SCORE: 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR LIVE WITH THE OCTAVARIUM ORCHESTRA

Oh .. another live album by Dream Theater? OK .. OK . having been bombarded with many live albums, I finally "have to" have this album as well - despite the DVD itself. I got the audio CD after I watched the DVD which did not create any impact of "astonishment" which probably I got a bit bored with many live releases the band has produced. Yes, I got the message right that in addition to make the concert so grandiose the band has included The Octavarium orchestra. Well friends .. you can read all my opinion about SCORE DVD at my write-up at this site as well.

As far as audio CD, I got different feeling as I don't see how the band plays it on stage. I even much love the CD version than the DVD because I don't have to see how each members of the band and the orchestra played the music. I just use my ears to enjoy the CD. The most memorable part is the opening ambient of "The Root of All Evil" with Portnoy's drumming work. It sets the tone for the whole concert, really. The music flows naturally into my ears and my mind, and I quite enjoy it. It's probably that I can focus my attention to the sound (without image - I may get bored seeing the video shooting Portnoy more than other members of the band - it's probably he's the producer, so he rules?). When the music flows to "I Walk Beside You", "Another Won" and "Afterlife" I don't know why I can enjoy the music very well. This is pretty much different if I watch the DVD - I couldn't enjoy it well - it's probably many viewing distractions. So is the case when "Innocence Faded" enters my room, it sound excellent to my ears. I don't know why I do not quite enjoy "The Spirit Carries On" of this version. I think the nuance is not as perfect as other versions (studio and Scene From New York). I feel like there is a disjointed part between Petrucci's guitar solo at opening to the song.

"Sacrificed Sons" is one of my DT's favorite tracks. I like the fact that the band still includes the ambient sounds at the beginning of track right before piano enters the music. Jordan Rudess' keyboard works beautifully as well as Petrucci's howling guitar sounds and effects. LaBrie sings excellently even though the backing vocals don't sound quite good. The orchestration sounds excellent here. The Octavarium orchestra at Six Degree also produces excellent sound.

This SCORE CD sounds excellent to my ears despite my reluctancy to spin the CD because I have listened to the band's many live albums (including official bootlegs). I am almost sure after I listen to this CD with another one or two spins, this set will stay at my CD shelf for long. Well, I have many other CDs to enjoy as my musical taste expands. You know what? I'm now entering the albums of Thinking Plague, Isildur's Bane, Magma etc. which will definitely expand my music horizon - not just stay with symphonic prog or prog met. Let' move on, baby . Keep on proggin' ..!

We'll meet again my friend, someday soon .!!! - GW