SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE

The first double album by the band, and second album with their keyboard player, Jordan Rudess. Mainly, this album was heavy. Almost all tracks were lengthy. The shortest track was clocked at 6:45 while the longest one at 42:00.

The album starts with static sounds that appear in the very closing scene from previous album. Then, the bell's ringing and the band starts rocking. "Glass Prison" -is the opening act for Mike Portnoy's so-called "The AA Saga", a tale about an alcoholic who wanted to regret his habit- was magnificent! It divided into 3 parts, and the whole things rock! What a great metal song. The song continues directly to "Blind Faith", for me, this was the weakest point of this album. But, it does still have a good arrangement as a metal song. Then, came the powerful degree, called "Misunderstood", the calming one, but very strong in feelings. The song fades to "The Great Debate", a rage lyrics seems written in this song. The music's heard as rage as the words spoken. The last track of disc 1 would be one of my all-time favourite DT's song, "Disappear". For me, this was the strongest track in disc 1. The arrangement's pretty weird and the words seem touching.

Disc 2 consists of one single song, the title track was the band's longest composition to this time, probably one of the most beautiful songs by the band. Part 1: "Overture" was an overture played by an orchestra, accompanied with the band. Part 2: "About to Crash" starts with beautiful tune of keyboard by Jordan. Part 3: "War Inside My Head" was rocker, a standard DT's metals. The next part "The Test That Stumped Them All" was not so differ than part 3, but still poignant. Part 5: "Goodnight Kiss" is a beautiful calmer song. The song sung excellently by James and escorted by the orchestra, and it was beautiful. In part 6: "Solitary Shell", the feeling's seems like getting a bit higher. This part opens with beautiful chord and keyboard fills by John and Jordan. Part 7: "About to Crash (reprise)" was similar to part 2, but this one arranged rocker and rager. Part 8: "Losing Time" is a superb closing scene. One of the beautiest chord ever written by a man. Very emotional and, uh, great! And in the end, I assume that part 9: "Grand Finale" was the long fade that, later, linked to the band's next album.

So, this was a prog essential. This would never be too hard for common prog listener. Trust me, this album was beautiful (especially in degree 6). No doubt, 5 stars!