SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE

For over a year I have been happy with owning two Dream Theater albums, but now I think it is time to widen my view of this amazing band. And this album certainly is amazing. It doesn't amaze me as much as Images and Words, but is up there with Scenes From a Memory in terms of songwriting and technical skill. I think the keys are a little underdone though, and that seems to be the case with very DT song I've heard from this album or later.

The album kicks off to a great start... the static noise, the bell, and the guitar fades in to become the masterpiece that is 'The Glass Prison'. This song is great and takes many twists and turns. Very Heavy, good for headbanging, but meaningful as well. There's some good bass in parts too. 'Blind faith' is not as good, but is stilla great DT song. There's an unusual churchy piano solo around the six minute mark, which adds atmosphere to the song. 'Misunderstood' reminds me very much of a song called 'Wonderboy' by Tenacious D. Musically they are nothing like each other, but they share the same epic, distant atmosphere, and a similar guitar tone. 'Misunderstood' is simply wonderful, and ends exerimentally with what I believe to be a guitar solo played backwards... a little harsh on the ears, but a nice idea. 'The Great Debate' documents from a (mostly) neutral point of view, the debate about stem cell research. This song drags on a bit, but stays quite interesting mostly. I just really don't like James's electronic voice in the first couple of verses.

Now for disc 2: the epic title track. 'Overture' is a nice piece of orchestral/metal music which works(! eat your hearts out Metallica). About to Crash is a track that changes a lot to reflect the lyrics about manic depression: heavy in parts, and light and airy in others. 'The War Inside My Head' is a heavier track with a real bite to it. 'The Test that Stumped them All' is brilliant, and James does some funky stuff with his voice that's kinda experimental. This section really works. 'Goodnight Kiss' is beautiful and haunting as James sings from the point of view of a woman who has lost her baby, and puts a lot of feeling in his voice without going over the top. I must admit I love it when Dream Theater go over the top a la 'Take the Time' from I&W, but a bit of refinement here is a refreshing change. 'Solitary Shell' is a brilliant piece of music styled on early symphonic rock, and this reminds me of Genesis or Yes. 'About to Crash (Reprise)' is like the first occurence of this theme but more energetic and, dare I say, schizophrenic. 'Losing Time/Grand Finale' rounds things off nicely with another nice refined song and a conclusion. Very well done.

Overall I think this album is very great. There's a lot of feeling and interesting ideas, but not quite consistent enough for a masterpiece rating.