PULL ME UNDER

'Pull Me Under' - Dream Theater (Single)

Best known as an MTV hit that Dream Theater had in the early nineties, 'Pull Me Under' was the single from the classic progressive metal album 'Images And Words', which in the eyes of many, innovated the prog metal sound as we know it today. As for this song in particular, it does seem to be a fairly well suited choice to represent the album. Although there is much better material on that album then 'Pull Me Under' (even in its unabridged form), 'Pull Me Under' is one of the more songwriting centered tracks, focusing more on vocal melodies and memorable riffs rather than complex instrumentation.

Here, we get two versions of the song; one version in its abridged, 'music video' length, and the other in the uncut album length. While both are essentially the same song and have the same elements to them, the edited single cuts out alot of repetition and build ups, leaving a song that sounds less adventurous, but quite a bit more to-the-point and explicit. In this rare case, I actually favour the edit over the full version, which- even on the full-length album- always felt as if it needed a little trimming to get the message across more successfully. The sound here is dark but synth heavy, and as one might expect, there is little flaunting of technical abilities in this single, except from the necessary guitar solo, in which John Petrucci delivers some great chops over the course of a few seconds. Coupled with the rather campy music video, 'Pull Me Under' is a somewhat cheesy song that sounds like its trying to extend the eighties decade into the nineties. Regardless of that though, Dream Theater makes a powerful impression here, showing that even while they may be best known for their technical abilities, they remain good songwriters.

the old-fashioned group that drove the nail in the progressive universe by hammering that prog metal had its place here, under penalty of disconnecting the machine forever DREM THEATER to remind you that if it's too loud, you're too old!!!, if you say it's going to scare granny, then change granny!! DREAM is like that, the archetype of the group where everyone has their place, where the bass can be as important during a sudden break, as the drums can also be put forward, well the future will tell a little too much, in short, DT is a sacred musical monster that has made the prog spirit now live in the firmament and no longer needs to be named... metal, post, vintage, jazzy, PROG for ever !

1. 'Pull Me Under' 30 years come back to me in the top of my head, this intro, the foot, I had dreamed of it, I was hoping for it, Marillion had split, grunge like punk pshiiiit already gone, what was left- he prog? we were dead... and I who still read magazines, fanzines, I noticed that prog was going to become like jazz, a drawer of dead music. Boom, prog metal was finally engulfed in this genre which makes me smile, yes FATES WARNING was also there, DEEP PURPLE a long time before, the NWOBM only included intros or a few prog breaks, there Boom (again!!) it was here; you don't want me to talk to you about this title that I sing in chorus when I see them on stage? surely one of my songs where there is nothing to throw away... Ah, that final riff. 2. 'Another Day' for the cutesy ballad, chorus-dropping nursery rhyme, soprano clarinet, long hair, piano, James' voice soaring high; [&*!#]... I hardly recognized Mike anymore behind his drums and the piece with a hellish solo, the hallmark of a great band. 3. 'Take the Time' another amazing intro, the track where Myung made eyes at me and reminded me that I loved Deacon before; the title that leaves, that changes speed, technique... the prodigious will even say that it was going too fast for them, well I'm prodigious kan even so let's stop the self-criticism! a long title, a short one to rest, DT that's it! remember how the guitar vibrates at the end, yes it's very subjective but that's how it is. 4. 'Surrounded' Oh that intro, but DREAM THEATER can only do intros? another short romantic ballad title, yes for those who dispute, criticize everywhere... it's too nag, too strong.... boom a sweetness before the WE (yes Saturday is rest we agree it fô although I listen to some new stuff live, in my basement, all alone in my cave)! Good solo again and the height of this seemingly innocuous title. 5. 'Metropolis - Part I' which tells you well you'll see we will make a 'Metropolis' a concept album and it will also be daunting; well if not the most famous intro of the band in concert, there are times when I was only waiting for this one; it blows up everywhere, the synth, the bass, the spurting guitar solo, the pads; the riff too, James who sings and shows his voice like an instrument and these instruments which show themselves and open the way to immense orchestral escapades in the future of their albums. How a band can make a perfect album I still wonder; at 6'30'' it goes on fire without stopping and the riffs, the chords made me say that they had indeed 8 fingers in each hand from the start; final with a whiff of Light Damage (yes Fred Light Damage I noticed) that I salute here below who took a bit of an aria (8' to 8'30''), but don't we say that all the arias lead to Rome the prog??? 6. 'Under a Glass Moon' ... for the majestic intro, not bombastic, you see the difference? the title that makes you feel like you've stuck your fingers (again?) in an electrical outlet; the riff yes prog metal that's it, it's not a granny thing to throw in the nettles, it's raw, but it's not just melodic, it's strong but it's also energetic and varied, fake breaks and other detours; 4 minutes and it dances, it grooves on a synth of the 1st of the 3 keyboardists just before John gratifies us with one of the most beautiful solos (in my opinion we are in agreement), well I listen to the solo again and I confirm, replay I listen again and reconfirm! 7. 'Wait for Sleep' crystalline piano just to close the album, yes there are some who still don't know that there will be a last title; in short, soft declension as if to better prepare for the sequel, but what did James sing so well! 8. 'Learning to Live' that's it it's the end, my heart vibrates and yet this title is not the best far from it, it's just that it puts me in a state of craving; the synth in front, after I'm not going to lie to you but it's the most progressive with Andalusian hints for example (around 5'10''), it reminds me of the Ark in 2000 with a prog metal concept album also provided, in short, DT less sharp but just as vibrant, like the solo that kills there too just for yet another snub; when it's over it starts again with the piano, so there again a link I'm thinking of the last concept of Max Enix (Yes Max it's you!) which will come out and has composed titles in extension, in stratum where when it's it's over it starts again; in short, John the one on the bass gives you a blow behind the ear before a final hot chorus.

Well I let go a little but I'm not here to dissect the zik all the time, I already do it enough on my chronicles; there it's pure happiness in fact, just to give taste and desire to the prodigious young padawan who falls asleep to increase his musical ears, thanks also to Lucas Biela for reminding me that guys have been writing for decades or a few months for fun to listen too. The prog metal album to own otherwise you don't understand the art-rock spirit, whether it's soft or not, whether it scares you or not, whether it's indigestible because it's too technical, too provided, too better, too sentimental, go Pull me under if you like!