IMAGES AND WORDS

Without a doubt Dream Theater is one of the most relevant and polemic bands since the beginning of the 90's. The wide variety of styles they've passed through from "When Dream and Day Unite" to "Ocatvarium" has taught us that they can boast with authority the way prog metal music ought to be played. In fact, they explore into a different style in each release.

But let's center the attention in this album, well..."Images And Words" is a release that belongs to one of the most acclaimed seasons of the band, I would say the brilliant season. This album mixes ballads, fine compositions and sudden progressions mixed with chaotic riffs leading to a new music age. Though, Dream Theater is considered as one of the bands that invented a completly new style (and maybe it's true) but I prefer to say that their style is influenced partially by the heavy from the 80's but even much more mature and complex.

The sound of IAW is one of the best examples of what progressive should be: an innovative, original and mainly unpredictable style that mixes elements such as the roughness of metal but saving the well-thought lyrics and the complexity of progressive rock. One of the unique features is the clarity of the voice of Labrie. The admirable performancel of Moore gives a heavenly ambiance along the tracks, a real master on keybords. Petrucci is fine and inspired to the maximum and Myung is simple magnific. And of course Portnoy is admirable.

I'm convinced this is the right album to start with DT, in fact I did it and I've become addicted to IAW since then on. I would give a qualification to each track.

1.Pull Me Under: 9/10. An excellent composition with a balanced participation of each one of the members of the band. Good solos and excellent vocals. 2.Another Day: 9/10. A formidable ballad that combines the use of sax and the rich voice of Labrie.

3.Take The Time: 10/10 I can say: a perfect piece of art. A heavy composition where Mike Portnoy is the leader of the complexity and he is followed by the fine solos of Petrucci and The keyboard lines of Moore. Excellent Lyrics and perfect vocals.

4.Surrounded: 7/10 Good Track! Mix of metal, art and complexity.

5.Metropolis - Part I: 11/10. Perfection at its finest. No words to tell, best track of the album and maybe one of the best tracks of DT. To understand lyrics I recommend you to listen carefully to "Scenes From A Memory"

6.Under A Glass Moon: 8/10 Chaotic and beautiful. Here Myung lights up as the certain proffessional he is.

7.Wait For Sleep: 7/10 I think it's unfair to judge this track independently from the entire album, so I just say this is a soft and beautiful ballad and a little interlude to:

8.Learning To Live. 10/10 Progression, innovation and finesse involved into a perfect composition. All of the members have the opportunity to demonstrate their real capabilities to make art. Acoustic Solos, complex drums riffs.

Conclusion: 4.5 out of 5. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for every one who loves music!

Good Progressions!