Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011) 4/5
A slightly satirical review by: Christopher Brickwedde
Pros:
No songs about car accidents or writers block.
No guttural grunting from Portnoy
Excellent musicianship
Will take several listens to reveal the complexity of the tracks
Cons:
The last track should be a B-side and doesn't belong on this album
Will take seveal listens to reveal the complexity of the tracks
An Average DT Release -
...But that is still better than 90% of what has come out and what will be released this year. With a few exceptions (Opeth, Machine Head, and Megadeth) this has been one of my most anticipated releases of the year; and like many fans it was because I wanted to know what life after Portnoy's departure would be like.
Like many fans I have followed this closely, like a good little fanboy should, paying close attention to debates on both the Mike Portnoy and Dream Theater forums (all while not possessing an account either) in hopes of receiving every little tid bit of information that I could on what was next for DT. The documentary produced was an interesting choice to introduce the new drummer that had been picked and with open arms I welcome Mike Mangini who is a more than competent replacement for Portnoy.
After what I thought were a lack luster set of albums that started with the lighter and popier Octavarium and finished with the virtuosic masturbation of Black Clouds and Silver Linings, I was very much in favor of Portnoy's complaint (I had to throw that in there) culminating in him proposing an indefinate hiatus and eventually leaving the band when the crew did not agree. Just like most devoted DT fans morbid curiosity set in as the band revealed A Dramatic Turn of Events for a September release.
Now that all of that obligatory introductory writing is out of the way and I have poetically licensed as many politically incorrect terms to describe my distaste for the last three Dream Theater albums that I care to, we can get down to this new release which, while not the greatest thing they have ever done, is actually listenable from start to finish and is more a reflection of the Dream Theater that hooked me in the first place.
If there are three albums from Dream Theater's past that seem to have influenced this release it seems to be Images and Words, Awake, and Scene's from a Memory; which, while derivative, is not a bad choice if you ask me. While I was personally hoping for some elements from the more experimental Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, perhaps I'll get what I want next time around? I digress.
The elements from IAW and Awake are definately the ones I welcome the most. With more traditional song structures that happen to have odd time arrangements and extended instrumental sections it seems that Dream Theater has remembered what their primary strength was, i.e. crossing 70's prog with elements of NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden, while being lyrically personal without using trite cliches that can be heard on any mediocre pop album of the last 20 years.
SFAM (for those of you non-DT fans reading I'll provide a list of Acronyms at the bottom of this editorial) elements are present in the longer, but not overly epic, songs which in places have a Pink Floyd, King Crimson, and dare I say at times even a Dire Straights sound to them. Myung's base is actually audible on this release, sometimes carrying the rhythm which is something that has not been heard in a very long time. For those that are saying that Mangini's technical proficiency is there, but the creativity is not quite on a Portnoy's level should keep in mind that the drum tracks were mostly written by Petrucci and while he does not fail to suit the music should definately leave the percussion to percussionists on future releases.
Keyboards are much more present on this album and there is much more of the Petrucci, Ruddess interplay that has not been emphasized since 6DOIT and these sections are surprisingly short in comparison to previous releases, never getting so complicated that it does not compliment the song structure like Systematic Chaos or Black Clouds and Silver Linings. Petrucci's guitar is inspired, his riffs are dead on (especially in the track Bridges in the Sky and Outcry) and his soloing is not the buzz saw, head exploding, what the fuck did he just play, sweep arpeggios of the last several albums.
Lyrically the album is solid, not drawing on the fictional lyrics of Systematic Chaos or the case of writers block which apparently Petrucci felt compelled to destroy a musically excellent balad with. Myung contributes lyrics on an album for the first time in years and while not the master piece Lifting Shadows off a Dream, is solid and engaging. If there is one good thing about Portnoy's depature is there is no vocal contributions from him at all. While he was never a bad lyricist (never exactly a great one either) his vocals never did much to enhance the music. This leaves James LeBrie to handle all the vocals on the album and this is the best he has sounded in years, his recent solo album not withstanding which was excellent.
This leaves the individual songs, which are a mixed bag, but at their worst (Beneath the Surface) are still better than anything on the last two albums combined. Lead track "On the Backs of Angels" has a great David Gilmore opener which gives way to some excellent keyboards and rockin guitar riffs. Build me up, Break me Down, is proof that Dream Theater can write a traditional rock song without sacrificing anything that makes them unique. Lost Not Forgotten is a solid longer song showing some of their proggier side and ironically describes DT's recovery of their sound from the last three albums.
From what I understand, Petrucci wrote This is the Life before hitting the studio with the guys and let me say thank God the lyrics are not about writers block because the music is incredible on this track! The guitar for some reason reminds me of Dire Straights and the keyboard contributions give it the necessary texture to elevate this above most of the ballads DT has ever turned out. LaBrie shines on this track, turning in a vocal performance that I have not heard since IAW.
Bridges in the Sky and Outcry seem like they may have been written around the same time as they seem to have some similarties musically (must be the 7-String) and are my favorites on the album. Far From Heaven has a lyrical contribution from LeBrie and is a solid second ballad for the album and thankfully clocks in under 4 minutes. Breaking All Illusions should have been the final song on the album, with good lyrics and solid meandering prog rock that seems unrestrained but never goes to far in the instrumental sections. Album closer, Beneath the Surface I could have done without and may be the worst album closer the band has ever written.
There is life after Portnoy and perhaps his leaving stirred the pot enough for Dream Theater to get out of the uninspired lull it has been stuck in since 2005; maybe I should go so far as to say he did the best thing a leader could do by walking away from the band and as a result should get a writing credit - at least a special thanks, but that may sound mean spirited rather than celebratory. No doubt without this dramatic turn of events this album would have been more by the numbers prog rock, which is beneath musicians of this calibur. I definately feel that tingle I used to get back when my fandom of these guys was in its infancy and that feeling is long overdue. No band that has existed for a few decades can get by without releasing a sub-par album or two, but thankfully for these guys A Dramtic Turn of Events feels inspired, emotional, and musically complex without being overblown, which is a step back in the right direction.
A Legend for Non Dream Theater fans:
IAW - Images and Words (1992)
SFAM - Scene's From a Memory (1999)
6DOIT - Six Degress of Inner Turbulance (2001)
SC - Systematic Chaos (2007)
DT - Dream Theater
Dream Theater Is:
James LaBrie - Vocalist whom is torn between singing epic music and touring on broadway. Is also a rumored Swedish Death Metal fan.
John Petrucci - Guitar player who has been known to cause nose bleeds, cardiac arrest, and major organ failure depending on how fast he is playing.
John Myung - The bass player whom is rumored to only speak at a whisper because his voice is the final trumpet to signal the apocalypse.
Jordan Ruddess - Action figure poses, keys, continuum, and Iphones. Has been known to wear a wizards hats when no one is looking and make faces that resemble intense orgasm while on stage.
Mike Mangini - The new guy. Legend has it he can play so fast his sticks are sent back in time by the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity that are produced. This allows him to be able to hit his snare 500 more times a second!
Special Thanks:
Mike Portnoy - The bands leader whether present or not. Can't wait to hear more Adrenaline Mob!
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