Last night I had a dream. In my dream a faerie appeared with two wishes. I had to choose one from the two and the conversation is scribbled down for better understanding.
Faerie: Hello… it’s me… open your eyes and choose a wish.
Me: Faerie… Faerie… is that you? And what have you got for me? (Like in the late 70’s movie, my face was full of expressions)
Faerie: You may choose to play for India in Cricket or can perform a live concert with the band, Dream Theater.
(I thought for 2 minutes and came into a conclusion knowing the ill effects of being part in the Indian team and all that)
Me: Hmmm… Faerie… Faerie… I shall choose the second wish.
(Faerie granted the wish and left the scene)
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Check, check… Mike… Check… Alright, welcome to Dream Theater. All lights on. We shall choose to play ‘A nightmare to remember’ first. The song is penned down my John… Yep, John Petrucci is one of the founder members of the band who plays the guitar and been ranked by GuitarOne as the 9th greatest shredder of all time.
Okay!!!! Here we go…
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A nightmare to remember
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This track is 16 minutes and 10 seconds. The track starts slowly with a soothing soft touch of melody and when the 53rd second passes by, you got to be a little careful. Boy… This is Rock ‘n’ Roll… You got to be careful. It’s time…
Most of the Dream Theaters songs are more than 10 minutes or so and the lyrics will be divided into 2 or 3 parts which will have different meanings altogether. This track talks about how life changes from a normal life to an extraordinary one.
Let’s step on to the next track…
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A Rite of Passage
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Have I told you that we are performing in here the 10th studio album of Dream Theater? Okay!! You see, we get 3 CD/DVD’s along with the Album. The first being all original tracks and the second version is all the cover songs that DT performed. The last one is about all the instrumental piece of the original tracks.
Sorry about that, we are going to start ‘A rite of Passage’ now.
This is a philosophical piece of note. As you know, Dream Theater is a progressive rock group and they do have the psychedelic touch in their https://lyrics. Oh yea… I do agree the fact that the songs are based on their life. (Like most of the bands)
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state, a rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone, a rite of passage
By the way this piece is 8 minutes and 35 seconds which further edited to 5 minutes and 30 seconds for the video.
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Wither
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I am in love with this track… Many of you won’t like this track but then I feel it very different. This track starts with a low note and will take you away to some distant hill when it ends. Have you listened to ‘With arms wide open by Creed’? I won’t compare but I do feel Dream Theater is going to bring back the Rock Era.
For instance if you read the words scribbled for this song,
Let it out, let it out
Feel the empty Space
So insecure find the words and let it out
Staring down, staring down
Nothing comes to mind
Find the place turn the water into wine
It has got some magic touch and this is the odd song in the album. It doesn’t connect with any other tracks and this track was composed by John Petrucci alone.
Oh, okay! I did say, alone! Now, let me introduce the other members. Mike Stephen Portnoy on drums and he is also the backing vocalist for the band. He is been awarded 23 times by Modern Drummer Magazine. Trust me, you got to watch him on stage. Apparently he is the co-producer of almost all their albums including this one.
John Myung is another founding member of the band who is labeled as the mysterious members… don’t ask my why!! He is a bassist. Kevin James LaBrie is the vocalist.
Did I bore you all? Anyway, let’s go on to the next track. Let me see which is going to come up next… Okay, cool!
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The Shattered Fortress
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The song was written by Mike Portnoy. I personally didn’t like it much. It’s not that bad and I just said my opinion. So, I’m going to skip on to the next track which is supposed to be the best in the album.
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The Best of Times
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The song starts with a piano note and then continued on violins and back to drums. This is one of the best songs I have heard for a long time. This amazing song is written by Mike Portnoy which will carry you away from the present scenario back in 90’s reminding you of the best times you had with your friends… I didn’t want to make this review emotional but then I just ran out of words while hearing this music…. Do buy the Album just for this track. Worth it!! Trust me, it’s worth it!!
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The Count of Tuscany
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This song was written by John Petrucci. Eh, song? Well, it’s a real life incident that took place when he was in Italy. It’s about an accident where he was about to die. One of their best songs… of all times…
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Alright, that’s about Dream Theater… Nah, that’s not about Dream Theater but about their latest album… Buy… Listen… Have a great time…
Like an aam aadmi, I’llleap on to the stage with a guitar to make this fiction a reality… it’s fun... I’llbe a hermit to learn more about music and dreams inside this octavarium…
Faerie is gone… I’m out of the dream… back to the reality… it was fun… dreams are always fun… along with dream theater… their beats… best days are back again…
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PS: Have you listened to Tenement Funster by Queen? (It’s there in the Bonus CD)
~ Oh give me a good guitarrrrrrrr
And you can say that my hair’s a disgrace
Or just find me an open car
I’ll make the speed of light outa this place ~ ~ ~ oh oh oh ~ ~ ~
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Thank You!! God Bless You!!