BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

So as we draw to a close on this the Dream Theater Discography (so far) with this their latest release is it as strong and as much of a comeback as everyone says it is? well yes and no the epic songs are just fantastic and the singles (A RITE OF PASSAGE and WITHER) are very very melodic and catchy. THE BEST OF TIMES at'the best of times' (no pun intended) sounds just like a rip off of a Rush song. And of course the songwriting is stronger than the last album, there is just a little something missing. THE SHATTERED FORTRESS is a great way to end off the Mike Portnoy penned alcohol suite and the intro to THE COUNT OF TUSCANY is the most beautiful guitar part Petrucci has made in a long time, again something in each of the songs is just missing just something thats keeping them from being classic songs, i just dont know what it is. The production as always is world class as is the musicmanship, so its not that, there is just something thats ruining this and stopping it from becoming a classic release;

A Nightmare to Remember - 10/10 A Rite of Passage - 9/10 Wither - 9/10 The Shattered Fortress - 9/10 The Best of Times - 8/10 The Count of Tuscany - 10/10

My Conclusion? great album, not a masterpiece but its still Dream Theater, well worth your time.