closes his eyes and as water rises all over him, he is at peace and remember the chorus where it said "Close your eyes/You can find all you need in your mind?" They directly correlate with each other. Then, the sampling happens again, but this time it is fitting. "Ora che ho perso la vista, ci vedo di piu," is Italian for "Now that I lost my sight , I see more." Flows well.
Next is an instrumental section that starts with Petrucci's riff than his solo. You have got to love Myung's bassline throughout this instrumental. Close your eyes and imagine the water flowing all around you while listening to this instrumental. When I do that, I can actually feel being at peace with myself, thinking about the trials I have overcome by taking my time. Kevin Moore follows with a solo of his own with his lead and after his solo, Petrucci does one more solo. The chorus then comes in again and Labrie finishes very strongly. He holds thew word "mind" as the band fades except Moore's piano. After some of notes, the band comes in again. Petrucci with a solo, Myung with some staccato baselines, and Portnoy's bass drum.
Find all you need in your mind
If you take the time
The song closes with this outro. Labrie sings this twice and Petrucci is given another solo and the whole band slowly fades out. This song is very fun to listen to and means a lot to me, when I think about the trials I've faced.
-
Here you go:
(https://i.imgur.com/OBQoIMG.png)
Mike Portnoy confirmed who wrote each part of the lyrics.
I'm fairly certain that James had no part in writing this song. I believe that most of the album was completed by the time he joined the band.
-
I like things like this. Wonder if the new album will be out by the time you've finished?
-
Here you go:
(https://i.imgur.com/OBQoIMG.png)
Mike Portnoy confirmed who wrote each part of the lyrics.
I'm fairly certain that James had no part in writing this song. I believe that most of the album was completed by the time he joined the band.
Thank you, greatly appreciate it. Hmm, so I see I got some information wrong.
I like things like this. Wonder if the new album will be out by the time you've finished?
Hm, that is more likely to happen. Yes, I'm pretty sure the new album will be out.
-
Surrounded (5:30)
[/b][/u]
We are on the fourth song of Dream Theater's widely popular Images and Words. I have to say Surrounded does a good job of bringing in the calm, soft mood, but then exploding and bringing you a whole new definition of epic.
Morning comes too early and nighttime 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
Are those lyrics not downright beautiful? Well, maybe you aren't moved by that yet, but the song definitely starts in a unique way. There are only a few Dream Theater songs that begin with the piano and some songs do absolutely good of bringing the right mood and luring me in, like Forsaken. Now, what about Surrounded? Oh God, Surrounded pulls it off, and it immediately pulls you in the right mood. You are lured in by Moore's sweet atmosphere and Labrie's charming, enchanting voice. Everything seems to be calm right now, but deep inside, you can feel something will happen. You feel that something big will hit you soon enough and you are absolutely correct.. Anyways though, you know just from listening to that piano, that this song is going to be incredibly happy, but that's affirmed from the line "The shadow I've been hiding in has fled from me today". I mean, the shadow you were hiding in and the shadow that was obscuring you, has fled, exposing your beautiful self to the whole world.
The next verse brings on to the happy mood. This song was written by Kevin Moore and I would have to say that this is the third best Kevin Moore song that was written and the only two Moore songs that beat this is Space Dye Vest and this song's evil brother. Can you guess what it is? Moore rights about how easier it is just to walk away from a problem, or anything, rather than look at it in the eye. Just like Portnoy wrote "Let's stare the problem right in the eye." That is a hard thing to do as some problems can be really intimidating and just looking away from it would be easiest. Isn't the next part beautiful? If we have ever lay down on the ground, under the star, we can now the sheer beauty of it. Give credits to Labrie's vocals as his soft melodious voice just explains the whole song for you. You can hear Moore's piano in the beginning and that also supports Labrie. Near the end of the second verse, we can hear Labrie and Moore and Labrie speeding up and the song explodes. When I say explodes, I mean in a beautiful way. It is nowhere near any Train of Thoughts song, dark, but it is actually melodious and light. The whole course of the song has changed from slow and peaceful to fast and melodious. After a quick Petrucci electric guitar solo, the song takes a stronger turn, then Labrie comes in once again.
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"
They're well written, and there's absolutely no way around it. If you were to introduce someone to a progressive rock song, I would most definitely start with this song. It is not too soft (Wait for Sleep), it is not too dark (Honor Thy Father), it's instrumental isn't overly long, and it's just simplistic.
Yet another great thing here, is that Petrucci is on guitar. Which is beautiful, I might add, and the way it blends together with Moore on keyboards is against, heartwarming, and it creates a brilliant atmosphere. But the song has exploded and LaBrie's vocals match that. You would expect him to be screaming at this point, but no. There's only one moment in this whole song in which he really reaches the top of his range. Apart from that his voice is a little theatrical since it is still his style, but he's extremely chill here, as if he's trying to comfort and soothe you as a listener personally. I adore it. With these lyrics the song basically tells a story -- someone is overwhelmed by the past, and keeps having flashbacks to the memories of it, but he begins to think of someone. Or maybe that someone is beside him, it's probably unimportant, but he's just sedated by that. Sounds cliched and lame, but no, it isn't at all.
It's been a long, long time
He's had a while 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"
This verse is very simple yet cleverly written. The change that person sees is the ending and the beginning of a new day, hence the light to dark, dark to light....The way Labrie songs this part just makes it all the more worthwhile to listen. The second verse in the paragraph would have to be close to a highlight of this song, though something else beats it. We can see how poetic Moore is as he references to heaven and "angels awakening with a kiss." We can see Labrie's voice getting stronger and stronger and after "Let the light surround you," Petrucci explodes into a guitar solo. A note worth mentioning...a solo does not have to really fast and technical to be good. I don't care how short a solo is or how slow it is, as long there is emotion and Surrounded pulls that off quite well.
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
Now that is the highlight of this entire song. I'm guessing that the stained glass is the problem the main character has been held captive in. Normally, stained glass obscures vision and the main character couldn't see outside the glass and all of a sudden, the glass shatters. The way he sends the spirit tumbling down the hill could mean something spiritual. I love lyrics that are pretty obscure because I love giving my own definition, but sometimes when the lyrics are too obscure, I have an extremely hard time. I'm guessing that there is a spirit the main character wants to cherish. Perhaps the spirit is the "She" in this music and that spirit is love. "I once could see but now at last I'm blind," further proves my statement of the spirit being love because the phrase "Love is blind." Labrie grows stronger and stronger as he comes close to a scream near the end and the song finishes in an explosion.
I know it's easier to walk away
than look it in the eye
But I had given all that
I could take
And now I've only habits left
to break
Tonight I'll still be lying here
Surrounded in all the light
Labrie and Moore are the only one's active right now as the style like the beginning of the song is replicated. I love it how the song starts soft, grows loud, then ends softly. After the stained glass was shattered, the light started pouring in and he was with the spirit lying down. Not a bad way to end this song.
-
You did an amazing job with Surrounded. Your reviews are so emotional, they're something so rare to be found! I like your perspective, centered on feelings and moods, I've always thought that - behind a glimmering veil of awe-inspiring technical prowess - Dream Theater music can surprisingly deliver the deepest emotions. Isn't this what real art is actually all about, a synergy of skill and profoundness?
It's like grinding a gem, isn't it? To realize a perfect work, you need the purest stone and the greatest crafting ability. I might just say "I love this girl - she's like a shining angel, a celestial being to me!", my feelings could be as pure as those that inspired "Surrounded" - but will I manage to express my sentiment with the same force?
Listen: "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>" and now add that wonderful music. Truth is I don't stand a chance: my feelings will remain unexpressed and won't likely inspire anyone but me. But when you make art, you give birth to a wave, a tide that can stir souls and make them resonate. This is why I love DT, because they make art and not just words and music.
Anyway, can't wait for the next review!
-
Here you go:
(https://i.imgur.com/OBQoIMG.png)
Mike Portnoy confirmed who wrote each part of the lyrics.
I'm fairly certain that James had no part in writing this song. I believe that most of the album was completed by the time he joined the band.
Damn. I was off by two.
-
You know the best part about these posts is listening to the song while reading the review. Its an amazing feeling. I have never paid much attention to most of the lyrics before this. So many thanks OnTheBacksofAngela for all these! :metal
-
Thank you all of you. Your words are very inspiring and I usually think and thinkle before writing anything. Your motivations are really helping me and I'm blessed that you guys are reading this. Once again, thanks.
-
*****PLEASE READ*****
I know for some songs, there is a meaning to it that is quite obvious as the band has confirmed it. If a band has done that, I will put that in here, but I will also go by what I think it means and how I can relate to it/How it has impacted me. Just a head's up, so please don't say, "Oh, but that is not this song is about." For example, I might say that Repentance is about a couple partying and one gets drunk and goes and kills people. He kills his girlfriend and is repenting about it. I know it is not that, but that is how I see it (just an example, this isn't really how I see it). Also, I'm going to write every piece of song like it's my first time listening to it. So, let's just say that I haven't even heard Awake-DT12. Just a head's up to you guys. thanks!
Ah! Metropolis Part 1! My number one favorite song of this album and overall, my number seven song in the entire Dream Theater discography! What can I say about this piece of work? It is epic, and that is just an understatement. I can also understand why this song would have a place in people's heart as it paved the way for Metropolis Part 2: SMFAM. I have to say that this is the strongest progressive rock I've heard. Surrounded and Take the Time came really close, but I will have to give this to Metropolis Part 1. Wow, it also clocks around nine minutes! Now let's get started with the song shall we?
We can hear the maraca's and a tambourine starting off this amazing song. Kevin Moore comes in with his keyboard and then John Petrucci plays a riff. We can see Mike's kick make their way in as a variety of instruments are present. Then, it explodes as everyone comes in and the band is in full gear already. After an instrumental, Kevin Moore's lead comes in then returns back to John Petrucci's riffs. Then Labrie comes in.
The smile of dawn
Arrived early May
She carried a gift from her home
The night shed a tear
To tell her of fear
And of sorrow and pain
She'll never outgrow
We can see that it is spring time and it has arrived early May. The dawn came with a smile as "She" came along and carried a gift. What gift is it? No one can know at this stage of this song. We can see that she came along with an extremely dark story as "The night shed a tear"/To tell her of fear." We can see that something dark will happen as it came with bad news that was filled with her fear, sorrow and pain that she will never leave behind. Immediately, I get entranced and I want to know what the tragedy is, what is coming that will fill her with sorry and pain.
Death is the first dance, eternal
There's no more freedom
The both of you will be confined
To this mind
We can see that death comes first and death is indeed eternal. As Labrie sings the next line, he sings it with great sorrow as if feeling sorry for the girl. Death can also grant freedom, but it can take away freedom also. We can see the raw side, the evil of death as it takes away the freedom from the girl. "The both of you will be confined/To this mind" introduces another character. Whether that person is a male or female, no one will now, but it is most likely male. Death could also signify the death of our immaturity. When seeds grow into plants, the seed must first die, before it can produce a plant. Likewise, as we grow up, a part of us dies as new life is flooded into us. Although death brought pain and sorrow, it also brought a bit of hope.
I was told there's miracle for each day that I try
I was told there's a new love that's born for each one that has died
I was told there'd be no one to call on when I feel alone and afraid
I was told if you dream of the next world
You'll find yourself swimming in a lake of fire
Indeed, if you actually try, it can yield fruitful results. That result can become a miracle, something that you never thought could actually happen. When faced with a task that seems impossible, most just give up thinking that they would make it only if a miracle happened, but there are others, just a few that actually try. When try and are successful, what they thought was impossible, just turned possible, a miracle, in some cases. For each heartbreak and divorce, it is not the end. You just haven't met your soulmate yet and if you try and search, that soulmate is your new love that yielded from a dead relationship. The character was told that once he is filled with sorrow and pain, no one will be there for him, he will be there all alone. He was also told that if she dreams of the afterlife, or possibly dreamt of suicide and where he will go in the afterlife, he would be thrown in a lake of fire which signifies "hell."
As a child, I thought I could live without pain, without sorrow
As a man I've found it's all caught up with me
I'm asleep yet I'm so afraid
The main character as a child once thought that life would be without any pain or sorrow, that he would live life happy, without grief. As he grew up and as the cold hard truth hit him, he realized that pain and sorrow are indeed present and it has caught up with him. He feels scared now, even as he is asleep. We can see how much it has impacted him. It could either mean that he is having a nightmare or the harsh reality is so scary that even as he is sleeping, he feels scared. Usually, when we are asleep and if we don't have nightmares, we are usually at peace.
Somewhere like a scene from a memory
There's a picture worth a thousand words
Eluding stares from faces before me
It hides away and will never be heard of again
We are in the main character's conscience now and we are seeing a scene from the main character's memory. In that scene, there is a picture that is a worth a thousand words, or a picture that explains more than words. We are practically in his nightmare as he refuses to look at the faces that are staring at him. Possibly, the faces signify the people whom the main character has wronged in his past. We are moving on as the faces are now faded out of sight.
Deceit is the second without end
The city's cold blood teaches us to survive
Just keep my heart in your eyes and we'll stay alive
The third arrives...
The second dance is deceit. We all faced with deceit throughout our life. Deceit can come from our closest friends, our boyfriends (or girlfriends, for you males), husbands or wives, and even our family. The city's cold blood refers to the "ghetto" parts of a city. There are many dangers in the ghettos and everyone is in constant threat of being mugged or beaten. As you get used to it, you become stronger and stronger and even more resistance. Deceit can also happens in most shady parts of the city as there are constantly people who are trying to rip you off. I am guessing the man and the woman ran off and they lived in the cities where they must learn to fight and fend for themselves against the city. Then Labrie introduces the third which is......
An instrumental? Huh. We can hear Petrucci's riff and Moore's lead for a while as Petrucci quickly switches to lead and him and Moore just jam it out. Portnoy also gets a drum solo, though it is nowhere strong as his other drum solo's like Finally Free or As I am, but hey, I don't mind. After a couple more seconds, Myung steals the show. God, I love hearing that bass solo, it just turns me on (not sexually.) We can hear only Myung and Petrucci's kick prominent through Myung's bass solo as Moore and Petrucci just play some notes after each pause. After Myung's solo, we can hear Petrucci and Moore jamming it out as they play the notes. Mike's kick is also present through their duo. Moore gets a lead by himself and plays seven notes and consecutive succession as Portnoy does the same with his Hi-Hat. Petrucci comes in as Moore's lead fades to the background, but still present and instead of Portnoy's kick following Moore, his snare his now following Moore's notes.
Another instrumental section kicks in. All the band is on fire right now as they jam it out like there is no tomorrow and when you think it's over, they keep on going. At that time, this instrumental was extremely complicated, but since they play it live like a lot of times, we can understand that it is an easy feat for them. After their heated instrumental, they mellow down a bit and go on for a couple more seconds, then Labrie comes in.
Before the leaves have fallen
Before we lock the doors
There must be the third and last dance
This one will last forever
Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles
She's taken you to your home
We don't what the third dance is yet, but this section provides a clue. "Before the leaves have fallen," signifies fall. Before fall, before the story ends, there is this one last dance that must comes. That dance will last over. Any clues on what the dance is? We can see that Metropolis can either be a name or it can be a city. Usually, things like boats or airplanes are called a she, so it can go either ways and Metropolis has shown you the true meaning of home, she has taken you to your real home.
It can only take place
When the struggle between our children has ended
Now the Miracle and the Sleeper know that the third is love
Love is the Dance of Eternity
Ah, so that is what the third dance is. It's love! That is really clever and very true. Love can only happen when the struggle has stopped, when they are at peace with each other. The Miracle and the Sleeper, the characters in this story now realize that the third is love. The struggle between them must have finally ended as they finally comprehend that it is love. Also, love is the dance of eternity because love is the third dance and it is eternal, just like death is eternal. Death and love are two dances that are opposites with each other. Not a bad way to end this song.
Honestly, I love this song very much. It can tell a story between two people, how they conquered death, overcame deceit, worked together instead of struggling. Then, when they stop, they realize that love was the reward, love comes after your struggles.
-
I like your positive energy, passion and determination.
Please don't ever listen to this song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-V8kYT1pvE). I don't want you to break.
-
Under a Glass Moon (7:03)
Ah, lookie! It's Under a Glass Moon! This is the first of the three songs that will conclude the album and my my, isn't the title confusing already? I love this song very much, but it doesn't peak like Another Day and Metropolis Part 1. This song is notable for its obscure lyrics and John Petrucci's solo. I don't why people go crazy over his solo. I mean, sure, it is good, but I think it is a tad overrated. Even if I think that, I still love this song to death. This song has a personal meaning for me and I have interpreted this lyrics on how it relates to me and it may relate to some people here also. If you want to really confuse someone, ask a friend (non Dream Theater fans) to listen to this song and interpret what this song is saying. They will either be confused and give up or think of some bizarre analysis.
The beginning of this song is beautiful. Plain and simple. Moore and Petrucci are the main and only people in the beginning of this song. We can hear Petrucci and Moore playing similar notes in an orchestral fashion. The orchestra known as Under A Glass Moon is beginning. Then Myung gets going with his bass, and man, you can almost feel how this song will go, epic and mysterious. . A minute and a half in, Myung and Portnoy have a quick little interlude, and LaBrie sings some of the weirdest, but extremely clever and deep lyrics Petrucci has ever written. Yeah, as if "Under a Glass Moon" wasn't weird enough.
Tell me
Remind me
Chase the water racing from the sky
Always
Beside me
Taste the memories running from my eyes
Really clever. The main character here, or I am being reminded with a past memory. A memory that has affected me greatly in the past. The water racing from the sky is the rain as it falls down to Earth. No matter where I am, I can't escape the rain pouring as it is all around me and it is always beside me until the rain decides to stop falling. As rain pours, water drips down your face. Rain can signify a lot of things and once the main character was hit with this extreme memory, nostalgia struck him as she began crying. As tears escaped here eyes, some trailed down to her lips in which you could taste your memory. The memory was so strong that you could even taste it. Now, "Taste the memories running from eyes," means either the tears running from your eyes or the rain drops that run down your eyes, though I'm going with the tears because it fits more perfectly and the source are the eyes, not the clouds.
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
As my brain starts scanning my memories, it comes to me in the form of a dream. The flashlights can be the brain or the flashbacks. The memory was so nostalgic, but also very saddening that although it brought some joy, with it came sadness. If you get over something horrific or something really sad like the death of a loved one, you don't want to bring back the memories, but you miss the components of joy. If a memory was nostalgic and joyful, without traces of sadness, instead of nervous flashlights, it would be eager flashlights. The nervous was added because even though she wanted to feel the memories of joy, there were sad parts of the memories so she is extremely nervous to relive that. The moon is really beautiful at night, especially a full moon, so you could be smiling at the full moon as it is raining. I think the lyrics were written as "I smile at the moon" in one sentence and "Chasing water from the sky" as another sentence. Have you every ran in the rain, hands outstretched, trying to make the rain go away. That can be a possible meaning for chasing water from the sky. As the clouds come and cover the moon, it takes away the beauty of the moon. You are displeased with the clouds that have hindered the view of the beautiful moon as it "Steals the beauty from her eyes."
Outside the soundness of your mind
Bathing your soul in silver tears
Beneath a blackened summer sky
Praying for time to disappear
Outside your conscience, as you are crying, woken up from the dream, it has touched you so deep that it touches your soul. As the tears fall all around you, you are bathing your soul with your tears. The sadness from the memory puts you in a bad mood as a blackened sky covers the summer sky. You know in movies where everything is extremely bright, but suddenly evil comes in and just blackens the whole place? It could be a reference to that as she prays that time disappears. Death takes away our loved ones, but so does time. Time has only one gear, forward, and unfortunately, that means aging. Aging leads to death and without time, could we have been young forever? If time wasn't present at all, we wouldn't even be born, so time is extremely valuable. Cursing time for making your life miserable is wrong. Without time, where would we be? Heck, I'm sure we even wouldn't be alive.
Beneath a summer sky
Under glass moonlight
Night awaits the lamb's arrival
Liquid shadows crawl
Silver teardrops fall
The bride subsides to her survival
You are crying in reality, but you are still trapped within your conscience, within your dream. As you relive your memories, you are under a summer sky, a glass moonlight. Imagine the moonlight and imagine it looking glassy. Glass alters the vision of light. A flashlight's light is circular and shining it through glass, makes it look bigger and more beautiful. The moon's light is exactly like that. I know that "Night awaits the lamb's arrival" has a spiritual sense to it, but I interpret it another way. The lamb signifies your savior. You are in this dreamy nightmare as you hope to wake up, but you just can't. As you are stuck in your beautiful nightmare, crying, all you can do is wait. The tears all around you began crawling down the grass as she, "the bride," subsides and just waits.
By your hand
I've awakened
Bear this honor in my name
Finally, someone is there to wake her up. He sees are crying and he takes her hand, trying to wake her up. She finally wakes up from this pleasant nightmare and is relieved. "I have awaken/Bear this honor in my name," she says to him. After that, she tells him about her dream. They get comfortable and she is ready to tell everything to him, her memories and her dreams. That story she tells is portrayed in an instrumental that follows.
All of the band starts to play, though it is mostly a duo between Petrucci and Moore. This part of the instrumental tells the basics of her story. She hasn't gotten into the nostalgic and tragic part of her memory as she wants to slowly build up so she won't lost control. Finally, the time has come to tell that man about her tragic, but nostalgic nightmare/dream. The band falls silent as Myung picks a few notes.She is silent as she finally gains the courage. After this, everything explodes. The girl is pouring her heart out to him. Petrucci plays a passionate solo, like in Another Day. Petrucci begins shredding and starts going up and down the frets. It feels like his fretboard is on fire. Petrucci gets lost in his solo and he plays a minute of pure awesome. After that, Moore comes in with a solo of his own and by this point, the entire band is lost in their conscience, playing like crazy. The solo ends as the band just synchronizes the last few seconds of the solo and Labrie comes in.
James Labrie finishes off with one more chorus and an outro. By this point, the man has heard what the girl has said and understands how she felt. An extremely well way to close out this song. This song has meant a lot to me as it talks about dreams and cherishing your memories to the fullest.
Wait For Sleep (2:31)
Ah, Wait for Sleep, the shortest Dream Theater song, besides Regression. I love this song very much as it proves that Kevin Moore can write extremely short songs that pack a lot of information. Only Kevin Moore and Kevin Labrie is present in this song. Kevin starts off with keyboards and strings playing in the background. After fifteen seconds, Labrie comes in.
Standing by the window
Eyes upon the moon
Hoping that the memory will leave her spirit soon
The main character is standing by the window, staring at the moon. Perhaps she is daydreaming about a memory, something that has meant a lot to her. She just waits and hopes that the memory will leave her. Have you ever had that time where you were daydreaming and you wanted to break out, but the dream was too enchanting that it prevented you from breaking out? that is exactly how she feels.
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
Finally, she breaks out of her daydream as she prepares to sleep. She shuts her door and turns off all her lights as she lays down on her bed. When you daydream, sometimes you think about both the pictures, the images, and the words, the conversations spoken. It is deep within her mind. I remember when I was 5 or 6, I was scared of the dark because I thought monsters were real. I usually covered myself with a blanket and trembled in there until I fell asleep. Right now, if I were to be afraid of the dark and pull the sheets over my head to shut off those nightmares, I'd be called a baby and immature. That would hurt my pride, so instead of cowering, I would not pull the sheets over my head, leaving myself exposed. That is exactly what she is doing as she lays down quietly and waits for sleep.
She stares at the ceiling
And tries not to think
And pictures the chains
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
She can't sleep as she stares at the ceiling, waiting for sleep. She tries not to dwell on what she just daydreamed, but it is very hard to do that. It is impossible to not think because your mind will be focused on something. She tries to link her memories together like a chain, but as time passes, that feeling of linking her memories passes away. She begins to cry as the memories come crashing into her, but even tears can't release her from the pain. She is so much in pain that even ashes can't make her feel less pain. She prays to God. In the bible, there is a man named Ezekiel who raised dry bones from the dead. Maybe she had lost her sister and they used to sleep next to each other, but now since she is dead, there is no one to comfort the girl who had lost her sister. She prays to God to revive her sister, but that doesn't happen.
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
She can't take it anymore as she doesn't want to live anymore. She ends up committing suicide as she is like the smoke that rises into the air. As she dies, she sees a spiritual figure of her sister resting her palm to the girl's head as she slowly fades into unconsciousness and death. Now, the heart of the world, everything is curled into her heart as she breathes her last.
This story to me is really sad and poetic at the same time. Indeed, losing a loved one is hard for anyone and can drive people to suicide. I know that this is not what is actually meant, but this is my interpretation of the song. Hope you enjoyed it.
-
Ah, Wait for Sleep, the shortest Dream Theater song, besides Regression.
You forgot about Through My Words, btw nice review :metal
-
Haha. thanks. :)
-
Learning to Live (11:30)
Ah, here it is! The very first song by John Myung and our Dream Theater song that goes over ten minutes! Learning to Live is a really good song by John Myung. It is my fourth favorite song from John Myung. This song begins with Kevin Moore's catchy intro. It really brings you into this happy and joyful, stress-free mood. Mike Portnoy soon joins the band as finally, Petrucci enters and Learning to Live has officially began. Moore plays the same catchy notes for a little while, then the band jam it out for a while. Kevin Moore changes synths and creates new grooves. After Moore finishes, he is only heard faintly from the background while John Myung is the most prominent here. After some notes by Myung, Labrie.
There was no time for pain
No energy for anger
The sightlessness of hatred slips away
Walking through winter streets alone
He stops and take a breath
With confidence and self-control
We can see the main character is really angry right now, but realizes that right now isn't the best time to be angry. He has wasted all his energy on being angry and as time slowly passes, the hatred he has been holding slowly slips away as he realizes what he has done. He walks down a snowy street all alone as he takes a deep breath to calm himself down. His peak of his anger has faded away and now he has regained some of his self control and confidence. When we are really mad, we act before you think and after a while, we slowly come into realization of what we have done and that is what keeps us sane.
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
He sees the world and as he tries to interpret it, but no interpretation comes to mind. He wants to find some sense of strength and alone, he can't do it. He begs her from the bottom of his heart to teach him about the world, to see understanding of the world he is living in.
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
There are a few ways people live life. Some live their life like it is nothing and life just passes by without any meaning. Some people experience life to the fullest to reach the full understanding of the meaning of life itself. As he is experiencing life to the fullest, he can't do it all alone. He needs others to show him kindness, to help guide life with someone who is kind and actually helpful. He also needs beauty to understand the true beauty of the world and truth, a paste that glues civilization together. Temptation is everywhere and I have fought some temptations, but it is really hard to do so. It takes a lot of my willpower to fight temptation ad it drains me of my strength as does the main character. As that happens, we need guidance, we can't fight it alone. That's when the kindness, beauty, and truth from others come in.
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
WOAAAHHH!
The way your heart sounds does make all the difference in learning to live. If your heart beats at a normal pace, you know you are still living. If it starts slowing down and starts fading away, you know that you are dying. It is proved by "The way your heart beats makes all the difference/In learning to live." When you find a soulmate, you are eternally bonded with them and that soulmate (the she), is the one who provides the man kindness, beauty and truth. With her by his side, he won't give up anymore. He will keep going on until he has no more to give, which is his death. We can see his determination with a strong "WOAHH!" Beautifully worded by John Myung.
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
He listens to the dark city he lives in. There are many crimes there as we can see the city whispering its violence. He see's the cities from above and the 90's is more technologically advanced than the past times. We can see the main character finding his soulmate was in the past. He had gotten into a huge argument with is so called "soul mate." He fell in love with her, but was let down. Maybe that could be the reason why he is looking for another source of beauty, kindness, and truth to fill in the spiritual void that has been left behind.
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
And 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 spilt my life
I hear an innocent voice
I hear kindness, beauty, and truth
We can hear an instrumental coming in. Kevin Moore is the first one to take the stage as he does a heartwarming solo and Petrucci plays on his acoustic guitar as maraca's come in. Mike Portnoy and Moore are slightly faded out as Petrucci picks his guitar's strings. Petrucci comes in with his electric guitar after a while and Mike Portnoy is the first to come with his banging of snares and he quickly transitions to his ride. Petrucci plays it out and then Labrie comes in with...with...!
Woooooah!
Wooooooooooooooaaah!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Did I just hear that correctly? Labrie hit an F#?! Now that is the highlight of the song! Even though Labrie is older and his voice is starting to wear out, he still hit that! I'm sure that would be most people's best James Labrie moment. That is my second best moment, but it is still epic! You are so amazed that you don't notice the epic guitar solo Petrucci does. Anyways, Petrucci unleashes the man's determination in finding love with his solo. We can see how much that man is determined. Kevin Moore comes in with a solo with his lead sound and you are still dancing like crazy to Labrie's amazing vocals, Petrucci's passionate guitar solo and Moore's catchy lead solo.
After a while of jamming, we can hear the familiar tune of Wait for Sleep, as this time, the synth plays with the piano as well as Portnoy's drums and Petrucci. They come in after a while after Moore plays the Wait for Sleep tune around three times. After this, Moore and Petrucci trade solo's and finally, everything fades as Myung gets a part. He is the only one present, then after a while, Portnoy comes in, as the rest of the band eventually joins, but the instrumental is much quieter. After a while, Labrie comes in once again.
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
The main character has found the true meaning of life. The true meaning of life is holding the dreams that we want and are so dear to us, we must cherish it and hold it in our heart. Like that man, we must be determined in finding our true love and although temptation seeks us to bring us to our knees, nature is kind enough to be unchanging, so we do not lose our place and we find the true meaning of life. By that, he is learning to live, with the determination of him, nature's inflexible grace, and through his soulmate.
In the outro, the band plays the same notes over and over again until the end as Labrie's background vocals of "Oh's" can be heard. The music slowly fades and finally it is done. The epic is completed with true meaning. Man, I love this song.
Next album up: Awake! 6:00!
-
It's very interesting to read your interpretations of these songs. I know for many of the songs on IW the band has said what they were about, but what's great about this band is there are so many different ways you can interpret many of their songs. Keep it up!
BTW, while on the CD the ending instrumental just repeats, live they usually throw in various different melody lines, usually traded between guitar and keyboard. Most came from the demo version of this song, before it was recorded professionally (and before they had James too). This song is also one that they've extended in several spots on previous tours.
-
Thank you for that! Thanks for your compliment and the motivation. It really helped me.
6:00 (5:31)
[/size]
Now, we are on to the next album Awake! Awake is the third studio album by American progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater, released on October 4, 1994 through East West Records. It was the last Dream Theater album to feature keyboardist Kevin Moore, who announced his decision to leave the band during the recording of the album. The album's opening track, "6:00", features lyrics written by Moore, hinting at the growing distance between him and the rest of the band. Petrucci wrote the lyrics of "Innocence Faded", inspired by his deteriorating friendship with Moore. "The way I wrote lyrics a lot of the time is that I'll take an initial spark of an idea... But then I'll kind of generalize and add in other situations," Petrucci said. "So I couldn't say it was solely about that, but it was definitely inspired by that. There was a feeling of it not being the same way it had been, and the realization that things were not always going to remain the same."
Now, let's begin shall we? This first song of the album starts off with Portnoy on drums. He has a mini drum intro/solo and that pattern he plays after the pounding of drums on the intro, will be prominent throughout this song. Kevin Moore comes in after a while and plays a short pattern as the rest of the band joins in. They riff it out as Portnoy keeps playing the pattern. After some riffing, Moore comes in and starts off the song as Petrucci riffs throughout the intro. After that sampling.
"Six o'clock on a Christmas morning..."
"And for what?"
"Well, isn't it for the honor of God, Aunt Kate?"
"I know all about the honor of God, Mary Jane."
That's nice and all, after all it it is relevant to the title, six o'clock. The first time I listened to this sampling, I was alright with it as it didn't do me any harm, but as I kept on listening to it over and over and over and over again, it got under my skin. Now, it annoys me so much and I am sure to skip the sampling and delve right in to the song. Yes, that is how annoying this sampling is. After that, Labrie comes in, his voice grating.
Six o'clock the siren kicks him from a dream
Tries to shake it off but it just won't stop
Can't find the strength but he's got promises to keep
And wood to chop before he sleeps
Here is an average day of work. There is a set time you must wake up and most people can't get up this early. That is why people use an alarm clock. A man was dreaming while sleeping when the alarm goes off, effectively waking him up from his dream. The grating alarm clock noise is so annoying and the man tries to shake it off and resume his dream, but the alarm clock won't stop ringing! Have you ever had that time where you were peacefully sleeping then an alarm clock wakes you up, as you try to hide deeper in your covers, but you have to get up to turn off the annoying sound? The man doesn't have any strength to get up and work, but he made a promise when he got the job to attend every day. We can see he is possibly a wood chopper as he must chop wood.
I may never get over, but never's better than now
I've got bases to cover
Have you heard the term later is better than never? Well, the main character has another belief, an opposite belief. He is certain that never is better than now. What a weird way to word things. The man feels like his life is like a baseball diamond. He must run base after base, to home. Then the cycle continues. After this section, Moore and Portnoy resume the pattern they were playing in the beginning as John Petrucci comes in, matching Moore's pattern as well as Myung. They finish with a bang and Labrie comes in once again.
He's in the parking lot and he's just sitting in his car
It's nine o'clock but he can't get out
He lights a cigarette and turns the music down
but just can't seem to shake that sound
He gets all dressed up and ready to work as he makes his way to his car. He is still very sleepy, but the ringing noise of the alarm clock is still in his head. He is basically in a zombified state and stays like that for around 3 hours....wow. He just can't move as he is in a daze so he just gives up and lights a cigarette. He smokes to feel more at peace as he lowers the volume for the music, but the ringing of the alarm clock is still in his head and he still can't get that sound out.
Once I thought I'd get over
but it's too late for me now
I've got bases to cover
Kevin Moore hints at the strained relationship between him and Dream Theater. He tries adjusting to their way of direction for the band and he thought that he would get used to it and he'd get over it, but it's too late for him. The cycle must continue on and he feels himself straining and straining with the band.
Melody walks through the door
and memory flies out the window
and nobody knows what they want
'til they finally let it all go
Ah, here's the official chorus. As time passes, the good memories he has had with Dream theater just leaves him. It flies out of the window. The melody in a song is necessary and vital, but we can see it too, waling out the door. He feels himself getting distant from Dream Theater. I'm sure all of you had a time, like me, in which you didn't think highly of something until you let it go. You might have a loving pet, but didn't realize the true beauty of it, until you it died. Kevin Moore is saying he does not know what he wants and the only way he can find it out is if he leaves Dream Theater. If he leaves Dream Theater, he would surely know if Dream Theater was his main goal or not. Kevin Moore gets a nice solo as he expresses his frustration with Dream Theater. The solo is nothing special, but man, I just love the sound Kevin Moore uses. It first confused me as I thought it was Petrucci. Anyways, Labrie comes back in.
The pain inside, coming outside (x4)
The band has mellowed down a bit as you can hear the instruments softly. Labrie is the main man here as he sounds frustrated, singing this part. The third time Labrie repeats this section, the familiar drum pattern from Portnoy comes in. The fourth time, Labrie is whisper/singing as he adds an "UHHH," in the end. Portnoy's drum pattern gets stronger and he adds a few notes with his ride as Moore and Petrucci riff it out. Labrie comes in with an extremely strong performance for this bridge.
So many ways to drown a man
So many ways to drag him down
Some are fast and some take years and years
Can't hear what he's saying when he's talking in his sleep
He finally found the sound but he's in too deep
Man, that's really dark. This just gives you many alternatives to kill some one. There are indeed many ways to drown someone. It could be holding their head underwater, tying dumbells to their legs and flinging them in the ocean, and yeah. Some methods are quick to kill someone like cutting their head, crushing them, lethal injection, but others could take longer like giving them a fatal disease that grows and develops over time. The last two sentences could be talking about comatose. He is in a catatonic state.
I could never get over
Is it too late for me now?
Feel like blowing my cover
Moore feels likes he can't get over Dream Theater and asks, "Is it too late for me now?" He wants to blow his cover, telling the band that he quits. He is frustrated with the differences and wants to quit. After, Labrie sings the chorus one more time then moves on to the final part of the song.
But don't cut your losses too soon, 'cause you'll only be cutting your throat
And answer a call while you still hear at all 'cause nobody will if you won't
Kevin Moore finalizes on his decision of leaving the band. Cutting losses is abandoning an enterprise or course of action that is clearly going to be unprofitable or unsuccessful before one suffers too much loss or harm. Kevin Moore knows that he is hurting himself by making the decision to leave the band as he says "Cause you'll only be cutting your throat." He knows what will happen, but his mind has been made and he is ready to say goodbye to the band.
"Six o'clock on a Christmas morning..."(x4)
"I know all about the honor of God, Mary Jane" (x4)
The band finishes with a sample as Petrucci gets a quick, small solo over the sampling and that concludes the first song from Awake. This is not a bad song at all, I enjoy it, but I could do without the sampling. Basically, be vocal of your creative differences, don't keep it all in as it will be a burden to you overtime.
-
I thought Kevin's solo in 6:00 was one of his best, but I guess that's just me.
The sampling annoys me, too. For some live shows on the following tour they didn't use it.
-
The sampling is an integral part of the song. Take it away and the song simply isn't the song anymore.
-
Been really enjoying these song reviews, keep up the good work! Especially interested to read the rest of the Awake reviews, DT's masterpiece in my opinion. I honestly can't believe I didn't notice Mike repeating his initial drum riff under the section after the quiet bit til you pointed it out. Awake, still interesting after all these years...
-
Thanks for the comments guys!
@pcs90: Ahhh. You are right, it is an extremely good solo, guess I wasn't expressing my true views as I wrote it. Sorry!
@RoeDent: I understand what you are saying. Even if it annoys me, you're right.
@FsF: Thanks! :D I'm sure you will enjoy this and yesss! It is very interesting!
Caught in a Web (5:29)
Ah, here it is! CAUGHHTTT IN A WEEEEB! I feel like this is an extremely strong performance by James Labrie as you can really feel his anger throughout the whole song. As usual, I have my own interpretation of this song and I'm sure you guys know what this song is originally about. It was written by both Labrie and Petrucci so that is an extra. Anyways, the beginning of the song begins with Moore's distorted intro. Actually all the band is present immediately from the beginning. Mike playing a simple beat, Moore's distortion lead, Myung's bass and Petrucci's riffing. Moore fades a bit after as Petrucci's riff is the most prominently heard. Labrie comes in almost immediately.
Silence disguised, I watch you
Show me the hurt that haunts you
Would you despise the thrill
If all you hide were mine?
We can see that the main character is in the shadows watching someone. Apparently, that someone is going through some tough times. She is being haunted by all the hurt and anger that has dwelled on her. He(the main character) is asking her if she wanted to go through life the way he did. He is saying to the girl that the hurt he faced is nothing compared to what she faced so she should just suck it up, unless she wanted to go through the exact same thing he went. Kevin Moore's distorted lead comes in once again and verse two immediately comes in.
