By the way, I'm referring to the one by pepitodos for the new DT album.

A rough translation if anyone wants to get his permission to translate it more coherently (I don't know if anybody would do that or if it's even protocol):

It is undeniable that the boys of Dream Theater have always been characterized that have managed to mix different styles fairly well in his musical. Mainly the progressive sounds of the golden age of traditional progressive rock early 70's on one side and other structures and forms simpler and heavy metal linked directly to the classic and contemporary. It further includes a melodic touch that will undoubtedly make them more accessible compared to other similar bands are less spread.

Each new album is a real surprise, something different, but yes, without losing the identity they have achieved as a group and get a new twist in his musical evolution continued. That is perhaps why after each new release of the group generated much controversy and arouses many fans detractors but at a more than threefold fans, since a wealth of music extremely technical and not very easy to digest it easier to quit listening to the album than to have the patience to listen to about 5 or 6 times to start to understand it. Black Clouds & Silver Linings is no exception, with 75 minutes in length and 6 tracks, including 4 long. If that were not enough to test one's patience, and plenty of musical passages polirritmias, where the instruments are mixed with no apparent melodic line, with a generous dose of musical harmony and melody.

BC & SL has the nature of his early records as "Images and Words," "Awake" and "Falling Into Infinity" also has the strength and the strength of "Systematic Chaos" and "Train Of Thought", but the essence of the disc is melody, everything goes in favor of strengthening it and highlight it, the voice of James Labrie, the chords of John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess on keyboards, the whole kit Mike Portnoy and John Myung are notes to play for the whole of the song. We keep apart the solos, which remain daunting, but are not part of the core issues, the key is set, the musical melody and harmony.

In Black Clouds & Silver Linings unlike its predecessor, we find a disc that you could say that seeks to return to his roots as a band, but without leaving behind its continuous evolution, where the group drink all his musical influences from both external as their own. At times it is hard (very hard), sometimes it is calm, atmospheric modern, melodic, classical, epic, and provided technical, very technical. Despite such variety, never lost a soul that comes with it from beginning to end. But the issues go to:

The album starts with a theme of almost 16 minutes long, entitled A NIGHTMARE TO REMEMBER that is about an accident in which JP was involved as a child.

The issue starts with surprising sounds powermetaleros half until you are just becoming more traditional sounds of DT, with something epic keyboards and drums and a guitar that will develop gradually, the work of John Myung on bass is simply spectacular. Then everything goes quiet and starts the main riff of the song from Petrucci which becomes increasingly intense and has sung the part in an aggressive manner by James, which is at a high level and very banda accompanying well, but some strange noises highlighting key wizard Rudess.

The chorus "life was so simple?" is simple but forceful, you will hear sounds of a car crashing into pitch dark and sing along with Mike James the "out of nowhere without warning?" After this double bass and the powerful guitar but destroy your ears? everything is calm and hear some delicate guitar chords matched with a powerful low notes of the six strings Myung something that remind me of the days of the Images & Words, precisely Learning to Live, heard sirens and a room hospital that will form a thread in the fabric of the song. Melodic James describes what happened to a harmonious chorus that stands out in the voice of the instruments, I love this soft!

Following the theme progresses to an orgy with some struggling metalera instrumental guitar solos and keyboards, at a speed that surprised you, as always Portnoy Myung and creating the basis for rhythmic Petrucci and Rudess fight in a duel of virtuosity for its own instrument . That just heard an excellent continuum of peeling, thus paves the way for Mike and bad rapper with a guttural voice, imitating the death metal Opeth proposed, put your hand in vocalizations? the whooooah! are others (I had not added), then is again an intense musical passion that flows into the main riff, again the first chorus and the song ends with some interesting chord continuum.

Summing up the song I thought was pretty good to start the album, the idea of guttural voices I do not at all (I have come to tolerate them) but I think it should be done well to put on the disc, would have been better to invite Mikael A. Opeth of and ready. As always, the instrumental was very cohesive, the level of these types seems to have no ceiling. Song almost round: 8.5/10

The second theme of this album is entitled A RITE OF PASSAGE, 8 and a half minutes in length and written by John Petrucci on the topic of corporations Seret (the only fictional theme of the album) as well as the first single was released with video included.

It is a subject that starts with a heavy guitar riff accompanied very well by John Myung, I immediately heard some strange voices that complement the melody. The song starts with a distorted and harsh voice echoes something about James and performed by Mike inconsistent (at least so I can see in the video), I really like these first stanzas. Then comes the chorus usually something catchy and sung the song here becomes somewhat tiresome after a short interlude James continues its work and the whole band together very well as usual.

