AWAKE

This album is such a grower! I remember when I used to dislike the opening track. The album as a whole is...weird! They start off with a full fledged jazz/hard rock song followed by a metallic Caught in a Web. The next song starts off with a really amazing melody! However Innocence Faded was one of the two songs on this album which took a long time to sink into my brain. When it did, I somehow totally got it! Very hard to explain such a feeling but now that's one of my favorite songs on the album. There are moments in the song where I can hear a major U2 influence! Weird? That's Awake!

That to me represents the first part of this album. Coming to Part II : right after they end Innocence Faded (in that crazy, crazy way) you'd think they might want to take a break. Absolutely not! The next song takes the insanity to another level! Erotomania is like a mega jazz/metal/rock fusion monster song which kind of reminds me of Dixie Dregs. Mind-blowing introduction to the 2nd part. And now finally the album takes a breather...

Voices is like this dramatic epic which I think is one of DT's finest songs! Fantastic lyrics, amazing atmosphere and feel. Progressive in the truest sense of the word. Silent Man is a brilliant acoustic song written by Petrucci. Humble ending to the suite. Love the chorus!

The Mirror and Lie take a complete 180 degree turn! Sounds nothing like any other song on the album. All the jazz elements are taken off. These two songs are like some symphonic-metallic-headbanging experience throughout. There are a few meter changes here and there. Just enough to keep the song dynamic and interesting. Portnoy does really well in those areas.

The final part of this album is I think the most interesting! Three songs. Three totally weird, unique songs! Lifting Shadows is like a magical experience. It's a song that might take a few listens to get the hang of. A few U2 influences here n there. Myung writing the lyrics makes it even more special!

I'd mentioned earlier that two songs from this album took quite some time to 'sink into my brain'. Scarred. Yes that's the one. However now I can safely say that this is one of DT's greatest achievements. The guitar solo towards the end is simply EPIC! Space-Dye Vest is the last Moore-DT song. This is another song which i think is a DT Top 10 material (Yes I know. This is not first time I'm describing a song on this album this way; but what can I do? This album is that good!)

Overall, this is one of DT's best albums. Easily in my top 3!