I can't hold on any longer
These feelings keep growing stronger
Echoes that deafen the mind
Will bury my voice in their wake
We can hear Labrie's more grating through this section like a build up. He can't hold this pain anymore. He is going to blow up soon. The pressures is too great. He has to do something, but he might end up regretting it. His mind is deafened as he is unable to think straight and the voices in him just go stronger and stronger. I think I have a hunch that the character in the story is actually the character from Voices, but that is all opinion. Then, the chorus comes in.
Caught in a web
Removed from the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning the lies, devised in my head
That is an extremely nice analogy. Spiders are usually reclusive as they hide in their web and trap preys. He is basically secluded from the world and is barely hanging by a thread. Have you heard the expression caught in a web of lies? That expression could mean this. He lies and lies and has lied so much the only thing he could do is lie. His brain is geared to only one thing, lying. When someone asks him something, the first response his brain gives is to lie to others. That is pretty sad. This taught me to not lie a lot or I will find myself caught in a web of lies as the pressure from everything will me blow up in a bang.
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
He sees the path the girl took and that path made him understand more of what the girl did and how the girl feels. We can tell that she is taking the same path as the man had taken. The thirst of desire found so easily is lying. "This turn of phrase, we might not see," proves it because when we lie, we are twisting our words, we are turning the phase of the word and if we lie and lie, it might just come out naturally, we might not even notice we are lying because we do it so often. Ouch. After this, we can feel the rage of the man as Labrie sings the next part, which is the highlight of the song.
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?[/i]
I swear, I love this part to death. Notice how I'm not truly expressing how I feel because it would look like this: OMGGG! DID YOU HEAR THAT PART! THAT WAS SO GREAT! MY EARS! MY EEAARS! AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
Yeah, that's only the beginning of how much I love this part. Labrie yells this part, growling. He has been pushed around the world by a lot of people and they try to scare him, try to make him live in fear. He has realized this and the only way to overcome is to as Petrucci says, "Wither." By withering, he bares everything he is to the entire world not caring if that act is attractive or not. He was dancing with life all alone, with no one to share his joy. He has been secluded, removed from the world while his soul has been wounded. He is yelling at everyone if what he has endured brings them guilt or wounds their soul. Labrie sings the chorus once again. Then it's the instrumental section.
The first part of the instrumental is when Petrucci's riff is most prominent. Petrucci riffs out for a while with the rest of the band follows suit then he changes to his lead guitar as Myung is also prominent. It ends in a band as you can hear the rattle and Petrucci's sharp guitar noise. It falls silent temporarily as Myung is heard the most prominently. Petrucci returns to his riff as Moore gets a mini solo then Labrie comes in with a yell then....!
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
I swear. Another highlight of this song! I love this part to death also, but it is changed a bit. When can see him talking to the girl now and says you tried to live the life you saw me live, which is lying and it ended up not working for her. He bares everything he is now, his lying and rage and says he can't be attractive living like this. We've heard of the three dances: death, deceit, and life. There is another dance and who could forget the polar opposite of death, which is life? He once agains questions, but this time to the girl that no matter what she tries she won't be able to heal the wounds of his soul. There is a short instrumental as Labrie sings the chorus. The second times he sings it, it is worded a bit differently.
Caught in a web
Refused by the world
Hanging on by a thread
Spinning a cage, denied and misread
He is caught in his web of lies, but we can see he was refused by the world. That being done, after being refused, he was then removed. That's why he hangs on his thread, spinning cages as he denied and misread by everyone. Wow! What a way to end this song. I learned that if i lie too much, I will be refused and removed from the world while I just sit there, spinning lies.
-
Innocence Faded (5:42)
Innocence Faded is a great song. It has perhaps the most extreme LaBrie performance ever, for better or worse. I say that because its middle section can get annoying sometimes. Overall this song is great, but that part just gets to me sometimes, but hey, other times, I enjoy it! And that's how LaBrie's vocals are here, you see every single range he's ever done in a Dream Theater song, from the calm and collected vocals that remind me of Falling into Infinity more than anything, to his second highest pitch ever next to Learning to Live. Except it worked in LTL, it's obnoxious in Innocence Faded. I mean yes, he tries venting out the frustration like in Caught in A Web, but it worked for Caught in a Web. Right here, it doesn't reawlly fit for me. Musically, though, Innocence Faded is a lot different from most other songs on Awake. For one thing, it has a far poppier structure. It's not nearly as metallic of a song, and the only really prog metal thing that you can see is LaBrie's vocals. It's also not dark, in fact it's the most "light" song on the album by far. Heck, I could call this song happy, that's certainly not the case in any other song here besides maybe Lifting Shadows, which is still a dark song. But anyway, I've went on for quite some time. Lyrics.
Animation
Breathes a cloudless mind
Fascination
Leaves the doubting blind
Until the circle breaks and wisdom lies ahead
The faithful live Awake
The rest remain misled
The opening of this song is a mesh of keyboards and guitars. I just love that intro very much. I could spend hours and hours listening to this song. That's how quite a few songs on this album open up actually, except they make it an extremely dark beginning like Caught in a Web. Innocence Faded has a bright and colorful opening, setting the rest of the song to follow suit. Eventually it quiets down to little more than Petrucci moving to acoustic and Portnoy on drums, and LaBrie's voice is cool and chill. As he goes though, he builds it up slightly, and that's how the entire song goes. Takes a step forward, then another, then maybe takes a slight step backward, then just rockets even further forward. A bunch of songs from Images and Words have a similar structure, though even in those LaBrie doesn't go that far overboard. See, that's the thing with Innocence Faded, it's always felt to me like it belonged on Images and Words, but then my respect for Images and Words would have dropped a bit.
Animation and fascination are the two words to look out for here. The important one being fascination. There are always doubters and they claim that miracles are not real. Once they actually see a miracle that happens, they still refuse to believe that it is real because they doubt and the only thing they do well is doubting. They don't become blind literally. They are just blind to the miracles because :corn they refuse to believe that it is real. Let's say that doubter refused to believe that money could fall from the sky. Let's say it did, it appeared out of nowhere and the doubter saw with his own mind. Since all he does good is doubt, he won't believe that, he has cold heart.
There's an interesting reference in the chorus, however. "The faithful live awake". Indeed, that's how Dream Theater got the names for their albums in the past. The most obvious one being "where images and words are running deep". This isn't the only reference though, there's another one in The Silent Man which is far more prominent and for that matter, well executed than this one, but it's still an interesting part. Anyway, what follows is the pre-chorus and the chorus.
Some will transcend spinning years
One as if time disappears
Innocence faded
The mirror falls behind you
Trinity jaded
I break down walls to find you
As you grow older, the strings of life are spinning and spinning as time passes, so much so as if it feels like time is disappearing. As we grow older, our innocence starts fading. We get introduced to the world, the beauty and the horror of it. Thinking of it as like a mirror shattering as you lose your innocence. The trinity is your heart, soul, and mind. They get jaded as you slowly lose your innocence. You must have someone watching over you until you are well enough to take care of yourself. This is followed by a Petrucci riff which is beautiful, and makes an incredible transition between the two. Following the chorus, the rest of the band takes a backseat to LaBrie. Here is where the song kind of gets annoying, but it makes it up towards the end.
Callow and vain
Fixed like a fossil, shrouding pain
Passionless stage
Distant like brothers
Wearing apathetic displays!!
Sharing flesh like envy in cages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Condescending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOT INTENDING TO EENNND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude. LaBrie. Chill out. This song does not warrant that. His vocals in the first part of this were fine, I mean a little vocal explosion here is nothing too shabby. They were already too high pitched by the part where I started capping it, but that "not intended to end" is just... ugh. That's why I get kind of annoyed. It just rattles my brain when he screams and just some days, it is not my day. Then he moves to the pre-chorus in the fashion that he did the first part of this verse. Good. It's surprisingly natural how he does that, but yeah. Here's where it goes from there. After the prechorus, he returns back to the chorus. After that.....
Beginnings get complicated
The farther we progress
Opinions are calculated
Immune to openness
Beyond the circle's edge
We're driven by her blessings
Forever hesitating
Caught beneath the wheel
This right here is the highlight of the song. The first part of this bit is an absolute spectacle in LaBrie's vocal delivery, plus even though he builds up as he goes, it actually has a fulfilling climax which isn't way over the top. This is where Innocence Faded shines through, right there, and this is why it got the spot that it does without being ranked lower due to being a little stylistic awkward and grating in that one part. But anyways, you may be wondering what the lyrics here are referring to. The common theory is that it's about Moore, but let me just debunk that right here and now. This song was written about Petrucci. Petrucci, nor anyone else in Dream Theater save Moore himself, knew what he was thinking nor how alienated he was becoming from the band. Hell, just look at them releasing Space-Dye Vest, which was Moore's song through and through, yet they stated that was a bit uncomfortable afterwards, seeing it there, which is fairly believable. That's just how it went down, Moore walking out was hard to see coming. It's about growth and realizing the reality of the world. Hence the name, Innocence Faded. It's actually a fairly well written song for that. And as a whole it's hard to regret its placement on Awake.
After that, it returns to the chorus and he lingers on the "Find you." After that, there is an instrumental section and the song comes off to a close! Yeah! Alright, after reading this, you might think that I have some resentment to Innocence Faded, but no. I'm just a bit annoyed by it, by I can bear with it. Everything is cool!
-
I don't think "drown a man" in 6:00 is literal. I think is just about ruining somone's life, or simply a particular disappointment.
-
...to his second highest pitch ever next to Learning to Live.
I thought his second highest was in Illumination Theory? He doesn't hold that note out for long at all though.
-
James has gone higher than F#5 many times:
He hit up to a G5 in Voices once (Chili) and has reached this note a few times during The Killing Hand. He also manages to slide up to a G5 on Children Of The Damned. Highway Star, Space Truckin, Smoke on the Water, Since I've been loving You have some G5 screams aswell.
G#5 I think in Octavarium and once in TDEN. Cemetery Gates screams are about this pitch too.
He hits an A5 in Number of the Beast, and a crazy A5 in the chorus of LITS. Also on Perfect Strangers.
Also, technically he hit a B♭5 In a version of The Killing Hand (Milan). And I believe he (possibly accidentally) hit a B5 (instead of E5) during Under A Glass Moon in a more recent version.
Those are all live performances though. As far as studio goes, Build Me Up Break Me Down takes the cake with A5 screams. Followed by New Millennium and Octavarium which both reach a G5.
-
As far as studio goes, Build Me Up Break Me Down takes the cake with A5 screams.
This gets nowhere near the credit it deserves. Consider also that the A5 notes came from a (then) 48-year-old voice, compared to the 29-year-old voice that delivered the F#5 note in Learning to Live.
-
then it's a damn shame the song is an unlistenable abomination :lol
-
Erotomania (6:44)
Ah! Erotomania! Our first instrumental is here, yipee! Well, second, technically, but since we skipped over the Ytse Jam, Erotomania is first on this write up. What can I just say? It is an epic instrumental and I love it do death, but sadly, it still falls onto the middle/lower tier of the instrumentals. I mean, if I could, I would put it in the high tier, but SoC, Dance of Eternity, and Hell's Kitchen refuses and just kicks Erotomania to the middle tier where it resides with Enigma Machine and some others. This instrumental is an introduction to The Mind Beside Itself Suite and it basically the introduction. What follows this song is a masterpiece and I love this suite very much. Anways, let's being shall we?
This song begins with Kevin Moore, all by himself, playing a couple of notes. Portnoy's ride comes in then the song explodes as Moore continues his own riff. After a while, Petrucci changes riffs while we can hear Moore in the background. The introduction is nothing really special as Petrucci's riff take the spotlight for this entire part. After around 1:18, the pattern of the song changes as after a while, Moore gets his own spotlight. Petrucci changes to his lead and plays a mini solo. After that, he continues riffing and that's when the highlight of this song follows. Moore changes to a melodic piano and OMG. At 2:25, onward, I just love this part to death. Petrucci and Moore and have a little duet with Moore taking the icing on the cake. Godddd I love that part to death. Petrucci plays his acoustic as he and Moore continue their duet, then the theme of Silent Man plays. Moore plays a bit of the Silent Man, then Petrucci joins later. We can see his electric guitar prominent on the left part of the earbuds as Portnoy's ride takes the right ear. After Petrucci's part, Moore and Petrucci begin jamming again as Moore gets the spotlight again a little later.
At 4:25 is when all ears turn to Petrucci. He gets another solo that is prominent on the left bud. Oh man, I could listen to that part every day. After a while, he is shredding like there is no tomorrow as the rest of the band are behind and backs him up. After his shredding, Portnoy has a mini drum solo, then Petrucci's riffing comes back in. As Moore plays in the background, then Moore starts his pattern again, the pattern we heard from the first part of the song and nostalgia from like 6 minutes ago, come to us. Near the ending, they slow down, then Petrucci gets a short outro finisher as Myung can be heard near the end as the introduction to voices start coming and some sound effects, then........
-
Woo! I love A Mind Beside Itself as a whole. It started off with just loving Voices then I realised the other 2 bits were awesome aswell. When I made my top 50 a couple years ago A Mind Beside Itself was at the top (I merged a lot of continuous pieces on the list, so the last spot I could count 3 songs in one and screw the rules :P). I dunno if it would hold that spot anymore but I still really like this 'suite'. I especially like the part in Erotomania where Petrucci goes all Beethoven on us, I'd love to hear more classical esque sections like this in DTs music.
But anyway, one thing I really like about DTs instrumentals is that each instrument normally gets a shot in the spotlight, and it's fun to see them cycle lead sections. It's not as prominent in some of them as it is in Ytse Jam and Enigma Machine but it's still there in this one too. The instrumentals are normally a great showcase of each player's technical skills.
-
Voices (9:53)
Here it is! Part 2 of the Mind Beside Itself Suite! God, I love this song to death! It's about a person in conflict with religion and lust. Basically a sex crazed person who has schizophrenia. That would be an extremely terrifying combination to face and to be in. This song, I could probably listen to everyday as it if that good, especially the Petrucci solo. And the sampling is also really beautiful as it draws you in and the atmosphere just wow's you. It starts off really smooth and softly, but then it explodes until it dies down at the middle and rises up once again. We can hear Myung's bass start of this beautiful piece as the rest of the band comes in eerily. Myung is our main man here as we can hear the atmosphere grow then the whole band is in and playing. Petrucci with his riff takes the stage then the duet between Moore and Petrucci. Portnoy's double kick could also be heard sometimes and then it dies down as Labrie comes in.
'Love, just don't stare'
He used to say to me
every Sunday morning
The spider in the window
The angel in the pool
The old man takes the poison
Now the widow makes the rules
Only the piano and some sound effects can be heard during this part. This first part is basically a demon in his head telling our main character to go and have sex with that girl, don't just stare at her. We can see lust coming in almost immediately. I know that sometimes, some males just look at the females, but don't do anything. They just stare and stare. That demon is saying, "What are you doing? Why are you just staring at her? Make a move! Go do something instead of just staring!" As the demon is talking, he is having all sorts of visions. This is some kind of horror movie as he sees a tiny little spider resting at the window. The angel in the pool could be a religious reference. Petrucci is clever with the last two lines as I see it in two different ways. One is that the old man took poison and therefore died, making his wife, the widow, the head of the household. The widow (since the old man is dead) now makes the decisions and is in control. Or the widow might be a type of spider and it bites the old man, injecting him with poison and killing him.
'So speak, I'm right here'
She used to say to me
not a word, not a word
Judas on the ceiling
the Devil in my bed
I guess Easter's never coming
So I'll just wait inside my head
The mood is very eerie still. We can hear traces of Petrucci making this piece really mysterious still. The girl notices the guy staring at her and tells him to speak to her. As the man is about to speak, she adds, "Not a word." So in whole, she is saying, "Speak....not a word, not a word." Judas is a character in the bible who hung himself. He is having nightmares, courtesy of the demons by seeing an image of Judas being hung from the ceiling and the devil in his bed that is convincing him with lust. Easter is a spiritual day for us Christians and he is basically saying that the demons have got him and that there is no hope for him. The piece is still eerily silent, but you can hear the mood building up and the peak, the song explodes.
Like a scream but sort of silent
Living off my nightmares
Voices repeating me
'Feeling threatened?
We reflect your hopes and fears.'
Voices discussing me
'Others steal your thoughts
They're not confined within your mind.'
That's when all hell breaks loose. The demons all surround him and they've got him. He tries to scream, but nothing comes out. He is really scared. The demons are all around him. he is living out his nightmares as he keeps on hearing the demons saying, "Feeling threatened? We reflect your hopes and fears." All the demons are talking about him as one demon also adds, "Others steal your thoughts, they're not confined within your mind." This is a really scary place to be at for the narrator as the demons have him in his clutches and they will do anything to make him feel miserable. This would truly be a scary moment for a man who is having a conflict with religion and lust, but also has schizophrenia. His schizophrenia is the main sources of the demons talking to him.
Thought disorder
Dream control
Now they read my mind on the radio
But where was the Garden of Eden?
I feel elated
I feel depressed
Sex is death, Death is sex
Says it right here on my Crucifix
The main character is going crazy. Labrie sings this part as if he is experiencing the main character. Petrucci is riffing like crazy as all the band is following suit. The demons are controlling his dreams and his thoughts are all in disarray. The demons are reading his mind as he is filled with biblical facts, images, and thoughts. The Garden of Eden, once a safe haven for humans, is barren and deserted, shut off from us. He thinks that sex=death and death=sex. His lust and the demons are teaming up together to give him total hell. The demons are making him sex crazed and violent. If we were to experience what this main character was experiencing or if we witnessed the main character, we would be scared out of our minds. The chorus rolls around once more as Labrie sings in the same frantic tone he has sung during the explosion of vocals. Then, comes sampling.
[Dialogue by rap artist Prix-mo reading from the book "Cultural Revolution".]
"I don't wanna be here, 'cause of my
suffering, 'cause of my illness.
Only love is worth having, only
love is what matters, loving every
people on equal terms. "
"You've got to know who you're
dealin' with because, like a stranger,
a-heh, just might come in through
here with a gun... and then, what
would you do? (Heh.)"
"Everything is immaterial..."
"'n' you know that reality is immaterial."
"This is not reality..."
Now that is perhaps one of the best samplings I've ever heard. Heck, even the sampler right now is very scared and we can hear in his voice how threatened he feels. This sampling gets more and more intense as time passes and near the end, Petrucci is riffing his heart out and it all grows soft. Just like that, the music slowly reverts to its original phase.
I'm kneeling on the floor
staring at the wall
like the spider in the window
I wish that I could speak
Is there fantasy in refuge?
God in politicians?
Should I turn on my religion?
These demons in my head tell me to
His fits are done for now and he finds himself kneeling in horror, in the cold truth. The effects of going crazy may have ran out, but it isn't over yet. He questions everything he can. Should he turn on his religion or should he turn it off? All these demons are telling him to. If he turns on his religion, it might be an output for the demons to start making his life more miserable.
I'm lying here in bed
Swear my skin is inside out
Just another Sunday morning
Feeling your skin being turned inside out is not a pleasant feeling. Imagine what the man is going through! The Sunday morning is there because usually, that is when people are at church.
Seen my diary on the newsstand
Seems we've lost the truth to quicksand
It's a shame no one is praying
'Cause these voices in my head
keep saying...
These clues didn't fit very well into the Christianity plot. Do they fit into the politics theory? I'm talking about "See my diary on the newsstand/ Seems we lost the truth to quicksand." And your diary on the newsstand means that what you suspected some time ago has now turned out to be true. And no one is praying for him to get better, maybe because he's an introvert and doesn't communicate with people well! We can see he refers back to the demons.
'Love, just don't stare.'
'Reveal the Word when you're
supposed to'
Withdrawn and introverted
Infectiously perverted
'Being laughed at and confused
keeps us pleasantly amused
enough to stay.'
We can see the demons again tempting him with lust. We can see that as time passes on and on, he becomes withdrawn and introverted from society and he becomes so perverted. Lust is just filling him up and he doesn't know what to do. And to make matters worse, the demons are laughing at him, much to his confusion. The demons enjoy the suffering he is going through and since the demons are enjoying his suffering, they want to stay. They are pleasantly amused by it and want more. Labrie holds the word "stay," then Petrucci comes in with a beautiful solo. Halfway through his section he starts shredding like there is no tomorrow and that is the part that I am in love with very much. This song itself is indeed epic and hey, I'm currently listening to it right now! After the shredding, Labrie comes in immediately.
Maybe I'm just Cassandra fleeting
Twentieth century Icon bleeding
Willing to risk Salvation to escape from isolation
Cassandra, in Greek mythology, was predicting a disaster which later indeed occured. The protagonist compares himself to Cassandra (who was punished for daring to say that something bad was about to happen). I think "20th century icon bleeding" also refers to Cassandra, but I'm not really sure about that part. Hm, it's a lyrics that has stumped me. Salvation, according to the widow, comes when one behaves well. The protagonist believes that if he speaks, he won't behave well. Therefore, if he were to speak (in particular, talk about how religion could be much nicer) he'd risk his salvation.
I'm witness to redemption
heard you speak but never listened
Can you rid me of my secrets?
Deliver us from Darkness?
Here, redemption represents widowish Christianity. The protagonist asks, ironically, if redemption could ever help him get his ideas of "old man Christianity" out to other people, if redemption could help get people delivered (meaning "liberated" here) from the darkness they're in.
Voices repeating me
'Feeling threatened?
We reflect your hopes and fears.'
Voices discussing me
Don't expect your own Messiah
This neverworld which you desire
is only in your mind.
Imagine an accentuation on "your" in the last line. The protagonist shouldn't expect someone else to be his private Messiah and do the talking for him; what he thinks is in his own mind only. Or perhaps the protagonist believes that he's not the only one disliking the current policy of the political party, but then the voices convince him.
And that concludes Voices! I love it very much! Now, onto the last part of the Suite!
-
The Silent Man (3:47)
I love the silent man. And that would be the understatement of the century. Naturally, Dream Theater isn't the type of band that's about singles, but when they do indeed make one, they can sure dish it out well. They're about the long and the epic, so obviously when they're doing something soft and sounds like it could be on the radio, that's something quite a bit different. Yet The Silent Man is so great, it manages to combine both of those at the same time. That's right, it's both long and epic, short, and single-worthy at the same time. The Silent Man is the conclusion to the incredible suite A Mind Beside Itself, which is a twenty minute epic in and of itself, and it's the most beautiful ending the suite could have ever asked for.
It's the perfect single (Sorry Moore, Myung, and Portnoy!) , and a perfect song to transition Awake's first half to its second half. But anyways, let's talk about A Mind Beside Itself. It starts epic and crazy, of course. Erotomania, its opening, is by far the weakest of the three parts, but it's awesome anyway, at least the way I see it. It's an instrumental, which sets the tone for Voices, the ten minute underrated beast of an epic which constitutes the main events of the suite. Both of these songs are heavy, technical pieces of music, but then it all closes with The Silent Man. A song which is transitioned by an abrupt chance in mood at the end of Voices. So through The Silent Man, Petrucci delivers the message that he really wanted with the suite, which technically makes it possibly even more important than Voices. That, and it's an acoustic ballad, featuring Myung on acoustic guitar (fine, I'm lying. It's Petrucci XD XD), and a vocal performance that'll move even the most hardened LaBrie skeptic. If that wasn't enough, it's got some of the best lyrics Petrucci has ever written. Such that I can't resist digging into right now.
A question well served is silence like a fever
A voice never heard or a message with no receiver
Pray, they won't ask behind the stained glass
There's always one more mask
Has man been a victim of his woman, of his father?
If he elects not to bother will he suffocate their faith?
Desperate to fall behind the great wall
That separates us all
I dare you to tell me that those lyrics aren't beautiful and keep a straight face whilst you do it. I dare you. LaBrie doesn't waste any time in getting to them either. Half a chord is heard, and then LaBrie immediately gets into it, and his voice is very soft and subdued. It's to provide a contrast to the raucous performance that he delivered in Voices, is the thing. But anyway, the lyrical subject and structure is also quite different than in Voices. That song was told from a first person perspective, depicting one crazy thing after another, at times almost being non-sequitors in how random yet insane they are (albeit all connected). All this done through a long and complex, progressive structure. The Silent Man has very short verses, and maintains a philosophical outlook on life for the vast majority of the song. So how exactly does this connect to Erotomania and Voices, you ask? Well, I'll get right to that.
If you forgot or didn't know, "erotomania" is defined as a person's delusion that someone is in love with him or her, almost to the point at which it becomes a disease. Excessive sexual desires, if you will. That song (or instrumental, I should say), transitions into Voices, which is about a number of things, but the overwhelming thing is the person's conflict between lust and religion, while experiencing some other mental problem. Most likely schizophrenia, but I'll get into that when I actually do the writeup for that song. The Silent Man talks, for the most part, about seclusion. Specifically, the type that one purposely draws onto themselves. Silence is that form of seclusion, in that through not attempting to connect with society anymore, one locks themselves in their own little world and gets away from the world at large. In that way, the messages that they actually do have to give, have no receiver, and the voices are never heard. Now granted, Petrucci took a few lines in this song from various literary sources. Now I have a soft spot for people who do that in their songs, so I think that's a rather nice touch. Makes it all that more strong in its message.
In that way, though, people are desperate. This is all because people have been brought down in the past, because they've been victimized, so to speak. And then their desperation to isolate themselves from others is just as strong as the delusional desperation they had in the past. Do you see where I'm going with this, yet? It's a direct continuation of Voices, in that this is the fate that people like the character in that song will inevitably face. And in a sense, Petrucci is telling us to avoid that. The chorus, in any case, epitomizes everything the song is about, while pulling the delicate beauty level of this song up another notch. Petrucci and Myung are both on acoustic guitar, and with LaBrie's vocals thrown on top of that array, it's just compelling. There's no other way to describe it. Two contrasts are presented: being awake, and being The Silent Man. When there is balance and reason, we are "Awake". Yes, see where the album draws its title? And since The Silent Man is about a hundred times more telling than Innocence Faded, this is what I would call the true title track. But when there is no answer and we suffer, there lies The Silent Man. Because truth be told, as much solace as we find in it, being this so-called silent man hurts us amore than anything else.
When there is reason, tonight I'm awake
When there's no answer, arrive the silent man
If there is balance, tonight he's awake
If they have to suffer, there lies the silent man
Here is the chorus! Here is where the title for the Silent Man lies and possibly, the title of the album. This part is very beautiful and you can hear parts of maraca's. When there is any part of reason, you are awak As soon as that absolutely gorgeous chorus is done, enter an acoustic guitar solo. That is why this song is amazing.
Sin without deceivers, a God with no believers
I could sail by on the winds of silence
And maybe they won't notice
But this time I think it'd be better if I swim
Arguably the single greatest verse that Dream Theater has ever written. If you feel absolutely nothing from the last verse, I don't know what to tell you. LaBrie puts emotion into it more than I can even begin to describe, and it's completely sincere. Now, granted, A Mind Beside Itself hasn't exactly been a happy tale. A person goes mad over their schizophrenia and lust, and then several years later, they're a recluse from society and can't face anyone. That's how the story went over, but The Silent Man ends on the most positive note imaginable. Hell, it's almost as good as "I won't feel better in the cold light of day / But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay" from Collapse the Light into Earth. It's yet another contrast, but it's the most optimistic telling imaginable, with this person finally coming to terms with themselves and being able to face society yet again. At least, that's the way I see it. Some say The Silent Man is John Myung. And some say it's Jesus, what with the religious references in Voices. Either way, The Silent Man is just divine. There's no other way to put it. I'd say, as far as this list goes, it's the first song to make it as of yet that I can truly call flawless.
When there is reason, tonight I'm awake
When there's no answer, arrive the silent man
If there is balance, tonight he's awake
But if they have to suffer, there lies the silent man
There lies the silent man
-
The Mirror (6:45)
This is actually one of Dream Theater's most popular songs that they have, which isn't a 10 minute epic or a single. The reason for that, is partly because of what it does for its album. After the sprawling twenty minutes of musical bliss known as the A Mind Beside Itself suite, the listener is immediately treated to The Mirror to transition their way out of it, and towards a more realistic, human ending towards the album, and it's a fantastic song to follow it off. Honestly, if every song on the album was as good as The Mirror, Lifting Shadows, Scarred, and Space-Dye Vest, Awake would be in my top two album, easily, but that's not the case. The Mirror begins a pentagram of pure awesomeness, though, all starting with the duo of The Mirror and Lie.
As you may be familiar with, Lie is very similar to The Mirror, though honestly, I don't consider there to be any real connection between the two, except for a similar theme, though the themes have nothing to do with one another. They're both heavy beasts of songs, which brings me to another point. The Mirror is the obvious prelude to the Twelve Step suite. Naturally, though, four of the five songs are better than The Mirror, so it's not a full fledged member of it. That, and I don't think it's ever been officially referenced to as a part of it, but let's face it. The Twelve Step suite was entirely penned by Mike Portnoy. The Mirror was Portnoy's FIRST song to be written for an album. Now that's an accomplishment I'm pleased to have seen happen. The Mirror stands out in that regard, plus it's heavy, just like those songs, it just can't match the exact progressiveness or the length of them. What likely occurred, was that Portnoy wrote The Mirror based on personal experiences, liked the idea and wanted to go further with it, and then the Twelve Step suite was born or maybe this is actually the intro to the Twelve Step Suite, I'm not really sure.
But yeah. Listen to The Mirror and then The Glass Prison and the latter will be even greater an experience than it was the first time through, if that is at all possible. Don't even get me started on The Mirror's ending. We'll get to that later in this writeup. But either way, The Mirror starts slow, but furious, and in quite a gritty and heavy fashion. What it comes down to, is one of the darkest songs on the entire album, though, and Awake is arguably Dream Theater's darkest release in terms of musicianship as well as lyrics (it does end with Space-Dye Vest, after all). The Mirror is centered around a rather repetitive riff. It's essentially a one second pair of chords being played by Petrucci repeatedly, with Portnoy's drums being thrown into it at random intervals. What comes in slightly after, though, is Moore on synth and then keyboards, then Myung's bass comes in for good measure, and you'll see exactly what I meant when I said The Mirror is dark as heck. It's a phenomenal intro, and it just gets better when LaBrie enters, but before that, we can hear Portnoy's gruff voice (or I think it's his voice).
Temptation-
Why won't you leave me alone?
Lurking Every Corner, everywhere I go
There it is. Temptation. I'm sure you can agree with me, but if there is something that tempts you, it starts following you like a little toddler follows his or her mom. Let's say that I got grounded from playing my electric guitar and my parents say, "Don't touch your electric guitar until you bring up your grades." And let's say that I agree, but the electric guitar is still in my room. Of course I will be tempted. Let's say that I was learning the solo for SoC. Hell, I'd want to pick up and start playing, ignoring what my parents just said. That's temptation. Wherever I go, it would temp me. "Come on Angela, play the guitar. Your parents won't know...." If I'm at school, in my room, etc, it'd follow me and lurk every corner, until I begin playing it. That's temptation people.
Self Control-
Don't turn your back on me now
When I need you the most
Ah, this part directly correlates to temptation. You need self control to overcome temptation. You need to learn to control your desires. As your self control starts deteriorating, that is when temptation begins to overcome you. The speaker, Mike, is being tempted to alcohol and he is using his self control to avoid temptation, but as it starts deteriorating, Mike finds it harder for self control. It is like self control is giving up on Portnoy and turning its back on Portnoy, refusing to cooperate and that is when Portnoy's temptation begins to slowly overcome. To make matters worse, Portnoy needs self control the most right now, but, it's abandoning him. That is basically how I feel with life. Life tempts me with worldly desire, and sometimes, I can feel self controlling having totally abandoned me. The temptation always wins.
Constant pressure tests my will
My will or my won't
My Self Control escapes from me...still
Pressure from all around may not help with your self control. Let's say I see videos of people playing SoC on the guitar. I feel the desire to do as good as them. And people on this forum keep on telling me when I will learn SoC because it's fun for me. That would be pressure from all different sources and it would test my will. If I will break the rule and play on my electric guitar, or if I would just be strong and not pick up the guitar. Even then, self control can fail because constant pressure could break your will and self control.
LaBrie's vocals are pretty good. I'm actually surprised that people bash on his vocals from Train of Thought for trying to sound too gruff or like a billy badass, but no one ever picks on his vocals in The Mirror. He talks through a couple of them, sounds extremely gruff on a few of them, and it's something I like. That being said, it's what I'd expect others to hate on, but it never happens. Can't say I'm complaining though. He really starts getting into the song around the end of that verse there, and then Moore returns on piano. This song, aside from the really obvious one, is one of the best unisons between vocals and keyboards that Dream Theater have pulled off. Reason being, LaBrie's vocals flow right into the keyboards, the lyrics are haunting, and they just give the keyboard a different feeling.
Hypocrite-
How could you be so cruel
and expect my faith in return?
Ah, hypocrites. If you treat someone with disrespect and anger, chances are, they will do the same. That is what this verse is saying. This is another character that the speaker hurt and when the speaker turns to them for help, the other character replies, "You hypocrite. When I was suffering, you didn't help me. What would think that I would help you doing your suffering? You mocked me and ridculed me for my suffering, and I will do just the same!" Ouch. :-[
Resistance-
Is not as hard as it seems
When you close the door
I agree with you 100% Mr. Michael Stephen Portnoy. The answer has been there all along for me! During our temptations, we might think that resistance is really hard, but actually it isn't. Why? Just shut the door! For me, that would be handing my electric guitar to my parents so I won't be tempted by it! We just choose not to close the door and instead, make excuses, saying that it is too hard. Just shut the door! Just find ways to overcome temptation. Banned from playing video games? Hand it to your parents and go outside to play! In all honesty, resistance should come pretty easy, we just have to break the wall that disallows us to close the door and make excuses.
I spent so long trusting in YOUUU
I trust you forgot
Just when I thought I believed in you...
The other character is still scolding the main character, "I spent so long trusting in you. I thought you were my friend, I thought you would help me. I'm sure you forgot about that, right? If you hadn't you would have helped me, nor asked me to help you. Just when I thought I believed in you, you just go and crush my dreams and ridicule me. I trusted you and believed in you, but you screwed it over." That is true, what the other character says. We can't just go to someone for help, whom we have ridiculed and mocked.
"What're you doing?
What're you doing?"
Sampling :D
"What are you doing coming to me? No really, what are you doing?"
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
living in fear-
Why did you lie and pretend?
This has come to an end
I'll never trust you again
It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend
The other character is still ranting to the main character. "I'm done with you, you worthless piece of trash," he growls, "You lied and pretended? Why? You know what, all this shi*t has to come to an end. YOU treated me like trash! I will never EVER EVER trust you again for everything you've done to me. Don't even come to me or speak to me ANYMORE. I am severing all ties with you, you hypocrite. It is time you made your amends buddy. Look in the mirror and see what you've become....a mess, a broken person." I have to wince at the tone and the harsh words of the speaker, but in all honesty, the main character deserved it.
In every possible way, that right there is one of the absolute best parts of the song. First of all, LaBrie's vocals are passionate and pained. That's exactly the kind of thing you want to hear from this. He sings the song as he's experiencing this terrible situation himself, and again, it's haunting in a way. Perfectly delivered. Lyrically, it's by far the best part of the song. It doesn't conform to the structure from the beginning of the song, it's flowed into brilliantly from the short sample from earlier, and it's another instance when you can feel yourself in the situation. Naturally this is told from the perspective of someone close to Portnoy. Maybe it's a family member or a close friend or something, but Portnoy obviously wronged them very badly. Now what they have to tell him is straightforward. They no longer want anything to do with him, and this is the exact moment when the song transitions. Quite a progressive touch, and it's something I like.
"That I haven't behaved as I should"
"Everything you need is around you.
The only danger is inside you."
"I thought you could control life,
but it's not like that. There are things you can't control."
What follows a bit after that is sampling. Yes, The Mirror is one of the many songs around this time period of Dream Theater's that have sampling in them, deal with it. It's actually executed very well, in that Moore's piano is always going on when the sampling is, so that it just adds to it. It's very similar to Space-Dye Vest, though it's obviously not pulled off nearly that well. It provides a neat transitioning tool, though, as the first chorus is where all the tension is released. After that, the song becomes quite a bit more mellow. Less guitar and drums, and a bit more from Moore, which I have no beefs with.
Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone
All but the one who matters the most
The first thing to hear is a line that would be reused in This Dying Soul -- "Let's stare the problem right in the eye". Obviously, now the perspective has changed from this other person to Portnoy, and now he's actually planning on doing whatever needs to be done to fix his issue, because being told off by this person has convinced him. As the First Step has it, he admits that he is powerless over alcohol. He says that it's "plagued him from coast to coast", and in that way, his entrance into Alcoholics Anonymous has already begun. It's revealed to likely be a close friend that he's talking about, since he mentions how he's been trying to please everyone but the one who matters the most to him, so yeah, that's who it probably is. Maybe this is a true story and there's an actual person that Portnoy had in mind, who knows.
Reflections of reality
are slowly coming into view
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me?
After all the hell I put you through
This Dying Soul took another part from The Mirror around this part, in that this song says "reflections of reality". That's part of Step Five, if I'm not mistaken. But yeah, moving on. LaBrie and the rest of the band take it up a notch, as Portnoy quickly adds drums into Moore's peaceful synthesizing, and LaBrie cries out "How the hell could you possibly forgive me after all the hell I've put you through?". Is that a little cheesy when taken out of context? Absolutely. Does it work in context? Yes it does. It doesn't look great, using the word "hell" twice in the same sentence, but the way LaBrie pulls it off, it's just incredibly intense. Plus it segues right into the chorus, which is just as good the second time through as the first time.
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
living in fear-
Why'd I betray my friend?
Lying until the end
Living life so pretend
It's time to make my amends
I'll never hurt you again
Portnoy changes it with the story, though, and delivers one final, absolutely beautiful line to close off the song: "I'll never hurt you again".
What follows that is without one shadow of doubt, without any hesitation what I can conclude is the best moment in The Mirror as well as one of the best parts in all of Awake by far. LaBrie is still crying out the end of that line, when Moore starts to play an absolutely different piano riff. It doesn't sound like anything you've heard in the earlier portions of this song, at all. Everyone I've ever heard talk about this song, says that this riff is the same as the one from Space-Dye Vest. I could buy that. The Mirror already has enough similarities to Space-Dye Vest that I wouldn't be surprised, but honestly, I hear The Glass Prison's riff MUCH more than I hear the one from Space-Dye Vest. The latter is far slower, whereas this sounds exactly like the beginning of The Glass Prison, when it's riff really starts going. So honestly I can sympathize with both approaches, but I'm still going to side with myself when I said back in the day that it's 100% The Glass Prison. Shortly thereafter, Myung rocks out on bass to cap it off, the song quiets down, but that's all cool. Your mind, should you possess a soul, has already been completely blown. You wouldn't think the ending of this song would be that emotional and that beautiful, but it is. If the vocals weren't enough, it's that riff that pulls it off. All in all, The Mirror is a little all over the place. No lies there. What it is, though, is an absolutely sublime intro to the Twelve Step Suite, and one of the most solid songs on its album.