As of 4:50 minutes is the progressive par excellence with a good rhythmic foundation (Myung highlighting) that creates a foundation so that Petrucci is a great look with a fast riff and just run with a lot of skill, then it's the turn of Rudess is to shine on his instrument, and that is a continuous return of waste master, until he brings us back to the main reason for the Leiv theme this chorus machacón sticky end that gives the song with the main riff and those strange voices start.

Regular item to be considered as a single by the band, has the right dose of versatility and originality, I see more than Constant Motion which was the previous single from the album. 7 / 10

Below is WITH that deals with the condition when a writer is' blocked 'and lose the capacity or ability to produce their work.

It is an issue that could well be a second single is a ballad which highlights the most melancholy of Labrie's voice and something that reminds me of the pretty vacant. Musically it is a melodic, somewhat linear, flat, if you want to say simple, but very cohesive, which starts with a gentle but serious guitar chords, which unites the bass and James on vocals, Mike on a par juguetea with their dishes and a curtain keyboard majestically wraps around the subject, very good work but not Jordan win notoriety.

The choir is powerful, attractive and a bit predictable? in the part that says "like reflections on the page?" can be heard clearly throughout the atmosphere created by Jordan, also of all the musical ensemble is solid but none stands out in its instrument, is not a waste of virtuosity but is well take a breather after the stampede before, I think that is the idea of the song.

After the chorus all the instruments are muted and blend just the piano and the voice of James duplicated, then we heard a short but effective Petrucci solo, the chorus comes back and the song reaches its end, it ends with the sentence which began: "let it out, let it out"

To summarize, an acceptable track, radio-friendly as some would say, that modern commercial appeal (which is nothing wrong if well prepared) that I believe the proposal aimed mainly at young and new looking, and I think achieved. My rating is 7.5/10.

The fourth track is the album THE FORTRESS Shattered which is the fifth and final part of the saga dedicated AA from Portnoy. Recall that this saga begins in the album "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" with the theme The Glass Prison steps 1. Reflection 2. Restoration and 3. Revelation, then the album "Train of Thought" with the theme This Dying Soul steps 4. Reflections of Reality and 5. Release in "Octavarium" track with The Root of All Evil steps 6. Ready and 7. Remove and "Systematic Chaos" with the theme Repentance steps 8. Regret 9. Restitution. On this occasion we have steps 10, 11 and 12 of whom know the titles.

This is a fairly hard cutting, mixing new sounds with fragments of the earlier songs, that somehow I was disappointed because he expected a final saga of the majestic, epic and not a sort of compendium of the previous tracks. Yes, it's a good topic, but the reality is something that is musically eclectic, confusing, with many rhythm changes that remind me of The Dark Eternal Night of the previous album and I have to listen more to fully digest.

Start with a heavy riff that is signed by Petrucci in crescendo, accompanied by an aggressive drums and keyboards in a counterpoint to it are very good, very good progress. A first reminder to the previous items of the saga and the vocals by the duo as Labrie Portnoy-The Dark Eternal Night and / or The Glass Prison. Then James singing only makes a good performance. You hear the continuum of Jordan in the background. Then a sudden change and sounds something Repentance and This Dying Soul, and then a ¡¡wonderful give and take! Petrucci and Rudess crossfire.

The song is calm and it seems to me to hear about something like chords Nothing else matters and serious voice (possibly MP) recites that promises an AA rehabilitated, along with James singing a snippet of Revelation smoothly, great! ? but again there is an abrupt cut to a snippet of The Root of All Evil, which when you hear the "I am Ready?" I make hair stand on end! We are at the climax of the item. Then a quick but very good solo JP rhythmically accompanied by double Myung and Portnoy.

We are nearing the end of the item with the "I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere" and finally heard the initial sounds of other items of the saga?. Good end, which closes a chapter in the intense life of the rehabilitated Portnoy. Now we have to wait and see when they interpreted the complete saga, will be a delight to hear, no doubt. 8 / 10.

The fifth theme of the album is titled THE BEST OF TIMES in 13 minutes, for which the letter comes from Mike that he dedicated to his late father who died last year due to cancer.

The issue begins with a gentle piano line and bottom-up curtains keyboard Rudess by the bald and beautiful violin melody that puts us hair-raising, then Petrucci joins us with some sensitive chords of acoustic guitar that puts an end to this quiet part. A very soft, nostalgic, sentimental and does not listen while in DT.

Then starts a fast guitar riff as the Spirit of Radio Rush who was escorted away by all the musicians, this time in unison to sing some stanzas and Mike James, the performance of the quintet is well knit? all the notes in place. Then comes a curtain keyboards that give an epic (funerary?) To this part of the song, excellent. Everything is calm and James started singing with deep passion in the part that says "these were the best of times?" reminds me a lot in IQ album "Dark Matter comes hand in which he thanked the father of Mike (" remember: seize the day ") for his inspiration, love, etc.. A truly sublime moment.

