DREAM THEATER - SCORE: 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR LIVE WITH THE OCTAVARIUM ORCHESTRA

I noticed that Dream Theater are geat at putting diverse songs together live and making them fit the entire show as a whole. The "Budokan" DVD shows this to great effect, especially considering the number of "Train of Thought" songs on that program. I mention TOT as some have ripped on the album yet have nothing but kind things to say about Live at Budokan.

Similarly, Score has a winning overall sound, this time focusing on the Octavarium album. Again, many had mixed feelings about Octavarium upon it's release, but it's heavily covered in set one, the band only set, and finishing with Sacrificed Sons and Octavarium. This is the band and orchestral set and I can't think of a better ending.

I've long felt James LaBrie was the weak part of DT, but have changed my mind within the last few years. His performance on Score is electrifying. We expect this from Portnoy, Myung, Pettrucci and Rudess, and they shine on Score; in fact, it as if they've answered everyone that considered them great and considered them just "ok" by letting out a performance that will be hard to top. Also, they proved how great the songs from Octavarium were.

To those looking to the past, there were plenty songs there; from their 80s roots (and when you watch the 2nd disc and hear the Majesty sound vs what Dream Theater circa 2006 do to their catalog, you won't help but be somewhat amazed.)

Of course, the composition most speak of is the suite, "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence." Perhaps this is the best the orchestra plays, although Overature is a bit sloppy. Instead, it is as the work progresses and arrangements double Pettrucci's guitar work or play counterpoint to Rudess' keyboards that the concept really takes off. For me, I think it's best observed on the title suite of Octavarium. Whatever I think, you will find your favorite parts based on your favorite songs and their execution. This much is sure; I prefer this to YES' orchestral tour, and I had been waiting for many of the YES songs to be treated to that kind of arrangement. Also, there is a good but difficult to please number of songs representing Dream Theater's career. Let's be honest - 20 years is a long time and this tour basically still supports Octavarium, so all things considered, the choices are good and more important, fit well with the rest of the concert.

I think Dream Theater do more with the orchestra and are not at all cheesy as many artists sometimes get in musical situations like this. Also, the orchestral arrangments compliment the band's technical capabilities.

Lastly, John Myung owns the bass on this concert. He is astonishingly accurate on the technical stuff but plays tremendously well on the simple things like short improvised fills and by keeping the band together - and doing so without being a showboat kind of player like Chris Squire. Watch the 2nd disc's history. It's one of the more sincere documentaries I've seen, spoken by articulate artists with egos firmly in check.