Lie (6:33)
The odd thing about Lie is that it's actually a single. Basically they stopped after SFAM until Systematic Chaos when they did not only singles, but music videos for Constant Motion, Forsaken, and most recently A Rite of Passage. The thing with those songs (except for maybe Forsaken), is that they're all very radio friendly sounding songs. Sure, they may have solos, but they're cut down, and apart from that they're straight forward in both meaning, delivery, and overall lyricism. They're things that are obviously decent to good songs, but the public can eat up. I don't feel Lie is like that at all. It's a very gritty song. Rather heavy, too, it's one of the heaviest on one of Dream Theater's overall heaviest albums. It features LaBrie on a vocal style that is decent, but it's not exactly the most accessible thing in the world. Hell, I think Peruvian Skies from their next release would have been a better choice for single than this one, but hey, it is what it is. Let's check it out. Rather heavy riff, continuing from The Mirror then LaBrie enters in a rather quiet tone. And man, I am in complete orgasm when I hear his voice. :tup
Daybreak
at the bottom of lake
it's a hundred degrees I can't breathe
And I won't get out
'til I figure it out
Though I'm weak like I can't believe
So you tell me 'trust me' l can trust you
Just let me show you
But I gotta work it out in a shadow of doubt
'cause I don't know if I know you
I'm not even going to start delving into things yet, since I think you can tell what it's about just based on the title, and the last half of that. It's about betrayal, and trusting in someone that you shouldn't have trusted in. Now, I'm going to say now. Some of this song's lyrics are ridiculous and make no sense. Like the thing about the bottom of a lake. That's just a metaphor that I don't quite get. Though, I kind of think that this is a continuation of The Mirror. Can this be part of the pre-suite? It might be, considering they both have same themes of lying and betrayal, and the ending of Lie sounds like The Mirror. Now, some more lyrical analysis. "But I gotta work it out in a shadow of doubt 'cause I don't know if I know you." I'm pretty sure after the other character severed ties with the main character, the main character begged for forgiveness and that made the other character (I'm going to call him Character B), said to wait a bit and let him think, because B doesn't know A after the incident. A has become a totally new person to B.
Doing fine but don't waste my time
Tell me what it is you want to say
You sin, you win, just let me in - hurry
I've been out in the rain all day
So you tell me 'trust me' I can trust you
as far as I can throw you
And I'm trying to get out of a shadow of doubt
'cause I don't know if I know you
Character A is pissed with Character B's act. He is saying, "Why don't you just forgive me? I admit I wronged you in the past, but that doesn't mean you have to go far to sever your connection with me. I've been out in the rain and I've been knocking to enter your house, please let me in, before I get." Character B replies, "I'm sorry. I can trust you as far as I can throw you, which means I can't trust you and I"m trying to get out of a shadow of doubt. I don't know you, please go away."
Don't tell me you wanted me
Don't tell me you thought of me
I won't, I swear I won't
I'll try, I swear I'll try
I love Kevin Moore wrote this part. B is telling A to "Don't tell him you wanted me. Don't tell me you thought of me."
A replies, "I won't, I swear I won't."
A soon finds that promise hard to keep and changes.
"I'll try, I swear I'll try," A says.
That is smart (Kevin Moore.)
Mother Mary quite contrary
Kiss the boys and make them wary
Things are getting just a little bit scary
It's a wonder I can still breathe
This part if kind of confusing for me. I can kind of understand the "Kiss the boys and make them wary." If I went up to a random boy and kissed him, he'd be frightened, confused, and a bit wary because girls just don't go around and kiss any random boy. I think he might've written this to rhyme. Mary, contrary, wary, scary, they all rhyme! :police:
-
I always loved the transition between the calm and soft Silent Man to The Mirror.
You see, I have a personal connection to The Silent Man, and it always brings me close to tears. When it ends, it just feels awesome when The Mirror starts, it just fills me with energy, you truly feel how the album is essentially split in two parts. I never related The Mirror to any addiction of any sort, and it's much more poethic than it's followups, but still, 3rd place in the album for me.
-
Lie Part 2 (Ran out of room XD)
Never been much of a doubting Thomas
but nothing breaks like a broken promise
You tell me 'bout your two more coming
but once is just enough for me
Thomas was a character in the bible that doubted. He thought that Jesus had not risen from the dead when he actually did. He wanted proof of Jesus' rise from the dead and he doubted. Character B is telling A that he doesn't doubt that much, but since A broke a promise from a while ago, that left a gaping wound that would be hard to close. B is afraid that if he trusts A again, he will be lied to and betrayed again. B gave A one chance and that is enough.
The chorus is repeated then the ending. Now, let's talk about the ending of this song. Noticed what this song is musically similar to yet? In structure and delivery that it is? Well, if not, then the ending will spell that all. After the rest of the song is done and the single version cuts out, Portnoy comes in with The Mirror's drum riff. It's the precise exact same riff, and you'll notice, yes, Lie actually does parallel The Mirror. The ending is this song is absolutely gorgeous. Sure, that drum opening is completely out of place. Sounds very awkward right after there, but then it turns into something incredible. So a shaky start, but an otherwise brilliant performance. It's The Mirror, basically rehashed. And it's awesome. So maybe Lie means something different. The Mirror is about Portnoy betraying people through his alcoholism, so... Lie could be connected. Either way, The Mirror and Lie are put next to each other for each a reason. Lie appeals to me a bit more than The Mirror.
I had gotten used to being a soul destroyed
She comes in apparently to fill the void
All dogs need a leash and
at least I'll forget it
And she would never hurt me though
she's never said it
But I'm not gonna ask her today
I don't wanna scare her away
Your town, I'm all alone
and I just can't stare at the phone
I wanna talk about lifelong mistakes
and you can tell your stepfather I said so
I kind of wish the entire song had been like this. You know, more melodic, softer like this, and erupted with the guitar solo that follows later, though kept the ending, since Lie's ending is AMAZING. But anyway, Moore wrote something very good here, bringing the question of it being about a lover into confirmation. First part is great lyrically, plus the end of that verse is beautiful from LaBrie. It's rather abrupt in its transition back to heaviness, but it's decent. What follows is a guitar solo, which reminds me rather of the one from Caught in a Web. If you're listening to the single version, you don't know about either that one or this song's gorgeous ending, which is unfortunate. But anyway, here's something else that's been theorized, besides the lover's idea. It's widely known that Kevin Moore had a completely direction than the band. And no one knows what he was actually thinking at the time. Maybe he felt that the band had "betrayed" him, but he felt isolated within Dream Theater, and that's why he left them. So, in a way, he looks like the betrayer in there, but maybe he sees the situation differently. Regardless, he knew he would leave the band, so Lie could have just been grouped together with 6:00 as statements he wanted to make while he was still in the band. It's doubtful, sure, but definitely possible.
-
I always loved the transition between the calm and soft Silent Man to The Mirror.
You see, I have a personal connection to The Silent Man, and it always brings me close to tears. When it ends, it just feels awesome when The Mirror starts, it just fills me with energy, you truly feel how the album is essentially split in two parts. I never related The Mirror to any addiction of any sort, and it's much more poethic than it's followups, but still, 3rd place in the album for me.
I can understand. :)
Dream Theater does that to you. 3rd place for the Mirror? I'm guessing that The Silent Man is first and Space Dye Vest is second? :D
-
I always loved the transition between the calm and soft Silent Man to The Mirror.
You see, I have a personal connection to The Silent Man, and it always brings me close to tears. When it ends, it just feels awesome when The Mirror starts, it just fills me with energy, you truly feel how the album is essentially split in two parts. I never related The Mirror to any addiction of any sort, and it's much more poethic than it's followups, but still, 3rd place in the album for me.
I can understand. :)
Dream Theater does that to you. 3rd place for the Mirror? I'm guessing that The Silent Man is first and Space Dye Vest is second? :D
Almost.
Silent Man is 2nd, my 1st place is Voices and 4th place is either SDV or Innocence Faded.
-
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (6:05)
Lifting Shadows off a Dream" began as a poem and two chords brought to the band by Myung. "We worked on it, racked our brains, recorded the jam and by the end of the night we were like 'Ahh fuck it. This sucks,'" Petrucci recalled. "We came by the next day, listened to the recording and thought it could be really cool. All of a sudden it evolved into this song." Oh man, I feel bad for the band, but I'm glad they still tried this because it is indeed awesome!
You need to hear all of its subtleties to truly appreciate how well it works, plus it's only after a lot of listens that you realize how well it flows from beginning to end. And then you just like the song that much more when you understand what it's about, and it's really a great subject matter. But here's yet another selling point about this song: John Myung. Besides To Live Forever, Lifting Shadows is the first of his four songs to make its appearance on the list. And I hate to say it's the worst of them, though look what we have to work with: Learning to Live and Trial of Tears, both of which are absolutely incredible, and then there's Fatal Tragedy. That's just testament to how great Myung is as a songwriter. When I say Lifting is the worst out of the four, doesn't mean it sucks! It is really worth hearing and epic, but the other 3 are a bit more better.
So why is he able to write songs like that (because you have to admit, LtL and ToT(Tears) are two of Dream Theater's best written songs, without question), yet he has only four offerings? Remember, I'm talking about the phase where Myung went on a hiatus, SDOIT---->BCSL. Well, the band simply doesn't let him write songs anymore, because he can write lyrics but they don't flow together with the songs. Dream Theater does of course write the songs first and then put lyrics on top of them, which is understandable, and I guess Myung isn't able to fit in with that approach, and that's quite a shame. Either way, no matter what he's writing, Myung has always done it for me, and Lifting Shadows is no exception. It's part of the absolutely amazing trifecta that closes Awake, and once again proves that it's a very bottom heavy album. Lifting Shadows is powerful, emotional and shakes your soul, Scarred is an epic that I'd call very underrated even by myself, and Space-Dye Vest is a lot like Lifting Shadows, except it's the dark side of the light found there. It's the song that wallows in the shadows that Lifting Shadows lifts off, and while it's one of the most ambitious things Dream Theater have ever done, it was a success. See, I'm already comparing Lifting Shadows to Space-Dye Vest. That should say a lot about this song's quality.
So I talked about how this song shakes your soul. Well, yes, that it does. In a way I think of this song as the younger brother to Surrounded, from Images and Words. Both songs are incredibly happy and uplifting, and depict coming out of a difficult situation. Sure, Lifting Shadows is a bit more mysterious and multiply layered, and it has the John Myung effect, which is definitely a good thing. If you're not sure what I mean by that, turn this song on. What's the first thing you hear? Bass. Lifting Shadows is one of the most bass heavy songs on the album and hell, Dream Theater's whole discography, so that's something I definitely approve of. Moore does a fantastic job getting this song started on keyboards too, so that's what you have going for a lot of this song. Bass and keyboards, and it's a beautiful effect. It sets the scene for something dark and enigmatic, and what can possibly be more enigmatic than the human soul. Ambitious concept for a song like this, sure, but Myung pulls it off. Doesn't seem like the kind of song that will erupt in guitar anytime soon, eh? Well, yeah. Wait until LaBrie's vocals come in.
He seems alone and silent
thoughts remain without an answer
Afraid and uninvited
he slowly drifts away
Moved by desire and fear
Breaking delicate wings
Lifting shadows
off a Dream once broken
She can turn a drop of water
Into an ocean
Lifting Shadows is, as a whole, one of LaBrie's better vocal performances in the early days, and besides for a couple moments in Voices, as well as the ending of Space-Dye Vest, he doesn't surpass his work on this song anywhere else on the album. He's able to draw you into a somber type of mood early on in the song, match the character as his emotions rise, and then has a couple vocal lines which absolutely shake you inside, and the buildup that he uses throughout is absolutely beautiful. Once again, this is a song that I can't really see an objective reason to dislike, but I digress. Let's take one thing at a time, though. Lifting Shadows doesn't look like a very happy song at first, but just wait for it. It shows a man who's quiet and isn't showing much emotion. He's acting like a recluse and drawing himself away from society, but there seems to be some emotional drive behind him. Wait for this song's "chorus" to explain that. This song doesn't actually have a clear cut chorus, but rather two lines that get repeated a couple times, and that's the last two of that.
I might point out, that's an incredibly neat title and concept, "lifting shadows off a dream". It's the idea of never believing something can happen because the world has shrouded the idea in darkness, but then it can just suddenly emerge. But either way, it's obviously a female presence that causes this to happen. Something has no hope, but suddenly it does. The last line has a rather obvious meaning, so I doubt I need to analyze that too much, but that's precisely what Myung was striving to get at with this song. The idea that a man and a woman complement each other greatly, and the two provide an odd duality to one another which couldn't be found otherwise, nothing more and nothing less. There's more to this whole development than that, however. Myung and Moore are still the two star musicians in the early part of this song, but after that verse the song starts to build up a little bit. Guitar enters at last, LaBrie kicks the vocals up a notch, and you get bombarded with emotion.
As the rain is pouring down
Tears of sorrow wash his mind
Drifting with the current
This stream of life flows on
He seems alone and silent
waiting on his hands and knees
The chill of winter's darkness sits quietly
Moved by desire and fear
he takes a few steps away
Lifting shadows
off a Dream once broken
She can turn a drop of water
Into an ocean
Listen to that verse right there and tell me that Myung can't write songs, or that he shouldn't still be a fundamental part of Dream Theater's songwriting process. Sure, that takes ideas from the first part of the song, but it's still incredible. First of all, the song flows amazingly, because it maintains unity even while it builds up the way it does, but that's beside the point. The man is slowly removing his sadness, but it's a gradual process. The images that Myung presents here are beautiful, and you can probably get the idea from them, but it's a repetition. He keeps running from his emotions, and the age old parallel of life to a river is drawn here, but all too appropriately. The second to last line there is my favorite, though, first of all based on the way LaBrie sings it, which is great, but apart from that, because of the idea of darkness sitting quietly, as if it's willing to move whenever he takes the first step. And although Myung says he takes a few steps away there, that's really not what you can gather from the ending of this song, in fact from what comes immediately after the chorus. Speaking of the chorus, it comes around again. It's more intense this time, with LaBrie putting a great deal more feeling into it this time around. Again, it's an emotional buildup. We're about to see all that climax.
And she listens openly
He pours his soul into the water
reflecting the mystery
She carries him away
and the winds die slowly
Oh my god. Oh. my. god. Yes, that was a pretentious way of prefacing that line, but there's no other way to possibly do it justice. That one line has perhaps more weight than the rest of the entire song put together, and I'm not trying to put down the rest of the song. I can't think of any one single line in Dream Theater's discography with that kind of effect, except maybe "There's no one to take my blame if they wanted to", or "This time when I reached out my hand, it reached all the way to heaven". And while we're on the subject of comparing Lifting Shadows to Space-Dye Vest, this is the "There's no one to take my blame if they wanted to" of that song. It's the point where it starts to climax, but you can perhaps consider the beginning of said climax to be the best part of it, just because of the mood it sets. LaBrie repeats the line once, and it just hits like no other. It's one of those lines you need to hear to exactly understand the effect it has on the song, but the way Moore just matches his vocal tone as he builds into the solo... incredible. That is how you structure a song.
Oh, did I give away the fact that this song has a solo? Guess so. The song goes from being all acoustic with bass and keyboards, to a full out electric guitar solo. Let me just say this, though, this is perhaps the most mellow guitar solo Petrucci has ever recorded, and I mean even more than the Another Day one. It's a very low key, it's not very loud, but all of a sudden the song goes electric when it's been acoustic up to this point. I've heard this called out of place many a time, and yeah, from a musical standpoint, I can see why you would say that. It flows extremely well in this song, though, if you just look at it emotionally and through the moods it creates. Despite being a very calm, dark, mellow solo, it manages to be dynamic at the same time, and you can feel all the emotions of the man throughout it. It's a catharsis of the soul, if you will. Lo and behold though, the song is not done climaxing.
The song has taken a brilliant turn. LaBrie is singing with about the same intensity as he did in the second verse, but the song has transitioned to electric. Petrucci is still there, Portnoy makes a presence felt, but the song stays as bass heavy as it was before. It's a rather subtle change, but all the effects of it can be felt. The man was lost and now he was found, now he has spilled his soul out to this girl. And LaBrie/Myung remind us once more, "and she listens openly". Perhaps it's now that we can understand what this line means. It's the man giving her his heart, and her responding to it with an open mind and an open heart, and returning his gestures. THAT is why Lifting Shadows Off a Dream is a happy song, because all is well that ends well. It's a very human song, and takes the listener through a personal journey, but one that many people can be familiar with. And that is why I constantly refer to it as such a soul shaker. Because it's one of the first Dream Theater songs we've seen yet that is genuinely touching and emotionally inspiring. From beginning to middle to end, this is a lucid, emotional masterpiece that takes the best of both the light and the dark.
And she listens openly
And she listens openly
Lifting shadows
off a Dream once broken
She can turn a drop of water
Into an ocean
Lifting Shadows off a Dream
Lifting Shadows off a Dream
Listen to that finisher. I have nothing left to say except this beauty, except wow.
-
I always loved the transition between the calm and soft Silent Man to The Mirror.
You see, I have a personal connection to The Silent Man, and it always brings me close to tears. When it ends, it just feels awesome when The Mirror starts, it just fills me with energy, you truly feel how the album is essentially split in two parts. I never related The Mirror to any addiction of any sort, and it's much more poethic than it's followups, but still, 3rd place in the album for me.
I can understand. :)
Dream Theater does that to you. 3rd place for the Mirror? I'm guessing that The Silent Man is first and Space Dye Vest is second? :D
Almost.
Silent Man is 2nd, my 1st place is Voices and 4th place is either SDV or Innocence Faded.
Voices. XD
Damn, should've known that. Sorry. Where would you rank Scarred at?
-
Scarred... Well...
I don't like it thaat much, probably along with Lie and 6:00, which are my least heard songs in the album.
Dunno, it's not a song that has clicked on me really that hard.
Live versions are another thing, every song on Awake with a live version (except for Caught in a Web and maybe 6:00) is better than its studio counterpart, specially SDV and The Silent Man (Scenes), IF in Score is beautiful and I also like Scarred in BTFW.
-
Scarred (10:59)
Scarred is underrated. I said the same thing about Lines in the Sand, both of these songs are in the same situation. Third best song on their album, not as good as another long song on the album, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored, because they're incredible. Plus they both saw the light of day on Chaos in Motion and the Systematic Chaos tour (along with Blind Faith), so that at least counts for something. Here's something else that's more subtle, though. Lines in the Sand and Scarred are both about religion. Lines in the Sand is more blatant (and so is Voices, for that matter) about it while Scarred is more subtle, but still, you can't rely deny how easily this song can be interpreted as being about a connection to God. Not something that I mind at all, though who knows, maybe that's bad luck for the band. Either way though, it's just a situation in which you're probably listening to Awake unaware of what you're getting in to, and when they get to a ten minute epic, you're thinking wow. Wasn't expecting that, let's see what it has to offer. Scarred isn't the most epic of their epics, though. A Mind Beside Itself is far grander in proportions, but Scarred doesn't try to reach that level. Hell, this song could have easily been less than ten minutes, but it is what it is and I have no complaints.
Fitting in with that, the opening to Scarred isn't anything mindblowing, except for Labrie's vocals. XD, and the song isn't in a hurry to start blowing your off. Hell, apart from the ridiculously catchy chorus and the guitar solo towards the end, the song doesn't really have one moment where it tries to throw itself at you. It's designed more like a normal seven or eight minute song than an epic, but it hit 11 minutes, so that's where it is. There's not really any filler in the song though, it's just deeper than your typical song that's a little shorter than it. The song opens with drums and bass, that's certainly not how a song like A Change of Seasons decides to make its entrance. But it's a slow opening that gradually evolves into something that's a lot more intense (that chorus that I speak of), plus the whole song is incredibly consistent in greatness and doesn't really have a bad moment, so again, you're not going to hear a bad thing from me all writeup. Myung's way of opening this song is excellent (ever notice Myung completely shines in the entire second half of Awake?), though it's certainly welcome when Petrucci comes in. He's extremely electric on his entrance even though the song remains calm and peaceful. Either way, LaBrie comes in soon as well.
To Rise, To Fall.
To Hurt, To Hate.
To Want, To Wait.
To Heal, To Save.
Can't hear it
we fear it
awareness won't come near it
Distractive
Reactive
Disguised in spite of time
That's a rather interesting way of starting the song. First of all we've got two things that are complete opposites, like rising and falling, but then the rest of the things seem to go together. This on top of Petrucci finally being on electric guitar, but the most prominent instruments still being the bass and drums. It's a very different type of epic, but I love it. And then there's the next verse, and I love LaBrie's vocals on it. When he gets to the "Can't hear it, we fear it", his voice is just vibrating with intensity, but if there's one emotion that penetrates his vocals, it's fear. How appropriate that part of that says we fear it. But I'm not going to waste any time in getting to the point. Scarred is about dissociation with religion. Sure, there's some different ways of interpreting it, I suppose, but I honestly can't side with anything that's not directly about God. The song gets gradually more and more clear about that while it stays subtle at the beginning, and still, there's ways to twist the meaning of it if you don't think that's what it's about. And if you don't, let me know, but to me, Scarred is about religion and doesn't stray from that at all.
Either way though, the beginning of this is like the rest of it, someone losing faith. Petrucci is, I believe, rather firm in his religious beliefs (I know Myung is the most firm in his Catholic beliefs, but I digress), and this is his song, so there you go. People unable to hear the voice of God, and needing to question His existence, and because of that, being in fear of Him, but also being in fear of the unknown, yet straying from that. And the beginning, that's all the actions and emotions we take in the path of questioning religion. As it starts though, the song is incredibly mellow, and does its building gradually. It's one of the few songs with an electric guitar that's this soft and quiet, but eventually, Portnoy starts pummeling down on his drums, and then we hear Moore in full swing. His duality with Petrucci in transitioning to the next verse is phenomenal, and it's the exact thing that characterizes Awake for what it is. It's slowly becoming heavier, though, and even though the next verse is still pretty mellow, LaBrie's vocals are a lot more heated now, and the keyboard is a lot more prominent.
I never bared my emotion
My passion always strong
I never lost my devotion
but somewhere fate went wrong
Can't let them rape me again
Your venom's not family here
won't let them fill me with
fatalistic remedies
LaBrie sounds angry at this point, but anger isn't really what the feeling is here. It's somewhat of an emptiness of the soul that one is trying to deny but knows that they possess anyway, and forcing themselves into denial that way is causing some kind of emotional turmoil. Hence, LaBrie's rather intense vocals through this part. LaBrie expresses never at one moment losing religious devotion. The emotion, the passion, and the devotion were always there, but as time progressed, some kind of decline happened to him. The passage of fate had it that deleterious effects came upon him, and he's feeling angst about that even though he doesn't want to. While all that's going on, people are trying to change him. Not necessarily for religious purposes or to force him into their beliefs, but he's facing the weight of people telling him what to do. He describes it as venom and being raped, and sometimes it is indeed for what he says is his greatest problem, but he'll accept nothing for that either, because it's for the worse.
Scarred has an interesting structure and it's very progressive, let's not forget that for a second, even if isn't the most "epic" thing ever recorded. There's a quick, nice little guitar riff in between that verse there, and when LaBrie returns on vocals for it, he's calmed down a little bit, though he just builds it up again. At the instant it's done though, Moore enters on keyboards and the song tricks you into thinking it's entering a mellow state again. That's one of the interesting things that this song pulls off, though. It has a chorus as well as a pre-chorus, and the whole thing is done three times in the song, which is rather nice, but the pre-chorus comes along, just without the chorus. I'm going to wait to talk about that until the actual chorus comes around, though, since the whole thing can't be dissected, for my money, since as a whole it works extremely nicely. But whatever, when that's done Petrucci enters on guitar again, and LaBrie enters his angriest vocals yet. This time though he's speaking to the entire world, feeling the effects of not having some kind of religious presence in his life.
What if the rest of the world
was hopelessly blinded by fear?
Where would my sanctity live?
Suddenly nobody cares.
It's never enough
You're wasting your time
Isn't there something I could say?
You don't understand
You're closing me out
How can we live our lives this way?
You tell me I'm wrong
I'm risking my life
Still, I have nothing in return
I show you my hands
You don't see the scars
Maybe you'll leave me here to burn.
The world is influencing LaBrie, and it's primarily because of the lack of a religious presence in his life. They're talking to him and trying to help him, but just like he lost his association with a higher being a while back, he's lost his ability to accept help in his life from the people surrounding him. Partly because the acceptance of religion in your life comes from within and not from people around you. That can only foster the relationship with God, not begin it, the answer lies within. And people don't understand that, so he isn't being helped, but he's also suffering for his lack of faith. Here's where we have the only reference to a "scar" in the entire song, though. It comes from the psyche, though, not from the physical. He extends his hands, and they appear clean, but inside, he's hurt, bleeding, and scarred. Meanwhile, people try to change him but they don't even realize that. He "risks his life", though, because he's both on a decline from it, and because when you die, you want to believe in some kind of higher power such that you can reach salvation. Without that, even if you don't believe, you risk the possibility that there actually is an afterlife and you won't be a part of it.
That's one way of interpreting this verse, but I feel I should throw another one out there since it's one of the deepest and most important parts of the entire song. It's possible that Petrucci is talking directly to God with this section, as if he still does hold belief in said higher power, but he's criticizing and talking about his own personal angst through that. Doubting God, which is what he's doing, is wrong. The Bible says as much. Yet he feels he has nothing for the faith he's shown. People around the world are negatively affecting him and he's unfond of them, and they're emotionally scarring him, and he feels God is not there for him and is going to leave him there. Either way, this is the most intense moment of the entire song, by far one of the most important because it's where the title comes from, and the absolutely amazing chorus is about to come. I should note a guitar riff comes between the two parts, but then there's keyboards again. It begins.
What if the rest of the world
was hopelessly drowning in vain?
Where would our self pity run?
Suddenly everyone cares.
The beginning of that poses an extremely important question. Now granted, we've heard/seen this once already, with some minor differences. Before the world was hopelessly blinded by fear and we had to question sanctity, and no one cared. Now, however, everyone cares. Now, those are very subtle differences and if you're listening to this song for the first time, you might not even pick up on them. I think they're very important though, because if you think about it, no one doing something to everyone doing it is a pretty major change, even if it's only one syllable in a word. And I'll be the first to admit that I'm not sure what that part of the song and the transition from no one to everyone represents. Apparently more people care about drowning in vain, versus being blinded by fear, and about their self pity as opposed to their sanctity. But that's part of the reason why this song is so deep, and why Dream Theater as a whole are better lyricists than people give them credit for. Because the fact that the exact meaning behind a little subtlety like this eludes me. That's a mark of quality writing ability, because it intrigues me. It interests me more than it should, what Petrucci was striving to say there.
I will say this, though. The song becomes clearer and clearer as it goes that there's a religious connection to it, and while that might have been obvious yet, it's definitely getting there, though the focus at this point is obviously a change in Petrucci's life, and how he and the people interact with one another as a result. As the song goes on though, he improves himself and I'd say he finds God all over again, so I'd say everyone caring is definitely a good thing, and he's just a part of everyone, following the crowd. Being completely hopeless in life and feeling little to no responsibility or pity for his being doesn't sit well with him. That's the best theory that I can come up with, and even that's a little far fetched. So, maybe this is why the pre-chorus didn't come with the chorus the first time around. The band uses the same melody to show a transition, and then the chorus itself, which is absolutely outstanding by the way, is just what's happening to him. But anyway, the song slows down, it's groovy, and LaBrie's vocals are filling with the same fear and passion that was coming through from the beginning.
Blood...Heal me
Fear...Change me
Belief will always save me
Blood...Swearing
Fear...Staring
Conviction made aware
Give up on misery
Turn your back on dissent
Leave their distrust behind
Wash your hands of regret
"Blood, heal me, fear change me...", it's just passionate, I love it. No, screw passionate, it's desperation, and LaBrie isn't afraid to let that penetrate his voice. But let's go deeper into this. A scar when shed, is eternal, but it must bleed. Petrucci knows he'll feel at least some effects of this for the rest of his life. But blood is a defense mechanism, and will heal him. Deep inside himself he knows there must be some higher power, which leads him to fear, which leads him to believe, changing his outlook of life to follow. Through that, he convinces himself to change his ways. Enter the post-chorus, which isn't quite as awesome as that chorus, but it's awesome all the same. He's miserable now. He wants to be rid of that, and to do that he needs to believe as he once did. He feels regret and suffering because of himself and his peers, and he knows that he'll be able to rid that from himself. Anyways, throughout the last part of the chorus, LaBrie's vocals are emphatic again, and the keyboards are strong as ever. This is the second half of Awake, after all.
Do you feel you don't know me anymore?
And do you feel I'm afraid of your love?
And how come you don't want me asking?
And how come my heart's not invited?
You say you want everyone happy
Well, we're not laughing.
And how come you don't understand me?
And how come I don't understand you?
Thirty years say we're in this together
So open your eyes.
People in prayer for me
everyone there for me
Sometimes I feel I should face this alone
My soul exposed
It calms me to know that I won't
This is the last part of the song to offer much in the line of new lyrics, and it once again raises an important question, as to whether Petrucci is addressing his peers, or addressing God directly. We know that the song consists of both, but the only question is where it does what. First of all though, it's clear that he's changed as a human being. Because of that, people don't know the new him. He wants people to believe that he thinks they actually do care about him, but he's come across as being opposed to it for so long, that who knows. Same goes with God. He's turned God away for so long, and then the only emotion he had was fear, so he isn't sure that God Himself knows what to believe about him. He has these thoughts inside his head, but at the same time he's still angry at the people. Reason being, they're hypocrites, and that's the way a lot of people who work with religion are. They act in the name of God, but in reality their only interests are finances and political gain, and he still feels as rejected as ever by these people, as much as he wanted to assure them in the first place. Maybe his reason for saying this comes from being a different person twice over, and this giving him the ability to see the true colors of them.
There's some people that he feels are standing beside him, though, which is what he lets out by saying "it calms me to know that I won't". Which I have to say, I think the lyrical highlight is the "you don't see the scars, maybe you'll leave me here to burn" part, plus the musical highlight is the chorus, but this part of the song is incredible as well, plus extremely important towards the finalization of the song. He talks about himself, people, and the connection that those two have with each other in their association with God. As in: "thirty years say we're in this together". He has without a doubt gained some respect for human beings back with his gradual restoration of faith, and that's seen from "people in prayer for me". What a play on words. Either way, everything up through the ending is amazing. The chorus again, no complaints there, and then Portnoy absolutely blitzing away at drums, similar to Metropolis Pt. 1 actually. What comes in is one of Petrucci's finest solos ever, though, so what can you possibly say to justify that. Nothing. This solo is almost better than the one in Lines in the Sand, even though it's a lot more static and not nearly as dynamic. It does the same thing for awhile, but that's what makes it great.
Plus you know what, the solo ends and then the chorus comes back yet again. This is what makes Scarred great. The post-chorus is what concludes the song, but the last line is changed to "I'm inspired and content". Inspiration. Something that comes from faith. That's one of the major reasons that I feel this song is about losing faith in a higher being and then returning to it, though there's evidence all over the place. Now you can believe me or not believe me, makes no difference, but to me, it's always going to be grouped together with Blind Faith and Lines in the Sand as the religious epics. The song ends with an awesome keyboard solo that segues into Space-Dye Vest, and there you go. Scarred is underrated, what else can I possibly say. From beginning to end it's flawless, and it's one of the deepest songs the band ever wrote. Like the band or not, this is a song you wish you could write.
-
Scarred... Well...
I don't like it thaat much, probably along with Lie and 6:00, which are my least heard songs in the album.
Dunno, it's not a song that has clicked on me really that hard.
Live versions are another thing, every song on Awake with a live version (except for Caught in a Web and maybe 6:00) is better than its studio counterpart, specially SDV and The Silent Man (Scenes), IF in Score is beautiful and I also like Scarred in BTFW.
Ah, what about Labrie's vocals? Don't you like them? And hm, interesting. Why would you say that the live version is much beter than the studio version?
-
Scarred... Well...
I don't like it thaat much, probably along with Lie and 6:00, which are my least heard songs in the album.
Dunno, it's not a song that has clicked on me really that hard.
Live versions are another thing, every song on Awake with a live version (except for Caught in a Web and maybe 6:00) is better than its studio counterpart, specially SDV and The Silent Man (Scenes), IF in Score is beautiful and I also like Scarred in BTFW.
Ah, what about Labrie's vocals? Don't you like them? And hm, interesting. Why would you say that the live version is much beter than the studio version?
I'd say it's because of the ambience. Just how natural and great BTFW sounds makes me like just everything they play there more than its original version. 2nd best live album for me, only bested by Score and that's because Score has Octavarium and Six. Labrie sings awesomely, both then and now.
-
Space Dye Vest (7:29)
Space-Dye Vest is one of the most beautiful, yet most haunting songs Dream Theater has ever written. It definitely starts in a way intended to haunt you: Moore's piano, yet despite that, everything else is in silence. That is all you can relate to in the beginning. LaBrie joins in a little after the minute mark, but for the beginning of this song, that's all we've got: a duet between LaBrie and Moore. The lyrics are dark and rather depressing (don't get me wrong though, they've got nothing on Disappear) -- it's Moore's admission that he really may be insane, inspired by how he sort of fell in love with a model wearing a space-dye vest in a magazine. Hint: "I saw the future dressed as a stranger / Love in a space-dye vest". That's as chilling as it gets. LaBrie's voice is very different here: he's a lot deeper in this song. Like... you've never heard him this way. And gosh, the piano gets me every time. If I'm ever in a happy mood, all I have to do is listen to this song and I will be in a bad mood. If I want to be depressed, all I have to do is listen to Disappear X'D. Also, this write up is pretty short, as it is pretty simple, but the musical quality is awesome. And the sampling is oh my God, so haunting and fitting. Love it.
Falling through pages of Martens on angels
Feeling my heart pull west
I saw the future dressed as a stranger
love in a space-dye vest
Isn't this haunting? Flipping through a magazine and finding the perfect man or woman on the cover of the magazine. Have you guys ever had that feeling before? That model Kevin saw was wearing a space dye vest, hence the title of this song.
Love is an act of blood and I'm bleeding
a pool in the shape of a heart
Beauty projection in the reflection
Always the worst way to start
Very beautiful. Love can be awesome, but it is also very painful in case of heartbreaks and betrayal. We can see Moore is spiritually bleeding as the blood forms the heart. "Beauty projection in the reflection," is the worst ways to start the love.
[Sample is Julian Sands from the film "A Room With A View".]
"But he's the sort who can't know
anyone intimately, least of all a
woman. He doesn't know what a woman
is. He wants you for a possession,
something to look at like a painting or an ivory box.
Something to own and to display. He doesn't want you to be real,
or to think or to live. He doesn't love you, but I love you.
I want you to have your own thoughts and ideas and
feelings, even when
I hold you in my arms. It's our last chance... It's our
last chance..."
This sampling is basically saying that there are two people that loves a woman. One is basically just treating her like a display. He wants her only to look at and to fill his needs. The other is saying that he will treat her much better. He doesn't truly love her, but the main character truly does. It's their last chance together.
Now that you're gone I'm trying to take it
Learning to swallow the rage
Found a new girl I think we can make it
as long as she stays on the page
The woman is forever gone and the main character is barely controlling his rage. He is really mad, but swallows it and he finds a new girl on a magazine, but realizes that it'd be better for her to stay on the page because if she doesn't, it will lead him to more heartbreak.
This is not how I want it to end
And I'll never be open again
He didn't want that relationship to end like that, so abruptly. He will never be open again as he lost his love twice.
[Sample from "The Trouble With Evan", from the Canadian series "The Fifth Estate".]
"...I was gonna move out...ummm...get,
get a job, get my own place, ummm,
but... I go into the mall where I
want to work and they tell me, I'm,
I was too young..."
This talks about a girl, probably 18, who was going to move out and live on her own. She tries finding her own job to support her life, but she the mall she wanted to work at refuses her because she is too young and she is saddened. Sexism might be in play here also.
[Sample is Jim Hill from a news commentary about the OJ Simpson freeway chase.]
"Some people, gave advice before,
about facing the facts, about facing reality.
And this is, this without a doubt, is his biggest challenge ever.
He's going to have to face it.
You're gonna have to try, he's gonna to have to try and,
uh, and, and, and get some help here. I mean no one can say they know how he feels."
This sample talks about how the main character, Moore will have to face reality. She is gone and she is part of the magazine so his biggest challenge is to face that challenge and let her go, no matter how much it hurts. He will have to face it to survive.
[Sample from the Conan O'Brien show.]
"That, so they say that, in ya know
like, Houston or something, you'd
say it's a hundred and eighty degrees,
but it's a dry heat.
In Houston they say that?
Oh, maybe not. I'm all mixed up.
Dry until they hit the swimming pool."
This part, I'm not really sure. I think Moore chose this sample to be part of this because it is pretty mysterious much like his other songs.
[Sample from "The Trouble With Evan", from the Canadian series "The Fifth Estate".]
"...I get up with the sun... Listen.
You have your own room to sleep in,
I don't care what you do.
I don't care when.
That door gets locked,
That door gets locked at night by nine o'clock.
If you're not in this house by nine o'clock, then you'd better find some
place to sleep. Because you're not going to be a bum in this house.
Supper is ready..."
This sample is heartbreaking. I think it is talking about the girl we saw 3 samples above. She moved out of the house because the father was so tight and strict about the rule. We can see that she has to arrive at the house by 9 or else, she'll have to find another place.
There's no one to take my blame
if they wanted to
There's nothing to keep me sane
and it's all the same to you
There's nowhere to set my aim
so I'm everywhere
Never come near me again
do you really think I need you
We can see Moore heartbroken and he is basically giving up. He can't be sane anymore, he will be all over the place. He doesn't ever want to see the girl again because she "betrayed him." He doesn't want her near him ever again.
I'll never be open again, I could never be open again.
I'll never be open again, I could never be open again.
He'll never be open. :\
And I'll smile and I'll learn to pretend
And I'll never be open again
And I'll have no more dreams to defend
And I'll never be open again
Wow, poor Moore. He will try to smile and tell everyone he is alright while deep down inside, he is far from alright. He will pretend and he will never be open again. His dreams are crushed and he will have no more to defend. He will never be open again. After this, Moore's strings sound comes in and they have a duet with the piano. By this time, all of the band are in and this song closes. So beautiful. :'D
Next, we will have Falling into Infinity! Can't wait!
-
I'd say it's because of the ambience. Just how natural and great BTFW sounds makes me like just everything they play there more than its original version. 2nd best live album for me, only bested by Score and that's because Score has Octavarium and Six. Labrie sings awesomely, both then and now.
