WHEN THE KEYBOARD BREAKS:LIVE IN CHICAGO

Ok- a bit of an odd album here that seems rather promising from the start. You have amazing musicians who have proved their musicianship over and over lined up for yet another live show. But one thing goes wrong, in the opening song, (and you can really tell) Jordan's keyboard goes 'kerplunk' and stops working. With a few jokes from Portnoy they decide to continue, much to the delight of the audience, I'm sure. But what about the listeners at home? Does this record hold any value?

Simply put, no. Most, if not all of the album becomes a jam session of simple and also complex experimentation, much of what we have heard before through the liquid tension experiment. Only this time, it doesn't sound NEARLY as good. There just isn't much here. The fact that they sold this album after a vital section of the band fails to work tells me that they are really looking to make a buck here- this should come as no urpride to anyone who knows Dream Theater. Avoid this is you can!