LIE

Dream Theater's first ever UK single fails to impress me. For starters, the song in question, Lie, appears in it's edited form, which cuts out the 1½ minute guitar solo outro which is present on the studio album. Unfortunately, this is the only part of the song I enjoy. On the album, this song would segue from the far superior The Mirror, so on this version, it has been modified to have a new drum fill at the beginning. If you're such a DT nut that you need to hear this tiny drum fill, then it can also be heard on the 'Greatest Hit' compilation.

Afterwards comes Space-Dye Vest, Kevin Moore's 'au revoir' to Dream Theater. Although this is a brilliant song, I cannot see why they included it here. I hate doubling up on songs, and this version is identical to the album version.

Next up is Dream Theater's most popular non-album track To Live Forever. Dream Theater recorded many demos and live versions of this track, but this was to be the final and 'definitive' version of the track. This version was also released on the 'Greatest Hit' compilation. Among DT fans, this version is sometimes known as To Live Forever '94, to avoid confusion with To Live Forever '91, the earlier version of the same track. With a harder sound and better lyrics, I actually prefer the first version to this one.

Finally we are presented with a live version of the 'Images and Words' ballad Another Day. There are absolutely no surprises to be heard, except that the saxophone on the original has been replaced by a synth sound. LaBrie's voice sounds excellent on this track, and the band in general sound powerful and majestic.

Dream Theater have had better singles (see 'The Silent Man' and 'Hollow Years') but 'Lie' definitely isn't one of them. The only reason you'd really want this is to hear To Live Forever, and you can do that via 'Greatest Hit' anyway. Try another day Dream Theater!