Ah, that makes sense. Would you recommend me listening to BTFW? What is that anyways? Sorry, I have no clue. And what is Score?
-
no, the riff you talked about in the mirror is very objectively the same riff as Space-Dye Vest, sorry
-
And what is Score?
A live album and DVD done in 2006, as a 20th anniversary show. Setlist was one song off each album up to Octavarium, including the full 42-minute Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.
-
no, the riff you talked about in the mirror is very objectively the same riff as Space-Dye Vest, sorry
Exactly. I kind of see how you could immediately follow it with the TGP one, because the style of it is similar in this case, but the actual melody is definitely not from TGP.
Also, I have to say that several of these recent ones (noteably Lie and Scarred) really look similar to another website's write-ups of DT songs that has a similar title to this thread's... :P
-
Exactly. Richard Beast right? I know him personally :P
Thankfully we kinda worked on this together although he let me borrow some so meh :/
Geating lazy a couple of times.
-
I based my write-ups on his aswell, just because they were so good, I didn't exactly copy parts, but I used the same terminology and such, although I don't know him personally. :P
So as long as you stick to that style consider me satisfied.
-
I'd say it's because of the ambience. Just how natural and great BTFW sounds makes me like just everything they play there more than its original version. 2nd best live album for me, only bested by Score and that's because Score has Octavarium and Six. Labrie sings awesomely, both then and now.
Ah, that makes sense. Would you recommend me listening to BTFW? What is that anyways? Sorry, I have no clue. And what is Score?
If you haven't seen/heard Breaking the Fourth Wall (live in Boston) or Score (NY) yet you've seen Chaos in Motion, then you have some live material to catch up with. :P Unless you were just unsure of the abbreviations? This place is shocking for that. :lol
-
I'd say it's because of the ambience. Just how natural and great BTFW sounds makes me like just everything they play there more than its original version. 2nd best live album for me, only bested by Score and that's because Score has Octavarium and Six. Labrie sings awesomely, both then and now.
Ah, that makes sense. Would you recommend me listening to BTFW? What is that anyways? Sorry, I have no clue. And what is Score?
If you haven't seen/heard Breaking the Fourth Wall (live in Boston) or Score (NY) yet you've seen Chaos in Motion, then you have some live material to catch up with. :P Unless you were just unsure of the abbreviations? This place is shocking for that. :lol
I actually heard about Chaos in Motion (and songs there) before I even got to know about Score, and BTFW wasn't out yet. So, it's... possible.
-
Are you going to review Eve as the last track of Awake?
-
I actually heard about Chaos in Motion (and songs there) before I even got to know about Score, and BTFW wasn't out yet. So, it's... possible.
True that, I discovered the band in '09 around the time of BC&SL and I think some of the first live stuff I delved into was Chaos in Motion as it was representing a lot of the modern songs that I was more familiar with. Was aware of Score but didn't get it immediately 'cause the songs seemed unfamiliar. I think the next one I heard was Livetime, which might not be the best live release either but I really enjoyed all the references/mini-covers and extra tidbits in the songs.
-
Are you going to review Eve as the last track of Awake?
???
Why would he review it as the last track of Awake when it's not the last track of Awake?
-
Oh, and good write-ups, OP. I am reading and not really replying, but good stuff. :tup :tup
-
Why would he review it as the last track of Awake when it's not the last track of Awake?
Why would he review it
Why would he
he
-
:lol that made me giggle a bit more than it perhaps should.
I'm really loving this thread. The OP is doing an excellent job!
-
Why would she review it as the last track of Awake when it's not the last track of Awake?
In Japan, the album came with a mini-CD containing Eve.
They did a similar thing on Falling Into Infinity with Speak To Me and the demo version of Take Away My Pain.
-
Thanks guys! :tup
And no, I won't be doing Eve, but you just made me realize something. The next song should he ACOS and I'm debating on whether to do it or to just jump to FII.
-
When asking that question, you should always keep in mind: "Is ACOS worth the attention?" The answer to that question is always yes, yes it is.
-
When asking that question, you should always keep in mind: "Is ACOS worth the attention?" The answer to that question is always yes, yes it is.
Unless you think it's incredibly overrated and bland, which I do. :biggrin:
-
You sound like BlackInk when I say Icarus Lives!/Scarlet/Alpha is a good song. :lol :-\
-
Just realized this had been untouched for a whhhiiile.
Will start ACOS very soon. Possibly by today around 5-6, Pacific Time.
-
A Change of Seasons (23:09)
Ah, here it is! A Change Seasons is here and it easily tops as the best song in Dream Theater history by most people. Out of 10 boys at school, 8 prefer ACOS. They say that it contains every element to be the best Dream Theater songs and even beats Octavarium. I would have to kind of agree. The thing is that I wasn't introduced to ACOS since about a month ago. I had known every big albums, except ACOS and my friends told me to check out ACOS and when I heard it, I first didn't like it. Well, it's not that, but it didn't get to me. This is my fourth time listening to ACOS and it is slowly, but surely getting to me. It's about Mike Portnoy's moms death on a plane and I feel extreme sympathy for Portnoy and given time, I would break down. No one deserves to have their loved ones taken away like that. Remember when Portnoy wipes the tears after drumming The Best of Times? Gosh, poor man. Anyways, let's begin.
[I. The Crimson Sunrise]
[Instrumental]
This marvelous piece begins with Petrucci on the acoustic guitar as he plays a simple, but a bit haunting tune. This mood draws me in as Sherinian enters also. The duet between Petrucci and Sherinian makes this part all the more haunting and I can feel my eyes closing as I sway with the beat. Then, we can hear a twinkle (if that's what you call it) and a synth. After a little more duet, everyone comes in as the song starts with a bang. Petrucci's electric guitar and Portnoy's drum is the most prominent as Petrucci plays a nice riff and Portnoy has some nice drum fills. After that, the song stops as Sherinian and Myung has two isolated parts all to themselves. Sherinian and Myung is heard more louder. Sherinian also has a solo with his grand piano then we can hear a familiar tune to Erotomania. Nostalgia, eh? The intro would be the only reason why I think ACOS is a tad better than Octavarium. I'm sure most of you agree with me. The song later briefly stops as the instruments play all in harmony, then we can hear a solo by Petrucci with Myung and Sherinian there to back him up.
[II. Innocence]
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
This was set before the accident. We can see that Portnoy was staring at the sunrise. The sunrise is especially beautiful and it takes my breath away every time I see it. This was the time before his innocence was taken away. It is said that your innocence is the sharpest when you are young and as you grow older and see the outside world, that is when your innocence starts fading. For me, my parents, especially my dad, being overprotective of me is sometimes really annoying and gets in my nerves, but I can kind of understand why they would want to protect me from the outside world. Before we experience death and all of life's curses, we think the world as perfect and full of wonders. "I must explore the boundaries/Transcend the depth of winter's snow." Now I realize that I could relate to that. Hey, these write ups are helping me a lot! I remember from like a week ago, I wanted to know what life was all about. I wanted to know all about family and marriage and that I wanted to explore, to push past the boundaries. But, by doing that, I might see life's cruelness.
Innocence caressing me
I never felt so young before
There was so much life in me
Still I longed to search for more
Portnoy was an eager child and he wanted to explore the whole world. He hadn't felt this young and so passionate before. He was bursting with life and his passion and his non exposure to the life's cruelness, benefited him. Labrie holds the word, "More," and we can see Sherinian play a little riff.
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
We can hear an ominious sound, like a breeze being played. We can see the season slowly changing to winter, the darkest of all the seasons. The days of summer, of joy, they are all gone. The leafs blow away in the winter as the harsh wind strips them out of their tree. They are blown away and lost forever. The snow now falls as the sun is blocked out. This is Pornoy's innocence being clouded by a barrier as he struggles to hold on to his innocence. Sadly, his innocence is slipping away from him, and it takes all his strength to not give it up, but........
In my den of inequity
Viciousness and subtlety
Struggle to ease the pain
Struggle to find the same
Petrucci riffs around for a while, then Labrie comes in. Petrucci is in his own "den" of unfairness and justice. He becomes vicious and subtle, as he tries to make the pain go away and to find the same. The key word here is struggling. He is not overcoming or winning. He is struggling.
Ignorance surrounding me
I've never been so filled with fear
All my life's been drained from me
The end is drawing near...
He begins to be filled with ignorance. He has never been filled with fear, this strongly. His life is being drained. HE is struggling, but not overcoming as he is losing the battle. He feels that the end is coming soon and it will not be pleasant. As the last sentence ends, everything turns ominous and silent as we can hear the acoustic guitar only as the next phase of the song beings.
[III. Carpe Diem]
"Carpe diem
Seize the day"
An ominous voice starts off Carpe Diem and the first time I heard it, it brought chills to me and it still sometimes does. Labrie starts only a little after.
I'll always remember
The chill of November
The news of the fall
The sounds in the hall
The clock on the wall
Ticking away
"Seize the Day"
I heard him say
Life will not always be this way
Look around
Hear the sounds
Cherish your life
While you're still around
The mood is still dark. It's winter and it's November. The clock ticks away. Possibly, the clocks ticks away as Portnoy's mom's time is ticking away too. Portnoy feels really uneasy. Remember that this is before his mother died on a plane crash. The person who says seize the day could either be his father (though I highly doubt it), or his alter ego...? Seize the day can mean very strongly to a person. Live life. It also means YOLO. Live life to the fullest and do not let a single year go by wasted. I feel like the only time someone cherishes their life so much is when they are close to death. After that, sampling comes in.
("Gather ye rosebuds while ye may)
(Old Time is still a-flying;)
(And this same flower that smiles today)
(Tomorrow will be dying")
This sampling is from a poem. The poem's name is "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," by Robert Herrick.
We can learn
From the past
But those days
Are gone
We can hope
For the future
But there might not be one
This brings out the con's of life. We might want to learn our mistakes from the past and do something to fix it! Great, right? Nope! What if those days all are gone? All erased from memory forever? We can also hope. We can hope that our future will work out fine. After all, hope can be the thing that keeps us going and to not give up? What if there is no future? What if our life is cut short? I can see how Portnoy's mom's future was cut short after that horrifying accident. I never liked planes......
The words stuck in my mind
Alive from what I've learned
I have to seize the day
To home I returned
Carpe Diem. Mike Portnoy realizes that he as to seize the day, to live life to the fullest as he returns home. But, tragedy strikes really soon like a bullet.
Preparing for her flight
I held with all my might
Fearing my deepest fright
She walked into the night
She turned for one last look
She looked me in the eye
I said, "I Love You...
Good-bye"
We can see the chain of events leading up the climax. His mother prepares for her fateful flight. Portnoy holds on to his mother with all his might, refusing to let her go. He fears his deepest fright as she walks away into darkness as she turns back. She looks Portnoy in the eye as Portnoy replies, "I love you....Goodbye." Each sentence gets more intense as it is spoken. This here is the climax as you are anticipating what will happen next. This part kinda scared me when I first listened to it. I get scared easily and....Dream Theater's songs, kinda scared me. Well, some songs. The thing I got scared the first time was Bridges in the Sky, Portnoy's vocals, and yeah...there's more, but I'd rather not get into it, yet.
("It's the most awful thing you'll ever hear")
("If you're lying to me...")
("Oh, you dearly love her")
("...just have to leave...)
(All our lives")
("Seize the day!")
("Something happened")
("Gather ye rosebuds while ye may")
("She was killed")
More sampling as we realize what happen.
"She was killed."
[IV. The Darkest Of Winters]
[Instrumental]
This is the darkest part of the song. The title also supports that fact, though the part before could also easily be the darkest part. Petrucci plays a sick riff, then just riffs for a while. Around 25 seconds into The Darkest of Winters, Sherinian has a solo which I find really catchy, but brings out the dark mood. Petrucci's riffing is no slouch either as the riffing brings out the dark mood. Petrucci riffs, Sherinian plays, Petrucci riffs, Sherinian plays and it is like that for a while. Sick riff Mr. Petrucci. :hefdaddy
After a bit more riff, we can hear the band all on fire. Myung and Portnoy then play a piece together, then there is a Sherinian/Portnoy duet also, then it leads up to.....Ytse Jam? Nope! A solo by Petrucci. The thing was that I had first listened to the Instrumedley and I find it really cool that they included pieces of A Change of Season. Also, in live versions, Myung plays the Major League Baseball Theme, Petrucci the Simpsons theme, and Rudess the Entertainer theme. Another reason why I :heart Dream Theater very much. Loved the Beyond the Life extension! :tup
[V. Another World]
So far or so it seems
All is lost
With nothing fulfilled
Off the pages and the
T.V. screen
Another world
Where nothing's true
Tripping through
The life fantastic
Lose a step
And never get up
Left alone
With a cold blank stare
I feel like giving up
Only Sherinian and Labrie is present. He feels like that life is lost and nothing can ease his pain and you can understand why he would feel like that. If I lost a parent, I wouldn't be able to take it and it'd probably lead me to suicide. That's how close I am to my parents and I've already lost too much people already. I don't think my heart would take it. I can feel how Portnoy feels because I had lost someone that I loved closely and her screams still haunt me to this very day. I felt like the world had been taken away from me. My best friend had been my anchor to live, but with her gone...... I felt like giving up until Dream Theater, my other friends, and my families stepped in and helped me through everything.
I was blinded by a paradise
Utopia high in the sky
A dream that only drowned me
Deep in sorrow, wondering why
Oh come let us adore him
Abuse and then ignore him
No matter what
Don't let him be
Let's feed upon his misery
Then string him up for all the world to see
I'm sick of all
Your hypocrites
Holding me at bay
And I don't need
Your sympathy
To get me through the day
Labrie sings really passionately here. He thought that life was all good and nothing could get in his way. He dreamt that he was in a perfect world, as innocence was caressing him. But, he realizes that it was all wrong. He realized that life wasn't perfect and that it had finally reared its ugly face. Labrie sings the next part with anguish as we can see people ridicule him for being so introverted. He is sick of people who treat him well when he is healthy and being his true, nice, funny self, but treats him like a virus when he loses someone so special and he withdraws from the world. Another climax is when Labrie yells, "I'm sick of all your hypocrites, holding me at bay." He is pissed right now. Sadness, loss of the will to live, and rage are really dangerous combinations as that person can be quite unpredictable.
Seasons change and so can I
Hold on Boy
No time to cry
Untie these strings
I'm climbing down
I won't let them push me away
The highlight of this entire song. Seasons continuously change in a cycle and if seasons could easily change, why can't we? Mike knows that no one will stop him from climbing down the ladder. Portnoy is a strong man and he is fed up with the hypocrites. He will not let them control his life and he will change. He will not wallow in his self pity and he will rise up high. To add the exclamation point, Petrucci comes up with an awe inspiring solo, that fills me with hopefulness. This is Portnoy, climbing down the ladders and facing the hypocrites, overcoming them.
[VI. The Inevitable Summer]
[Instrumental]
We can hear the beginning being played, but a bit different. This is the kind of transition that I really love. It also has a fitting title. Ever season is inevitable, and summer is the time for joy. Summer is here again! The winters are gone and now Summer will bring us joy! This part is really light headed and really fits. It doesn't make me want to headbang, but it makes me want to just go hug someone and tell them to cherish life forever. Hold on, I'm going to do that right now! :D
Alright, I'm back! So, what was I saying? Petrucci getse another solo here, then suddenly it changes as Petrucci riffs. What's going on? A Sherinian solo! You know, I feel like Sherinian is underrated. Sure, I think Rudess and Moore are a bit more.....errr, how can I say this correctly...talented? But that doesn't mean Sherinian should be underrated. Every perfect song needs a good transition from one part to another and this does it perfectly. Now, on to the beautiful sunset.
[VII. The Crimson Sunset]
I'm much wiser now
A lifetime of memories
Run through my head
They taught me how
For better or worse
Alive or dead
I realize
There's no turning back
Life goes on
The offbeaten track
The summer is here and Portnoy comes out wiser than he was. He knows that life is not all sunshine and it can be storms, but he mustn't lose hope. Memories run through him and it taught him that no matter if you are for better or for worse, alive or dead, there is not turning life back. Life always goes on, no matter how much we try to stop it. Remember the part, back in Carpe Diem when the lyrics said: "We can learn from the past/But those days are gone?" We realize that, the past will always be there, engraved in our memories....unless we get concussion and amnesia and all those good stuff.
I sit down with my son
Set to see the Crimson Sunset
(Gather ye rosebuds while ye may)
Many years have come and gone
I've lived my life, but now must move on
(Gather ye rosebuds while ye may)
He's my only one
Now that my time has come
Now that my life is done
We look into the sun
"Seize the day
And don't you cry
Now it's time
To say good-bye
Even though
I'll be gone
I will live on
Live on"
Wow, a beautiful finisher. This is the main character, way older, sitting down with his son, watching the sunset. Though, the ending isn't all happy. We can feel that the main character is going to die and he is saying goodbye, but he will live on. His memories will always live on. Just by writing about this song, my love for it grew. Yes, it is still not my favorite song, but I now put it on spot number five. Perhaps as I listen to it more, it will rise. This is a beautiful 23 minute song, way more emotional that 8vm, but 8vm also has its ups.
Next up, we have the underrated, possibly the most despised, FII.
-
Out of 10 boys at school, 8 prefer ACOS. They say that it contains every element to be the best Dream Theater songs and even beats Octavarium.
So just checking, you know 10 other people at your school who are DT fans? If so, you are incredibly lucky.
Then, we can hear a twinkle (if that's what you call it) and a synth.
The 'twinkle' is Portnoy, playing Crotales. He used them live a few times as well, they are basically small round tuned metal discs.
-
Oh yes. The thing is, my school is both a middle school and a high school, so from grades 6-12 and when we made clubs, I started a Dream theater club and made an announcement for fans to join so yeah. We're a club and thanks for the info, but I felt like the Sherinian played the twinkle because it sounded like it would come from a synth.
-
Oh yes. The thing is, my school is both a middle school and a high school, so from grades 6-12 and when we made clubs, I started a Dream theater club and made an announcement for fans to join so yeah.
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/1377103265_slow-clap-gif.gif)
-
I think this post is very relevant now:
https://www.facebook.com/mikeportnoyofficial/posts/1036438213040487
-
New Millennium (08:20)
Highlight of the song:Swallow pride before it swallows you.
Ah, New Millennium! Here is the first off of Falling into Infinity and it is written by Mike Portnoy. Strange thing about this title is that millennium is a period of a thousand years. But, this is Mike Portnoy's song so he can do whatever! To me, NM is a pretty good opener of this entire album, considering that it displeases many fans, though Lines in the Sand and Trial of Tears, among others, saves this album from sinking too low to the bottom. I would put this between the low and middle tier. Though it is not horrible, it is not too great either. I listen to Falling into Infinity once every two weeks, because there are other superior albums. I am in no way saying that FII is a bad album, I just feel like it's a tad underrated. Now, let's get started on NM.
This song begins with a duet with Petrucci and Sherinian. We can also hear the "twinkle" that was present in ACOS. After a while, we can hear traces of Myung, then the whole song stops when Portnoy plays his snare. Myung gets his own solo part (love those by the way), then Sherinian and Portnoy enters with the same beginning riff, then Petrucci himself comes in and is present in the right headphone or earphone. Then Sherinian changes to a grand piano and the band jams it out for a while. Sherinian throws in synths here and there and the mood right now is really catchy. I could feel myself dancing a bit to this song. After the jam, Petrucci riffs and Portnoy gets a little fill. After that Labrie comes in.
A single star behind me
A red sky burns aheads
A lonely light below me
Awake among the dead
The main character (He) who is going through a new phase in life does not like the change at all. He wakes up in a new millenium, only to find a single star in the red sky. There is only a single light, a lonely light that is awake, among all the darkness. I think that Portnoy wrote the lyrics this way, because even though Portnoy thought the album to be a failure, he hadn't lost complete faith in it. If he had lost complete faith and quit the band, there wouldn't be any star that shined behind him. Likewise, there would only be darkness that would consume all the light.
An overwhelming feeling
Leaves me numb and strange
A sense of new beginning
I sense a wind of change
As a new change takes place, there are times when there is an extreme strange sensation in your body. Have you ever had that feeling before? I know I have. Whenever I had to move and go to a whole new environment, my body gets all tingly. I'm sure this is the exact feeling Portnoy is talking about. But, even in this environment, you can't help but feel that there is hope ahead for you. That is the wind of change and a sense of a new beginning.
Out with the old useless
People so cold ruthless
Welcome in a new millennium
How many times must I
Live out this nightmare I
Can't wait until a new millennium
As you go through a new era, there will be people that oppose you. There will be cold, ruthless people that only want to bring hardship and pain throughout your new millennium, and I have a feeling Portnoy is talking about the record company that kept on pressuring them to make their songs mainstream. Portnoy could also be talking about how the millennium he is in (the FII era), is a nightmare and how he wishes for a new millenium, a change. Brilliantly written.
I've got this feeling
The tide is turning now baby
Funny feeling
Everything's gonna be alright now
Now, here's the chorus. It reinforces verse two of this song. Once again, Portnoy has this feeling, this feeling of hope, a strange and weird sensation. He knows that the new millenium will bring all sorts of weird, funny, hopeful changes. I personally love this chorus, not because of the lyrics, but because of how Labrie sings it. His voice sounds really tingly when he says the word baby. I don't have anything against this chorus, but I am puzzled on why he would include the word baby, but hey, I'm not the one to judge.
Living out a constant deja vu
Keep your head up
Please be patient we will get to you
Keep your head up
The line "Keep your head up," echoes throughout the next few verses. If you don't keep your head up, the new millennium you have been waiting for, might just fly ahead without you noticing it. Life is a cliche. We always live out a deja vu and even if it may seem tedious, we must always keep our head up, lest something new occurs. Patience is another trait that is essential to life and to a new millennium. Without patience, we lose faith of something really quickly and it can make us angrier, or it might split a lot of people up.
Just have some faith and you can see it through
Keep your head up
But faith don't pay the rent that's overdue
Keep your head up
Faith is another necessity to life. You must have faith in something, you must have faith that all will go well. Without faith, we would give up really easily. But, the problem with faith is that no matter how strong your faith is, if you mentality is, "I have faith that I will be able to pay an overdue rent without doing anything. I have faith." But, if you only have faith, will you actually be able to pay the rent? I think Portnoy's friends and the record label said to Portnoy to have faith, but Portnoy responded with: "But faith don't pay the rent that's overdue."
All that's glittering is turning blue
Keep your head up
What they want from me ain't gotta clue
Keep your head up
This verse was pretty straightforward except the first line of this verse. I am guessing that all the hope that sparkles, is starting to turn blue. Blue signifies sadness and I guess Portnoy has lost his hope and that hope is starting to turn to sadness. What the record label wants from Portnoy, doesn't have a clue.
Swallow pride before it swallows you
Keep your head up
Don't dare bite the hand that's starving you
Keep your head up
Ah, the first line is like a proverb in my house. We are always told to swallow our pride, before it swallows us. Honestly for me, swallowing pride is really simple, because I absolutely despise arguments and whenever I argue with someone and neither side wins, I just simply give in. There are people who can't do that and may find themselves in an endless argument that might turn explosive really soon. And I love the third verse, because it's usually, "Don't bite the hand that feeds," but Portnoy changed it to "Don't bite the hand that starves." What I find ironic is that if you bite the hand that starves, you will still starve.
How can you keep your head
And not go insane?
The only light at the end
Of the tunnel is another train
This is Portnoy's frustration that is cleverly worded. By keeping his head, Portnoy finds himself getting more and more insane. Portnoy's life right now is like a train headed towards a dark tunnel. The hope is usually the light at the end of another tunnel. Whenever I ride trains, I hold my breath when entering a dark tunnel, and sigh in relief when I see light in the end. The light signifies hope, but to Portnoy, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but does the light belong to the sunlight outside? No. It belongs to the light of another train and collision is imminent, unless something is done, quickly.
Lies ten feet tall
Broken my fall
Welcome you all new millennium
It's well overdue
And I can't wait to
Welcome in a new millennium
Absolutely love Myung here. Though the lyrics here are a bit strange to me. No, I'm not criticizing, "Lies ten feet tall/Broken my fall," but I'm talking about "Welcome you all new millennium," and "Welcome in a new millennium." I dunno, the wording sounds a bit strange to me, but it flows perfectly well. The lies that were told to Portnoy has gone so high, that it broke his fall. Wow. Ten feet of lies are actually pretty big. Portnoy feels like a new millennium is overdue and it should come like right now.
The chorus is played once more, then is an instrumental section. We can only hear Portnoy, Sherinian, and Myung for the first few seconds. Then Petrucci slowly comes in. Myung takes the spotlight with Petrucci backing him up. Then the beginning of the song, bits of it is quickly played, then Myung takes the stage once more, with Petrucci again, backing him up. Petrucci then plays a groovy tune as the whole band begins to rock it out. It's not anything too big, but it is still pretty catchy. I feel a bit hopeful when listening to this piece, like there is more in store for all of us. Honestly, I felt like they could shorten the instrumental section a bit, but....it's fine. Myung takes another spotlight for a few seconds, then Sherinian comes in with a bang, then possibly the darkest instrumental section of this song comes in, when Petrucci's riff, then, Labrie comes once more. The chorus is played twice, then, the closing instrumental. Petrucci and Sherinian riff it out as Portnoy and Myung plays a note every second, then the song closes with a bang.
I love this song and I think it opens a song perfectly than any of the song in FII will. Some lyrics are cleverly written, while some are meh, but things flow perfectly well. The instrumental is nothing too flashy. What I love about it is Myung. I just love his bass sounds really much, especially on his SoC solo, but we'll get to that later. Overall, a strong performance by them. Next up is You not Me.
-
Horrible album imo. Not too bad of a song, but it's still pretty low.
-
Don't really care for the song as a whole but it does have a nice groove to it.
-
Yeah the lyrics don't do much but the song is good. Nice groove :tup
-
The album came out in 1997, near the transition from one Millennium (1001-2000) to the current one. And it was a big thing, in the news a lot at the time, so they wrote a song inspired by that.
-
You Not Me (04:58)
Highlight of the song: "It's all about you, not, me!"
**Remember that these interpretations is what I think of the song! This may not be the actual interpretation.**
Ah, here is, perhaps one of the most controversial songs ever written by Dream Theater. Every You not Me youtube video I see, there is at least one person that replies with, "Ugh! You Or Me was so better than You Not Me! Why did Desmond Child have to f*** up everything?" The thing is, I don't feel like this song is too bad. Sure, the chorus may be poppy and mainstream and not "Dream Theater standards," but I still think that overall it is an awesome song. I couldn't comprehend the meaning of this song fully, because I think the lyrics are somewhat cryptic, but I think I got the gist of it. Now, let us begin this mysterious song.
There are two characters, He and She. They are childhood friends and are basically inseparable. He feels like the girl is trying to control their relationship and the direction they want to go. They aren't a couple yet, but she is doing everything to try and draw him near. The purpose of her act is to give him a hint that she likes him and does everything she can to make him her's, but the guy takes it the wrong way. He thinks that she is doing all these things just to annoy him and eventually, give what she wants. That soon messes up their friendship.
The song starts off with Portnoy's drum fill, then the rest of the band follows, with not a single instrument left behind. Possibly, Petrucci's riff is the most noticeable, with Portnoy's drums. At 0:14 James Labrie comes in to sing the first verse. Let's take a look.
Being around you is driving me crazy
Watching you run is making me lazy
You're trying to buy a place in my head
Telling me lines I've already read
Speaking my name, you're tryin' to confuse me
Say it again, you're starting to lose me
Portnoy, Myung, Labrie, and Petrucci is the only one there, until Sherinian comes in at verse 3. There are two characters present, Character A (HE), and Character B (She). She and He are best friends and they hang out with each other a lot, without getting into any intimacy. He is resting and watching the girl just annoy him. She just wants to talk and talk and talk while he just listens. She happens to be stuck to him like glue and that drives He very crazy. She talks about the same stuff to the guy, "Telling me lines I've already read." She is basically is making their relationship really complicated and he is being more and more confused. He has had enough to the point where he is ignoring the girl and starts to lose her, lose faith in her.
That's alright, I'm okay, it happens every single day
It's all the same but I'm not blind
The pre-chorus. He feels like he is going out of his head and honestly is fed up with her. As he sits alone to recollect his thoughts, he understands. He knows that the girl is drawn to him and since he is slow and doesn't fully comprehend, a.k.a, take a hint, he ends up making the girl more frustrated too, as time passes. He realizes that this happens every day, but still doesn't know why it is happening. He claims he is not blind. He thinks that she is doing that just to get on his nerves.
It's all about you, not me
It's all about the things that you're expecting me to be
There's not enough time to live
And all that you're expecting me to give
It's all about you, not me
It's all about you, not me
He doesn't know that the girls is trying to get him to notice her and start a relationship. Instead, he thinks that she is trying to annoy her, to get him finally fed up, so he can submit to her. He thinks that the girl thinks everything is about her and what she wants. I think this chorus is not as poppy as it sounds. This is my opinion, so feel free to disagree. I think in a sense, Petrucci worded it as, "Why do you think it's all about you, not me."
He (Character A) is frustrated because the girl thinks that everything is about her, not him. Life is short, and he thinks that the girl's expectation of him is too big. He feels like it's all about her, not him, and is frustrated, contrary to what the girl actually means by doing all this.
Love the chorus by the way. It is really catchy, especially Petrucci and Sherinian. Portnoy's ride is played after, "It's all about you/not/me." The same riff from the beginning is played and then Labrie enters.
You're building my prison brick by brick
Eating your words is making me sick
You get what you want 'cause nothing is sacred
You're reading my mind and leaving me naked
You say I gotta give before I receive it
One of these days I'll believe it
He feels that their friendship is being tainted. He thinks that the girl is trying to manipulate his feelings. He thinks that she is building his prison personally. She is always next to him and he thinks that she is doing everything to confine him. Eating your words is an idiom for taking back publicly what you said and he gets sick. What I find really interesting is the last two verses: "You say I gotta give before I receive it/One of these days I'll believe it." The guys has a totally different situation than the girl. The girl claims that giving comes first, then receiving. He takes is the wrong way, thinking that he must always give to appease the girl, without receiving anything in response.
After that, the chorus is played once more, then there is an instrumental section. We can hear Labrie's sighing as Petrucci riffs it out and has a solo. I don't care how simplistic this solo is, but it still makes me catch my breath for a second. After his solo, the chorus is played once more, but Petrucci is heard more stronger, then the outro. Sherinian plays a string synth as Myung and Petrucci riff it out. We can also hear echoes as the whole band just jams it out for the rest of the song as it abruptly ends with Portnoy pounding on his snare.
If I think of it that way, I feel like this song isn't as poppy as it was meant to be. It seems a bit dark. Basically, an eternal bond and friendship is ruined because of miscommunication and pride. Neither of them voices their opinion on what they are doing and it further complicates their relationship. As this keeps going on, their relationship is doomed to fail, forever.
-
Peruvian Skies (06:43)
Highlight:Terror by night, liar by day, Telling her secrets won't take them away
Here is the third song from the fourth song on Dream Theater's discography, Falling into Infinity. Honestly, I love this song very much as it talks about a serious problem involving girls. Abuse. This speaks out strongly to me because I know how it feels to be a girl, since I am a girl. I could never get bored of it while listening to it and it just puts me in a deep thought up until Lines in the Sand. I've heard so many stories of girls being abused and find it completely unfair. If I get angry while writing this....please ignore it, but this subject of rape, abuse, or anything like that just pisses me off completely. Hearing the song Anna Lee also just pisses me off. There are two songs dealing with the subject of abuse and while Anna Lee saddens me, more that angers me, Peruvian skies does the exact opposite. So, while I am writing about this song, I may seem more angrier and while I'm writing Anna Lee, it might be a bit depressing.
I would like to introduce Vanessa to you. Vanessa is a young Peruvian girl who is a victim of abuse and rape. She has been beaten countless times and tries her best to endure the pain, but she can't hold it any longer. She doesn't know what to do anymore. What can she do? Even death is a pleasant option to her. It has been days since she has been abused. She had been separated from her family and she misses them dearly. As each day passes, she grows weaker and weaker and loses the will to live. As days pass, memories of her friends and family slowly slips away as she curls up and the meaning to live is gone. Here is a tragic tale of a young girl named Vanessa, her life taken away from her by abuse.
This song starts of with an acoustic guitar as Mike's hi hat comes in also. Then it is Myung, followed by Sherinian. The intro is short and Labrie comes in at 0:35 to tell about her tragic tale.
There, there it is
I swear he's gonna murder that poor kid
Wait, I hear it again
Don't turn on the lights until we hear the way it ends
Labrie's tone is pained as if he is the one feeling the pain. The mood is mysterious and unsettles me. A witness is there witnessing what is happening. There are two people, Vanessa and her captor. Sexism is still a major problem in the whole world and the sight is terrifying to see. The witness watches what's happening and thinks strongly that the abuser is going to brutally abuse Vanessa and then kill her. The witness hears her pleas for help and her scream as she is being abused again and again. Each night is when she is abused. During the day, she is kept captive with barely enough food and water. At night, the witness hears the girl's screams and pleas for help as her abuser abuses her every day. Every night, he can hear the terrifying scream.
Under Peruvian skies Vanessa regretfully waits
The story unfolds in her eyes
Where midnight hysteria's no big surprise
Battered and bruised, always confusing
The love that she's losing for hate
Poor Vanessa, poor, poor Vanessa
I absolutely love Labrie's voice when he sings, "Under Peruvian skies Vanessa regretfully waits/Poor Vanessa." Labrie seems absolutely pained and I swear, I could hear a girl's scream. Obviously the setting is in Peru and everyday, Vanessa waits to be abused. Hell, what can she do about it? Every night when the man fills her with promises, empty promises, every time she is raped, every time she is battered and bruised, EVERY freaking time, she loses her will to live. The story is basically playing in her eyes as her future is basically set for her. Everyday, she will be abused and beaten. Every night she is assaulted. Her black eye and bloody nose never heals. Everytime she is raped, the rape is not because of love, but because of hate. Anyone that hears about Vanessa says that she is poor. Not poor as in not enough money poor, but pitied.
Hey, I hope you know
I'm taking all of this with me when I go
Shame, you're not to blame
I'm the monster you created in your daddy's name
This reveals something very subtle. We now move on to the point of view of the abuser. He knows that being abusive has its consequences and says that everywhere he goes, his conscience will follow him. Ever smack, every time he rapes her, he feels really guilty, but doesn't do anything to stop. He claims that it is not her fault that he is raping her, but her dad's fault. This could mean that the abuser and Vanessa's dad knew each other and Vanessa's dad had wronged the abuser. The abuser couldn't do anything to the dad, so he takes it out on his daughter, his precious baby. He tells Vanessa that it is a shame, because she isn't to blame. Instead, he is a monster created by a feud between her and Vanessa's dad.
The chorus is played once more as the mood grows more and more tense until near the end of the chorus. Petrucci's strong riff is played as Portnoy pounds his snare drum. By the time Labrie sings, "Poor Vanessa," the entire mood of the song is shifted and is a strong instrumental section, releasing all of Vanessa's pain and anguish.
Terror by night, liar by day
Telling her secrets won't take them away
And here it is. The highlight of this entire song. Labrie's voice grows stronger until he is basically screaming. This sums of the entire rage and sadness penned up. After that, Petrucci's solo follows and this draws me in the most. I can feel the pain Vanessa has gone through and by this point, I am basically very >:(. You can feel the anguish, the pain she is suffering through. She has been beaten everyday and raped and her life is now ruined. After Petrucci's solo, is his epic riff, then it's a quick trade off between the band and Myung, then Petrucci's riff comes in stronger than ever. What follows is Petrucci's distorted tune and Mike's double kick becomes furious as it pounds its way throughout the song. Labrie comesi nwith the chorus, but this time, the chorus is really heavy. Portnoy's double kick is heard at intervals. Petrucci's riff comes in at, "Battered and bruised," as does Sherinian, more strongly. Labrie holds the word hate and Petrucci's riff is present once more as Mike pounds his snare drums. The riffing goes on for one more round as the song abruptly ends.
This song is really beautiful in a way, but agonizing to listen to. The funny thing is that when someone annoys me or pisses me off while I'm listening to the bridge, I abruptly pause the music and yell, "WHAT?!" in a very vicious tone and it either silences them, or they just look at me strangely. After a few seconds, I just resume listening to this music. This song is really gut wrenching to listen to and it just fills me with pain, thinking about how many girls go through this kind of treatment every single day. It's really a hard song to listen to.
chorus
-
One of my favorite and one of my least favorite FII songs, although my PS highlight is definitely the breakdown.
-
Here is the third song from the fourth song
haha
-
Here is the third song from the fourth song
haha
Oopsies. :P
-
One of my favorite and one of my least favorite FII songs, although my PS highlight is definitely the breakdown.
Why is thhat.
-
The YNM chorus straight up annoys me, and I highly prefer You Or Me.
-
I think this post is very relevant now:
https://www.facebook.com/mikeportnoyofficial/posts/1036438213040487
If that happened to Portnoy's mother way back in 1984, then who was "Honor Thy Father" directed at?
I thought it was about his step-father, but according to the Facebook post, she never remarried, because it was her boyfriend that she was with when the plane crashed.
-
Ranking of Metropolis Part 2
Sorry I haven't been active. School got to me and I was pretty busy. Also, since I wanna finish the write-up ASAP, there will be a couple of changes going on. First off, I will completely abandon Falling Into Infinity. Sorry to those loved reading those. I will skip to the first album Dream Theater had Rudess and I will be ranking the songs. And the album is obviously Metropolis Part 2. So everyday, I'll post a write up of the songs in Metropolis Part 2 and they will be in the order that I think the song falls under. So, it will change to a write-up and a ranking, but I won't give my opinion of the song, but the quality of the lyrics, how good each member of the band is, is I liked it or not, etc. So let's get started on this countdown! I am a sucker to 10-42 minute Dream Theater songs so don't be surprised if my top Dream Theater songs in every album are those long ones.
Number 12: Through My Words (01:02)
And, here is the shortest song ever on Dream Theater! :angel:
Every song in Metropolis Part 2 and every song there is above average, but all the songs beat this. Well, that is no surprise as it is extremely short and is a very good opener for Fatal Tragedy. I have no ill will against this, because this song is great, but compared to the others, they are better. It is their first album with Rudess and this album is running for the best Dream Theater album with Images and Words. Most consider this to be best Dream Theater album and I can't argue. This album is really great as it has a story line and with the introduction of Rudess, the keyboard's role has been beefed up. Rudess is the only one present with Labrie in this song.l
All your eyes have ever seen
All you've ever heard
Is etched upon my memory
I spoken through my words
All that I take with me
Is all you've left behind
We're sharing one eternity
Living in two minds
Linked by an endless thread
Impossible to break
Labrie delivers these lines perfectly. It is a really quiet ballad and it transitions well into Fatal Tragedy. Basically, this hints at the reincarnation of Victoria on the lines: "We're sharing one eternity/Living in two minds." The are linked together by an indestructible, endless thread and that is why Nicholas was sucked into this. Good song, but compared to the rest of the songs in this album, I believe that this the right place for this song. Twelfth place for me in Metropolis Part 2.
