AWAKE

This is probably my favorite Dream Theater album (that I have, I only have this, Scenes, Train of Thought, and Octavarium). It is moslty heavy progressive metal, and it doesn't have very many slow songs, which is good for Dream Theater, seeing as how (for me, anyway) Dream skills at writing and performing slow songs are less than adequate. Maybe its just LaBrie's voice. LaBrie is a great singer but when he isn't screaming, he oversings like any other EMO singer.

The album begins with 6:00, a great heavy rocker, with some slow moments that aren't terrible. Some of Dream Theater's better lyrics as well. It continues with the heavy, keyboard laden track 'Caught in a Web.' One thing Dream Theater is the master of is blending great synth riffs with super heavy guitar/bass riffs. This song is prime example, and it has great lyrics and vocals as well. Innocence Faded= boring wussy EMO ripp off song. Next is the instrumental Erotomania, possibly the best song on the album (could this be because it doesn't feature LaBrie or any awkward lyrics? Just Kidding). It features multiple solos and slow part, and has some excerpt from a classical piece played on Petrucci's heavily distorted guitar. It blends seemlessly into the next track, Voices, another good one with great Heavy parts. Next comes the boring Silent Man. Then comes the super heavy Mirror, another great song which blends the keyboards with the super heavy guitar and sounds great, although there is some guy just kind of talking to LaBrie (like a question and answer deal) and his voice is really annoying. Lie is a great heavy song with great lyrics. Then comes the heavy yet unremarkable Lifting Shadows off a Dream, with lyrics penned by bassist John Myung. However they're not terrible. Then comes the epic Scarred, a great heavy song with good solos. Then the album ends with the really junky Space-Dye Vest. I really do not like this song, because it is seven plus minutes of LaBrie whining.

So this is probably Dream Theater's best album that I know of. It features great heavy riffs blended together with excellent synth licks and riffs. Highlights include: 6:00, Caught in a Web, Erotomania, Mirror, and Lie.