IMAGES AND WORDS

Progressive Metal has been labelled the third wave of prog by many people and it came at a point when progressive music was almost on its death bed. By 1992 practically everything had gone quite, the neo-prog scene was at a lull, and all the giants from the 70's were currently exploring the realms of popular music. When it seemed that prog was dead,in came Dream Theater with "Images and Words" (there were a few other very good albums which came out at around the same time) which would revitalise prog and give the band much popularity and fan base. Many people will deny this comment but Dream Theater has become the greatest American prog band (far) behind the all legendary symphonic band Kansas. So really we all should respect this album, even if you hate it with the fire of one thousand suns as one of my friends regularly says.

For me "Images and Words" was very boring and heavier than most things I'd heard before and I'd much rather listen to something I liked. Gradually, after many more listens I began to grow accustomed to the loudness (I'm hoping the same thing will happen with Opeth) and began to enjoy it. Its funny, I never think "Images and Words" is any good until I actually listen to it, it's like I subconsciously still dislike it. The first two songs on "Images and Words" have always been the highlights for me; I don't know why I just find them more interesting and easier to listen to. I know I like the saxophone in "Another Day", but in now realise it isn't much compared to stuff from Supertramp and Van Der Graaf Generator.

The opening of "Take the Time" has always seemed kind of stupid to me, but now I just overlook it and get to the good stuff, like the yolk in the egg.no, that's a band example, but you get my point. In "Surrounded" James Labrie really indulgences himself and sings out some good material. Surrounded goes up among the most classic Dream Theater songs from its sound, its just so.DT. "Metropolis, Pt. 1- The Miracle and the Sleeper" receives a lot of praise from people on PA, I've never though it to be that good but I guess it goes down to personal tastes.

"Under a Glass moon" and "Learning to Live" are probably the most progressive songs on "Images and Words." The intro to "Under a Glass Moon" sounds a bit like the start of Lunar Sea by Camel, lose the guitar though. Both a songs are classic Dream Theater numbers and receive many plays during tours by the band. Learning to Live is the better of the two as it is overall more experimental and has a distinctively "new" feeling.

1. Pull Me Under (4/5) 2. Another Day (4/5) 3. Take The Time (3/5) 4. Surrounded (3/5) 5. Metropolis - Pt. I "The Miracle And The Sleeper" (3/5) 6. Under A Glass Moon (3/5) 7. Wait For Sleep (3/5) 8. Learning To Live (4/5) Total = 27 divided by 8 (number of songs) = 3.375 = 3 stars

Good, but non-essential

"Images and Words" can really be thanked, even in a small way for the way it gave an all new creative spark to this great and varied music. I can see why so many people are attracted to "Images and Words" but, despite my first review of this album, I'm going to give this album three stars. I'd recommend Images and Words to the newer generation of prog fans.