And basically, this is how the ranking and the write-up will go like and normally I'd end it here, but since this is so short, I will do one more.
Number 11: Regression (02:06)
I'm sure most of you expected that Regression would come really early and here it is. This is basically an introduction to Metropolis Part 2 and its greatest and although, when I first listened to this album, it got me well. When the hypnotherapist first spoke these words, I didn't realize that it was an album. I had no idea this was a story album so I did as the hypnotherapist said and I guess it kind worked. Then, Nicholas' voice came in and it baffled me. I searched up Metropolis 2 and I realized that this was a story album then the puzzle fell into place. Let's begin.
Hypnotherapist:
"Close your eyes and begin to relax. Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Concentrate on your breathing. With each breath you become more relaxed. Imagine a brilliant white light above you, focusing on this light as it flows through your body. Allow yourself to drift off as you fall deeper and deeper into a more relaxed state of mind. Now as I count backward from ten to one, you will feel more peaceful, and calm. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. You will enter a safe place where nothing can harm you. Five. Four. Three. Two. If at any time you need to come back, all you must do is open your eyes. One."
As I said before, this is an introduction to SFAM. He is giving instructions on Nicholas to close his eyes, relax, and imagine a brilliant white light. Nicholas does so as he drifts off deeper and deeper into a more relaxed state. The hypnotherapist counts back from ten to one and he feels peaceful. The hypnotherapist counts back to one and Nicholas drifts off and it switches immediately to his point of view.
Nicholas:
Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My subconscious mind
Starts spinning through time
To rejoin the past once again
Nothing seems real
I'm starting to feel
Lost in the haze of a dream
And as I draw near
The scene becomes clear
Like watching my life on a screen
Hello Victoria so glad to see you
My friend.
Here is Nicholas. He feels safe in the arms of the hypnotherapist and the light that is surrounding him. He has had dreams of Victoria and wanted to find the answers and he finally meets the girl he was looking for. I love Labrie's voice here (when do I not?) and he does really well of portraying Nicholas. He sings calmly and draws you into the song.
The only reason this song is higher than Through My Words is because it packs more content. It introduces an epic concept and gives you the plot of what is happening right now. Only an acoustic guitar is featured in this track.
-
Hey there Angela, just found this thread! Some very good analysis going on here . . . definitely keep up the good work :)
Impressive that you have these things figured out at 13 . . . DT itself was waaaay to complex for me at that age :lol
-
Thank you very much :)
-
Aww but you missed the best songs from FII :sad: LITS and TOT are just too good to pass.
Anyway, as people said, nice write-ups. You really dig into the songs more than the average DT listener.
-
I love SFAM but Through My Words is one hell of a highlight for me! Love that part. So simple yet so beautiful and awesome transition. Think that song deserves more love ;)
-
Thanks! And Merry Late Christmas!
Sorry I haven't been participating for a while. Things came up and yeah, let's leave it at that.
BTW, expect the next part of this to come up soon!
-
Number 10: Overture 1928
We can see the Overture makes its way at number 10. It is basically an instrumental, a transition that happens as Nicholas finally meets Victoria once more. Rudess is faintly heard at the beginning, then slowly Petrucci, Myung, and Portnoy fades in, just like the Dance of Eternity. The only reason that this is in tenth place is that all the rest of the songs pack more content and that shouldn't be surprising, since it's an instrumental. The Dance of Eternity is a whole new story. :D
Petrucci begins riffing as that is the main spotlight for a few seconds. After that, we can hear Rudess come in with his strings as Petrucci switches to picking the strings. Portnoy's toms can be heard also, as the rest of the band sans Rudess must lighten the tone of the instrument to switch Rudess' style. After Rudess carries on for a bit, the riffing comes back in. After the riffing, we can see Rudess leading with his synth as Petrucci riffs. And man, I really love Rudess' synth sound. Rudess gets a solo, then fades as Petrucci also comes in with a solo of his own. Rudess is supporting Petrucci with his grand piano.
After Petrucci's solo, Rudess comes in again, but with his strings, not his synth. Petrucci comes in once more and plays a really familiar tune. *ahem*One Last Time*ahem.* Petrucci and Rudess go at it for a while until the riffing is prominent once more, than Rudess' synth comes back in with his strings and then they riff some more. After riffing, the next song starts, but hold it! We're not going there yet!
-
Number 9: One Last Time
It was really hard deciding between this or Strange Deja Vu, but One Last Time won it. Err, I'm not sure "won" would be the correct word. :mehlin
I just feel like Strange Deja Vu was a much more stronger song than One Last Time. But, I am not discrediting One Last Time in anyway. Every piece of the song fits into this album and does well supporting. One Last Time was the first song I've heard from Metropolis part 2, back when I didn't even know it was a story album. One Last Time's ending was also climatic and I really enjoyed the suspense as the whole song ended with a bang.
The band finishes riffing from a previous technical instrumental as Rudess' piano, Myung, and Portnoy are the only ones present. Rudess plays a similar tune to that of Overture 1928. After Rudess' solo, he fades of to a string as Labrie comes in with his vocals. Petrucci comes in also with a light riff.
It doesn`t make any sense
This tragic ending
In spite of the evidence
There`s something still missing
Heard some of the rumours told
A taste of one`s wealth
Did Victoria wound his soul?
Did she bid him farewell?
We can see that Nicholas realizes that something is wrong. He reads the papers and knows about Victoria's tragic death, but he feels like that is not the whole strong. He claims this story doesn't make any sense and with the evidence, this story is still puzzling to him. Nicholas overhears some rumors about a taste of ones' wealth and that is when he starts questioning what happened. Nicholas wonders if he wounded the man's soul by cheating on him or just straight out dumped him.
One last time
We`ll lay down today
One last time
Until we fade away
One last time
We`ll lay down today
One last time
We slowly fade away
I absolutely love Labrie here at the chorus. He sings in a tenor and it is just absolutely beautiful. Though, I'm not sure if the "One Last Time," is by a woman because it sounds so feminine, but I'm guessing that it is just Labrie. Victoria talks about her death. The other man, who committed suicide and Victoria, falls, one last time. They die as they slowly and surely fade away. Fade away as in maybe decompose? Anyways, the chorus is absolutely beautiful and I love it.
After this, there is a mini break as Myung gets the stage. Petrucci gets a nice little solo after Portnoy's fills. The solo is short, but you can feel the pain of Victoria as the highlight comes up.
Here I am inside his home
It holds the many clues
To my suspicions
And as I`m standing here right now
I`m finally shown what I have always known
Coincidence I can`t believe
As my childhood dreams slowly come true
Ok, ok, everytime I listen to this, I get excited. I mean, come on! Labrie sounds frantic as the song is so fast paced. Rudess does perfect with his strings as he matches Labrie's tones. Nicholas finally reaches the Bayne's house and he feels like the house holds many clues. As Nicholas is standing at the home, all his memories he has had comes true. It brings back life and the dreams he had during his childhood is suddenly right there, visible.
After this part, Petrucci's electric comes in for a while, as Labrie starts once more.
Are these her memories
Awakened through my eyes
This house has brought back to life
An open door
I walk on through
Into his bedroom
Feeling as cold as outside
The walls disappear
To some woman who's screaming
A man pleads forgiveness
His words I cannot hear
Climax part 2. Nicholas is feeling his dreams and memory come to life. As he stands at the Bayne's house, visions start flooding in. As Nicholas walks into the bedroom, he feels really cold as his vision starts zooming in to Victoria who is screaming at some man, and in turn, the man is begging for her forgiveness as the words are muffled. The song fades out as Rudess plays a mysterious jingle that really brings shivers down my spine and really sets the mood.
Nice! This song would be way higher if it was much longer, detailing more about the mysterious encounter with Victoria and the mysterious man, but this song is perfect how it is right now!
-
Number 8: Strange Deja Vu
Clocking at this list at number eight is Strange Deja Vu! Strange Deja Vu sets the scene for the story. When I first listened to Regression, I was still confused about the direction of how the story will go, then came Strange Deja Vu. It does really well detailing Nicholas' journey to meet Victoria and Labrie does really well also every part of this song! This song comes right after Overture and you might be confused of when Overture ends and when Strange Deja Vu starts. That happened to me a lot of times, but hey, who cares? Anyways, let us get started with this piece shall we?
After Petrucci's riffing, Labrie enters immediately without any hesitation as Petrucci riffs in the background.
Subconscious strange sensation
Unconscious relaxation
What a pleasant nightmare
And I can`t wait to get there again
Every time I close my eyes
There`s another vivid surprise
Another whole life waiting
Chapters unfinished, fading
Closer now - Slowly coming into view
I've arrived - Blinding sunshine beaming through
This song was written by Mike Portnoy and I fall in love with his style of writing. We can feel how Nicholas feels during his journey. He describes his journey as strange, but relaxing. He also uses an oxymoron to describe how it felt. He feels like that it's a nightmare because it is strange and it's his first time, but he thinks the nightmare is pleasant as there isn't a lot of screaming and convulsing. There is just relaxation. Every time he closes his eyes, something new seems to happen. He feels new, surprising memories bursting forth as new life waits him. The chapters that are not finished yet, seems to be completing itself. As he travels subconsciously, the can see something coming into view. The light grows stronger and stronger until he arrives. What does he see when he arrives? Sunshine.
There`s a house I`m drawn into
Familiar settings, nothing new
There`s a pathway leading there
With a haunting chill in the air
There`s a room at the top of the stairs
Every night I`m drawn up there
There`s a girl in the mirror
Her face is getting clearer
Young child won`t you tell me why I`m here?
We can see that almost every sentence begins with a "There's a......" Nicholas keeps on seeing Victoria in her dreams and he comes upon the house that he has always been seeing. As he approaches the house, I can basically seeing him yawning in boredom as he has already seen all of them, hence the wording, "Familiar setting." He also sees a path leading to the house, but as he approaches, he feels like something is very wrong. He feels a chill in the air that can be only described as haunting. He visualizes the house now as he sees a room at the top of the stairs. Every night, maybe in his dreams, he feels drawn to the house and as he goes upstairs, he feels a girl in the mirror, as if she is signaling to him. Maybe she wants to tell him something as her face starts getting clearer and clearer. He finally asks Victoria why he's here.
In her eyes - I sense a story never told
Behind the disguise - There`s something tearing
At her soul
This part leads up to the chorus and if you listen carefully, you can hear Mike Portnoy echoing Labrie. As he looks deep into her eyes, he finds a story that is waiting to be told, but has been never told. She might have seemed happy then, but in all honesty, in all that happiness or contentedness, he knows that she feels pained and there is something behind the veil, behind the disguise that is eating her up inside.
Tonight I`ve been searching for it
A feeling that`s deep inside m
Tonight I`ve been searching for
The one that nobody knows
Trying to break free
I just can`t help myself
I`m feeling like I`m going out of my head
Tears my heart into two
I`m not the one the sleeper thought he knew
Ok, who doesn't fall in love with that part? Answer truthfully ;P
I just love Labrie's use of his tenor as he sings this part. He portrays Victoria really well and it just warms my heart every time I listen to this part. This is the absolute highlight of this song and this gave the edge over One Last Time. With Rudess' strings backing Labrie up, this sounds like a totally masterpiece. Props to Rudess' strings. Victoria confesses that she feels like hell and it breaks her heart. Something happened and she hints at two lovers with "Tears my heart into two."
After this magnificent piece, Petrucci begins riffing and Nicholas/James comes back in strongly as he carries this song, fast paced.
Back on my feet again
Eyes open to real world
Metropolis surrounds me
The mirror`s shattered the girl
Why is this other life
Haunting me everyday
I`d break through the other side
If only I`d find the way
Nicholas is back on his feet, ready to go. His eyes opened again as he see's the city surrounding him. The mirror holding the image of Victoria is shattered. Nicholas thinks to himself about his life. He wonders why his real life is haunting him everyday in his dreams. He realizes that like the mirror that shattered, he himself must break through the other side of his life, the only solution to find his way, to find his life. Labrie basically screams the last part as it seals his determination, with Portnoy's vocals backing him up randomly.
Something`s awfully familiar
The feeling`s so hard to shake
Could I have lived in that other world
It`s a link that I`m destined to make
I`m still searching but I don`t know what for
The missing key to unlock my mind`s door
Something seems really familiar to Nicholas, hence the title, "Strange Deja Vu." He feels like the answer is at the tip of his tongue, but he just can't get it right. The feeling that gets to him everyday is really hard to ignore, but it is extremely vague. He begins questioning about his life and he makes sure that he will do everything to find out. He begins searching for something, but he is not sure what that something is. He comes to the conclusion that that something is the key, in which he will unlock all mysteries.
Today I am searching for it
A feeling that won`t go away
Today I am searching for it
The one that I only know
Trying to break free
I just can`t help myself
I`m feeling like I`m going out of my head
Tears my soul into two
I`m not the one I thought I always knew
The character now is not Victoria, but is Nicholas, so James uses his regular voice. He basically repeats what Victoria says. The mystery and the tragedy tears his heart into two.
I just can`t help myself
I`m feeling like I`m going out of my head
Uncanny, strange Deja Vu
But I don`t mind - I hope to find the truth
Amen! He feels strange all over again and he feels like he is going really crazy, but that aside, he is determined to find the truth and he will do whatever! That's the Nicholas I know. This song concludes after this. I love this song very much, especially Rudess' strings and Labrie's tenor.
-
Number 7: Through Her Eyes
Through her eyes clocks at number seven on this list. This basically marks the half of the album and after this, the album goes to its best. The next six songs all contain the powerful element of making Metropolis Part 2, the best of best. Let us not stray from topic and let's go immediately to Through Her Eyes. This beautiful ballad starts off with Victoria humming ever so sweetly as Rudess' string is present in the background. Petrucci's electric can also be heard from time to time to match Victoria. After a while, Portnoy comes in lightly, then Rudess with his piano. Labrie begins as Victoria, his voice pained.
She never really had a chance
On that fateful moonlight night
Sacrificed without a fight
A victim of her circumstances
Labrie's voice is really calm and beautiful here. We can get into the story much more as Nicholas details what happened to Victoria. Victoria never stood a chance that night. It was as if her death was fated. She was sacrificed, she died, all because of her circumstance. We can truly see how haunting it is and how sad the mood has shifted from the previous song. Nicholas seems absolutely saddened and his voice tells it.
Now that I`ve become aware
And I`ve exposed this tragedy
A sadness grows inside of me
It all seems so unfair
I`m learning all about my life
By looking through her eyes
Nicholas is fully aware of this tragedy and he has exposed it to the world. As he thinks about the tragedy and all its details, he is saddened. The sadness grows and grows. Did you every think something was so unfair? Imagine if someone who cheated, was rude to people, took shortcuts, did many stunts that could get him killed, didn't study at all, slacked off, etc, became more famous and popular than you who didn't cheat, was nice to everyone, took no shortcuts, took responsibility, etc? That is exactly how Nicholas feels about Victoria's tragedy. By looking through Victoria's eyes, he is learning about Victoria's life which is important, but he also learns about his own life. Petrucci comes in with his lead electric and plays bits and parts until Labrie comes in again.
Just beyond the churchyard gates
Where the grass is overgrown
I saw the writing on her stone
I felt like I would suffocate
In loving memory of our child
So innocent, eyes open wide
I felt so empty as I cried
Like part of me had died
This song truly gets more and more tragic. I admit that I tear up a bit after listening to this tragic piece. We can see Nicholas going beyond a churchyard gate, which is basically a cemetery. He goes to Victoria's grave and looks at what was written in it. Again, great description by Petrucci. He didn't have to include the grass being overgrown, but he did, and that did a lot. What Nicholas found written on Victoria's stone truly horrified and broke him down. The stone said: "In loving memory of our child. So innocent, eyes open wide." Imagine looking at your kid who has died, who was innocent, looking with eyes open wide. It must have truly be tragic for Victoria's parents and Nicholas felt the same as he broke down crying, feeling like a part of him has died.
And as her image
Wandered through my head
I wept just like a baby
As I lay awake in bed
And I know what it`s like
To lose someone you love
And this felt just the same
We can see that Nicholas pictures Victoria in his head. Imagine picturing your dead family or close friend, eyes wide open, dead, looking at you. As Nicholas did that, he lost all control as he weeps like a baby, lying awake in bed. Props to Nicholas for admitting how much he cried. Not a lot of people can do that and I like how he adds "Like a baby," in the end. Nicholas understands how it feels like to lose someone you dearly love and that felt the same, when Victoria died. Wow, talk about an extremely strong connection.
She wasn`t given any choice
Desperation stole her voice
I`ve been given so much more in life
I`ve got a son, I`ve got a wife
I had to suffer one last time
To grieve for her and say goodbye
Relieve the anguish of my past
To find out who I was at last
The door has opened wide
I`m turning with the tide
Looking through her eyes
And that is the most epic finisher I have ever heard in my entire life. Nicholas goes on about Victoria's life. He claims that Victoria had no chance to speak. When something happened that led to her murder, Victoria couldn't speak out, instead, she was too desperate and that stole her voice, claiming her life. Nicholas now realizes how much blessing he has. He has a son and a wife, but Victoria didn't. Just by the sentence, you can infer that her death may have been done by a relationship. Nicholas himself had to suffer, by looking through Victoria's eyes to find out who he was and to relieve the anguish, but he finally did. The answer has opened and he is now turning with the tide and all that was possible by looking through Victoria's eyes.
Petrucci again plays with his electric guitar, but this time, Labrie hums along and the ending fades out and finishes. It is a really beautiful ending and closes the beautiful song. This concludes the middle and low tier of this album, and now, begins the top tier. The next six songs has a lot of content packed to it and I will see you next time with it. Hope you enjoyed it!
-
Number 6: The Dance of Eternity
And at number six is The Dance of Eternity. This six minute song is the start of a new breakthrough. This is Dream Theater's most technical most instrumental, but sadly, it falls just on the border. This instrumental is most known for its odd time signatures and how much it jumps from one signature to another. This instrumental doesn't stick to me as much and I find Hell's Kitchen and Erotomania to be even better than this instrumental, but it is still an awesome display of skill by Rudess, Portnoy, Myung...basically all the members of the band. The introduction contains pieces that switch through your right and left ear. Then, the bass comes in as the drums and guitar fade in, riffing. Does this introduction sound similar to any introduction? After a bit, Portnoy and Petrucci bang their respective instruments, well in Petrucci's case, riffs, as an explosion happens and this song has officially began.
Rudess is the most noticeable band member that plays this piece. After Rudess, attention shifts towards Petrucci as Rudess backs him up. After Petrucci's part, Rudess mimics Petrucci, then takes the show with his lead synth, which changes to a regular piano as the band falls silent for a while. After Rudess' part, Myung plays a note, as Rudess follow suit. Rudess comes in again with his synth as Petrucci riffs in the back. After that, Petrucci's riff is prominent with Portnoy and Myung as the whole band comes in once more. After a mini jam session, Petrucci hits his drums three times as Rudess plays an epic jingle. At this point, I can't help but dance. It really is a fun display of Rudess' skill. After, Petrucci comes in with his lead as he and Rudess jam it out until.....John Myung!
The bass solo you hear next is similar to Metropolis Part 1's solo, but it has a more mesh of notes that gets played. Portnoy then bangs on his snare as Petrucci riffs. After Petrucci's riffs, the whole band gets on fire and the most impressive display of instrument right now is Portnoy as he is just banging on his drums. After that, the whole band sans Portnoy plays a succession of notes together. Rudess' instrument is the heard, then Petrucci's and Myung's. Rudess fades out as Petrucci takes the stage. Petrucci gets a solo with the others backing him up as he switches to a riff soon. After all that, the song comes to an end and One Last Time begins. Not bad!
The only reason why I find this instrumental to be memorable is because of the insane time signature changes. I'm sure you guys do to. Still, this overall is a really good instrumental and possibly it is one of the easiest instrumentals to learn on the guitar.
-
Number 5: The Spirit Carries On
Highlights: "Move on, be brave. Don't weep at my grave, because I'm no longer here. But please never let
your memories of me disappear."
Petrucci's solo and Labrie's voice. Victoria's vocals and the chorus.
Lowlights: At the beginning, Labrie's voice for a while.
My fifth favorite song from Scenes from a Memory would be The Spirit Carries On. I know that people claim that this song should be higher than number five, but I would like to disagree. First of all, I think this song is a tad overrated. Go ahead, judge me, but I think that is the truth. It is a beautiful ballad, no doubt about it. Labrie's voice is really beautiful, of course. Petrucci makes his guitar cry, yes. This song is overall awesome, but I find the next four songs to have more appeal to me. No way am I making fun of Spirit as this song is still number five, but it is not in my top twenty five of my overall favorite Dream Theater songs. Now, enough of my rambling, let us delve deep into this song.
In the beginning, the only present is Labrie and Rudess. When Labrie songs, I basically feel that he might cry very soon. The introduction should sooth a lot of you. After the drama from the last few songs, the album mellows down. Myung's bass enters after a while and the only present is Labrie, Myung, and Rudess.
Where did we come from?
Why are we here?
Where do we go when we die?
What lies beyond
And what lay before?
Is anything certain in life?
They say "Life is too short"
"The here and the now"
And "You're only given one shot"
But could there be more
Have I lived before
Or could this be all that we've got?
Nicholas questions about life. He is wondering where we come from and where we go when we die. Obviously we come from our mother's womb, but the real question Nicholas is asking is: "Where did humanity come from? Where do they go when they die?" Of course there can be a lot of controversy out of this question such as: "We come from apes." "God created us." "We are reincarnated when we die." "We go to heaven and hell." For the sake of keeping peace, I would not like to go into detail about that. Nicholas is just questioning about what happened before life and after death. People have come up with a popular phrase that goes by: "YOLO," meaning, you only live once. That is what Nicholas is talking about and he wonders if there is actually more than one life ahead of us.
If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
And here is the beautiful chorus. Nicholas is basically saying that if he dies tomorrow, or any day, he will be fine because he knows that after he dies, there will be another life. His spirit will carry on to another life. I think that this chorus hints about Nicholas' death because he indeed does die. This chorus is absolutely beautiful and shows us how strong of a person Nicholas is. After the chorus, Petrucci comes in with his acoustic and Portnoy hits his ride occasionally. After that, Portnoy has a mini fill as the whole band is there for the next verse.
I used to be frightened of dying
I used to think death was the end
But that was before
I'm not scared anymore
I know that my soul will transcend
I may never find all the answers
I may never understand why
I may never prove
What I know to be true
But I know that I still have to try[/i]
Nicholas tells us about his experiences with death. He admits that he was first scared of dying and once he was dead, he thought that it would be over. He now explains that, that thinking was before everything. Right now, he isn't scared about death anymore as his spirit will carry on. He goes on to say that throughout his life, he may never find the answer to the questions (what happened to Victoria), or never understand why (encounter with Victoria), or prove what he knows to be true (Victoria's death). Although he may not prove any of those, he knows that he still has to try. The chorus comes in once again, then comes the bridge.
"Move on, be brave
Don't weep at my grave
Because I'm no longer here
But please never let
Your memories of me disappear"
And that is the highlight of this entire song. Victoria is speaking to Nicholas and she has to say some really beautiful words to him. Victoria is basically saying to not forget her. She tells Nicholas to stop crying and move on with his life. That is very good advice for someone who has lost a loved one through death's grasp. They'd want you to move on, but cherish their memories in their heart. After the beautiful bridge, comes a beautiful solo by Petrucci. First, Petrucci plays a heart felt solo. He doesn't do anything flashy and does a straight solo just like The Best of Times, but don't compare The Best of Times to this song. Petrucci's solo gets more and more intense with each passing second until you can hear him shredding like there is no tomorrow. After the shred, nostalgia.
Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My questioning mind
Has help me to find
The meaning in my life again
Victoria's real
I finally feel
At peace with the girl in my dreams
And now that I'm here
It's perfectly clear
I found out what all of this means
Does nostalgia pierce your very soul? It does to me. The words that were heard at the very beginning of this album, comes in once again. Victoria and chorus makes this really shine through. I love listening to this part over and over. The other vocals backing up Labrie almost brings tears to my eyes because of the sheer beauty of it. Then, the chorus comes in once more. After the chorus, Petrucci, Victoria, and the chorus of voices take the stage. This song slowly fades out with Victoria, Myung, and Rudess, and comes the final song.
Wow. This song is really beautiful and this definitely helps shape the album. I love this song a lot, and sadly, I had to place this song at number six. I am sure you can guess what the next song will be.
-
Number 4: Fatal Tragedy
Now, at number four, here is Fatal Tragedy. We are getting close to the end guys! Thank you for sticking with me until the end! After this album, we shall have the ranking of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence! But, Fatal Tragedy is better than Spirit for these reasons: 1) I feel like this song packs more content to the story and offers more meat than The Spirit Carries On. 2) This song stood out to me much more than Spirit. 3)The lyrics are more well written to me. Now, instead of bashing Spirit, let us just begin with this song, shall we?
Alone at night
I feel so strange
I need to find
All the answers to my dreams
When I sleep at night
I hear the cries
What does this mean?
Don't be confused! I'm sure you DT veterans already know this, but I'm saying this because I thought Through My Words kept on going until the end of this part. The beginning is only Labrie and Rudess. Rudess offers a haunting tone as Labrie sing-whispers this verse. This talks about Nicholas. As he sits alone at night, he feels very strange. He is drawn to the dreams sent by Victoria and every time he sleeps, he hears cries and he can't help wonder what it is.
I shut the door and traveled to another home
I met an older man, he seemed to be alone
I felt that I could trust him
He talked to me that night:
"Lad did you know a girl was murdered here?"
"This fatal tragedy was talked about for years"
Victoria`s gone forever
Only memories remain
She passed away
She was so young
The band comes in immediately and Nicholas talks to us about his encounter with an old man. He exits his house and shuts the door, traveling to another home. There, he meets an older man who was alone. If it were me, I would avoid that old man altogether, but Nicholas goes and talks to him, because he feels like he could trust him. They have a conversation together with the man talking about Victoria's death. She passed away and was gone forever, the only thing being alive was her memories. And, this song was written by Myung. This is one of the only songs by Myung that doesn't have a deep meaning. Well obviously, the story of Victoria goes in deeper, but that is not what I mean. Listen to LTL, ToT, and Shadows, then this song.
Without love
Without truth
There can be no turning back
Without faith
Without hope
There can be no peace of mind
Here is the chorus and it is absolutely beautiful. Nicholas lists four important aspects of life: love, truth, faith, and hope. Without these, there can't be turning back and there can be no peace of mind. This chorus is really simple, but it speaks out a lot. After the chorus, Rudess and Petrucci has a mini duet, followed by Portnoy pounding on his snare drum.
As the night went on
I started to find my way
I learned about a tragedy
A mystery still today
I tried to get more answers
But he said, "You`re on your own"
Then he turned away and left me
As I stand there all alone
He said, "You`ll know the truth
As your future days unfold"
As the night went on, Nicholas started to find his way and asked for more answers about the mysterious death of Victoria. Unfortunately, the man says that he is alone and that the man can't help him anymore. On that happy note, the man turns away and left as Nicholas sits alone. Thankfully, the old man does not stop there. He turns back and says that he will know the truth as life goes on and on, living Nicholas puzzled. After, the chorus comes in once again.
After the chorus is the highlight of this entire song: the instrumental section. This instrumental section is why I put Fatal over Spirit and I stand by that. Portnoy starts the instrumental with his pounding snare then Petrucci riffs alone as the band comes in. After the riffing, comes Rudess and Portnoy's snare. Rudess takes the stage for a bit more then Petrucci comes in with a sexy solo. After some shredding, Rudess comes in. The solo is played in a way that it is positioned so that Rudess' synth could flow directly after Petrucci's solo without any pause. Rudess himself also plays a nice synth solo as the band suddenly stops. After that, all the band comes in and they are on fire. They play like there is no tomorrow until the solo ends and.....
"Now it`s time to see how you died. Remember that death is not the end but only a transition."
The hypnotherapist speaks once more with Rudess on the piano, then the song immediately transitions to Beyond this Life.
I feel like this was an extremely well written song by Myung. This for me sets the actual mood for the entire album. Although the past songs were really good, this is the real kick in the head. I enjoy this song very much and never get bored of listening to this song as it is really catchy and fun. Now, onto the big three of Metropolis part 2!
-
Number 3: Home
Yay! We are at the big three! Remember that this is all my opinion and it might differ from all of us! Anyways, I feel like Home rightfully deserves the number three spot. People claim that this song is the magnum opus, but, I feel like this is just like Spirit. It is a bit overrated. Sure, it has a really catchy chorus and almost everything about this song is perfect, but the quality of this song just does not match up to the quality of Finally Free and Beyond this Life. Don't worry though, I still love this song to death, even if the errr, intercourse scene makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Anyways, let's get on with the song!
The introduction to this song, I like very much. It starts off really light, but it builds up. At the beginning, we can only hear Petrucci with his acoustic guitar. We can also hear various sounds of people? We can hear bits of Portnoy throughout this instrumental section. Rudess also becomes prominent and so does Myung, entering at around 1:04. Portnoy then comes in with his ride, snare and kick as Rudess takes the stage. Does the sound Rudess plays sound like an Egyptian instrument? Dunno where I got that from. The introduction to Home has begun. Petrucci has a mini solo as he transitions to a riff and the beginning of the song starts!
[Sleeper:]
Shine-lake of fire
Lines take me higher
My mind drips desire
Confined and overtired
Living this charade
Is getting me nowhere
I can`t shake this charade
The city`s cold blood calls me home
Home it`s what I long for
Back home where I belong
Nostalgia hits me like a wave once again. Where can we remember: "Shine-lake of fire." Why yes, it is from Metropolis Part 1! This is in the perspective of the Sleeper, who is Julian. When he sees Victoria, he is filled with lust. The city's cold blood calls him home, the place he longs for, the place he belongs. Portnoy backs up Labrie as he sings. During this verse, basically, we are drawn to the story of Julian and his fateful meeting with Victoria. The meeting forever changes his life. After the first verse, the first variation of the chorus comes in.
The city - it calls to me
Decadent scenes from my memory
Sorrow - eternity
My demons are coming to drown me
Help - I`m falling, I`m crawling
I can`t keep away from its clutch
Can`t have it, this habit
It`s calling me back to my home
Basically, the chorus talks about how the home is calling Julian home once more. He claims that his sinful scenes from his memory calls to him. The sinful scenes also brings sorrow for all eternity and he also says that the demons are coming to drown him. This could be because of his lust for Victoria, as lust is a deadly sin. When he see's Victoria, it is making him stumble and crawl, but he can't help himself away from Victoria. This lust is calling him back to his home and lust is basically like a habit to him. Isn't the chorus really beautiful? And, this is just the first variation of the chorus, more of this is more to come! After, the introduction solo Petrucci had is played once more as we switch perspectives.
[Miracle:]
I remember the first time she came to me
Poured her soul out all night and cried
I remember I was told there`s a new love that`s born
For each one that has died
Here is Edward, the other love of Victoria. After the heartbreak between Julian and Victoria, she sought comfort from Edward. Edward recalls what happened. As Victoria comes to Victoria, she pours her heart out and lets out the anguish of the heartbreak as she begins crying. What girl wouldn't cry because of their breakup between a boy that she loved very much? This also shows us more about Victoria's personality. We can see that she is an emotional frail girl. There are girls who cry after breakups and girls who move on. Personally, I would be the one crying after a breakup. Mike Portnoy nicely adds her personality in that verse. Oh and isn't that voice so beautiful? Labrie basically speaks that verse softly. Edward tells Victoria that after each love that has gone wrong, there is a new love, basically hinting at the relationship between Edward and Victoria.
I never thought that I
Could carry on with this life
But I can`t resist myself
No matter how hard I try
Now, we can see the lust that Edward has had. There is a frail, helpless girl right in front of him, and his lust overcomes him. He tries hard to overcome, but the feeling of lust is just too powerful.
Living their other life
Is getting them nowhere
I`ll make her my wife
Her sweet temptations calls me home
Home it`s what I long for
My home where she belongs
We can see Edward controlled by lust. Before, Edward did good at soothing Victoria and he did everything within his power to help, but as lust overcomes him, his personality changes. He turns a bit more aggressive, claiming that he will make Victoria his wife. He adds that her temptation overpowers him and calls him home, to Victoria. He longs for home, and he decides that Victoria belongs to his home. Absolutely a beautiful shift in perspective as we can see the story of two brothers and their relationship with Victoria. As Edward takes on Victoria, conflict and tension grows.
Her ecstasy - means so much to me
Even deceiving my own blood
Victoria watches and thoughtfully smiles
She`s taking me to my home
Help - he`s my brother, but I love her
I can`t keep away from her touch
Deception, dishonor
It`s calling me back to my home
Here is the second variation of the chorus, this time in Edward's point of view. Victoria's ecstasy deceives the Bayne's family. Something about this chorus makes me wonder. Was this part of Victoria's plan? Victoria is a beautiful girl, no doubt and maybe by looking frail, but tempting, she would catch the attention of Edward. I don't think that it was an accident that Edward and Victoria got into a relationship. She was playing both Edward and Julian and line: "Victoria thoughtfully watches and smiles." kind of adds to the point. We can see that Edward is in conflict, claiming that Julian is his brother and doing this might taint their relationship, but....she is just too dang irresistible, so, what does he do with her?
Next is a section in which we find out something more about the Bayne's and Victoria herself. Out in the distance, we can hear someone in the casino. After that, we hear a girl moaning. At first, I was weirded out by this and by the end of this section, I was er, practically blushing. I turned so red that my friends thought that I was running out of oxygen. After research, I realized that Julian was in the casino, unaware of an intercourse Edward and Victoria were having. Very beautiful. I meant the realization of what happened, not the moaning noises......
Anyways, Rudess has a synth solo as Petrucci riffs. After Rudess' solo, Petrucci has a solo of his own, Petrucci's being a bit more agressive. After his solo, he builds up and then the transition to the chorus comes in, the third and final variation of the chorus, in Nicholas' perspective. By the way, I love Petrucci's solo here as it is really intense and is good for headbanging.
[N:]
Her story - it holds the key
Unlocking dreams from my memory
Solving this mystery
Is everything that is a part of me
Help - regression, obsession
I can`t keep away from her touch
Leave no doubt, to find out
It`s calling me back to my home
Here is Nicholas with the realization of what had happened. Beautifully worded, Nicholas says that Victoria's story holds the key that unlocked every thing that happened to him (Victoria's encounter to her tragic death). He realizes that he was born and destined to solve this mystery. Nicholas also says that he can't keep away from Victoria's touch, but that isn't put in a lustful way. That is said in more of a "I have to find about her story. I would do anything." The mystery of the story calls Nicholas back to his home. What a beautiful ending! :D
Petrucci's introduction solo is played once more and at the end of it, there is a whole new instrumental. Rudess and Portnoy start it off as Petrucci comes in also. Try headbanging to the beginning of that. :P Most might utterly fail because of that 7/8 time signature. Holy crud, listening to this instrumental section makes me really addicted. After this instrumental section, the song ends and the familiar instrumental, The Dance of Eternity begins.
Everyone, that was the journey of home. That was really beautiful wasn't it? Now, we come to the final two songs of this magnificent album. See you guys later!
-
Number 2: Beyond this Life
Coming at number two is another long song, Beyond this Life! It was written by John Petrucci and details the death of Victoria. The reason why this song is at number two is because of the instrumental section 3/4 of the way. I will go more into detail at that part. Anyways, this song had transitioned from Fatal Tragedy and has an introduction by Petrucci. We can hear the guitar from our right ear and after that, the full band comes in aggressively and this song begins....
Headline: "Murder, young girl killed
Desperate shooting at Echoe`s hill
Dreadful ending, killer died
Evidently suicide"
A witness heard a horrifying sound
He ran to find a woman dead and
Lying on the ground
Here is what the newspaper says. This song is very straightforward and just by reading the lyrics, it should be really obvious. A young girl was killed at Echoe's hill by a gunshot. The newspaper claims that the killer of Victoria also died, evidently suicide. A witness, whom we have no clue at this point runs towards to the sound and what does he find? He finds a dead woman on the ground with a gunshot wound, bleeding. What happened to Victoria?
Standing by her was a man
Nervous, shaking, gun in hand
Witness says he tried to help
But he`d turned the weapon on himself
His body fell across that poor young girl
After shouting out in vain
The witness ran to call for assistance
A sad close to a broken love affair
This verse delves in more deeper into the story. There was a man standing next to Victoria who was shaking and nervous, a gun in his hand. The witness claims that he tried to run over and stop the shooter, but unfortunately, the shooter turned the gun to himself and shot himself. He dies and he falls on the poor young girl. The witness tries shouting, but realizes that it was all vain so he runs for assistance. What did he sit next to? He sat next to a broken love affair.
She wanted love forever
But he had another plan
He fell into an evil way
She had to let him down
She said "I can`t love a wayward man"
She may have found a reason to forgive
If he had only tried to change
Was their fatal meeting prearranged?
This is a whole new part of the story. The story claims that she wanted love forever, but the man who shot Victoria had another plan. He did something evil, something so vulgar that Victoria herself had to break up with the man, claiming that she couldn't love a wayward. The next two sentences are all if conditions. She might have forgiven him for a reason. If that man had tried to change from his evil way, would their relationship be alright? Victoria and the man's meeting is confirmed to be fatal and prearranged.
Had a violent struggle taken place?
There was every sign that lead there
Witness found a switchblade on the ground
Was the victim unaware?
They continued to investigate
They found a note in the killer`s pocket
It could have been a suicide letter
Maybe he had lost her love
I feel there`s only one thing left to do
I'd sooner take my life away than live with losing you
This is the absolute highlight of the song as Labrie basically screams this part. Nicholas himself asks a lot of questions. Did a violent struggle take place? To prove that, the clues to support that were ever where. There was a switchblade on the ground. What for? Was Victoria unaware? The answer to the question, is consuming them, so they set out to investigate. A major clue they found was a note in the killer's pocket and it was a suicide letter. Maybe Victoria grew tired of the shooter's love and cheated on him. He feels there is only one thing left to do: Kill himself, before losing the love of Victoria. But, why was Victoria killed also?
What follows this is an instrumental section. The first part, I'm not against at all. Petrucci riffs and it gets stronger until Rudess gets a synth solo. Nothing wrong with that! It is really catchy. After Rudess' synth, Petrucci's riffing, Myung's bassline, and Portnoy's drums are only heard. After that, Petrucci himself has a solo himself then goes back to the riffing. Alright, nothing wrong with that. But then, the problem comes. Sometimes, I think Dream Theater has unnecessary solo parts and it just ruins the whole mood of the song. When Rudess' solo comes in once more, that just defeats the song. Now, I have nothing against Rudess' playing as he makes it sound catchy, but it ruins the vibe of the whole song, which I had been enjoying. That is the only reason why it falls to Finally Free. Finally, Petrucci and Rudess have a duet as for the finale, Petrucci makes his guitar cry. After that, they go into a short instrumental section with no instrument leading the instrumental. After that, Labrie comes in one last time and the song ends.
