Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 20: "A Fortune in Lies"

"A Fortune in Lies", Track 1 on "When Dream and Day Unite"(1989)

Length - 5:15
Tempo - swift
Intro - "thump, thump, thump" sound the drums, and away we go
Texture - dual melody feel in non-vocal instruments, keyboard ambiance on verses, vocals declamatory
Features - soaring vocals, groovy guitar

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"When Dream and Day Unite" lineup:
The Johns
Portnoy
Kevin Moore - keyboard
Charlie Dominici - Vocals

Lyrics to "A Fortune in Lies":

I can remember when,
In the unity of our five-day sessions
Not even once did we hear the siren song
What kind of imagination
Asleep in some lyrical coma
Who's vain futile memory
Could have been so wrong?

You can make a fortune in lies
You can keep a giant alive
You can ride the red
Until everybody smiles

A trifling euphoria
Was such an untimely religion
Maybe your life can explain
The reason for my indecision
Here is a poor man
The heart of this monster creation
He said we both will be heroes
And I was led into temptation

You can make a fortune in lies
You can keep a giant alive
You can ride the red
Until everybody smiles

Can you show me your gold and your silver?
A hero in frozen water

"For the first time in a long time
Everything was right in my world
And then I woke up"

Now you've made a fortune in lies
And you kept a giant alive
You rode the red
You rode the red

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song: York Peppermint Patty with a glass of very cold milk

How to enjoy this song: Go somewhere where you can move like a dork without anyone judging you (I'm currently at the gym, so I'm kinda-sorta following my advice), and tap your feet along and move your torso around. You get more out of this one if you move with it. They hadn't quite found their sound yet, though it does sound good. Their biggest strength with this song is the songwriting. So, pay close attention to that and groove with it.

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "A Fortune in Lies": The main guitar uses an effect (for the uninitiated, this is a technical, non-metaphorical term) that sounds to me like the openness and clarity that you get when you blow air across the top of a bottle, that sorta hooty sound. I love it. It's evident to me that John Petrucci is something special. Just the cleanliness with which he played right from the get-go on this album, their first LP. (We will get to the early-days demos later. ;) ) Charlie Dominici is very professional and hits everything that he is supposed to hit. There are some times later in the album where he doesn't nail what he's supposed to do, but he does hit it. He sounds, more or less, like an excellent regular at Friday night karaoke. He's pretty good, but you wouldn't necessarily write home about him. I enjoy him, and for me, with 16 years of practice using my falsetto (shout-out to my high school choir director for prompting us boys to use it), it's easy to sing along. Let me be clear, I'm not claiming that I'm better; I just feel confident in singing all of the notes. Charlie was a serviceable vocalist for DT to record their first LP with.


Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 19: "Out of Reach"

"Out of Reach", Track 8 on "Distance Over Time"(2019)

Length - 4:04
Tempo - slightly slow walk
Intro - classical grand piano sound
Texture - gentle layering
Features - piano, soulful guitar solo, yearning vocal sound

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

""Distance Over Time" lineup:
Petrucci - guitars
Myung - bass
Jordan Rudess - keyboards
James LaBrie - Vocals
Mike Mangini - drums

Lyrics for "Out of Reach":

There's something about this girl
Some kind of magic
I swear she cast a spell on me
Not the first time
Might be the last
Can't let this moment slip away

Try to find the words
None sit right with me
Air of confidence
But I can barely breathe

She's without a care
Electrified and held there
A thousand volts igniting me
Her waves crash over me
Far below, out of reach
The undertow, my reverie

Sadness in her smile
Love, it's been a while
Near but far away
She chases it each day
A promise to come back
All the while still waiting
Seems it lost its way

Out of reach
Just too hard to reach
You're letting your life slip away
Out of reach
Yeah, it's hard to reach
There's another day
Although you're hurting and afraid
You're stronger than yesterday

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song: supportive, cathartic, therapeutic

Imbibery tip: Dark room. Headphones. Gently and slightly firmly press your hands against your temples, your fingers into your scalp. If you're like me, you may feel things you've been holding in trying to get out through your pores. It's up to you whether you let them. This is another one of those Dream Theater songs that doesn't come and get you (a contrast to the weekend edition). This song may be the medicine man, and he's not doing house calls today.

