Dream Theater's 2009 album - Black Clouds and Silver Lining

ign="center">Suite.” every Dream Theater album since
I'm not sure why there needs to be a review of2002’s Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Dream Theater Albums. Any fans of Dreamhas enclosed a song about Portnoy’s
Theater in all likelihood already have this album;battle with alcoholism and various stages of
we cultivate to be a pretty devoted bunch, andrecovery. The fifth and final song, “The
are not commonly on the fence about buyingShattered Fortress,” both revisits and
DT’s newest. No concern how I extolcompletes the musical themes established in the
the record, it’s going to be a hell of aprior ones. It manages to reflect individuals
task to pull pop listeners to a progressive metalcompositions while still feeling like an integral part
album with an average song length of overof this disc, as its resolution—though
twelve minutes. Maybe, though, out there intriumphant over the addiction—seems
Pajibaland, there’s a few metalheadsanxious under the weight of newfound
who, for some reason or another, are not on theresponsibility. The whole of Black Clouds and Silver
Dream Theater train. To you I say: What the hellLinings, in fact, reflects many of the musical styles
are you waiting for? Or, in a more punny manner:of Dream Theater’s past four releases,
All aboard. (Ick.)while adding new dimensions to each.
I can probably put a full-stop to this review byThere’s a bit of Six Degrees’
saying dream theater is god and this album rules.theatricality, some of the weight and bitterness of
Anyone with even a cursory know-how of theirTrain of Thought, and more of the strong riffs,
record would do well enough with that alone. Butmelody and a bit of the openness that marked
for those who may know less about the group, Iboth Octavarium and Systematic Chaos. Yet this
should elaborate. Black Clouds & Silver Linings isrecord still comes across as more aggressive and
Dream Theater’s darkest album in someaccomplished than the group’s previous
time, both melodically and thematically. Nottwo outings. After “The Shattered
necessarily their heaviest, mind you, though itFortress,” Black Clouds & Silver Linings
certainly is aggressive. Where much of theirtakes a slight detour in tone, as “The
recent material has revolved around fictional talesBest of Times” (an ode to
of darkness, devils and history, these songsPortnoy’s late father) is much more
traffic in individual tragedy and reality; five of thebittersweet in its reminiscence. Musically, it
six concern the writers’ personalborrows heavily (almost intentionally so, it seems)
experiences. A jarring car accident, the death of afrom early-80’s Rush, recalling both
father and a terrifying encounter in a foreign“Red Barchetta” and
place—these subjects reflect the“The Spirit of Radio” in its
record’s title. While there may be silverearliest half. The final track, “The Count
linings and relief in some resolutions, theyof Tuscany,” shares this similarity,
don’t make the experiences any lessopening with strong flashes of “La Villa
frightening.Strangiato;” though both of these songs
Petrucci's "Nightmare to remember" a 16 minutemolt into their own distinct compositions as they
auto-wreck tale, opens Black Clouds & Silverprogress.
Linings in appropriate mode. It’s hard toOverall I feel that Black clouds and silver lining is
put many of my favorite musicalone of the most engaging and classic addition to
descriptors—driving, thrashing, grinding,the band's pre-existing portfolio. One need not be
etc.—to Dream Theater’s songs,a metalhead to enjoy this album, though an
as there are so many changes in rhythm, key,appreciation for technical prowess and
tone and feel with the purpose of I’d beinstrumentalism (basically, for music beyond pop
here all day describing them. But “Ahooks) and an adult attention span are beneficial.
Nightmare to Remember” manages toThis stuff isn’t Pantera, but it
evoke the kind of apprehension with which oneisn’t arena rock, either; it might not be
might recall such an event, as the opening minutesthrash and it certainly has melody, but
describe the lead-in to the accident with anit’s undeniably metal. It’s loud,
uneasy urgency. The crash itself, the awakening,it’s long and it’s intricate, but if
the panic for know-how of other passengers, theyou have an ear for such things, it’s
slow recovery—all is played to becompletely satisfying. Dream Theater is the finest
genuinely disturbing. Here, as throughout the CD,in the business at what they do, and though they
are all of Dream Theater’s hallmarks.do it without a whole lot of fanfare, they deserve
There are Petrucci’s face-melting riffs,your attention. This record might not pull
drummer Mike Portnoy’s spectaculareveryone away from top-40 radio, but for
percussion, flowing melodies, lengthy guitar andeveryone with a little lead in their ears, I ask
keyboard solos, and James LaBrie’sagain: What are you waiting for?
never ending vocals, which now often less refinedReport this article
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This collection of musicians is arguably the as aSource:
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(and possibly ever). Each note is both composed
and played with a stunning precision that allowsAsk a Question About this Article
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Also worthwhile to pointout Mikesterling silver ...
Portnoy’s “Twelve-Step