I love this song very much and if the instrumental had been cut a bit, it would have made this the perfect candidate for the best Dream Theater song, but unfortunately, it isn't. Just because I say this, does not mean that I dislike this song. Heck, I love this song very much, but not all songs are perfect, nor fits everyone's taste. I am just stating my opinion.
And now, we will go to the best SFAM song, coming right up!
-
I guess its just a testament to the diversity of the DT fanbase that for me the instrumental section of BTL is the favourite part in the whole album!
JR for a change is playing something much more interesting than his usual blues scale wankery.
But the issue that you point out becomes quite obvious to me in other songs most notably ITPOE Pt. 2.
On a side note, other keyboard players in the genre roll out awesome solos without doing as much as JR does (8VM and the BTL parts being the exceptions for me). The latest example for me would be the Legend solo by Pinnella. To be fair, no one matches him with his piano playing!
-
I guess its just a testament to the diversity of the DT fanbase that for me the instrumental section of BTL is the favourite part in the whole album!
JR for a change is playing something much more interesting than his usual blues scale wankery.
But the issue that you point out becomes quite obvious to me in other songs most notably ITPOE Pt. 2.
On a side note, other keyboard players in the genre roll out awesome solos without doing as much as JR does (8VM and the BTL parts being the exceptions for me). The latest example for me would be the Legend solo by Pinnella. To be fair, no one matches him with his piano playing!
Well said! I am pleased to be in a forum with likes, dislikes and diversity! I'm glad to know your honest opinion about BTL and wow, for the whole album?!
Yeah, Jordan is a really interesting character who changed Dream Theater a lot. :)
ITPOE part 2? Really? I thought that was actually perfect for The Reckoning! Honestly though, I think Endless Sacrifice and Blind Faith were those two other songs that could be cut down shorter. Hmm, dunno!
Like to hear from you soon again!
-
Number 1: Finally Free
Everyone, here is Finally Free. Finally Free is my number one favorite song written by Dream Theater for SFAM. This marvelous song contains the finale of the whole story and Portnoy's best drum solo ever! This song has a place to me in my heart, especially the ending. During this whole album, I am at a trance like state and once Nicholas' scream is heard, I too am awakened from this beautiful, but tragic journey through our Scenes from a Memory. Put on your seat belt everyone, it is about to be epic.
[Hypnotist:]
You are once again surrounded by a brilliant white light.
Allow the light to lead you away from your past and into this lifetime.
As the light dissipates you will slowly fade back into
consciousness, remembering all you have learned.
When I tell you to open your eyes you will return to the present,
Feeling peaceful and refresh.
Open your eyes Nicholas.
Here is the hypnotist speaking to Nicholas. Nicholas has learned everything about Victoria, Edward, and Julian. We can see that Nicholas is surrounded by a brilliant white light and he follows the light that leads him away from the past, into the present. Nicholas finally awakens as the light dissipates and he soon remembers everything he has learned, and receives his consciousness back. As the hypnotherapist commands Nicholas to open his eyes, he does and the song begins.
[Miracle:]
Friday evening
The blood still on my hands
To think that she would leave me now
For that ungrateful man
Sole survivor
No witness to the crime
I must act fast to cover up
I think that there`s still time
He`d seem hopeless and lost with this note
They`ll buy into the words that I wrote
This feeling
Inside me
Finally found my love
I`ve finally broke free
No longer
Torn in two
I`d take my own life before losing you
When I heard this verse the first time, I was in shock and awe. Edward tells about the blood of Victoria and Julian that is in his hands. He is shocked that Victoria would think of leaving him for Julian. He wants to cover up the whole story and thinks that there is some time left. We can see that Edward wrote the suicide note and placed it on Julian and the papers bought it. How clever of Edward..... Edward also has finally broken free and he is no longer torn in two. He would kill himself, before losing Victoria. Does that mean after all this, he too commited suicide? The ominous note stops there as we shift perspectives.
[Victoria:]
Feeling good this Friday afternoon
I ran into Julian
Said we'd get together soon
He`s always had my heart
He needs to know
I`ll break free of the Miracle
It`s time for him to go
This feeling
Inside me
Finally found my love
I`ve finally broke free
No longer
Torn in two
He`d kill his brother if he only knew
Their love renewed
They`d rendezvous
In a pathway out of view
They thought no one knew
Then came a shot out of the night
Victoria is obviously pleased and in a happy state. She ran into Julian once more and they mended their relationship together. Victoria admits that she liked Julian way better than Edward. Victoria claims that she will break away from Edward to get with Julian once more. She also has a concern. If Edward finds out...Julian will be dead. We also learn that Julian and Victoria's love was renewed once more and they'd rendezvoused, or met together secretly somewhere. They thought that no one knew of their gathering, but Edward knew and then comes their death.
We can see the sounds of glass cracking as Edward approaches the two couples, who are shocked. We hear Julian groaning in pain and I'm guessing that Edward is beating the crap out of him. After a while, we hear a gunshot and Julian goes down. Victoria is horrified as she starts screaming. An ominous voice: "Open your eyes, Victoria," is heard as another gunshot is heard and then she falls dead.
[Sleeper:]
One last time
We'll lay down today
One last time
Until we fade away
One last time
We'll lay down today
One last time
We fade away
Here is a piece from the song One Last Time, and this talks about Julian and Victoria's death. They are dead and as they fall to the ground, they lay down together one last time, as they will soon fade away or decompose, until nothing of their body is left. After, Petrucci has a solo similar to the Overture 1928 and Rudess' introduction to One Last Time.
As their bodies lie still
And the ending draws near
Spirits rise through the air
All their fears disappear
It all becomes clear
A blinding light comes into view
An old soul exchanged for a new
Familiar voice comes shining through
Julian and Victoria are dead and as their bodies are lying still, and as the story closes, spirits, possibly their spirits rise through the air and their fear of death disappears. Everything dawns on to them and it becomes clear as a blinding light engulfs them, an old soul exchanged for new, and they hear a very familiar voice coming through.
[Nicholas:]
This feeling
Inside me
Finally found my life
I`m finally free
No longer
Torn in two
I learned about my life by living through you
This feeling
Inside me
Finally found my life
I've finally broke free
No longer
Torn in two
Living my own life by learning from you
We`ll meet again my friend
Someday soon
Nicholas is relieved that he found out about everything that had happened. He learned about his life, by living through Victoria. Nicholas, like Edward has finally broken free, although he was torn in two during the process. I think Nicholas is foreshadowing his death because he tells Victoria that they will meet each other very soon. Isn't this such a beauiful conclusion? The beauty is added with Mike Portnoy's solo. First, it starts off simple with him starting off with his ride and snare, then adding fills. Petrucci, Rudess, and Myung are riffing, backing him up. As the time passes and passes, Portnoy adds more pizzazz to his solo and we can all start headbanging. I really feel that this is the perfect part to enjoy this whole story. The band starts fading through one ear to another as finally, the band stops and we can hear a news report.
After the news report, we can hear footsteps, a door opening and closing, and wine being poured. Nicholas has returned home and starts watching the news when.....
"Open you eyes Nicholas!"
After, we hear Nicholas scream and the whole song turns to static. What was that? That was the epic closure of an epic album and I feel that it deserves a lot of credit. I love this song so much! This song has a place in my heart and I have love for it!
Well, there it is! Here is my ranking of SFAM with a review to each song. Next, we will go off to Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence! See you there!
-
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Album Ranking: 6th place out of 12 albums.
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is the sixth full-length studio album by progressive band Dream Theater, released as a double-disc album on January 29, 2002 through Elektra Records. Excluding the A Change of Seasons EP, it is the first Dream Theater album to feature a title track.
This song has six songs: The Glass Prison, Blind Faith, Misunderstood, The Great Debate, Disappear, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.
This list may spark some controversy so once more I'd like to warn you: This is all MY opinion. My tastes and your tastes will obviously differ so please don't slam me. Thank you!! <3
-
Number 6: Misunderstood
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Highlights: Lyrics are haunting, mysterious, and I love it!
Lowlights: Solo at the end, Portnoy's drum introduction
Lyrics: 7/10
Instrumental: 5/10
Instruments including voice: 8/10
Opinion: 4/10
Catchiness: 7/10
Total Score: 31/50
Clocking at number six is Misunderstood. I don't know, this song doesn't speak to me like the other songs. The lyrics are well written and I see no flaws with Labrie, but there are some parts to the song that just make me lose my love for this song. I get bored of this song real easily and sometimes, I just skip this song altogether. Now, let's begin analyzing this song.
The introduction to this song is Petrucci with his acoustic guitar. After an acoustic guitar solo, we hear Rudess, Labrie comes in.
Waiting
In the calm of desolation
Wanting to break
From this circle of confusion
Sleeping
In the depths of isolation
Trying to wake
From this daydream of illusion
We can see that the main character is waiting in the calm of emptiness, of destruction. He is honestly confused of what is going on around him. He is sleeping, isolated. He is trying to wake up from this illusion of life he is living. At this point of the song, we do not know what the illusion is. We do not know why he is sleeping alone, why he is in the calm of desolation. We can be living in an illusion if we are deluded from the truth, so that must be the case. Then, comes the chorus which explains what is happening to the main character.
How can I feel abandoned even when the world surrounds me
How can I bite the hand that feeds the strangers all around me
How can I know so many
Never really knowing anyone
If I seem superhuman
I have been
Misunderstood
During this chorus, we can hear a tambourine of sorts and a cello? Ah, we realize what the illusion is now! First, we know that the world is surrounding him so he must be a hero of sorts. Maybe the main character is a role model or a famous celebrity. He uses an extremely popular quote: "Don't bite the hand that feeds." We can see that people are claiming that he is superhuman. Now, superhuman does not mean they can fly or they have superpowers. It can be because they do something really extraordinary, things people have never seen before, and they claim that the person is superhuman. That is the illusion the main character is facing. He may be called a superhero, but he claims that he is not.
After, we can see Portnoy's introduction. We can hear him play bits and pieces of his drums and that part just irks me for someone reason. I felt that it would flow much more smoothly if we can in with a ride then slowly came in, as he does with other albums. After his bit, Labrie sings the next verse, with Portnoy playing his hi hat and his snare, and he throws in a kick.
It challenges the essence of my soul
And leaves me in a state of disconnection
As I navigate the maze of self control
Playing a lion being led to a cage
I turn from a thief to a beggar
From a god to God save me
Now, this verse can seem confusing to the eye when first read, but if you look deeper and to it, you can find the whole meaning of this verse like a puzzle piece. The thought of being called superhuman challenges the essence of his soul. Our soul is immortal, as it is an essence of us, but even if it may be immortal, it is in no way supernatural. Yes, it is supernatural by the fact that the soul is immortal, but it is not supernatural by the fact that it will change our lives forever. Our soul is immaterial, meaning that it has no direct play of our earthly lives. When we die, that is when our soul rises, but as we live, it is intangible. Soul has no direct correlation with the way we are living now. We also see that the main character is in a state of disconnection. He wanders the maze of self control and he describes how it feels like. A lion being led to a cage has no choice, but to follow the person to the cage. If the lion decides to attack anyone, it will be killed. He is like a lion, wandering the maze, following his leaders as they guide him into the cage. He turns from someone bad, but might have a decent life, to someone who has nothing left, but to beg. He pleads God to save him. After, the chorus comes in once again.
Next is an instrumental section, which I have no problem with. Rudess comes in with a kind of a distortion synth as Petrucci riffs. Then, Petrucci enters with his own guitar solo. This instrumental section, I absolutely have no problem with as it fits to the song with the mysterious vibe. After his solo, Labrie enters.
Playing a lion being led to a cage
I turn from surreal to seclusion
From love to disdain
From belief to delusion
From a thief to a beggar
From a god to God save me
Does this part seem familiar? He is once again described as a lion being led to a cage. He turns from bizarre, to all alone. We can see that the qualities he had, that were good, turns bad. Love turns to comptempt. Belief turns to misconception. A thief turns to a beggar. And a God to a god. The chorus is played again, and then comes the reason why I'm not so hot on this song.
After Petrucci's riff, we can see Rudess' distorted synth with Petrucci's riff. This part is really interesting. It is said that Petrucci played a guitar solo, reversed it, played the reversed version, then reversed it again. Really mind boggling if you ask me. Rudess' piano can be heard at the left then right ear as it alternates. After a while, Petrucci's reversed guitar solo can be heard and it is all a mesh. As the solo goes on, it just feels very strange to listen to it. His solo sounds messy and we see the effects of a reversed reversed guitar solo. The whole band sans Petrucci fades, then comes back as the song ends there.
I wince everytime I hear that part of the instrumental and that is one of the main reasons I skip over this song. I still love the beginning of the song and the lyrics, but the mesh at the end is what kills it for me.
-
Finally Free: Great song that I really, really used to underappreciate, something about that outro just hooked me, and giving it more listens the whole song turns out to be a masterpiece :metal Favorite SFAM song very closely followed by Home.
Misunderstood: Actually nearly my favorite aswell, but I guess I can't be mad about the ranking, an album consisting of only 6 songs, which are IMO all really up there. According to your writeup you don't quite feel the same way, but I like that you see through the problems you have with this song and manage to enjoy the better half of it.
-
MP's drum intro in Misunderstood annoys me too. It sounds very out of place. I chopped that part out on my copy, so after the first chorus it goes directly into the second verse. I also shortened the ending instrumental by cutting out the last half or so of it where it gets really unpleasant. Now it's one of my favorite songs on the album.
-
MP's drum intro in Misunderstood annoys me too. It sounds very out of place. I chopped that part out on my copy, so after the first chorus it goes directly into the second verse.
That's the best part of the song ???
-
Misunderstood is still, to me, the best song on 6DOIT. Everything about it is awesome. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Oh, and I am pretty sure that is not an acoustic guitar at the beginning, but an electric guitar played very cleanly by JP. Just saying... :coolio
-
That's the best part of the song ???
Not for me, entirely because MP's playing is distracting. There's a really cool atmosphere that everyone else is creating and then that ruins it IMO.
-
MP's drum intro in Misunderstood annoys me too. It sounds very out of place. I chopped that part out on my copy, so after the first chorus it goes directly into the second verse.
That's the best part of the song ???
Let's just repeat this until you agree with us
-
Yeah, I agree with some of you. I mean, I love Misunderstood, don't get me wrong, it's just that the two major flaws I've listed just bugs me a lot.
-
Misunderstood has no flaw, minor or major.
When Portnoy first comes in, those fills, and the way they echo, are awesome and just add to the atmosphere.
The ending section, I get why some do not like it, but I think it is very clever. The way the band fades out and then fades back in with that heavy breathing is pretty freaking awesome.
Best song on 6DOIT. :tup :tup
-
Number 5: The Great Debate
Lyrics by Petrucci
Ah! At number five, here is the Great Debate. This song has to be one of the most interesting songs I've ever heard. This song is about stem cell research and that stem cell research posed a lot of question for debate. Basically there are two sides, the left wing liberalists and the right wing conservatives. The conservatives are for this idea while the liberalists are totally against it. Personally, I don't have any say on this. Both ideas sound really convincing and I dunno. What are your opinion about stem cells? In the beginning, we can see the band lightly playing as some sampling is heard....
But, before we go in, I will focus more on ranking the song than going in depth because I'm sure it's pretty obvious if you guys read the lyrics. We can see that the band gets more complex as the sampling progresses on and on and finally, in an explosion, the last sentence ends and we can hear from our right speakers, the conservatives, and from the left, the liberalists.
What if someone said
Promise lies ahead
Hopes are high in certain scientific circles
Life won't have to end
You could walk again
What if someone said
Problems lie ahead
They've uncovered something highly controversial
The right to life is strong
Can't you see it's wrong
We can see the two sides of the arguments much more clearly. One talks about the promises. The hopes are very high and life won't have to end! People who can't walk can walk again! How fortunate! Maybe this thing isn't so bad after all, but then we see the problems that lie ahead. We realize that stem cells are something controversial and it talks about right about life...that doesn't sound to great. Who is right? Opinions are really strong and explosive, let's see what happens next.
Humankind has reached a turning point
Poised for conflict at ground zero
Ready for a war
Do we look to our unearthly guide
Or to white coat heroes
Searching for a cure
And the chorus. I love the chorus very much. And, I'm sure a lot of you know about the song's name change. But just to stay safe, I will explain it. The song was originally titled "Conflict at Ground Zero," but after 9/11, the band hurriedly changed the title of this song. The white coat hero is obviously a scientist. The two sides are basically set for war. To picture this clearly, the conservatives can be the Union and the liberalists can be the confederates and they are ready to fight.
Turn to the light
Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates
Turn to the light
Turning away would be a terrible mistake
Now when I graduate, that will be my quote, I'll be sure of it. The light is a marvelous thing and it certainly appeals to me more than darkness, but light creates a shadow, a member of the darkness. We must not shy away from it, but we must embrace it.
So far, I have no problem with the song yet. The sampling provides a nice backdrop and gives you a mood of what the song will be about. Nothing at this point makes me cringe or wince at the lightest and that is so far so good.
Are you justified
Are you justified
Are you justified
Justified in taking
Life to save life
Life to save life
Taking life to save life
Oh man, I could listen to this part all the time. Mike's vocals provide a nice support to Labrie and we can see that this issue is very controversial and heavy. This is emphasized by Labrie's tone. He is basically yelling to everyone: "Are you justified in taking life to save life?!" This is another huge controversy. Would you support taking lives to save life? I sure as heck wouldn't. After, Petrucci's sick riff takes control as the next verse starts, his riffs continuing on and on.
This embryonic clay
Wrapped in fierce debate
Would be thrown away
Or otherwise discarded
Some of us believe
It may hold the key
To treatment of disease
And secrets highly guarded
The embryonic clay, or the stem cell is wrapped in a fierce debate by two sides. One side says to throw it away because there is no need to take life to save life, while the others believe that the clay may hold the key. The key to what? The key to treating disease and other secrets. The way Petrucci puts highly guarded on there is pretty clever, because with the clay, we might able to do something that the scientists didn't want us to know. And that could be another reason of the people who don't support embryonic stem cells. Who knows? After, the chorus is played again, then the bridge.
We're reaching
But have we gone too far
Harvesting existence
Only to destroy
Carelessly together
We are sliding
Someone else's future
Four days frozen still
Someone else's fate
We are deciding
Miracle potential
Sanctity of life
Faced against each other
We're divided
This talks about the two sides: the supporters and the ones against this. The whole world is realizing that this issue is tearing people apart. This is issue can possibly decide the future of others, but it is causing a huge controversy and it is summed up in the last sentence. Only two words, but it speaks a lot: "We're divided." This embryonic clay has a potential to create a miracle, but tampers with our sacred life.
Should we push the boundaries
Or should we condemn
Moral guilt and science
Have collided
Turn to the light
We defy our own mortality these days
Turn to the light
Pay attention to the questions we have raised
The first two sentences give a question: "Should we go far with the research and use the embryonic clay or should we condemn it and ban it altogether. Moral guilt has collided with science (saving life vs morality of life). Petrucci's sick riff plays as "Turn to light," is sung once more. What comes after this is an instrumental. Rudess plays a very sick synth solo and he goes really high, then there is a pause with Myung and Portnoy hammering, then comes Petrucci's solo. I absolutely love this solo to death. I feel like this is an awesome solo and it speaks a lot to me. Petrucci shreds in this solo, then he has a duet with Rudess. After that, is the part I like the most. All the band is playing a similar note and I feel like this is one of the highest note Myung has ever hit and after, there is a mesh of notes, but the not the bad kind. What follows is Petrucci's riffs and some more sampling. In the beginning, the band builds up, but this time, as the sampling goes on, the band gets lighter and lighter. After the sampling, Rudess finishes off the song for us as it fades.
This song is really nice and it speaks to me a lot. The reason this song is only number five is because the other four songs relate to me the most and they just are better either in length, feels, instrumentals, etc. This whole album is a masterpiece and choosing this song at number five was really hard for me.
-
Number 4: The Glass Prison
Lyrics by Mike Portnoy
This might be one of the most controversial placement in this list. I love the Glass Prison, don't get me wrong, but compared to the next three songs, I have to place this on the fourth spot. The other songs are way above there for me, and I am happy with the Glass Prison's placement. This is the first suite in the twelve step suite and talks about Mike's problem with alcoholism. The static that ends SFAM plays as we can hear a bell. We hear Petrucci come in as the static fades. After Petrucci, the rest of the band comes in with a bang. An extremely catchy tune with Rudess at the lead plays. After, Petrucci's sick riff comes in and so does Myung's tight baseline. This is a nice heavy introduction that plays, then oh my God. Petrucci's arpeggio's come in and man, I love it to death. After that, it's followed by more riffs as Portnoy starts.
[I. REFLECTION]
Cunning, Baffling, Powerful
Been beaten to a pulp
Vigorous, Irresistable
Sick and tired and laid low
Dominating, Invincible
Black-out, loss of control
Overwhelming, Unquenchable
I'm powerless, have to let go
Portnoy sings lines 1, 3, 5, and 7 as Labrie sings the even lines. Labrie can only be heard in one speaker as Portnoy is heard on both ears. We can see that Portnoy is basically a slave to alcohol. The addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful. Portnoy is beaten to a pulp. He is sick and tired by the dominating personality of addiction. Basically, this talks about Portnoy's addiction seemingly controlling him. He wants to be freed from it, but it is extremely hard. Then, it's transitioned to the next verse as Labrie sings all.
I can't escape it
It leaves me frail and worn
Can no longer take it
Senses tattered and torn
Hopeless surrender
Obsession's got me beat
Losing the will to live
Admitting complete defeat
Portnoy can't escape the addiction as it has made him frail and worn. He is scattered and torn and beat and even loses the will to live! Portnoy admits complete defeat to the addiction and this is the main problem. He can't escape the grasp of alcohol. What can he do? Perhaps the next verse can give shed us some light and talk about how he will overcome the problem.
Fatal Descent
Spinning around
I've gone too far
To turn back round
Desperate attempt
Stop the progression
At any length
Lift this obsession
I really love this part! Rudess plays a really nice jingle of some sorts as Labrie's voice can be heard in one speaker to another. Really fun! But unfortunately, this verse doesn't get optimistic. Quite the opposite in fact. Portnoy is falling down, spinning around. He tries to dig himself out of this hole, but is unable to. He tries to stop the progression of falling down and he tries to lift the obsession. Does he succeed?
Crawling to my glass prison
A place where no one knows
My secret lonely world begins
So much safer here
A place where I can go
To forget about my daily sins
Life here in my glass prison
A place I once called home
Fall in nocturnal bliss again
Chasing a long lost friend
I no longer can control
Just waiting for this hopelessness to end
Portnoy seeks refuge in his glass prison. The prison he is in, no one really knows about it, besides himself. Ironically, this prison is his "home." I can almost guarantee that he stays in his prison to drink himself and fall back into this hole once more. This is backed up by: "Waiting for this hopelessness to end." He hopes that death will take him and that his his hopelessness will forever end. Poor man.
After this, we can hear a really familiar tune by Rudess and another catchy one! We also hear sirens as the transition to phase two begins. It begins with a bang and a sick Petrucci riff! We can also hear like a DJ kinda sound and a staticky sound.
[II. RESTORATION]
Run - fast from the wreckage of the past
A shattered glass prison wall behind me
Fight - past walking through the ashes
A distant oasis before me
Cry - desperate crawling on my knees
Begging God to please stop the insanity
Help me - I'm trying to believe
Stop wallowing in my own self pity
Portnoy starts off as Labrie follows. A chanting of hey's can be heard. We can see that Portnoy's home is shattered as he starts running off. He can't take it anymore. While running, he fights, waking through the ages. He is now tired as he begins crying to God to stop this insanity. He then realizes that he has to stop wallowing in his self pity and he has to believe. Sometimes, we need a push, we need something big to help us to overcome a problem.
"We've been waiting for you my friend
The writing's been on the wall
All it takes is a little faith
You know you're the same as us all"
Help me - I can't break out this prison all alone
Save me - I'm drowning and I'm hopeless on my own
Heal me - I can't restore my sanity alone
Enter the door
Desperate
Fighting no more
Help me restore
To my sanity
At this temple of hope
Portnoy hears voices of people telling him that all he needs is faith. Portnoy decides to work together, instead of working alone. He pleads to be helped, claiming that he can't break out of the prison. He pleads to be saved, because he is drowning and he needs someone to help rescue him. He pleads to be healed as he can't restore his sanity alone. The voice guides him. They tell him to enter the door and don't fight. Portnoy agrees and desperate, he enters the door. He doesn't fight anymore and relies on the voice to help guide him and to restore his sanity.
I need to learn
Teach me how
Sorrow to burn
Help me return
To humanity
I'll be fearless and thorough
To enter this temple of hope
He pleads to be taught. He wants to burn the sorrow he is currently holding and he wants to be returned to humanity. The voice can't do all that stuff for him so Portnoy himself agrees to fearless and thorough. He will enter this temple of hope.
Believe
Transcend the pain
Living the life
Humility
Opened my eyes
This new odyssey
Of rigorous honesty
Serenity
I never knew
Soundness of mind
Helped me to find
Courage to change
All the things that I can
YES! YES! YES! We can see finally some light being shed off of this. He believes and slowly, his pain is being transcended. He lives the life of humility and that life opened his eyes of this new rigorous journey. By taking this journey, he comprehends serenity and it dawns on his life. The soundness of his mind helped him to find the courage to change. He changed because he can change! All he needs is faith and the will to change and that is exactly what happened! Huzzah!
"We'll help you perform this miracle
But you must set your past free
You dug the hole, but you can't bury your soul
Open your mind and you'll see"
Help me - I can't break out this prison all alone
Save me - I'm drowning and I'm hopeless on my own
Heal me - I can't restore my sanity alone
The voice comes in once more and sheds more light to Portnoy. The voices will help him to perform the miracle, but in the end, it will be Portnoy himself who decides the fate. He dug his own hole, but just because he did that, doesn't mean that all is lost. He can still get him out of this hole. All he has to have is an open mind. He once pleads to be helped, saved, and healed.
After that, is an instrumental section. Oh goody! Petrucci starts off with a riff, then comes in with a powerful solo. What an aggressive way to start of this instrumental! Then comes Rudess, much more softer as he uses a synth that sounds heavenly. Then Petrucci's aggressive solo comes in once more. After that, it is Rudess once more, who uses his synth softly. He then has a quick duet with Petrucci and the mesh of guitar and the synth is oh my God...... I :heart it. Then, it's Rudess and Myung having a duet, then Rudess uses a darker synth as Petrucci is riffing. Then, another duet with Myung. After comes his darker synth combined with Petrucci's dark riff. After that, it is the Revelation.
[III. REVELATION]
Way off in the distance I saw a door
I tried to open
I tried forcing with all of my will and still
The door wouldn't open
Unable to trust in my faith
I turned and walked away
I looked around, felt a chill in the air
Took my will and turned it over
We can see that he sees a door in the distance. He tries forcing it open with his will, but it won't open! He is saddened and gives up. He turns and walks away, but feels a cold chill in the air. He took his will, went back to the door as he turned it open.
The glass prison which once held me is gone
A long lost fortress
Armed only with liberty
And the key of my willingness
Fell down on my knees and prayed
"Thy will be done"
I turned around, saw a light shining through
The door was wide open
As he opens the door, the prison is gone. He is free from his prison! There lies the fortress and his only tool is liberty and the key of his willingness. He drops down on his knees and prays. As he turns around, he sees a bright light shining through and the door has finally opened! He is free! In the end, we hear the sound of glass breaking and the song ends there.
Wow, isn't that an amazing way to end the song! I love this song very much and the reason it is number 3 is that there are three better songs that stick to my heart. The only complaint I have about this song is the Portnoy vocals. I am not going to lie, his gruff voice sometimes makes the song feel very weird. The only problem was when he spoke bits and pieces and Labrie sang the other. That is my one and only complaint about this song.
-
Number 3: Blind Faith
Lyrics by James Labrie
Clocking at number 3 might be another controversial placement to this list. At three, we have Blind Faith. The mood for this song is unsettling, in a very good way! Rudess is the first one in with this song as Petrucci soon follows with Portnoy and Myung. The introduction brings us to the right mood. It puts me in a really tranquil state and when Labrie comes in, I am swept away by his voice.
Hear me, speaking
Asking why I even bother
Tell me, how you
Live from day to day
Take your time and look around
Is this utopia you've found
Isn't this beautiful? Labrie's voice is very enchanting as well as the rest of the band. The lyrics for this song confuse me. For other songs, I had no problem interpreting it my way, but for this, reading it over and over again, I just can't seem to grasp it. But you know what? I don't even care! This song is so good, that I don't even have to understand the lyrics to know this song! I feel like Labrie is a very talented song writer and if he wrote more songs, who knows? After the last word, Rudess plays his piano, then the enchanting mood settles once again.
Sick of all of this
The suffering and we just carry on
Isn't it time we care and lose the hate
Understand our fears
But we do all that we can
Justify the means to an end
Sorry you must excuse me
I've painted my own Mona Lisa
She's fixed everything
Now I'm spoiled beyond my wildest dreams
Ok, who doesn't like this part?! I love it very much and this is the total highlight of this song. The part that gets to me the most is "Sorry you must excuse me.......my wildest dreams." The way Labrie sings this is just amazing. I give credit to the band also because they are there to back Labrie up and make this verse the perfect verse. My personal favorite. After this, it goes to the chorus.
Blind Faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
And, still no flaws with the song at all! The chorus too is very catchy and draws anyone into this song. After the chorus, there is a mini instrumental break.
Take the streets, the beaten path
Our system works for whom I ask
Yeah I have it all
The bigger house
An iron fence to keep you out
When did we all let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Our human spirit drowns
Don't think you hear me now
No sign of you around
What is it you hope to see
This verse gets darker as we hear Petrucci's amazing rift. "When did we all let you down.....What is it you hope to see," is another highlight of the song and is really similar to the first highlight of this song. It just draws me in and I can't help but to dance lightly to it. After, the chorus is played once more. After the chorus, the bridge is immediately played.
And still life pushes on
With or without you
We've got to carry on
Our will, will guide us to
A place where we belong
Know there lies the truth
I am the believer who gives purpose on to you
Life is still continuing. Just because you are gone, doesn't mean life will stop. When someone dies, we have to carry on with our will. Our will will be the one guiding us. It will guide us to the place we belong and therein lies the truth. "I am the believer who gives purpose on to you," is really cleverly said by Labrie. After the bridge is an instrumental section and the quality drops a bit for it and there lies a flaw for me. Petrucci leads with a riff, then he has a solo. No problem with that. Myung plays the riff Petrucci first plays as Petrucci solo's it out. After Petrucci's solo, he riffs as Rudess is the next one with his own. He switches to his grand piano and plays out a piece. Again, no problem there. I feel like this is a fine quality work of Rudess. He is the only one present during his grand piano solo. He then changes into his chorus as Petrucci riffs out in the background. Again, nothing wrong. It brings me joy, then the flaw comes. Rudess changes to his synth and it is just all of a sudden. I am awoken from this trance because it is so random. If they had excluded this, I would have been happier, but hey, this is my own opinion, and we have our own taste. Besides that, he changes back to his regular synth which I absolutely adore and I fall back into a trance. Then, there is the Rudess/Petrucci solo, then it transitions to the chorus perfectly. After, Labrie finishes it off.
I don't think we let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Throw us a pure lifeline
I hope that you hear me
Too proud to be around
There's more to us than we see now
Blind Faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Self ignorance, abuse
Desirable
Cause you've done all you can do
Incredible
Wow, that was amazing. The whole band is in at this point with Rudess throwing in some nice effects in the background. This would be the highlight, instrumental wise of this whole song and that catchiness grows tenfold. I love this part very much. After, the band fades to the trance like instrumental from near the beginning as the whole music fades.
Wow, wow, wow. I just listened to a masterpiece. Even if they had excluded the Rudess solo which I thought was a bit unnecessary, this would still be at the third place, because nothing could beat the next two songs. The next song speaks to me the strongest and basically, that song is my future husband. The best song should be pretty obvious.....See you next time!
-
Aw, come on, that whole Rudess section is great! I'm guessing the section you don't like is the organ solo? That probably is my least favorite section, but that's not saying much because I love all of it. To me, this song is flawless. I also want to note that MP's drum parts on this song, unlike several other places on this album (and others) are very musical and aren't random or over the top for the sake of it.
-
Aw, come on, that whole Rudess section is great! I'm guessing the section you don't like is the organ solo? That probably is my least favorite section, but that's not saying much because I love all of it. To me, this song is flawless. I also want to note that MP's drum parts on this song, unlike several other places on this album (and others) are very musical and aren't random or over the top for the sake of it.
Oh yeah, only the organ! The rest were great! You know, we think very alike on some songs! And yeah, can't believe I forgot to mention about Portnoy○
-
Oh yeah, only the organ! The rest were great! You know, we think very alike on some songs!
Well, on this album anyway! If I remember correctly a lot of your favorites are their heavier songs, which are usually lower on the list for me with a few exceptions. But I don't care much for heavier / angrier songs in general regardless of band.
I'll admit the organ solo did take me a while to really apreciate. It may sound a little weird at first, but it is pretty melodic and not just pointless runs (like what most of the TOT instrumental sections sound like to me). BF is my favorite track on this album (yes, even above SDOIT).
-
Oh yeah! That's fine though! But there are some non heavy songs that I love! And you'd put faith over 6doit? How come???
And yeah, I guess Ill get used to it over time. It just sounds pretty weird right now.
-
Oh yeah! That's fine though! But there are some non heavy songs that I love! And you'd put faith over 6doit? How come???
Because SDOIT, as amazing as it is, has sections I'm not really a fan of. For some reason I've never really liked TTTSTA or GK (besides the instrumentals, those are great) and WIMH, because of its length, almost seems like an afterthought to the others. So basically the sections MP wrote lyrics for just seem not as good I guess. Other than that it's about perfect, but like I said before BF has no flaws IMO, while SDOIT has parts I skip over. SDOIT is equal to Misunderstood for me, because both are amazing other than a few short sections and it's really hard to pick one over the other for second place.
-
I read a few lines of each of these posts, but wanted to check in on 'Debate': it's the archconservative right wing who vehemently opposes stem cell research. Many of what remains of the moderates are for it.
And IMHO, it's DT's worst ever (especially with the taped news reports). 'C'mon everybody, let's sing about stem cells!' Wish I could come across an instrumental version.
-
Oh yeah! That's fine though! But there are some non heavy songs that I love! And you'd put faith over 6doit? How come???
Because SDOIT, as amazing as it is, has sections I'm not really a fan of. For some reason I've never really liked TTTSTA or GK (besides the instrumentals, those are great) and WIMH, because of its length, almost seems like an afterthought to the others. So basically the sections MP wrote lyrics for just seem not as good I guess. Other than that it's about perfect, but like I said before BF has no flaws IMO, while SDOIT has parts I skip over. SDOIT is equal to Misunderstood for me, because both are amazing other than a few short sections and it's really hard to pick one over the other for second place.
Hmm, now that you say that...that has got my brain working. You know, what you said made me change my list. I have a new favorite now. Wow, I never knew song favorites can change so quickly. Next one, coming right up!
I read a few lines of each of these posts, but wanted to check in on 'Debate': it's the archconservative right wing who vehemently opposes stem cell research. Many of what remains of the moderates are for it.
And IMHO, it's DT's worst ever (especially with the taped news reports). 'C'mon everybody, let's sing about stem cells!' Wish I could come an instrumental version.
Wow, you think it's the worst? Don't you think it's pretty harsh for a pretty good song? Wow! It's good to hear another opinion on this song and I totally respect it and I guess where you are coming from!
-
Number 2: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Lyrics by John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy
And, clocking at number two is the epic, SDOIT! Six Degrees is a really nice song for me and I enjoy it very much, especially the ending, but there are some iffy parts for me that PCS made me realize and that was enough to just give Disappear an edge for this song. I still do think SDOIT is a really nice, amazing, and long song and I can kill time really fast by listening to this. Unfortunately, the Overture doesn't strike to me well and I will get more to that right now!
[I. OVERTURE]
[instrumental]
Ah, at the beginning is the Overture, written by Jordan Rudess. He is our main man throughout this overture an he doesn't disappear. The overture is the longest sub song for this song, but it is an instrumental. For me, time seems to slow down and I feel like the Overture is longer than it is supposed to be. Rudess comes in as Portnoy and the rest of the band follows. Right off the bat, Rudess plays music that feels like it will fit in a video game. Portnoy does a great job with his drums and I am totally hooked. After Rudess' intro, he takes a much softer tone as we can hear Petrucci lightly, supporting Rudess. I love how Petrucci plays throughout this entire overture as he tries his best to support and match Jordan. Rudess takes the stage for the next bit as Portnoy casually hits his ride. After that, we here an aggressive tune with Petrucci's riff. The band took pieces of instruments they liked from the overture to create the song. We basically heard War Inside My Head. After the WIMH bit, we hear the bit from TTTSTA as Petrucci times his riffs with Portnoy's kick. After, Rudess takes the stage by himself as we can hear an occasional Portnoy crash. Now, I will stop with describing the music and go on with my opinion on the Overture. At the beginning, I don't think it is a problem at all, but at the 6:00 mark, I feel like it has been dragging on too long and I just want to get started! The overture displays a nice skill of Rudess and has a calm and sometimes a somewhat tense atmosphere.
[II. ABOUT TO CRASH]
After the overture, About to Crash starts and I love this song a lot. I feel like this is one of the only songs where I don't have a problem at all with either the lyrics, instrumental, etc. It is about a teenage girl who has bipolar disease. We can see that her thoughts are on overdrive and she feels like she wants to fly. We can first see that she was raised as a perfect teenage girl, loved by others, at a small mid western town. One day, she woke up to find herself out of her mind. I also love Rudess' piano work. It is so soothing and enchanting. See, Rudess is not all speed! The instrumental section is also really nice and flows well. First, Petrucci has a guitar solo with Rudess playing the piano. The solo itself isn't too long or too short and fits perfectly. Petrucci slows down with his solo as the song itself loses a little speed. Words wouldn't be able to describe the entire solo. Give it a listen if you want to or have time to. Rudess ends with a little jingle, then....
[III. WAR INSIDE MY HEAD]
Petrucci, Rudess, and Portnoy starts off with a frantic beat. This is the shortest subsong for this song, clocking at just over two minutes. Labrie enters and sings about a soldier having post-traumatic stress disorder. Portnoy backs up with his vocals and I feel like that is a killer to it. Just let Labrie sing, please. Anyways, nothing wrong with the lyrics and the length itself, I don't mind it at all. This is a little nice piece, except Portnoy's vocals. Oh, and I love Petrucci's riffs! Portnoy sings the last bit, but can't finish as the next song comes on.....