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "Out of Reach":
This song is a walk outside in overcast jacket weather. It's close to this dog's expression.
Funny story, James LaBrie recorded a song called "Slightly Out of Reach" for one of his solo albums. (Which I have only heard becomes someone leaked his solo album right about the time that DT's album "Octavarium" came out. And there are several songs on there that I just love to wail away with.) Mike Mangini played the drums on that album, too, about a half-decade before he joined Dream Theater. Anyway, "Slightly Out of Reach" has a somewhat similar feel. It has a long guitar section that is to live for.

Something cool about this song is that it makes you wait and wait for the chorus which also serves as the climax. This is one of the shortest songs DT has ever recorded. My lovely music-degree education wants me to call this song "through-composed". It may not be through-composed in the strictest sense as there are tiny pieces that repeat (the intro kinda comes back at the close like Harry's first snitch), but it's pretty darn close. This song balances nicely a feeling of being complete with leaving you wanting juuuust a bit more. But, it's 2019 and we have recordings and easy scrolling through a song, so if you want to sing the chorus again, just slide back in the song or repeat the whole dang thing. Magic!

I haven't decided for sure as I've only listened to this song about 20 times (no irony intended), but I feel like this song pretty nearly describes my relationship with traveling, especially when there are places you're not allowed to go because they are on private property. The picture below is some super cool-looking rocks that I wanted to ascend. But there is a fence. They called me, but I could not answer.

I include this next image for scale.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 18: "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 2"

"In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 2", Track 8 on "Systematic Chaos"(2007)

Note: This song stands on its own, but you might find your listening experience enhanced if you go back and listen to yesterday's song, "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1"

Length - 16:39
Tempo - walk with heavy footsteps
Intro - keyboard ambiance
Texture - polyrhythmia, unison ensemble vocalizing, some doubling of guitar and voice
Features - soaring vocals; quick, almost spoken-word vocals; eerie keyboard work; bass notes take control

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Systematic Chaos" lineup:
Petrucci - guitars, backing vocals
Myung - bass
Portnoy - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jordan Rudess - keyboard, continuum
James LaBrie - lead vocals

Lyrics of "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 2":

Welcome tired pilgrim
Into the circle
We have been waiting

Everyone's gathered
for your arrival
All the believers

Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us

I've been waiting for you,
Weary preacher man
You have been expected
Now we can begin
Let this hollowed Day of Judgment reign

I have known you father
And your sacred quest
Blessed soldier fighting
You shall never rest
I have known you but do you know me?

Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us

(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)

Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside

I cannot see his face
But I could feel his spite
A presence from the dead
Abandoned by the light
This shadow will consume him
from within

This power that I sense
The rage behind those eyes
Is just a shrouded ghost
A spirit sealed inside
The body and the soul both threats
For they are one

Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us

(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)

Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside
Dark Master, amen, I belong to you
Dark Master within

Heil! Heil! Heil! Heil!
Heil! Heil! Heil! Heil!

[IV. The Slaughter of The Damned]

Don't
Bother trying to find them
They will be coming to you
Fight,
Fight and destroy until you can't take anymore

Slay
Spill the blood of the rebels
They are the children of hell
Flesh,
Of the undead
Stopping at nothing to kill

Sin,
Caught in a moment of weakness
Committed the greatest of all
Sold,
Half of my soul
And now it's too late for you

I judge us
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us

Unwelcome ones
your time has come

Lord,
You are my god and my shepherd
Nothing more shall I want
Walk,
Through the abyss
Into the shadow of death

Fear,
There is no evil to fear now
For I know you are with me
My,
Cup overflows
With my enemy's blood

I,
Decay in the house of the lord
Forever, amen
Death,
Will follow me
All the days of my life

I judge us
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
your time has come

Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their savior's calling
On this wicked day

Through a veil of madness
With a vicious play
One man rises up
Standing in their way

It's time for your reckoning

[V. The Reckoning ]

[Instrumental]

[VI. Salvation]

My soul grows weaker
He knows and he waits
He watches over me
Standing at the infernal gates
In the hour of darkness
The moment I feared has passed
The moment I lost my faith
Promising salvation
My soul is my own now
I do not fight for you
Dark Master


********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song:epic, eerie, purposeful

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 2":
I wrote the following for part 1, and it still applies, so for those who missed it yesterday (what's wrong with you??):
Ok, folks, allow me to talk about heavy metal, if you will. Consider the following analogy: bluegrass is to radio country as heavy metal is to mainstream rock. Who discerned that analogy? Me.

