LIVE AT BUDOKAN

I've had Live At Budokan for eight years now. What a pleasure it was to revisit the CDs this week. I listened to disc 1 Wednesday morning, disc 2 on Thursday morning, and on this morning of Friday May 17, 2013, I listened to disc 3.

My five-star rating of this mammoth live release comes from comparing it to other live releases. I am not pitting Live at Budokan against prog classics like Close To The Edge, but I am weighing it against live albums such as Yessongs. That being said, Dream Theater's Live at Budokan is a lot more fun than Yessongs.

Dream Theater are the kings. //"Kings of what?" you say... //Well, a lot of things. You can let your imagination run wild with that notion. And even in THEIR catalog, Live at Budokan stands tall.

Live at the Marquee is too short to compete with Dream Theater's other releases. Once in a LiveTime and Live Scenes From NY contain some spotty vocal performances, albeit containing an incredible selection of songs. Score is superb in most regards but feels a little stiff and I think it's no secret that the orchestra doesn't really add anything except for some out-of-tune notes. Chaos In Motion is a lot of fun. It has it's mix and vocal issues though. Also: points off for me having to carry around a big, fat DVD case if I want to listen to it in my car.

So Budokan is THE ONE. It is exciting... It contains some passages not heard on the studio releases... All members perform quite well... The mix keeps your attention... There is a vast array of songs on the setlist.

I have the highest expectations for the upcoming Live at Luna Park CDs. My prediction is that Luna Park will top Budokan. The improved technology, the selection of songs, the improvements James LaBrie has made in his live performance... I think these elements will combine with other elements to form the most spectacular live album package. However, in the meantime Live at Budokan is still the standard bearer for live progressive metal albums, and if Luna Park cannot live up to the 'majesty' of Budokan... I would understand.

Live at Budokan IS essential. It IS a must buy. Buy the CDs. Buy the DVDs.