[IV. THE TEST THAT STUMPED THEM ALL]
Man, things got intense! The whole band is on fire for the introduction as Rudess and Petrucci have a duet for a while. After the introduction, Labrie comes in and sings about a person who has schizophrenia. Another sick Petrucci riff and Labrie sings really aggressively. What I love about this song is Portnoy's drums and Petrucci's killer riff. Portnoy pounds on his snare aggressively with Petrucci's riff. The one's who sing the doctor's part is also pretty funny, especially the high pitched one. That isn't too bad actually. Also, this song houses a curse word. The man tries therapy and counseling, but they don't provide any clue. After, another killer Portnoy snare and Petrucci riff. After that, more voices, then another Portnoy snare moment. How often will I be saying that? XD. Anyways, Petrucci's solo is next and I like it! Then the introduction is played once more, then a killer Portnoy snare/toms fill. After that, Rudess plays his own solo. I have no problem with that also. After Rudess, the introduction plays once more as Petrucci riffs, backed by Rudess, then another killer Portnoy snare. After that, is what I find the problem to be. The similar Petrucci/Rudess duet is here and I felt like they could have ended just before that. I find that last bit to be unneccessary. I mean, seriously, it's basically the same riff, except that Rudess plays a bit louder. After that part, the band builds up as they end in an explosion. Now that is more like it! The song then fades away.
[V. GOODNIGHT KISS]
Ah, here is a nice ballad! We can hear sounds of Portnoy's daughter and wife in the background. I think that part is really cute. Labrie then starts singing. The only problem I have with this song are the lyrics. The only problem is this part: "I'm so lonely without baby's love. I want you to know I'd die for one more moment. I'm just a poor girl, afraid of this cruel world, taken away from it all." It just feels very awkward as Labrie sings it. And this song basically talks about post partum depression. This would be my exact reaction if my baby died. Besides that part, the rest is just golden. The instrumental? Probably one of the best bits of this song! Rudess and Petrucci have a really nice solo, then Petrucci takes the stage and he blows me away. God, God, God, a feel like a little part of me dies at this part. The solo is just beautiful and haunting as we hear a voice of a woman crying and wailing over her dead baby and the doctors laughing manically. At then end is Portnoy's kick as we transition....
[VI. SOLITARY SHELL]
We can hear Petrucci's acoustic starting us off with Rudess. The synth he uses absolutely woo's me. The whole song is fantastic as it talks about a man with Asperger's. We can see that he was perfectly fine, except that he lives in his own solitary shell, away from others. Also, he is a Monday morning lunatic. After the catchy chorus, Portnoy has a sweet fill as Rudess' synth comes in once again. Grah! I love that synth very much. Then, the instrumental, which I love!!!! First Rudess starts as Petrucci riffs. Portnoy times his drums with Petrucci's riff then my absolute favorite part of this entire song!! Petrucci plays an acoustic with Rudess on his piano. The chemistry between the two instruments are just so epic! I would listen to this part over and over again. I :heart it, words unable to describe. Then Rudess himself has a nice piano solo. After, a little more instrumental, then.......
[VII. ABOUT TO CRASH (REPRISE)]
Yes, yes! I love this part to death! Petrucci starts with the introduction as the rest of the band comes in, with Rudess coming in really flashy. We can see the girl as an adult. The chorus is similar to the original and it is still very catchy. Also, Petrucci's epic riff comes back again! And guess what else? Rudess has a nice keyboard solo! A nice instrumental takes over the stage and I love it. The theme to War Inside my Head plays again, as the song ends and the final track comes into play.
[VIII. LOSING TIME/GRAND FINALE]
We see that Losing Time talks about a girl with dissociative identity disorder. We can see After that is the my most lyrically favorite part of this song! he song ends with a Grand Finale, that rounds the whole piece and advises the listener to be more understanding of the people who carry these and similar afflictions, and to accept them as they should be. Listen to that! So many people commit suicide because of the bullying of a mental disorder. For me, I try my best to treat others with respect, but when I meet a mentally ill person, I can sometimes understand why they are being shunned. I never got the wake up call until a close friend of mine committed suicide because of the teasing. I could have helped her...I could have. I-I'm sorry guys. I'm going to end it here. I love this song, but Disappear speaks more to me.
-
Number 1: Disappear
Lyrics by James Labrie
And here it finally is! :') Possibly, my most favorite song because it breaks my heart every time I listen to it. If I am in a really good mood and I listen to this song, my good mood gets killed. This is a good song in which I could turn depressed and just start crying uncontrollably while listening to the song and after the song. I know I am going to cry while writing this so I'm going to keep it as short, but concise as possible. The introduction to this song is very mysterious and spooky and it gives you the real depressing vibe. Jordan Rudess does really well with this mood, it's almost unsettling. After Rudess, Petrucci plays the acoustic as Jordan plays his piano and Labrie comes in with a depressed tone.
Why, tell me the reasons why
Try, still I don't understand
Will I ever feel this again
Blue sky, I'll meet you in the end
Free them, free the memories of you
Free me, and rest 'til I'm with you
A day like today
My whole world has been changed
Nothing you say
Will help ease my pain
We can feel the pain in Labrie's voice as he sings this verse. Death is a really serious issue. I am a big sucker for it and when I find that someone close to me has taken by death, I just weep. Just listening to this song makes me depressed and I can feel the tears forming as I think about someone I loved who was deceived. The last three sentences get to me a lot and I just love bathing in this beautiful agony. As we grieve for someone who we have lost, we can feel like our life is over. I understand that feeling very well as I have lost the will to live many times and my family was the only reason why I'm not with my Maker up above. As Labrie sings the last sentences, we can only hear Rudess as the song fades. Is it over? Nope, not yet. Heck, the depressing part hasn't even come yet. The piano introduction once plays again as Portnoy also comes in.
Turn, I'll turn this slowly round
Burn, burn to feel alive again
She, she'd want me to move on
See me, this place I still belong
Give chase, to find more than I have found
And face, this time now on my own
Days disappear
And my world keeps changing
I feel you here
And it keeps me sane[/i]
Isn't this just beautiful? What is the point of grieving for the dead? I remember a close friend telling me that I have to move on. I can't let this death affect me and she has a point. Although it is really hard, we must eventually move on. The deceased will still remain in our memories. The last two sentences bring me closer to tears and it takes all my willpower not to start bawling like a baby. As "Days disapear," begins, we can hear Petrucci on our right ear, his guitar making yowling noises. The part after gets to me everytime...no matter how much I listen to it.
So I'm moving on
I'll never forget
As you lay there and watched me
Accepting the end
I knew you were scared
You were strong I was trying
I gave you my hand
I said it's okay letting go time to leave here
And I'll carry on
The best that I can without you here beside me
Let him come take you home
Sorry guys. I'm crying like heck right now. My vision is really blurred. I mean, seriously. If this part doesn't touch you at all, you have no soul. It is just so heartbreaking and....gosh. The character is moving on from the death of his loved one. The lover was dying and she lay down, watching him. She was really scared, but they took each other's hands. The lover is now dead as the main character vows to carry on and he will try his best to live his life without her. After, the introduction plays once more as the song fades to a finish.
The only reason why this song is number one is because it relates to me the most. I had someone very close to me that passed away and this song did nothing, but bring me miserable comfort and it just speaks out to me really loudly. I love this song very much.
-
Train of Thought
Train of Thought is the seventh studio album by progressive band Dream Theater, released on November 11, 2003 through Elektra Records.
Inspired by the audience response to Dream Theater's heavier songs while on tour, in the "Chaos in Progress" documentary, Portnoy says that they wanted Train of Thought to be a "balls to the wall" album with heavier, darker riffing, exposing them to a number of new metal fans. The album was written in three weeks. It was engineered by Doug Oberkircher and mixed by Kevin Shirley.Most of the album was played in concert for the Live at Budokan DVD. All songs from it have been played live to date.
Songs: As I Am, This Dying Soul, Endless Sacrifice, Honor Thy Father, Vacant, Stream of Consciousness, In the Name of God.
-
Number 7: Vacant
Lyrics by James Labrie
Ah, here is Vacant. This song is my least favorite song on this album. Remember that just because I say that it is my least favorite, doesn't mean I dislike it. This song is a really beautiful ballad which talks about Labrie's daughter in a coma. Just like Disappear, it is a really sad song, thought it doesn't make me bawl like Disappear does. Rudess and a cello are the only instruments present throughout this song.
Hey you, Hey you
I'm right here
Conscience fading
Can't get through
The girl's conscious is fading. Her whole world is slowly crumbling as she closes are eyes. She can't seem to get through reality.
Oh Lord
Helpless
Confused
Head swayed
Eyes glazed
And mine teared
We can see that her head is swayed and her eyes are glazed. Labrie's eyes are teared as he watches on helplessly at his daughter.
She's losing control
What can I do
Her vacant eyes
Black holes
Am I losing you
The girl is losing control and her vacant eyes are like black holes. Labrie is slowly losing his daughter. On that note, the song ends and the godly instrumental starts. Don't feel to bad about this song. It is still a wonderful ballad!
-
The Great Debate intro is just too good to ruin with all the soundbites. Get rid of them.
-
The Great Debate intro is just too good to ruin with all the soundbites. Get rid of them.
Agreed.
-
The Great Debate intro is just too good to ruin with all the soundbites. Get rid of them.
Done and done.
-
Train of Thought :2metal:
I love Vacant, such a good opener to Stream of Consciousness. Though sometimes I find it hard to compare it to the longer songs in terms of quality, but I probably still like it more than 1 or 2 ToT songs individually.
-
Vacant in Score is one of the most emotive things I've ever seen, James seems to be fighting back tears with every word.
-
Train of Thought :2metal:
I love Vacant, such a good opener to Stream of Consciousness. Though sometimes I find it hard to compare it to the longer songs in terms of quality, but I probably still like it more than 1 or 2 ToT songs individually.
I'm guessing Honor Thy Father and As I Am?
-
Yep, spot on, it's kinda close with HTF though.
-
Yep, spot on, it's kinda close with HTF though.
Honor Thy Father was a really good song. You can really feel how pissed Mike was.
-
Number 6: As I Am
As I Am comes in at number six and isn't really surprising. This is a really heavy song as well as the whole album of Train of Thought and I love heavy songs. This albums contains one of my top five's of the whole Dream Theater songs. This song and Vacant is the only song that does not reach the ten minute mark. This is basically a song by John Petrucci dedicated to Mike Stone from Queensryche when he supposedly told John Petrucci tips on playing the guitar. He then has a big fat nice solo followed by a Portnoy solo. The solo is so great! Both of their solo's actually. Rudess doesn't get a legit solo in this song and he takes a backseat for this song except the part where he paves the way for Petrucci's solo. Also, this houses one of the most sickest Dream Theater riffs ever. Rudess starts of the song with the same note from Turbulence and the whole band follows suit.
Don't tell me what's in
Tell me how to write
Don't tell me how to win
This fight
Isn't your life
It isn't your right
To take the only thing that's mine
Proven over time
It's over your head
Don't try to read between the lines
Are clearly defined
Never lose sight of
Something you believe in
Yeah, this is the beginning of As I Am. He doesn't want to be told by anyone how to win this fight because it is his fight. Makes perfect sense to me. Also, he claims that it isn't their right to take the only thing that is his and he doesn't want anyone to take shortcuts or to read between the lines. And he tells us something really important that we should always take into our hearts: "Never lose sight of something you believe in."
Takin' in the view from the outside
Feeling like the underdog
Watching through the window I'm on the outside
Living like the underdog
I've been trying to justify you
In the end I will just defy you
To those who understand, I extend my hand
To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am
Not under your command, I know where I stand
I won't change to fit your plan, Take me as I am
As I am
And here is the official chorus. Not too shabby. Do I Mike Portnoy's voice shadowing over Labrie? That sound is very good. Justify you and Just defy you is also cleverly written. To those who understand Petrucci, he extendds his hands so that we may take it. Those who are doubtful, Petrucci demands that he be taken as he is. He doesn't plead nor asks...he demands. A very strong word indeed.
Still
Running uphill
Swimming against the current
I wish I weren't so
Fucked
Feels like I'm stuck
Lost in a sea of mediocrity
''Slow down, You're thinking too much
Where is your soul?''
You cannot touch
The way I play
Or tell me what to say
You're in the way
Of all that I believe in
Oh man, I love this verse very much, especially the part when Petrucci says: "You cannot touch the way I play, or tell me what to say." To add the insult to injury, he adds a fantastic solo. Not much I can analyze here besides the fact that Petrucci doesn't like being told how to play. I mean, if someone gave me tips on guitar, I'd gladly take it, but I too would be offended if they told me how they want a solo to be played. I mean, Petrucci does well making and playing solo's, we don't need anyone teaching him how to play.
After that, the chorus kicks in once more then Rudess takes the stage. He plays some quick notes with his synth, not a solo mind you, and Petrucci gets ready to take the stage. When Petrucci first starts, there is no shredding and it is just a regular solo. As the solo progresses, Petrucci goes faster an faster until he is basically shredding like crazy. As you are mesmerized by his solo, it ends and Mike Portnoy takes the stage with an intense solo of his own and it jumps to the chorus right after that. After the chorus, there is a godlike riff as the song ends with Petrucci and there it is.
I mean, I enjoy this song, but there are days in which I get bored and it just irritates me. That is why it is staying at the number six place. The songs after this, never get boring to me and we see a huge quality increase as all the other songs are over ten minutes.
-
Number 5: Endless Sacrifice
Lyrics by John Petrucci
I love this song very much and it is indeed beautiful. The only reason that this song is number five is because of the instrumental section. It is too long and defeats the purpose of this really beautiful song. I mean, it's about the band being away from their wives and kids because of Dream Theater and the distance can sometimes be too straining. Petrucci dedicated this to his wife and it is so sweet, especially the end. The song brings me in as the mood is somber in the beginning then comes the instrumental section. The first few sections I really don't mind, but after that.....yeah.
Anyways, the song begins with an acoustic guitar as the rest of the band slowly comes in. After some of Rudess' charming synth, Labrie comes in.
Cold
Lying in my bed
Staring into darkness
Lost
I hear footsteps overhead
And my thoughts return again
Like a child who's run away
And won't be coming back
Time keeps passing by
As night turns into day
I'm so far away
And so alone
I need to see your face
To keep me sane
To make we whole
His voice sounds so heartbroken. I can imagine how much they must miss their wife. We can see that the main character is lying on his bed, staring into darkness. Without his loved ones, he feels lost. Time passes on and on as he feels his sanity drip away. He needs to see the face of his wife to keep him from losing his sanity and to make him whole once again. Isn't it really beautiful? I also love the analogy of the child running away, never coming back.
Try to stay alive
Until I hear your voice
I'm gonna lose my mind
Someone tell me why
I chose this life
This superficial lie
Constant compromise
Endless sacrifice
Here is the chorus everyone. Petrucci changes to his electric guitar and the chorus is still going strong. He will try his best to stay alive until he hears her voice. He feels like he is losing his mind. Why did he choose this life to stay away from his wife? This is all a superficial lie filled with constant compromises and endless sacrifices, which isn't a good thing at all. There is a short instrumental break as the second verse comes on.
Pain
It saddens me to know
The helplessness you feel
Your light
Shines on my soul
While a thousand candles burn
Outside this barren room
The rain is pouring down
The emptiness inside
Is growing deeper still
You're so far away
And so alone
You long for love's embrace
To keep you sane
To make you whole
We can feel the tension within Petrucci's electric guitar build up as he is about to let loose. The lyrics are still touching and deep. We also shift to another point of view, the wife of the main character. The main character is sad to know that the wife feels helpless. That helplessness is like a light that shines on the main character's soul, while thousands of candles burn. The rain pouring outside adds to the really gloomy mood. The emptiness grows deeper as they are still far away. She loves for love's embrace to keep herself sane and make her whole.
The chorus repeats once more and then the instrumental section begins. Petrucci begins by riffing to start of the instrumental. After, Rudess comes in and the first section is a duet between those two. You, that is an absolute highlight of this song as I love their chemistry between each other. The beginning of the end of the duet is when Labrie plays a little jingle which makes my heart flutter. Dunno, gets to me evertime. After that, Rudess comes in with a synth as Petrucci riffs. After Rudess' synth comes a Petrucci solo then another Rudess synth, then another Petrucci solol. This is where I feel the whole song, the deep meaning of the song fades away. I mean, they could've stopped after Petrucci's solo right after Rudess'. But, even after the solo, they keep going at it. Rudess and Petrucci have another nice duet together and Portnoy ends with a tiny little solo of his own. Then comes Petrucci's riffs, then
Over the distance
We try to make sense
Of surviving together
While living apart
Striving for balance
We rise to the challenge
Of staying connected
In spite of circumstance
That's beautiful right there. I'm sure his wife would be tearing up while listening to this song. They are distant from each other and from that distance, they try to survive together while living apart. Even though it is really hard, they try rising to the challenge of staying connected. The only thing that gets in their way is circumstance, but they try to get that out of the way.
All you've forsaken
And all that you've done
So that I could live out
This undying dream
Won't be forgotten
Or taken for granted
I'll always remember
Your endless sacrifice
Another beautiful lyrical piece. The wife has forsaken a lot and has done a lot for the main character, she sacrificed her time and many other things for this main character's dream. He is boldly claiming that it won't be forgotten, nor taken for granted. Absolutely beautiful. He will always remember her Endless Sacrifice. Nice! After a few more riffing, the band ends, but.....they come in once again. Portnoy has a nice fill as the song ends in a bang.
This song has a deep meaning and it shouldn't be taken for granted. The only reason it is at this spot is because of that instrumental bit in which I think they went too much. Other than that, it is an extremely beautiful song. I love it!
-
Number 4: Honor Thy Father
Lyrics by Mike Portnoy
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. It was soo hard trying to decide for this. I mean, it is so fricking hard, you know? I love Honor Thy Father so fricking much, I mean, I love it! Oh by the way, did I tell you much I love this song? It pains me to put this song at number four, but it has to be done. This is such a great song and you can feel the real hate written by Portnoy to his stepfather. I just love the heaviness of this song and it is one of the darkest songs you will hear from Dream Theater.
This wicked song begins with a wicked fill by your main man, Mr. Mike Portnoy. After Portnoy, Petrucci's riffing takes the stage and that riff is so wicked. After an instrumental section buildup, Myung has a part of his own as the singing between Portnoy and Labrie starts.
We're taught unconditional love
That blood is thicker than water
That a parent's world would revolve
Always around their son or their daughter
You pretend I was your own
And even believed that you loved me
But were always threatened by some
Invisible blood line that only you could see
Wow, look at how this song starts. I absolutely love the section: "That a parent's world would revolve always around their son or their daughter." That is extremely true and the blood is thicker than water part also is very good. After this verse, Rudess leads the short instrumental section as Labrie raps.
You took advantage of an outreached hand
And twisted it to meet your every need
''Gimme time to re-charge my batteries,
I'll see her when she's older and I'll bounce her on my knee''
Well listen to me you ungrateful fool
Here comes a dose of reality
You'll go to your grave a sad and lonely man
The door is now closed on your pathetic little plan
I love this part very much. His rapping is one of his best highlights. We can see that the stepfather took advantage of an outreached hand and twisted that opportunity. The "Gimme time to recharge my bateries, I'll see her when she's older and I'll bounce her on my knee," sounds really strange. It sounds as if it is like sexual abuse because of "Recharge my batteries," "I'll see her when she's older and I'll bounce her on my knee." The section, "Here comes a dose of reality," has had a highly controversial opinion between some of my friends. Some hate it and says Labrie shouldn't have even thought of doing that part while others say that it was perfect as it is. I personally love it very much. And the going to the grave as a sad and lonely man and the door is now closed on your pathetic little plan also is cleverly written and I love it! :laugh:
On and on and on and on it goes
It's so easy to run away with nothing in tow
How can you ever sleep a wink at night
Pretending that everything is alright
And have the nerve to blame this mess on me
Never in my life have I seen someone
So Ignorant to the damage he has done
You're the rotted root in the family tree
Here is the chorus and it is still strong. And, it is really easy to run away with nothing in tow. How can the stepfather sleep a wink at night, pretending that everything is alright? The words are really harsh, and sometimes I just wish Portnoy had written much darker lyrics which he kinda does during the last section of the chorus. If I dedicated a hate song to my abusive stepfather or someone I hated, hell, I would just work my butt of writing the song and be sure to slam that sunofagun in every way possible.
I tried your 4 bill therapy
I tried to make amends
But nothing could lure you out of your selfish shell again
Expecting everyone to bow and kiss your feet
Don't you see respect is not a one way street
Blaming everyone for all that you've done wrong
I'll get my peace of mind when you hear this song
Continued bashing of his stepfather. Mike tried the stepfather's four bill therapy and tried to make amends with him, but it didn't work out. The stepfather was still stuck on his selfish shell. He expects everyone to bow and kiss his feet and thinks respect is a one way street. The stepfather blames everyone for doing wrong and Portnoy will get a piece of his mind when he hears this song. Loooove it! :corn :corn :corn
On and on and on and on it goes
And with every passing day true colors show
How can you ever sleep a wink at night
Pretending that everything is alright
And have the balls to blame this mess on me
Never in my life have I seen someone
Oblivious to the damage he has done
You're the rotted root in the family tree
Here is another variation of the chorus and Labrie's scream is one of my highlights also. I grew up with Avenged Sevenfold before Dream Theater, so I kinda grew into Matt's screaming. I find sick pleasure in screams. We can see also kicks it up a notch by calling his step father oblivious and is more aggressive. I find that also really well written and I love it! You will keep on hearing me say I love it for this song. Why? Because I love it! It just fits my tastes perfectly.
Watch where you walk
Don't you dare cross the crooked step
Watch the way you talk
Don't cross the crooked step
["This is a regret that you make"]
["We're still connected"]
["This is a regret that you make-"]
["I want my family back"]
["-and there's something you take"]
["You can't have it. I'm sorry for you, but it's too late…"]
["Mistakes like this… You don't make"]
["Can't you see anything except in terms of how it affects you?"]
["You make some... And they'll get to you"]
["You don't love anybody"]
["I gave you money, I gave you a car, I took you in-"]
["It's not OK, son"]
["-but don't that mean something?"]
["A little…"]
["Do I admire people too much?"]
["No... You should do better"]
["That disappoints you…"]
["God damn regrets!"]
["You deserve to die alone for what you've done!!"]
["GOD DAMN REGRETS!"]
["Don't deny it"]
["You cocksucker, I know you're here."]
["Don't deny it"]
["I want you to know I hate your fucking guts."]
["The biggest regret in my life"]
["I wish you'd fucking die."]
["I've let my love go"]
["I'm your blood… I'm your family"]
["Is that you?"]
["You're not my family, not anymore"]
["The fucking regrets!"]
["When your own flesh and blood renounces you..."]
["What did I do?"]
["...you have no choice but to renounce them."]
["WHAT DID I DO?!"]
DON'T CROSS THE CROOKED STEP! Oh man, shit's got real! Now, is the instrumental. Really godlike if you ask me. Strangely, it has been one of my favorite instrumental sections. First, there is sampling and you can hear phrases like, "You deserve to die alone for what you've done," and all those nice stuff. My absolute favorite parts of sampling is: "You cocksucker, I know you're here," "I want you to know I hate your fucking guts," "I wish you'd fucking die," "When your own flesh and blood renounces you..." and finally "...you have no choice but to renounce them." It is just so heavy and so metal! :metal After that, is an instrumental section. Petrucci riffs, Portnoy and Myung play while Rudess synths. We can hear the tension here and Petrucci's riff does a really fantastic job bringing the mood out. One of the reasons I love this instrumental section to death. As time passes, we see the section getting more and more heavier. It peaks as Petrucci and Portnoy have a mini duet then Rudess takes the stage. And I love it! Rudess plays with such anger! We can hear the keyboard screaming bloody hell on the stepfather! We can feel the pain and the angst! I LOVE THIS SONG REALLY MUCH! HOLY CRAP! I JUST LISTENED TO A MASTERPIECE! :tumetal
On and on and on and on it goes
Chauvinistic, heartless, selfish, cold
How can you ever sleep a wink at night
Pretending that everything is alright
And have the balls to blame this shit on me
Never in my life have I seen someone
So fucking blind to the damage he has done
You're the rotted root in the family tree
Oh man....this part is so epic! The curse words add on to the hate. Mike calls his stepfather chauvinistic, heartless, selfish, and cold. He has the balls to blame all this shit on Portnoy. How fucking blind can he get? Grah, just listening to this song turns my metal side on. After, the riffing by Petrucci continues as the song ends. Holy crap, I just listened to a masterpiece! It was really hard putting this song at number four, but the next songs are very epic and I enjoy listening to it. Be right back, gonna go listen to some of Matt's screaming.
-
As much as I dislike HTF, I can't deny that the lyrics are very well-written, and the sampling really helps you understand the emotions behind this song. This and SDV have, in my opinion, the best use of sampling that DT has done. The instrumental segment where Rudess slowly builds up a theme and more and more harmonies are added is also very nice. I just don't connect with songs like this at all.
ES is beautiful. The solos don't need to be there, but other than that I absolutely love it. I wish they would have made a slower, more lyrical instrumental for this song, maybe with some more synth from JR like in the intro and a great emotional guitar solo from JP. Something that may not be obvious if you don't check out JR's side projects is that he is actually very good at playing slower synth solos for ballad-type songs...the track "Headspace" is a very good example, second half is on the same synth lead he uses for ES.
-
I simply LOVE HTF too :heart
I think it is one of DT's most underestimated songs.
On my list for TOT, it would be no. 2.
By the way.
You are doing an amazing job with tread.
Love to see how you interprets each different tracks.
Thank You ;D
-
Number 3: In the Name of God
Lyrics by John Petrucci
In the Name of God. Here is the song which people say is the best Dream Theater song from the album Train of Thought. Well, I'd have to respectfully disagree. This song is really good and the instrumental section blows my mind, but, well, my twelve year old mind can't comprehend this song no matter how much I look into the lyrics. This isn't like Blind Faith in which I can just enjoy the instruments and not fully understand the lyrics, but this song is like that. But, Petrucci's riff is one of my favorites as it is really dark and Mike Portnoy's hidden Morse message is also really amusing.
Anyways, this song begins with an acoustic guitar, but this doesn't mean this song will be all soft. Remember what happened in Stream of Consciousness? This song begins with a bang and Petrucci's god-like riff takes the stage. After the Petrucci-riff section, Labrie comes in.
How can this be?
Why is he the chosen one?
Saint gone astray
With a scepter and a gun
Learn to believe
In the mighty and the strong
Come bleed the beast
Follow me it won't be long[/i]
Only the bass and the drums are present in this verse. Then, Petrucci riffs as the keyboards are added. After, there is a short instrument break and Petrucci comes full on with his riff starting from: "Learn to believe...." After the verse, Rudess enters with his piano and is transitioned to the chorus.
Listen when the prophet
Speaks to you
Killing in the name of God
Passion
Twisting faith into violence
In the name of God
Wow, pretty dark. Now, I'm not a fan of the "Killing in the name of God," bit because I'm Christian, but my religious view didn't affect with the choice of this song. The chorus is super dark as it mentions about twisting faith into violence in the name of God. Well, that doesn't sound too good at all! Then comes a short Petrucci/Myung riff, then comes the next verse with continued riffing.
After, comes another verse which talks about the tools of the devil and killing off the weak. The next verse doesn't really stick to me that much. Now, I'm not saying I don't like that part, but while I'm listening to that part, I try to comprehend all that this verse is trying to speak, but it doesn't click to me. As a matter of fact, this verse seems to go much quicker than any other Dream Theater verses.
Blurring the lines
Between virtue and sin
They can't tell
Where God ends
And mankind begins
They know no other
Life but this
From the cradle
They are claimed
Now, I find this a Labrie highlight. He uses his vocal range nicely and from this part onward, I get more into the song and find it more enjoyable. The chorus comes in once more, then something epic happens.
Hundreds of believers
Lured into a doomsday cult
All would perish
In the name of God
Self-proclaimed messiah
Led his servants
To their death
Eighty murdered
In the name of God
Forty sons and daughters
Un-consenting plural wives
Perversions
In the name of God
Underground religion
Turning toward
The mainstream light
Blind devotion
In the name of God
Justifying violence
Citing from the Holy Book
Teaching hatred
In the name of God
Oh man, shit's got real this time! Myung and Portnoy start off this bridge as Rudess comes in with a really mysterious tone. And this is where Portnoy's: "Eat my ass and balls!" come in. I find that really strange and disturbing....but really cool also! ;D Labrie sings this verse in a haunted tone as Petrucci follows with his riffing. We can see 80 people were murdered in the name of God which isn't good at all. Some kind of transition occurs as suddenly the song explodes with someone screaming the lyrics after Labrie and then comes an instrumental section.
This is where the epic instrumental begins! Petrucci starts it off for us as Rudess comes and follows. Then, it is a duet between Rudess/Petrucci and Myung/Portnoy. After, they play in a mesh of notes. You know, I absolutely Myung at this part. His bass sounds so soft and....I don't know how to describe it. The instrumental section wouldn't be same without Myung playing like he was. After, Rudess plays on his piano then has a synth solo while Petrucci rests. Again, Myung is a killer during Rudess' synth solo. After, Petrucci has his own solo as Rudess plays the piano in the background. He then joins Petrucci as the solo ends in a BANG! After, is the godlike riff once more, then the chorus.
Religious beliefs
Fanatic obsession
Does following faith
Lead us to violence?
Unyielding crusade
Divine revelation
Does following faith
Lead us to violence?
Another absolute Labrie highlight. I'm sure it means a lot and sheds deep light on a lot of people, but I'm not getting it. Still the instrumental and the tone of the song is real genius! After, there is one more instrumental with Rudess in the lead this time. Rudess' piano jingles are absolutely fantastic as the song slowly fades and the beginning of Octavarium plays. Oh, and don't forget the nice chanting.
This song is number three because of its instrumental, and basically everyone on the band. This won by such a narrow margin over Honor Thy Father. I mean, If this song was an 8/10, Honor Thy Father would be a 7.999999999/10. That is basically how narrow the margin was. Anyways, the next two songs are my favorites which I love listening to very much.
-
Number 2: This Dying Soul
Lyrics by Mike Portnoy
[/size]
Aw, yeah! Here is the number two song, This Dying Soul. It is badass and I just love it to death. It is the second song of the twelve step suite and by far the heaviest. :justjen Contrary to some opinion, I love the ending solo to death, which I will get to as we go to the end of the song. Anyways, this extremely heavy song begins with a really heavy introduction. Petrucci comes in with a riff as the whole band is on fire from the beginning. You can hear Portnoy's kick being abused to maximum. The beginning introduction instrumental is also really good and fun to listen. Petrucci has a nice arpeggio, similar to The Glass Prison's arpeggio. I feel like the following instrumental section could have been orchestrated. Not saying that it should have, but saying that it would sound absolutely lovely with an orchestra. Anyways, we hear something very familiar.
Hello, Mirror - so glad to see you my friend, it's been a while
Searching, Fearless - where do I begin to heal this wound of self-denial
Nostalgia, eh? Oh, wait, we're not there yet. :huh: Anywaysssss, let's just begin analyzing the next part of the song.
Face yourself man!
Brace yourself and trace your hell back
You've been blinded, living lie a one way cold existence all the while
Now it's time to stare the problem right between the eyes you long lost child
Oh yeah! The man must brace himself and trace his own hell back. He has been living blinded, living a lie. Now, instead of cowering from the problem, he should face it like a man. I love how Portnoy included: "Long, lost child." Absolutely brilliant.
I wanna feel your body breaking
Wanna feel your body breaking and shaking and left in the cold
I want to heal your conscience making a change to fix this dying soul
And I love this part to death also. I mean, really. Who can deny liking the section: "I wanna feel your body breaking." I mean, it just sounds so badass. By being left out in the cold, shaking and breaking, that can wake you up to reality. By being harsh, that can be healing. Tough love, as they call it. After that comes Labrie's rap.
Born into this world a broken home
Surrounded by love yet all alone
Forced into a life that's split in two
A mother and a father both pulling you
Then you had to deal with loss and death
Everybody thinking they know best
Coping with this shit at such an age
Can only fill a kid with pain and rage
Family disease pumped through your blood
Never had the chance you thought you could
Running all the while with no escape
Turning all that pain in to blame and hate
Living on your own by twenty one
Not a single care and having fun
Consuming all the life in front of you
Burning out the fuse and smoking the residue
I mean, this is the second absolute best highlight of this song. Just like Honor Thy Father, Labrie's rap fails to disappoint and by looking at the lyrics for the rap, the meaning gets stronger and stronger. Basically, the life of the main character who's life was split in two, bya father and mother. He tried to run away, but couldn't escape. The pain basically twisted our main character as he began a killing machine, filled with hate and rage against the world around him.
Possessive obsessions selfish childish games
Vengeful resentments
Passing all the blame
Living out a life of decadence
Acting without thought of consequence
Spreading all your lies from coast to coast
While spitting on the ones that matter most
Running power mad with no control
Fighting for the credit they once stole
No one can ever tell you what to do
Ruling other's lives while the can't stand the thought of you
Another epic rap section. Basically speaks about the main character himself and everything he has done. All the resentment he had been holding. He passed away the blame to everyone while living out a life of decadence. This was the basically the lowest point for the main character as he let his actions get in the way. You can feel the pain behind all this rage.
Now that you can see all you have done
It's time to take that step into the kingdom
All your sins will only make you strong
And help you break right through the prison wall
The lyrics for this song are cleverly written and we can see that has been recycled on for a future song. Now that the main character realizes his actions, it is time for him to make the first step to mend all this. He has to take that step to the kingdom and instead of sin making him weak, he has to use the sin to make himself strong. That strong will, will help him to break right through the prison wall. The only question is, "Is he ready?"
Come to me my friend (Listen to me)
I'll help this torture end (Help to set me free)
Let your ego go (I can't carry this load)
You can't go through this alone (I feel so hopeless and exposed)
You'll find your peace of mind (Give me some direction)
You can no longer hide (Break out of this isolation)
Let humility (Openness, honesty)
And become what you can be (A healing tranquility)
The voice that we heard from The Glass Prison speaks once more. He tells Portnoy to come to him as he will help Portnoy's torture end. To do that, one must let their ego go as he will need help. He will have to ask for as breaking out by himself is nearly impossible. He can't go through this alone and find peace. You shouldn't hide any longer and let humility overtake you and become what he can be. Absolutely beautifully written. All of these are true.
Help me
Save me
Heal me
I can't break out of this prison all alone
These tormenting ghosts of yesterday
Will vanish when exposed
You can't hold onto your secrets
They'll only send you back alone
Your fearless admissions
Will help expel your destructive obsessions
With my help I know you can
Be at one with God and man
This section of the song is also very dark. We can basically hear Labrie speaking the words out menacingly and it gives chills to me very bone. The ghosts that torment you will vanish when you accept that they are there and try hard to stop them. Holding onto your secrets will only harm you and your fearless admissions will help expel your obsessions. With the voice's help, he will make sure Portnoy is at one with God and man. I have a hunch that the voice is the alcoholic anonymous 12 step suite that helped Portnoy to rid his addiction forever.
Now comes the instrumental section which I love very much. Riffing starts off this entire solo as the band builds up. Rudess then has a nice synth solo, which Petrucci takes over after a while. But, my favorite part hasn't started. Petrucci's solo gets more and more intense until the whole band builds up. They store it in, letting the pressure expand and expand until they can't take it anymore. The whole thing explodes as all the band plays furiously. In fact, I'm pretty sure Petrucci's guitar when lower than Myung's bass line toward the end. I don't think that they were trying to be flashy, but they were trying to express what Portnoy went through, by their solo. I mean, I love it very much and gets me really pumped up. Hell, I would say that this is the second fastest instrumental solo by the band.
I love this song to death and it rightfully deserves the second seed. I mean, the lyrics are awesome, Labrie raps like a beast, and the rest of the band plays downright amazing. The rap and the final solo gave this a huge margin and lead over In the Name of God, but still falls to the number one.
-
Number 1: Stream of Consciousness
Instrumental
And.....at number one is the best instrumental known to God, Stream of Consciousness. Why is it number one? Come on, it is fricking Stream of Consciousness! A fitting title for the album Train of Thought. This has everything you could ask for in an instrumental and contains one of my most favorite John Myung moments. There is no lyrics to analyze here, so let's just go right in! Heck, this instrumental is in my heart, so I don't even have to play with while writing this write up, like I do with other songs.
An acoustic takes the stage and the song explodes with Rudess. Rudess paves the way as Petrucci's riffing comes right in. Familiarize yourself with the riff. As Petrucci riffs, Rudess comes in then fades away as the riffing comes in once more. Nothing really special here, but you have to love that riff! After the riffing ends, Rudess comes in once more and plays a nice, fun tune with Petrucci riffing. Petrucci and Rudess then have a nice duet as his first electric guitar solo comes in. After his solo, it is Rudess' turn, but it isn't a technical synth solo. After Rudess' synth, Petrucci riffs the same tune with Rudess, then solo's it. After, Petrucci himself has a solo which blows my mind. He is shredding like crazy as Rudess plays his piano. After his shredding, he kicks it up a notch and shreds even faster. I once saw him doing that live and was like: "Woah! How the hell does he do that?!" After his shredding, Rudess comes in with his piano and has a nice jingle, then changes to his synthy solo that we all know and love as he throws in the piano in there also.
After, comes possibly my most favorite part of the song. The band fades except Portnoy and Myung. Rudess then riffs as Petrucci and Myung riff together also. I ABSOLUTELY love the sound Myung's bass plays. I mean, it gets to me every time. It sounds really mysterious and it really messes with you. After that fun bit, Myung and Portnoy have one more duet as Portnoy himself has a nice fill, then comes that amazing bass sound, again. :'( I love it so much. That part feels like my heart, soul, and mind has finally made peace with each other and had united once and for all. It brings a fuzzy feeling inside me and just opens my eyes. This is the part which I fall in every time I listen to and that part, gave SoC a number one spot. I have to give credit to the rest of the band members, especially Rudess. His sounds in the background add to the mood. As that part ends, Myung and Petrucci himself have a mini duet then it comes back to the Petrucci riff.
Ah, we have awakened from our journey. After Petrucci's riffing, Rudess comes in with his synth. The second time, it doesn't end, but Rudess and Petrucci have another duet. After that, Rudess takes the stage with his own solo, while Petrucci begins riffing. After Rudess, it is Petrucci's turn with his solo and I love his solo. I always find myself clapping to it as it is so catchy. After that, the whole song comes to a close with Rudess playing a familiar tune. After the band fades away, we can see the similar acoustic introduction that finishes this song.