Here's the deal. Everyone is passionate about music (ok, I knew one guy once who didn't care much about music, and that was weird. He was all, "I guess I listen to the music on my video games" and I was baffled... Like, he didn't listen to anything.), and some folks aren't that expressive of their passion. You learn how passionate they are about things by watching what they choose to do. But when you meet a fan of a genre of music with "extensive layering and emphasis on every instrument having a strong presence in the music" (bonding characteristics of heavy metal, bluegrass, symphonic music, barbershop harmony, much Irish folk music, etc.), it seems to bring out that "I will fight you if you say this music isn't amazing" feeling in its fans. I, for one, feel called to put up the horns for all of the types of music in parentheses above when they are executed well. Sometimes, a listener might not like a particular sound that a band uses in a heavy metal song, but beauty, 'tis said, is in the eye of the beholder.

If you listen carefully to what heavy metal musicians are doing, perhaps you'll learn to feel the beauty the way diehard fans do.

"In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1" (and indeed most of the album that it's from) is a heavy metal song. Dream Theater doesn't normally play music that I would deem "sexy", but this one kinda comes close. It's got a rawness to it, a "there's dark stuff out there, folks, and buckle up, cuz we're gonna tell you about it" attitude. From the first riff, it's almost like John Petrucci says, "attack!" and then the other guys go, "good plan, bro. Look out, world."

Much DT music seems to me fast, chill music that says, "we're playing music with all the love and care in us, take it or leave it". This song ain't that, y'all.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
~Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 17: "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1"

"In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1", Track 1 on "Systematic Chaos"(2007)

Length - 9:01
Tempo - quick
Intro - guitar riff
Texture - polyrhythmia, some harmonizing (so homorhythmia as a piece of the layering)
Features - grindy harmonizing, smooth yet grindy soloing, clean and firm vocals

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Systematic Chaos" lineup:
Petrucci - guitars, backing vocals
Myung - bass
Portnoy - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jordan Rudess - keyboard, continuum
James LaBrie - lead vocals

Lyrics of "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1":

[I Prelude]

[Instrumental]

[II Resurrection]
I saw a white light
Shining there before me
And walking to it
I waited for the end
A final vision
Promising salvation
A resurrection
For a fallen man

Do you still wait for your God
And the symbol of your faith?

I can free you from this Hell and misery
You should never be ashamed my son
I can give you power beyond anything
Trust me you will be the chosen one

I was forgotten
A body scorned and broken
My soul rejected
Tainted by his blood

Beyond redemption
A sinner not worth saving
Forever taken
From the one I loved

Do I still wait for my God
And a symbol of my faith?

I can lead you down the path and back to life
All I ask is that you worship me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
Give you life for all eternity

Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their saviour's calling
Of this wicked day

Through a veil of madness
With a vicious blade
One man rises up
Standing in their way

Redemption
Redemption for humanity

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song:uh, metal. cool, groovy metal

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1":
Ok, folks, allow me to talk about heavy metal, if you will. Consider the following analogy: bluegrass is to radio country as heavy metal is to mainstream rock. Who discerned that analogy? Me.

Here's the deal. Everyone is passionate about music (ok, I knew one guy once who didn't care much about music, and that was weird. He was all, "I guess I listen to the music on my video games" and I was baffled... Like, he didn't listen to anything.), and some folks aren't that expressive of their passion. You learn how passionate they are about things by watching what they choose to do. But when you meet a fan of a genre of music with "extensive layering and emphasis on every instrument having a strong presence in the music" (bonding characteristics of heavy metal, bluegrass, symphonic music, barbershop harmony, much Irish folk music, etc.), it seems to bring out that "I will fight you if you say this music isn't amazing" feeling in its fans. I, for one, feel called to put up the horns for all of the types of music in parentheses above when they are executed well. Sometimes, a listener might not like a particular sound that a band uses in a heavy metal song, but beauty, 'tis said, is in the eye of the beholder.

