LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT

Very melodic, accessible yet complex instrumental music. Basically we get DREAM THEATER without LaBrie and Myung, then add Tony Levin who takes on the bass duties. I can understand some being turned off by the seeming self indulgence here but man it's so good. Besides there are some laid back sections (and songs) on here to sort of balance it out a little.

To listen to the opening notes of this album, is like getting hit in the face with a board ! There is no build up, it's built ! And it explodes out of the speakers.That would be the intro to "Paradigm Shift" which is such a good song. It does slow down after about 3 minutes allowing us to breathe, it then settles even more after 4 1/2 minutes as synths come in. "Osmosis" has an atmosphere to it i really like. Percussion and an overall laid back vibe to this one. "Kindred Spirits" is another highlight, opening with some heavy riffs as Portnoy and Pertucci shine. It settles 2 1/2 minutes in and the guitar is gorgeous. Lots of synths follow. "The Stretch" is a short funky tune. Not a fan really.

"Freedom Of Speech" has some nice keyboards early followed by some beautiful guitar. It does get more aggressive as contrasts continue. "Chris And Kevin's Excellent Adventure" doesn't do anything for me but it's a short tune. "State Of Grace" is pretty much a guitar and piano driven balad. It's ok. "Universal Mind" is much better as it opens with a "take no prisoners" attitude. Love the guitar after 3 minutes as Portnoy pounds away. It does settle with piano only 4 minutes in before getting heavy again. A silly ending to this one. Good song though. "3 Minute Warning" is 28 1/2 minutes of music divided into 5 sections.The first section doesn't do a lot for me to be honest but the last four are brilliant ! Just a shred-fest and Pertucci's on fire ! They all impress big time though.

Not for everyone but for me this is a four star album. Far from perfect though.