How was your journey everyone? I absolutely loved and it rightfully deserves the number one spot. This instrumental has everything you could ask for and Myung is a real rocker. This album is really heavy and a love it to death. It has a special place in my heart.
Now, on to the next album!
-
Octavarium
Octavarium is the eighth studio album by American progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Released on June 7, 2005, it was the band's final release with Atlantic Records. Recorded between September 2004 and February 2005, the album holds the distinction of being the last album ever recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City. With Octavarium, the band decided to create "a classic Dream Theater album",[1] drawing upon their various stylistic influences while trying to make the music less complex. The album takes as its creative concept the musical octave.
Songs: The Root of All Evil, The Answer Lies Within, These Walls, I Walk Beside You, Panic Attack, Never Enough, Sacrificed Sons, Octavarium
-
:clap:
What a thread!..
I really enjoy reading your posts Angela.. Also, we have very similar tastes.. Keep it coming!...
-
:clap:
What a thread!..
I really enjoy reading your posts Angela.. Also, we have very similar tastes.. Keep it coming!...
Thank you very much :tup
-
Number 8: The Answer Lies Within
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Clocking at number eight is The Answer Lies Within. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like this album had a drop in quality compared to the other albums. I don't know why, but this album was really weak, but was saved by the big three of this album: The Root of All Evil, Sacrificed Sons, and Octavarium (not in order). The Answer Lies Within is a ballad which soothes the heart, but doesn't quite match my tastes. It is still a nice song you can go to sleep to. I once fell asleep while listening to this song. :azn: Also, this song has a standard outline: Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus. Even though it was soothing, it didn't strike me as hard, but I never skip over any songs in Octavarium.
Look around,
Where do you belong
Don't be afraid,
You are not the only one
Do you ever look around? Do you ever wonder if you belong here? I know I have. Whenever I'm with a group of smart intellects who can do advanced math without a calculator and have an extensive knowledge of vocabulary, I sometimes feel like I don't fit and that is perfectly fine. Whoever thinks that, there is nothing wrong with you. You don't have to be afraid because there are others who go through the same thing.
Don't let the day go by,
Don't let it end
Don't let a day go by in doubt,
The answer lies within
And here is the official chorus. Cheesy? Nope! I've heard people call this song cheesy, but personally, I don't think so. It is speaking the truth, and although the truth may be cheesy, the truth is the truth. You must not waste your day. Don't let it end while doing something really stupid. Let a day go by with confidence, certainty. There is always an answer to a problem. For some, you will just have to look deep within to find the answer. Don't give up!
Life is short, so learn from your mistakes
And stand behind, the choices that you made
Face each day with both eyes open wide
And try to give, don't keep it all inside
100 years might seem really long in our eyes, but compared to time, it is but a single grain of sand, or a single star. Do not let mistakes push you down, instead, learn from it. Whatever choice you make, make it with certainty. Try closing one eye and try to walk in a straight line. Now, try it with both eyes open wide. As you can see, there is a noticeable difference. With both eyes, the depth of perspective widens and you are less likely to stumble. Also, be humble and learn to give. Don't take everything to yourself. Give, and make people happy. Live your life to the fullest. The chorus comes in once more, then it transitions to the bridge.
You've got the future on your side
You've gonna be fine now
I know whatever you decide
You're gonna shine!!!
Isn't this really beautiful? Normally, I dislike cheesy pop songs, but this song isn't like it at all. It is a real life message that can do really well and benefit others. The present might not be on our side, but we can be sure the future is. Life is all about opportunities and there are many, many opportunities to stand up when you've fallen. Think about Mike's addiction to alcohol. He himself claimed that he thought it was over, but he stood up and overcame the problem. Go forth with your choices and don't let anyone convince you otherwise. You are going to shine. :laugh:
An instrumental takes place with no solo. It is just an instrumental with Rudess in lead. Petrucci's electric guitar can't be heard at all in this song, but that's fine. This song is really beautiful as it is and the instrumental section touches me. It is like that cherry on top of the cake or yogurt, or your favorite dessert that goes well with cherry. :D The chorus can be heard once more, then the song softly ends.
I admit, I teared up during this song :'( because of the beauty of it. Dream Theater doesn't have to be all technical, 11 minutes, odd time signature songs. A simple, beautiful, meaningful ballad can do a lot to touch your heart. Crap, now I regret putting this song so low.
-
Number 7: I Walk Beside You
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Here is another poppy song which undergoes tons of criticism. I don't know how many hate comments I read on Youtube for this song. You know how much I hate pop and it gets under my skin. Well, this song, I can say that I like. It isn't my cup of tea, but it isn't like the pop I dislike. I dislike songs that use the word baby (like One Direction) and that talks about love between two couples. This song, although it might have a poppy structure, it still has an extremely deep meaning to it and doesn't have any words that make me roll my eyes or think is too cheesy. We can hear a clock ticking as Petrucci enters on the electric guitar as the band follows. This is another song without any solo's from any of the band members.
There's a story in your eyes
I can see the hurt behind your smile
For every sign I recognize
Another one escapes me
Let me know what plagues your mind
Let me be the one to know you best
Be the one to hold you up
When you feel like you're sinking
Have you ever heard someone tell you that they can read you just by looking at your eyes? This is what the verse talks about. Behind a smile, one could tell if the smile is fake or is genuine. We can see that the main character see's a very close friend or a lover that has a smile, but underneath it, it is all hurt. He tells her to tell him what is going on in her mind so that he may help her. When she feels like sinking under the waves, the boy will always be there to help her.
Tell me once again
What's beneath the pain you're feeling
Don't abandon me
Or think you can't be saved
I walk beside you
Wherever you are
Whatever it takes
No matter how far
Through all the may come
And all that may go
I walk beside you
I walk beside you
Ah, here's the chorus! Isn't it beautiful? He tells her that he will always be beside her. No matter what she is going through, he will walk beside her and guide her through all the trouble she goes to. Wherever she is, whatever it takes, no matter how far she is from him, he will always walk beside her. Now that is the true definition of true love or friendship, sticking with someone through thick and thin, walking beside them always. I can tell between a genuine friend or a fake friend. I have experienced both true friends and false friends. True friends always stuck by me, even in my lowest point. Through life and through death, a true friend is with you. Here is a very touching and true quote by Amanda Mcrae: "As we grow up, we realize that it's less important to have lots of friends, and more important to have real friends."
Summon up your ghosts for me
Rest your tired thoughts upon my hands
Step inside this sacred place
When all your dreams seem broken
Resonate inside this temple
Let me be the one who understands
Be the one to carry you
When you can walk no further
In this verse, I view ghosts as your problems. As you have more and more problems that you don't get rid of it and that you keep, more ghosts will latch on to you. The ghosts will make your progress through life harder and you will feel yourself weighed down, soon unable to move. The tired thoughts are ghosts that plague you and he is telling the girl to share some of her ghosts with her. That is friendship, because they are going through burden together. Some load has been lifted off the girl and is being shared by the true friend. A temple is a place of worship and when your dreams seem broken, go to the temple and pray. Praying will release problems. When she is tired, he is willing to carry her when she can't walk. Truly touching. The chorus comes in once more, then is the amazing bridge.
Oh, where everything is wrong
Oh, where hopelessness surrounds you
Oh, the sun will rise again
The tide you swim against
Will carry you back home
So don't give up
Don't give in
Isn't this simply beautiful? I love this bridge and I consider it a highlight. It gives me the same feeling I've had when I listened to the bridge of The Answer Lies Within. When everything seems wrong, hopelessness will surround you. Angst and darkness usually go with night, when it turns dark. No matter how dark your life seems, the sun will always rise. It is always a cycle, so don't be afraid of the dark! Embrace the dark as well as the light and always remember that light will always shine through. The tide always pulls to the shore and fighting against the tide will draw you away from the shore and possibly, to your death. Do not fight and just let life guide you. Do not fight against the tide and it will always draw you to the shore. Remember, don't give up when it seems hopeless, don't give in. YOU CAN DO IT! :biggrin: :biggrin:
The chorus comes in one last as the song ends. You know, as I am writing this write up, my perspective on both these songs changed. I do not find it one bit cheesy and it is really touching. It can be a real life lesson and it might benefit you. Dream Theater changed my life and I love them very much for who they are.
-
:clap:
What a thread!..
I really enjoy reading your posts Angela.. Also, we have very similar tastes.. Keep it coming!...
Agree.
Best tread on the forum :D
-
:clap:
What a thread!..
I really enjoy reading your posts Angela.. Also, we have very similar tastes.. Keep it coming!...
Agree.
Best tread on the forum :D
It's missing a bit of whahíbrido pickingant.
-
:clap:
What a thread!..
I really enjoy reading your posts Angela.. Also, we have very similar tastes.. Keep it coming!...
Agree.
Best tread on the forum :D
You give me too much credit! :blush
It wouldn't be possible without your continued support and Dream Theater themselves for this music.
-
It's missing a bit of whahíbrido pickingant.
Oh? What in the world is that? :laugh: :laugh:
-
Number 6: These Walls
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Ah, here is These Walls! I love this song very much, but sadly, it fell to Panic Attack and Never Enough. This song has a really raw feeling. In the beginning, we can hear Petrucci's distorted riff and that itself starts the entire song. After his sick riff, all the band comes in with Rudess in the lead with his synth. I also love Rudess for this entire song as his way with his synth amuses me and the sound itself is really sick.
This is so hard for me
To find the words to say
My thoughts are standing still
Captive inside of me
All emotions start to hide
And nothing's getting through
I'm sure you guys can all agree that sometimes, the words don't seem to come out and we are left speechless. We feel as if our thoughts are standing still. That feeling to be is like living in captivity. Your freedom is limited while there are many restrictions. As you try to speak and try to do something, you feel like nothing is getting through. You are trapped inside yourself, a prisoner of war....to yourself.
Watch me,
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts,
falling into darkness
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me,
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out,
Tear down these walls for me now
We can see that the problems are these walls that are trapping you captive inside of yourself. Oh and by the way, this is the chorus. We can see that the main character is fading away, losing his instinct, going under the waves. He needs help, or he will go under and drown, but there is still hope. He needs her to help tear down the walls. She needs to walk beside him. The answer to the problem lies within. (See any correlation with the three songs in this write up?) The chorus itself is really catchy and well written by Petrucci.
Every time you choose to turn away
Is it worth the price you pay?
Is there someone who will wait for you
One more time? [x2]
Nice bridge. After that, it is an instrumental section led by John Petrucci. Hi solo sounds really smooth and enjoyable. There are no shreddings, no arpeggio's, etc. All it is a smooth, short solo which sounds very nice. Labrie then sings the chorus one more time as Petrucci's solo is played over Labrie's singing and I find it to fit perfectly. The ending is marvelous filled with Petrucci's riffing, John's bassline, Portnoy's hammering and Rudess' symphony like synth.
You know, I feel like this deserves the eighth seed. Ever since I wrote The Answer Lies Within and I Walk Beside You, my liking rose up a lot, but this song, it has faded. It doesn't hit me hard now anymore....but it is still a good song, no doubt about it!
-
Number 5: Panic Attack
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Here is another song by John Petrucci. This time, unlike the other three songs, this song is really aggressive which I like! Yes! It also has one of Myung's best bass line. Ever since I listened to the isolated bass track by John Myung, I was all like :o. This song is basically about a Panic Attack and is pretty dark if you look at the lyrics. But, I love dark and heavy songs and this fits the bill perfectly! Anyways, Myung gets us started with a nice bass introduction. After, the band just explodes and gives us one of the most heaviest introduction I've ever heard. And I love Myung's bass sound throughout this entire song. After, the band is silent for a while as Petrucci riffs, then comes back in loud and strong.
All wound up
On the edge
Terrified
Sleep disturbed
Restless mind
Petrified
Bouts of fear
Permeate
All I see
Heightening
Nervousness
Threatens me
I am paralyzed
So afraid to die
Caught off guard
Warning signs
Never show
Tension strikes
Choking me
Worries grow
I absolutely love Labrie's voice here. It sounds really dark and infected....Just by looking at the lyrics, it should be pretty obvious what this song is saying. Do I have to really analyze this part of the song? I think not. By looking at the lyrics, I only got a vague glimpse of what a panic attack must feel like. I have never experienced a panic attack myself, but man, it must be some serious shizz. >:( >:( >:( >:( :censored :censored
Anyways, we can hear a chorus of voices and Rudess' piano playing after this part to make way for the prechorus.
Why do I feel so numb
Is it something to do with where I come from
Should this be fight or flight
I don't know why I'm constantly so uptight
We can feel that the person experiencing panic attack feels really numb. He can't help but wonder if it has to do with where he comes from. He also wonders if this should be fight or flight and doesn't know why he's constantly uptight. This is what happens when I analyze straight forward lyrics. I basically repeat what the lyrics are saying. :rollin So anytime the lyrics are this obvious, I will just skip over it. After "uptight" the similar introduction riff is played once more.
Rapid heartbeat pounding through my chest
Agitated body in distress
I feel like I'm in danger
Daily life is strangled by my stress
A stifling surge
Shooting through all my veins
Extreme apprehension
Suddenly I'm insane
Lost all hope for redemption
A grave situation desperate at best
I love Mike's voice supporting Labrie. It sounds all the more demonic and scary. When I read this part of the lyrics, I had a bit of fear surge through my veins. It must be hellish to witness a panic attack, let alone experience it. After this verse, Rudess once again leads as the pre-chorus comes in once more. After the pre-chorus, the chorus sets in.
Helpless hysteria
A false sense of urgency
Trapped in my phobia
Possessed by anxiety
Run
Try to hide
Overwhelmed by this complex delirium
I love Labrie when he sings, "Run/Try to hide/Overwhelmed by this complex delirium." His tenor voice fits that part well. After the chorus, is an instrumental section. But before the instrumental section, the similar riff from the introduction plays once more, but is extended. After Petrucci's extension riff, Rudess starts off the solo with his synth as Portnoy is furiously pounding on his double bass drum. Rudess' synth gives off the feeling of first entering a panic attack and Petrucci's shredding after, gives me the feeling of someone experiencing the panic attack then and there. After Petrucci's solo, he has a duet with Rudess. After the duet, the chorus comes in once more, then the similar introduction riff. Then, the song ends.
This song is balls-to-the-wall heavy. I enjoyed listening to this. I found every band member enjoyable to listen to. Petrucci and his shredding and riffing, Labrie's use of tenor, Portnoy's double bass, Rudess' synth and chorus, and last but not least, Myung's introduction and sick bass line. In the end, there is this really eerie sound effect which gives me shivers, but it's still good! This is a really nice song about panic attack, and I look forward to listening to it once again.
-
Number 4: Never Enough
Lyrics by Mike Portnoy
YES! :tup :tup :tup :tup Here is a song by Mike Portnoy and I absolutely love this song to death. I could just listen to it forever! I mean, it might not appeal to some, but to me, I absolutely loved it. I can understand why people don't like this, but to me, this song sticks to me a lot. Partly because it reminds me of Stockholm Syndrome by Muse. That is the first thing that always comes to mind when I think of Never Enough.
The introduction begins with Rudess' riff. Portnoy then follows with his ride, as the rest of the band comes in. You have to give props to Petrucci's riff also. Anyways, after the introduction, Labrie comes in.
Cut myself open wide
Reach inside
Help yourself
To all I have to give
And then you help yourself again
And then complain that
You didn't like the way
I put the knife in wrong
You didn't like the way
My blood spilled on your brand new floor
Ah, I love Mike Portnoy. The way he words the lyrics are just amazing. Also, I really love Labrie's voice here. It sounds like he is shaking in anger as he sings this song and it makes this song that much better. Basically, this song is about all the fans who ask for more and more that suits them. When the band gives it to them, they just want more, hence the title, "Never Enough." Who knew Mike could be so clever in writing these lyrics? I love the, "You didn't like the way my blood spilled on your braaand new floor!" :angel:
What would you say
If I walked away
Would you appreciate
But then it'd be too late
Because I can only take so much of your ungrateful ways
Everything is never enough
And here is the chorus! Ooh. What would the fans do if Dream Theater walked away, never to make any more music? They would surely begin appreciating their music then, but it'd be too late. There is only so much people can take your sh*t. If you constantly rub them the wrong way and continue to annoy them, drastic actions may have to be taken.
Sacrifice my life
Neglect my kids and wife
All for you to be happy
All those sleepless nights
And countless fights to give you more
And then you say how dare that
I didn't write you back
I must be too good for you
I only care about myself
You know, this part is the absolute highlight of this song. The band is constantly sacrificing their lives for their fans. They are apart from their family, all to please the fans. They had nights where they couldn't sleep and the fights to give the fans what they want. How dare the fans say that the band didn't write them back? To say that the band must be too good for the fans? To say that the band only cares about themselves? The instruments get more ominous as this part goes on, especially Petrucci. Hell, I could almost feel Labrie seething, as he is singing this song.
Then, the chorus comes in once more and the instrumental section begins. Rudess starts off with his synth. After Rudess, Petrucci plays an ominous riff that makes me shiver. The instrumental section is nothing special. It is only a duet between Petrucci and Rudess. Even though it is simple, I find it really enjoyable to listen to. After that duet, Petrucci has his own simple solo as Rudess sings the chorus once more. The song ends with Petrucci's riffing and Rudess' synth as the song fades out.
Gosh, I absolutely love this song and definitely deserves to be above Panic Attack and These Walls. The sheer balls lyrics of this song is really astonishing and I can understand why Mike wrote this. There are some ungrateful Dream Theater fans.
-
Number 3: The Root of All Evil
Lyrics by Mike Portnoy
Ah, here is the third to last suite by Mike Portnoy. This is the only song to not exceed ten minutes, but it is fine! I'm sorry, but I don't feel like this deserves the second or first seed. It is perfect at third. I'm not hating on TROAE, but SS and 8vm are much more appealing to me than this song. These songs are perfect, but in deciding this list, I went with what was more enjoyable to listen to. So, heartrendingly, I put this song at number three.
The beginning note is played by Rudess, which was the end of ToT. After, we can hear Rudess' synth, drums, guitars, and footsteps as this introduction progresses. The drums get louder and louder and is matched with Petrucci's riff. After the fifth riff, the whole band enters while Petrucci plays an epic riff. After the riffing, Labrie comes in once more with an ominous voice.
[VI. Ready]
Proud enough for you to call me arrogant
Greedy enough to be labeled a thief
Angry enough for me to go and hurt a man
Cruel enough for me to feel no grief
Here, we can see part of the seven deadly sins. We can see pride, greed, anger, and cruelty in his life and he describes how it's affecting his life. He is so proud that people call him arrogant. He is so greedy that he is labeled as a thief. He is so angry that he hurts a man and he is cruel to feel no grief.
Never could have just a part of it
I always need more to get by
Getting right down to the heart of it
The root of all evil has been running my whole life
The root of all evil has been running over Portnoy's life and it has been having a really negative impact on him. He never could have part of it and needed more to get by. That caused him to spiral down right to the heart of the root of all evil.
Dirty enough for me to lust
Leaving nothing left to trust
Jealous enough to still feel envious
Lazy enough to sleep all day
And let my life just waste away
Selfish enough to make you wait for me
We can see that he lusts (who doesn't?), no one trusts him and he doesn't trust anyone. He feels jealous and is so lazy, he can sleep all day, letting his life waste away. Also, he is very selfish, to make others always wait for him, as he doesn't.
Driven blindly by our sins
Misled so easily
Entirely ready to leave it behind
I'm begging to break free
Take all of me
The desires that keep burning deep inside
Cast them all away
And help to give me strength to face another day
I am ready
Help me be what I can be
Oh crap. I can speak for all of us here, but at one point, we are driven blindly by our sins, misled real easily. Mike Portnoy wants to break free out of sin's grasp, ready to leave his old life behind. And the official chorus is played. Desires burn inside him and he wants to cast the desires away and he needs help to face through another day. He is ready right now. He needs help to be molded into what he can be and that will exactly happen with our Mike.
[VII. Remove]
Self-centered fear has got a hold of me
Clutching my throat
Self righteous anger running all through me
Ready to explode
Procrastination paralyzing me
Wanting me dead
These obsessions that keep haunting me
Won't leave my head
Self centered fear has got Mike in a headlock, clutching his throat, cutting off his breathing supply. He can feel righteous anger running throughout his entire body, ready to XPLODE. He wants to overcome his addiction, but procrastination is paralyzing him, wanting him dead. All the obsessions won't leave his head and tries really hard to fight back.
Help to do for me what I can't do myself
Take this fear and pain
I can't break out this prison all alone
Help me break these chains
Humility now my only hope
Won't you take all of me
Heal this dying soul
He asks for help for the things he can't do by himself. Worded well. He will do all he can to break free from his addictions, but what he can't, he asks God to help. He can't break out of this glass prison all by himself. He is in chains, but he wants to break free. He is now humble and learns the meaning of humility and is ready for his dying soul to be fully healed.
I can feel my body breaking
I can feel my body breaking
I'm ready to let it all go
I can feel my body shaking
Right down to the foundation
The root of it all
Nostalgia~
After this nostalgic moment, there is an instrumental section. I love this instrumental section to death! It first is a duet by Petrucci and Rudess. Rudess starts off the solo for us with an aggressive synth while Petrucci is riffing in the background. After Rudess' synth, Petrucci comes in next with his own solo. After Petrucci's solo, comes in the chorus once more. After the chorus, Petrucci riffs as Rudess closes off the song for us. The song comes to a beautiful end.
I love this song, but quality-wise, it doesn't match up to the two next songs that go over ten minutes. Not just the length, but everything else about it: lyrics, instruments, emotions, etc.
Take all of me
The desires that keep burning deep inside
Cast it all away
And help to give me strength to face another day
I am ready
Help me what I can be
I am ready
Come to me
Take me away
-
Number 2: Sacrificed Sons
Lyrics by James Labrie
Here is Sacrificed Sons! This is the longest song Labrie has contributed to date. I find this to also be one of his best songs next to Blind Faith. It is so gut wrenching to hear about the terrorist attack and it just pains me deeply. My heart goes to everyone who's life was lost in this terrible tragedy. Labrie sings this song so passionately and I get really emotional every time. Yes, I am a very emotional person and something small can reduce to tears in no time.
In the beginning, we hear sampling as they talk about a terrorist attack and the government hunting them down to extinction. After some sampling, there is a piano playing by Rudess as the rest of the band quietly enters. Labrie soon begins with this heart-wrenching song.
Walls are closing
Anxiously
Channel surfing
Frantically
Burning City
Smoke and fire
Planes we're certain
Faith inspired
No clues
A complete surprise
Who'll be
Coming home tonight
Wow, this hits me with instant feels. This talks about the terrorist attack. The walls are closing as the whole world is surfing their channels, wanting to know the news. New York City is the city that are in flames right now. Two planes hit the twin towers, making it crumble and fall, killing everyone inside. It happened in a flash. No one knew that the planes were coming.
Heads all turning
Towards the sky
Towers crumble
Heroes die
Who would wish this
On our people
And proclaim
That His will be done
Scriptures they heed have misled them
All praise their Sacrificed Sons
Labrie sings more and more mournfully as he details the towers crumbling. As the towers crumble, heroes die. As the plane hits, heads turn towards the sky. Who could ever wish such a disastrous tragedy upon us and proclaim that God's will be done? This song also gets spiritual as they talk about the scripture and say that it has been misleading them. I have heard that people are willing to sacrifice their lives to harm others. To this day, some Islam's praise their terrorists as sacrificed sons.
Now, is the instrumental section. John Myung begins this instrumental section as Petrucci and Portnoy comes in with a bang. Petrucci riffs and Rudess leads us and his synth blends perfectly with Petrucci's riffing and I absolutely love his riffs in this song. Rudess soon begins leading with his synth and Petrucci soon enters with a sick sound. After Petrucci's solo, he has a duet with Rudess. After the duet, Labrie enters with Petrucci riffing.
Teach them
What to think and feel
Your ways
So enlightening
Words they preach
I can't relate
If God's true Love
Are acts of Hate
Don't you love Petrucci's riffing here? It sounds so raw. The witness to this horrible terrorist attack asks if God's true love are actually acts of hate towards human kind which is really deep. The chorus then enters one more time.
God on High
Our mistakes
Will mankind be extinct?
There's no time to waste
Who serves the truth
For Heavens' sake
The witness questions if mankind will be now extinct. The attack was so raw, so evil, he can't help, but think if it is finally the end for mankind. He admits that it wasn't God's fault, but it was man's fault. There is no more time to waste to who serves the truth for heaven's sake. Wow, just wow. Another reason Labrie is one of my most favorite song writers. His lyrics are so deep and speak the truth.
After this, is an outro instrumental. Portnoy has a really nice drum solo which is hindered by the other instruments. His drum solo isn't heard really well like it is in Finally Free or As I Am. It still is really good. To end the song in a bang, Rudess leads with his orchestra synth as the song closes in a bang, bang, bang, bang, BANG!
This song is really hard to hear because even if it happened 15 years ago, the events are so horrible. It has a nice instrumental section and Labrie's voice is so....words can't describe how I feel about this song.
-
Number 1: Octavarium
Lyrics by John Petrucci, James Labrie, and Mike Portnoy
Here is the best Dream Theater song on this album! OCTAVARIUM! This song is just mind blowing and contains many easter eggs that I enjoyed figuring out. I won't be going to any deep analysis of this song because I'm sure you guys already know. By any chance, if you don't know :facepalm: go to this site: https://dt.spatang.com/octavarium.php. Also, I won't be analyzing any lyrics as the answers can also be found on the link I posted. I will just be analyzing the instruments and the solo's. Anyways, let's begin!
This song starts of with Rudess' synth and only Rudess synth. This plays on for about five minutes. That's it! Nothing special about it, except, I love that sound. Anyways, after this, we can hear Petrucci's acoustic guitar comes in with another Rudess synth. Portnoy comes in occasionally with his ride as the song begins.
[I. Someone Like Him]
[Lyrics: John Petrucci]
I never wanted to become someone like him so secure
Content to live each day just like the last
I was sure I knew that
This was not for me
And I wanted so much more
Far beyond what I could see
So I swore that I'd
Never be someone like him
So many years have passed
Since I proclaimed
My independence
My mission
My aim
And my vision
So secure
Content to live each day like it's my last
It's wonderful to know
That I could be
Something more than what I dreamed
Far beyond what I could see
Still I swear that I'm
Missing out this time
As far as I could tell
There's nothing more I need
But still I ask myself
Could this be everything
Then all I swore
That I would never be was now
So suddenly
The only thing
I wanted
To become
To be someone just like him
This part begins quietly with Petrucci and Rudess. Portnoy enters later with his occasional crash of his ride. This part sound really mysterious and I absolutely love the part: "Content to live each day just like my last." I dunno, I just love Labrie's voice. Nothing much to talk about this part, except that it really sets a really mysterious tone for this entire song.
[II. Medicate (Awakening)]
[Lyrics: James LaBrie]
To begin "Medicate," we can hear only Portnoy and Myung play. I love Myung's bass solo throughout this. After one round, Rudess also enters.
A Doctor sitting next to me
He asks me how I feel
Not sure I understand his questioning
He says I've been away a while
But thinks he has cured me
From a state of catatonic sleep
For 30 years
Where have I been
Eyes open
But not getting through to me
Medicate me
Infiltrate me
Side effects appear
As my conscience slips away
Medicate me
Science failing
Conscience fading fast
Can't you stop what's happening
A higher dosage he prescribes
But there's no guarantee
I feel it starting to take over me
I tell him not to be ashamed
There's no one who's to blame
A second shot
A brief awakening
I feel the relapse
Can't break free
Eyes open
But not getting through to me
Another mysterious verse and makes you wonder: "What has he been doing for thirty years?" After this section, is an instrumental section which always makes me smile. It is a synth section with Rudess and man, I love that part! He plays a really catchy tune and it uplifts the entire song and we can tell that the main character is going through this crazy relapse. Gotta love Mike Portnoy.
[III. Full Circle]
[Lyrics: Mike Portnoy]
Stanzas 1 and 4 of part III are entirely made up of musical and other references.
Sailing on the Seven Seas - OMD (song)
also possibly Seven Seas of Rhye - Queen (song)
Seize the Day - Theme of A Change of Seasons and the movie Dead Poet's Society
Day Tripper - The Beatles (song)
Per Diem - Latin phrase and business term meaning "each day"
Carpe Diem is Latin for "Seize the Day"
Jack the Ripper - Morrissey (song)
The Ripper - Judas Priest (song)
Ripper Owens - Vocalist of Iced Earth (ex-Judas Priest)
Owen Wilson - Actor
Wilson Phillips - Band
Supper's Ready - Genesis (song)
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles (song)
Diamond Dave - David Lee Roth (album)
Dave's Not Here - Cheech & Chong routine
Here I Come to Save the Day - Mighty Mouse quote
Day for Night - Spock's Beard (album and song)
Nightmare Cinema - Dream Theater�s opposite in 1995, where they would switch instruments and play a cover, usually of Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers"
Cinema Show - Genesis (song)
Show Me the Way - Styx (song)
Get Back - The Beatles (song)
Flying off the Handle - quote
Handle with Care - Travelling Wilburys (song)
Careful with that Axe, Eugene - Pink Floyd (song)
Gene, Gene the Dance Machine - Memorable act on The Gong Show
Machine Messiah - Yes (song)
Light My Fire - The Doors (song)
Gabba Gabba Hey Hey - The Ramones (lyrics)
Hey Hey, My My - Neil Young (song)
My Generation - The Who (song)
Home Again - from "Breathe" reprise and "Time" on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon
Labrie is really nice here and it probably is the happiest part of the song, though this song's meaning isn't that happy. Gotta love the cool references! After this is a sick instrumental section and possibly the highlight of this song. First is a solo by John Petrucci and a duet by Petrucci and Rudess. Rudess lays down a sick jingle bells easter egg and Petrucci has a nice solo with his acoustic guitar. Love that acoustic guitar.
[IV. Intervals]
[Lyrics: Mike Portnoy]
[Root]
Our deadly sins feel his mortal wrath
Remove all obstacles from our path
[Second]
Asking questions
Search for clues
The answer's been right in front of you
[Third]
Try to break through
Long to connect
Fall on deaf ears and failed muted breath
[Fourth]
Loyalty, trust, faith and desire
Carries love through each darkest fire
[Fifth]
Tortured Insanity
A smothering hell
Try to escape but no avail
[Sixth]
The calls of admirers
Who claim they adore
Drain all your lifeblood while begging for more
[Seventh]
Innocent victims of merciless crimes
Fall prey to some madmen's impulsive designs
[Octave]
Step after step
We try controlling our fate
When we finally start living it has become too late
Trapped inside this Octavarium
Trapped inside this Octavarium
Trapped inside this Octavarium
Trapped inside this Octavarium[/i]
Oh yeah! This describes all the songs in order and Labrie screams, "Trapped inside this Octavarium!" I love his scream really much and is another highlight of this song. Rudess then enters with his synth as the Razor's Edge begins.
[V. Razor's Edge]
[Lyrics: John Petrucci]
We move in circles
Balanced all the while
On a gleaming razor's edge
A perfect sphere
Colliding with our fate
This story ends where it began
Wow, isn't the meaning beautiful? These lyrics express how this cycle of the ending being the beginning goes on forever and there is no escaping it. It's possible that DT is talking about the fact that their career has come full circle, and now, after eight studio albums, they are without a record label again, their lives as musicians are repeating themselves. Just amazing. After this, Petrucci has a guitar solo to end the song. The guitar solo always gives me chills because...it is that amazing. It is not flashy at all, but the passion is real. The song fades out as the beginning of Root of All Evil is played.
Wow, this song is really....wow. It rightfully deserves number one for this album, number five for my favorite Dream theater song. It is so full of meaning and has a lot of highlights that make this song enjoyable to listen to!
-
Systematic Chaos
Systematic Chaos is the ninth studio album by American progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Released on June 4, 2007 in the United Kingdom and June 5, 2007 in the United States, Systematic Chaos was the band's first release through Roadrunner Records, which was sold to their previous label Atlantic Records, through which the band had released their previous studio album Octavarium (2005). The album was recorded from September 2006 to February 2007 at Avatar Studios in New York City, after the band's first break from summer touring in ten years. The lyrics of the album were written by John Petrucci, James LaBrie, and Mike Portnoy about fictional, political, and personal topics, respectively.[1]
The album peaked in the top twenty in eight countries' sales charts; in addition, the album peaked at the nineteenth position on the Billboard 200, making it the highest peaking Dream Theater album in the United States[2] until the release of Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009), which debuted at the sixth position.[3] Critical reception of the album was generally positive; Jon Eardley from MetalReview.com called the band, "arguably the most consistent band throughout the entire progressive rock/metal industry".[4]
Dream Theater promoted the album on their Chaos in Motion world tour, which lasted a year and spanned thirty-five countries. The album was released in regular and special edition formats; the special edition included a 5.1 surround sound mix of the album, in addition to a ninety-minute "making of" documentary about the album.
Songs: In the Presence of Enemies (25:38), Forsaken (5:35), Constant Motion (6:55), The Dark Eternal Night (8:53), Repentance (10:43), Prophets of War (6:00), The Ministry of Lost Souls (14:57)
-
Number 7: Forsaken
Lyrics by John Petrucci
Clocking at number seven if Forsaken! Here is the shortest song in the album, just clocking over five minute and thirty seconds. This song is about, I guess, a vampiress finding a man and making him her's. This song is a fun, catchy song and I enjoy listening to it ever day. I can imagine how fantasies can be created by this story. Anyways, let's begin. Rudess enters with his piano as the rest of the band follows. After, Portnoy, Rudess, And Myung are the only one present while Rudess plays the introduction once more. Labrie enters as Petrucci also enters.
For a while I thought I fell asleep
Lying motionless inside a dream
Then rising suddenly
I felt a chilling breath upon me
She softly whispered in my ear
(Forsaken)
We can see that the main characters thinks that he fell asleep, lying motionless inside a dream, but no luck. Then suddenly, he feels a chilly breath upon him and realizes that there is indeed a girl right next to him. She whispers in his ear, "Forsaken." Wow, way to begin the song!
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
She wants him to take his hand and to forsake himself for her, hence the title. The chorus itself is pretty catchy and I had fun watching the "Making of Systematic Chaos." And, there is nothing else to say about the chorus....so, moving on!
I waited painfully
For night to fall again
Trying to silence the fear within me
Out of an ivory mist
I felt a stinging kiss
And saw a crimson stain on her lips
I have to know your name
Where have I seen your face before?
My dear one don't you be afraid
Verse 2. It gets more and more interesting! We can see that he wants to see her again, that's why he is waiting painfully. He just can't wait anymore until night comes. She appears once more in an ivory mist and bites her victim, with a kiss. He feels a stinging kiss as a result and see's blood smeared on her lips. He wants to know her name and asks where he has seen her. The vampiress responds with: "My dear one don't you be afraid." I don't know why, but this song gives me chills every day. After the second verse, the chorus is played.
Take me far away
Close your eyes
And hold your breath
To the ends of the earth
He wants to be with her now. He wants her to take him far away and she asks that he closes and holds his breath to the ends of the earth. This has two possible meanings. They can either go far way, to the ends of the earth, or she kills him. Either way, after this bridge, Petrucci has a solo. It's not his best, but it is really relevant and I enjoy listening to it. As Petrucci finishes his solo, he extends the sound as Labrie sings: "Forsakeeeeeeeeeeen!" After, the chorus is played once more as Rudess finishes the song with the solo he began with.
-
Number 6: Prophets of War
Lyrics by James Labrie
Clocking at number six is Prophets of War. You know, I love analyzing Labrie's lyrics because he tends to write political lyrics. That is no problem for me as it has brought nothing but up's. Prophets of War is a play on word which I thought was pretty clever. It talks about possible ulterior motives to the Iraq War, while remaining in the middle. I love Portnoy's vocals here as it is possibly the best Portnoy vocal usage ever! The song begins with Rudess and Labrie. Myung and Portnoy then come in and finally, Petrucci.
It burns deep down inside of me,
We have ourselves to blame.
Not questioning, accepted as the truth.
Debate this fight it's just cause
The facts do not support theirs
To liberate a people
And rid them of tyrant rule
Well then, already hitting us with cryptic lyrics huh> :justjen I only figured out parts of this song. We know that there are a people who are under a tyrant rule and the main goal is to liberate them. The cause of the war burns deep inside the main character and blames no one but himself.
Is it time to make a change?
Are we closer than before?
Can we help them break away?
Are we profiting from war?
It's time to make a change.
Here is the chorus of the song. Questions are going through their head: "Is it time to make a change? Are we closer than before?" Can we help them break away? Are we profiting from war?" Yes, it is time to make a change. They are closer than before to liberate their people of tyrant rule and they wonder if the war is actually profiting the nations going through this crisis.
Intrigued
Got your attention - deceived
Since the inception - our brave
Fight for what reason
Compelled
Can we clean up this mess?
The loss of loved ones
A perverse request
They continue the same rhetoric
These derelicts that profit
Win or lose
We can hear Portnoy singing the first part as Labrie follows up. This section was very amusing and I couldn't help but to laugh during Portnoy's vocals.
Time for change
Fight the fear
Find the truth
Time for change
The chorus is played, then there is chanting. The chanting is done by fans that Dream Theater brought into the studio. I thought this was pretty neat.
The only thing
That I believe
Will help us see this through is faith.
Pray they will forgive,
Forgive our arrogance,
So we can make it right,
Right what they have wronged.
Now, here is the bridge. The only thing that will help through the crisis is faith. As a Christian girl, I gladly accept and agree with this statement. They pray that they will forgive for their arrogance. By forgiving, we are forgiven. :lol By being forgiven, they can right what they have wronged and make it right.
See you sweat
Unexpected, controversial
Get used to it
Things are gonna get personal
Your sympathy
A pitiful display you stutter
Your empathy
Means nothing if there is no honor
Responsible
Of this you are incapable
We implicate
Incriminate - Exacerbate - Too much at stake
Our Fathers, Mothers
Sisters, Brothers
Sons and Daughters
Forced
Perpetuating their ideals
A mindless act
To stay the course
Yes....yes! The use of Portnoy's vocals here are absolutely badass. His dark voice really fits the tone for this section throughout and this is the absolute highlight of this song.
Is it time to make a change?
Are we closer than before?
Can we help them break away?
Are we profiting from war?
Petrucci's clean electric and Labrie are the only one present. Labrie extends, "War," as the rest of the band just comes in, led by Petrucci's sick riff. Sadly, no one gets a solo for this song. The chorus comes in one last time as the song ends with Petrucci pulling the plug of his amp.
I know that I haven't delved deep in the lyrics and it is still pretty short, but I like this song very much. Portnoy's vocals and the fan's chanting really brings the mood for this song.
-
It's missing a bit of whahíbrido pickingant.
Oh? What in the world is that? :laugh: :laugh:
Check this https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=45270.msg2056212#msg2056212
and this https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=45294.0
You won't regret.. Or will you?.. :justjen
:lol