LIE

''Containing previously unreleased live & studio material'' says the picture of the cover here. Dream Theater are famous nowadays for there ''studio leftovers'', but do not expect that much new here. This, after all, is either a long single or a short EP. The space of about twenty minutes however is used very good.

The single edit of ''Lie'' is basically a shortened version, as often with those edits. A bit less instrumental work, but that does not hurt the song, it increases the heavy feeling, but leaves less of the progressive side of the band. Oh, how I love ''Space-Dye Vest'', one of the most beautiful tunes Kevin Moore has ever written. An emotional song, starting with piano only, some sound effects and spoken samples. The dark emotions are later strengthened by Petrucci's guitar with some slow chords in the background. Over it all, there is LaBrie in a believable sad tone. Dark and beautiful is this song. ''To Live Forever'' was a leftover from the first years, after years of work it finally was released. An average, ballad-like song with some mood-changes and a build-up. Especially like the sound of accoustic guitar at the beginning. The downpoint follows, a live version of ''Another Day''. While this is by no means a bad song, and all instruments are played well and clear, LaBrie destroys it for me. Inconsisted live vocals were his weakness back then, and here he is not able to sing the high notes, or starts some unfitting tremolo or yodeling or whatever this is supposed to be..

Overall, this might sound like a solid three stars for a single/EP, but why do I give two? This is good, yes, but there is no need if you already own the studio albums of the period. The EP is more a small compilation than an addition to your collection. The one new song, ''To Live Forever'', is not such a stand- out that it is more that for collectors/fans only. Certainly, no really bad songs are here, yet this is more or less unneccessary. And as hard as this is to find nowadays, it is not worth the money. Rather buy ''Images & Words'' + ''Awake''.

Two stars, by the truest meaning of the rating.