Comments on: Dream Theater – Black Clouds and Silver Linings

By: Dimaension X

Dimaension X — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:34:29 +0000

Well, I finally hit that point where I’m actually bored with a Dream Theater album. This album presents nothing that we haven’t heard before on every other album. More of the same.

I actually turned it off and started listening to Sleep’s “Dopesmoker” which I found more interesting.

I still respect Petrucci and Co. for their incredible technical mastery of their instruments, but what could they possibly do different now without pissing off a boatload of fans?

By: ceno

ceno — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:24:18 +0000

That’s ok, bro. It would be dead boring if we agreed on everyfuckingthing metal gives us.

By: gabaghoul

gabaghoul — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:13:10 +0000

I tried to like this one so much. I will say it has one of my favorite Dream Theater passages in a long long time – the ballad section at the center of Nightmare to Remember. It’s simply fucking gorgeous and James just soars on it. Love it love it love it.

As for the rest of the album though, I thought the remainder of Nighmate was a bit clunky, especially the “death vocals” (although it’s still my fave track on the album). Rite of Passage is forgettable in the same way that Constant Motion was, although I will say that Wither is nice.

I like listening to Shattered Fortress but since it’s a rehash/reprise of moments from Train of Thought and Systematic Chaos, I don’t feel like I got a new song out of the bargain.

Best of Times is just cheesy as hell, despite the heartfelt lyrics. It comes off like some happy weird version of Red Barchetta at times.

And Count of Tuscany, man I don’t know why people love it. The only memorable thing there is the post-rock dreamscape, and there are plenty of other bands I can listen to if I want that. I want to be blown away by a DT composition. Oh and wtf is the story about?

Sorry Ceno. Great review though as always.

By: Dimaension X

Dimaension X — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:25:21 +0000

I’ll have to give this album a chance. Systematic Chaos was way better than Octavarium, which except for the title track sounded like Journey trying to play Pink Floyd covers.

By: AARONIUS

AARONIUS — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:51:01 +0000

I have to say I like this one a lot more than the last two albums however………….

The Count of Tuscany has to have some of the worst and cheesiest lyrics ever written for a song.

Also it is unfortunate that one of the best songs on the disc is basically a rehash of a lot of songs from their earlier albums. Yes I know that song is the finale to the whole glass prison saga, but DT is sadly at this point not only copying other bands like Rush and Metallica, They are also now ripping themselves off.

By: stilllife666

stilllife666 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:39:59 +0000

Great review. I agree completely. Great, Great album

By: Blackwater Park

Blackwater Park — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:37:56 +0000

Great review again bro! I love this album too. Easily one of the years best, and a crown jewel in the Dream Theater discography.

By: xaden

xaden — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:03:52 +0000

i heard 2 advance tracks from this album a few months back and thought the riffs were the lamest-black album era rip offs i had ever heard.i’ve never liked this band but i always give bands a chance and this album didn’t impress me in any way.

By: Staylow

Staylow — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:37:25 +0000

Good review Igor, and good to see you back again! I’m not quite as impressed with this album as you are, but I think it’s miles better than the last two albums. I think the last 8 minutes of The Count of Tuscanny and the ballad Wither could have been left off entirely, and it would have been a much better and flowing album, but that’s just me.