Dream Theater – Images and Words (1992)
Produced by David Prater
James LaBrie – Vocals
John Petrucci – Guitars/Backing Vocals
John Myung – Bass
Kevin Moore – Keyboards
Mike Portnoy – Drums, Percussion and Backing Vocals
Jay Beckenstein – Soprano Saxophone ("Another Day" only)
Track listing:
01. Pull Me Under (8:11)
02. Another Day (4:24)
03. Take the Time (8:21)
04. Surrounded (5:30)
05. Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper (9:32)
06. Under a Glass Moon (7:04)
07. Wait for Sleep (2:32)
08. Learning to Live (11:31)
Released in 1992 "Images and Words" was the second album by American band Dream Theater. Formed in 1985 as Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung & Mike Portnoy while studying at the Berklee College of Music. The bands combination of Prog and Metal has ganered them a dedicated following and a profile on the fringes of the mainstream.
The album begins with the single “Pull Me Under”. This is the song that put them on the map and I can see why. The song is a very slick Judas Priest like tune that was primed for early 90’s alternative radio. It is a very straight forward Hard Rock/Heavy Metal song that for me is far too restrained and to be perfectly honest pretty uninteresting. The vocals also don’t stand up to the music and are really weak in comparison.
“Another Day” follows on. After listening to this album it is very apparent that the “Singles” were put at the front of the record. This is a sickly metal ballad that goes too far to be dramatic. You could imagine lighters in the air and swaying arms when this is played. To make matters worse there is some cheesy sax added to the song.
Things get better with “Take the Time” the third track on the album. The instrumentation is really strong and gives the especially John Petrucci room to take the lead. This song moves along nicely but the vocals are a real let down on this song. They reminds me of a bad Gary Cherone impersonation. A real let down.
Next is “Surrounded” the second ballad on this record and is much better than “Another Day”. The song has much more movement and energy and some strong vocals from James LaBrie. The keyboards add some nice textures and layers. Decent song.
“Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper” is the strongest track on the record. The guitars are great and the songs main riff has a nice Maiden feel to it. The Guitars and Keyboards really shine when the solo’s come in later in the song. They make up for some uninspired Drums and Vocals. Cool tune.
Following on is “Under a Glass Moon” another strong tune. Again the guitars are strong and reminded me of Steve Vai’s guitar work for the “Bill & Teds Bogus Journey” movie. This is where the band is at their best on a driving track that give the musicians a change to show off their skills. Mike Portnoy does a great job here but it’s surprising such a highly regarded drummer only shines on one of the eight song.
Things are slowed down on “Wait for Sleep” a keyboard/Piano and vocals only track. The keyboards reminded me of Tubular Bells with a nice mix of synthesized keyboards and piano. James LaBrie does a really good job and doesn’t over do it.
“Learning to Live” is the final track and the longest at nearly 12 minutes. This track is in the same vein as “Metropolis, Pt. 1” and “Under a Glass Moon” but collapses under the weight of a confusing time signature. This track has a Maiden “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” feel to it but is a struggle to get through. For me the time signature stops the flow of the track and I am sure that for musicians of Dream Theaters calibre it’s fun and interesting but as a listener it falls well short of being an enjoyable experience.
This album was a disappointment as I own later Dream Theater albums which I enjoy. There are three strong tracks “Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper”, “Under a Glass Moon” & “Wait for Sleep” but I rest I could happily leave.
4/10
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