The last verse is really touching "my heart is bleeding bad, but I'll be ok, your spirit guides my life each day" and then it happens and inspired a spectacular solo Mr. Petrucci (not those at the speed of the light that we have come), perfectly accompanied by the banda.

In short a big issue, I think one of the best in the album, very progressive, very epic, it is noted that it was back to his roots, made it quite well. Deployment across the Gran banda, especially from Jordan on the keyboards, though Petrucci solos were also hit, the rhythm from Myung and Portnoy was very focused as ever and James in a high level? pity it is undervalued compared to their peers who are real monsters in their instruments, I think that if James was in another band would be the big star, but that does not want, do not want to move to DT. One of the star's disk, without doubt 9.5/10.

The sixth and final track of the album is refreshing The Count of Tuscany, an epic track of 19 minutes duration, the letters are from John Petrucci and I think it is about a personal experience when visiting the Count of Tuscany, it is essential to understanding letters of understanding music.

The issue begins with some guitar chords that make me remember something to miss Yes, these chords blend with a soft single item look very good. Then join the other instruments and entertain us with a good melody with a Dream Lifting Shadows off, it sounds just a little of Jordan, the thing is hardened with heavy blows to his instrument from Mike, then a change of pace and things get increasingly better.

Starts the song by James (I think it could have done better) in the first part, the chorus sings in unison with the Portnoy "let me introduce" that precedes the chorus is fairly well developed, after the choir was listen as the bass and harmony with some rare guitar keyboard sounds. And instantly a small instrumental part very good indeed. Repeating the same formula until 9:30 minutes in to hear a single good from Rudess that always shows great skill to make it one of the best musician in his category. Then in 10:10 minutes you hear a great, solemn cry of a guitar signed by Petrucci (who said that no such feeling and passion he brings to his instrument? Because only listen)? Been the best part of the suite?

The tempo then calmed down and hear some lovely atmospheric sounds, with touches floydianos and porcupianos very relaxing? close your eyes and enjoy. Then come some soft acoustic guitar chords that accompany the strong voice of James ( "Could this be the end?") Who sings in a way that makes me remember a few songs in Peter Hammill, here the song has changed to it was originally, maybe hear some brushstrokes Rudess to join until the end, perfectly accompanying the rhythmic Portnoy Myung-? really at the peak of the song is amazing the passion that puts James, then only a good but very short for my taste by Mr. Petrucci, that great way to end this song gentlemen! eventually hear some sounds and sea birds and I'm sure it will open the next album. I am eager for more. For me this is the best composition of this album with The Best of Times. Destined to be a great classic of the banda. 10/10 no doubt

In short and in conclusion, this album is a return to their roots, their beginnings but still evolving, and very important as it is his tenth album, and things seem to begin to improve and how! Surely it is the finest and most balanced album of this decade, their best album (this decade).

Shy of hard work and disciplined John Myung on bass, this time it hears, and very powerful, as always John Petrucci and other innovative virtuoso and a renewed sound, Mike Portnoy soul, heart, and incredible base engine ritmica of banda, Jordan Rudess really inspired by this record and winning the losing to the guitar and James Labrie, magnificent!, returning to his old days as much feeling and printing to its interpretation.

http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=223079 this review is in spanish :O

Edited by Acros - June 25 2009 at 13:09

Thanks Robert for your translation. If you want, notify him by PM and I can edit out his words, and then one of you can cut and paste your text in it's place, or I suppose i could. Anyway, if you get a minute talk to him by PM and tell him what's up. - thanks

P.S. I may not be able to complete my end of the deal till tomorrow, I've been without a computer for about a month and have been borrowing others.

Edited by Easy Money - June 25 2009 at 15:16

I`m curious now.

Wow!  Some people have a lot of time on their hands! Don`t they have families? Dogs ? Toasters that need repairing ? Cars to work on ? 

Why are members like floferi and lordavalon allowed to maintain review pages?  Between these two, they have reviewed 416 albums and 403 of them are 5 star.  They both have a single one-star review and they are both for a Maudlin of the Well album.  Poster children for getting rid of ratings without written reviews.

I don't see much wrong with that one. Yes, it's a very weak stance and pretty poorly worded. But nothing particularly reportable. But then, what influence do I have, anyways? Might as well just send him a PM and let him know that his review is lacking important details and that you found it worthless. He's a reasonable guy, been around here for a while, and I'm sure he'd at least consider this.

So ignorance is supported?  OK, so be it.

 

Atavachron wrote: So ignorance is supported?  OK, so be it.

No, ignorance is inevitable.