OCTAVARIUM

"The root of all evil" is a good opener and the song has some great melodic changes (good song writing) James La Brie sounds so good on this album! He has really given it his all for this album!

Things slow down next with the ballad "The answer lies within" The song is excellent but I have to say the lyrics are a bit corny, "I know whatever you decide...you´re gonna shine!"

"These walls" is an interesting song with some really interesting drumming by Portnoy. It begins softly and builds up nicely, actually the album is great up to this point!

Then comes the worst track they have probably ever done, the cringe worthy "I walk beside you" Sounding as commercial as possible this song sticks out like a sore thumb.

Things get better again with "Panic Attack" and there is some great bass work (especially the introduction to the song) from John Myung. The band are very tight on this track and it´s like going on a roller coaster ride!

The intro to "Never Enough" is fantastic when Portnoy leads the band in. This is another great song, but like "The answer lies within" the lyrics are absolutely ridiculous. Basically they are moaning that their fans don´t appreciate the sacrifices they make!

Now comes for me what is the highlight of the album, "Sacrificed Sons" This song is about Sept 11th and really expresses the feelings of what happened on that day, first shock and then deep anger. It is also very well written with La Brie (who also wrote the lyrics) doing an excellent job on vocals. Petrucci´s lead toward the end is also very emotional. A DT classic if there ever was one!!

The album closes with the title track "Octavarium" Another long classic which borrows a lot of ideas from Marillion, Kansas, Floyd etc. The beginning sounds a lot like Floyd. But one can´t help but marvel at the sheer complexity of their playing which is somewhat mind boggling in parts and soon forget about who they ripped off or copied. Another long classic, on the same level(well almost) to A change of seasons.

If you take out "I walk beside you" and some of the cheesy lyrics on "Never Enough" you would have an almost perfect album!

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