Album Review: Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings

Ok, another Dream Theater album is out. I'll keep this review short:

There is a 3-disc edition of this album which consists of (1) Main album, (2) Covers, and (3) Instrumental Versions of the Main Album. I'll focus this review on the main album and some of the instrumental versions.

Track Listing:

1. A Nightmare to Remember

2. A Rite of Passage

3. Wither

4. The Shattered Fortress

X. Restraint

XI. Receive

XII. Responsible

5. The Best of Times

6. The Count of Tuscany

First of all, congratulations James LaBrie! This is probably his best voice since Scenes From A Memory. His voice is back, and although not as rough as the Awake album, it's definitely better than the past 3 albums. Now before the next part, i would like everyone to know that i am a big fan of Jordan Rudess and he is my main influence. One thing that bothers me especially in this latest DT record is that he relies too much on feedback effects on his solos. I miss the Kurzweil days and the straight forward phat signature JR solo with just enough feedback effects. I find his Korg lead sound too "synthesized" in the sense that it already lacks body and thickness. The Kurzweil lead, although older, is still much superior to me.

On to the review..

The first track, A Nightmare to Remember, is my favorite song in the album. It is also one of the heaviest. Kick ass riff and the realistic goth voices that Rudess demonstrated on the last NAMM show. The melodic middle part is very pleasing to the ears. Also, the instrumental version of this song is the best among the instrumentals.

Next up is the single, A Rite Of Passage. The main riff of this song reminds me of a Razorback tune. The highlight for me is the instrumental part. Great riffs and solos from Petrucci and Rudess. Rudess also plays his iPhone solo in the last part of the keyboard solo. Great shit.

Wither, is on the melodic side. The song is good, nothing outstanding, but good enough.

The Shattered Fortress is the last of Portnoy's AA suite that started in the 6 Degrees album. It was good to hear the memorable riffs of the previous songs again, but the song for me was too structured that way and it lacked transitions between parts. Since they put together different riffs from different songs, i feel it was too rushed just cramming all those great riffs into one song. The song picks up well however when the vocals starts, then some good solos. The soft melodic part going into The Root Of All Evil riff is also my favorite.

The Best Of Times is Portnoy's tribute to his late father. The song is great in a melodic sense. Great string sections from Rudess and a melodic solo from Petrucci.

Lastly, The Count of Tuscany. Great intro! One of their best intros for me. Too bad they didn't go back to it the rest of the song. Now if you would notice i do not have any comments for the rest of the song. Well, the song is great, but i wouldn't consider it a standout.

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All in all, this album is a good one, better than Systematic Chaos and Octavaruim, although these 2 albums have their moments as well. But this is definitely one of their better albums