BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

An excellent album from a band that for me has always consistently put out great albums. The opening track A Nightmare To Remember is a great epic song, one much in the tradition of Dream Theater's recent more metallic albums. The section about a third way through, best described as the mellow part of the song is stunning. This high is contrasted with the low of Portnoy's lead vocal section late in the song. His voice just doesn't work. Despite that the song overall is a great opener. Next comes A Rite of Passage, the lead single. This is a much more straight forward song compared to the rest of the materal on the album. Nice and catchy song, but not one that particuarly stands out. The third track is Wither, the mandatory DT ballad. Wither is one of the better ballads the band has done in a very long time, it really makes an emotional impact. The Shattered Fortress is up the next, the conclusion to the AA suite. This song is very much a nostalgia trip as it recalls moments from the previous 4 songs of the suite, a perfect way to close the suite. A really rocking tune. The Best of Times is a stand out track, an epic ballad type song about the death of Portnoy's father. Such an emotional and powerful tune. What makes this song most amazing is how tasteful it is, unlike other DT epics that are filled with instrumental wnakery. None of that is to be seen here. John Petrucci's solo in the clsoing minutes of the song is mind blowing, on eof his best. Finally we come to The Count of Tuscany, this song is truly incredible. It had become on of my favourite Dream Theater songs, each band member just excels on this track. Overall this is yet another fanatstic chapter is the Dream Theater story.