SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE

After the great Scenes from a Memory, Dream Theater needed to do something that would challange what is often thought as their best work. They did that exactly. Six Dregrees is a great blend of very proggy elements with pure metal. In this album DT takes on a great symphonic sound that I wish they would do more often.

1. The Glass Prison- This is a great opener and, up until Train of thought, the heaviest Dream Theater song ever made. It is the first of Mike Portnoy's AA series in which he tells about his alcohol addiction. The lyrics are some of Portnot's best, using a Glass Prison as a great metephor for his addiction. While not as proggy as other songs on this album, it is a great 13 minute speed metal song with incredible guitar and drum parts. 5/5

2. Blind Faith- A very nice song clocking in at about 10 minutes and is a nice lighter change to the Glass Prison. The Lyrics are nicely done by singer James LaBrie. This song shows what a great symphonic and piano soloist Jordan Rudess is. 4/5

3. Misunderstood- a nice oddball track with cool guitar work and great lyrics by John Petrucci. It has a dark feel and is filled with ambient sound-effects and sounds. 4/5

4. The Great Debate- A Great Song about stem cell research. The melodies are great, but takes a while to get with the very long beginning with lots of quotes. Overall quite good. 4/5

5. Disappear- a nice ballad with touching lyrics by James LaBrie. 4/5

6. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence- Here is the Masterpiece of the Album. The 8 Part 42 minute epic. This song is in my opinion possibly the best Dt song. I. Overtue- A great opening with all of the themes played by an orchestra, along with some electric guitar. II. About to Crash- A wonderful opening ot the entire band with a great piano intro. Essentially my favorite part of this epic. III. War inside my Head- a good 2 minute section. Not much else to say. IV. The Test that Stumped them All- a very good heavy section with great instrumental parts. V. Goodnight Kiss- A nice ballad with a great guitar solo at the end. VI. Solitary shell- A wonderful melancholic (Sp?) section with great acoustic guitar and synths. One of my favorites. VII. About to Crash (reprise)- a nice short section that equals the first about to crash VIII. Losing Time/ Grand Finale- The wonderful ending of the song. It is very climatic and there is some great and quite high singing by Labrie.

This song is definately 5/5.

Overall, I think is possibly Dt's best album, and is essential to any Dt fans. Masterpiece- 5 stars