METROPOLIS PART 2 - SCENES FROM A MEMORY

In my opinion, few albums reach the overall completeness that this one does. What i mean is that from start to finish, the music keeps my interest. There are very few weak moments, if any, which is the reason it gets my vote for the best Dream Theater album. The musicianship on this album is almost unrivaled, and the musicianship is also coupled with the fantastic melodies. And while sometimes Dream Theater produces efforts that contain too much pointless soloing and showboating, this album is not one of them. My favorite tracks on this album (although it's technically all one song) are Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu, Fatal Tragedy, The Dance of Eternity, and of course The Spirit Carries On. Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu is the combination of an instrumental and another song that seamlessly connect into one great rollercoaster ride that does not contain one sub-par moment. Fatal Tragedy possesses a great chorus and some compelling instrumental parts. It never ceases to amaze me how Dream Theater created such a technical instrumental as The Dance of Eternity and still managed to make it flow and maintain the listener's constant attention. I think it is one of the best instrumentals ever created and you will too once you buy this album(you're going to buy it, right?). Lastly, the Spirit Carries On is that one song on a rock album that is great despite the fact that it is much softer and laid back than all of the other tracks. James Labrie really shines on this song, and the choir near the end of the song adds a pleasant touch that lifts the song to previously unreached heights. Do yourself a favor and buy this album in its entirety today!