If you listen carefully to what heavy metal musicians are doing, perhaps you'll learn to feel the beauty the way diehard fans do.

"In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1" (and indeed most of the album that it's from) is a heavy metal song. Dream Theater doesn't normally play music that I would deem "sexy", but this one kinda comes close. It's got a rawness to it, a "there's dark stuff out there, folks, and buckle up, cuz we're gonna tell you about it" attitude. From the first riff, it's almost like John Petrucci says, "attack!" and then the other guys go, "good plan, bro. Look out, world."

Much DT music seems to me fast, chill music that says, "we're playing music with all the love and care in us, take it or leave it". This song ain't that, y'all.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
~Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 16: "Bridges in the Sky"

"Bridges in the Sky", Track 5 on "A Dramatic Turn of Events"(2011)

Length - 11:02
Tempo - Quick, then fast with held-note fill-in
Intro - sound sampling, pitched and un-pitched percussion
Texture - layers. sometimes it's like the other (non-vocal) instruments are playing variations on the vocal line
Features - full pitch range guitar and keyboard soloing, keyboard magic, subtle backing vocals

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"A Dramatic Turn of Events" lineup:
Petrucci - guitar, backing vocals
Myung - bass
Portnoy - percussion
Jordan Rudess - keyboards, continuum, Morphwiz iPad app
James LaBrie - Vocals

Lyrics for "Bridges in the Sky":

Blackness awakens
Visions come alive
Seeing through darkness
With borrowed eyes

Death survivor
Take me higher
Reunite my soul

Whisperer of truth
I trust in you
To make me whole

Sun
Come shine my way
May healing waters bury all my pain

Wind
Carry me home
The fabric of reality is tearing apart
The piece of me that died
Will return
To live again

Feeling myself slip away
Suddenly dreaming awake
Hidden memories
Flooding back

I will not grow in the light
Until I pass through the darkest caverns of my heart

Dance with fire
Spirit guide erase the world outside

Messenger of truth
I trust in you
Transform me now

Sun
Come shine my way
May healing waters bury all my pain

Wind
Carry me home
The fabric of reality is tearing apart
The piece of me that died
Will return
To live again

And at last the time has come
To unite again as one

To the power of the Earth I'm calling
Crossing bridges in the sky
On a journey to renew my life
Shaman take my hand

Sun
Come shine my way
May healing waters bury all my pain

Wind
Carry me home
The fabric of reality is tearing apart
The piece of me that died
Will return
To live again

And at last the time has come
To unite again as one
To the power of the Earth I'm calling
Crossing bridges in the sky
On a journey to renew my life
Shaman take my hand

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

How to listen: Get your supper ready, (if you can, we're not classist here) be sure that you have a good sound system or good headphones, get ready to smile and feel something, and plan to listen several times in row. You'll very likely love the song from the first listen, but you're gonna wanna take it in a couple more times. Think of yourself as a sports fan that's going to want to see a replay again and again. I am so pumped to share it with you! It's like a roller coaster that has you wanting to shout "again! again!" like a little kid. P.S. This song is better louder.

Words to describe this song:groovy, grindy, cool, artsy, powerful

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "Bridges in the Sky":
Full disclosure: "Bridges in the Sky is in my DT top 20. I absolutely love this work. It's masterful. This song is very sing-along-able. It's dramatic, powerful, and never gets old. There are so many layers, and I can listen to this song in many different moods and feel like it's just what I need at that moment. With all the stuff going on with the instruments, you can zone in on whatever you want and get something different. There are attacking heavy-metal moments, but they don't drag it out, so the average listener can get just the right amount of metal imbibery before new stuff comes in.
My older sister is a trained aerial, modern, and ballet dancer, for the last couple of years branching out into circus work. (Shameless plug: She's an outreach movement artist in the Tulsa, OK metro with a group called "Between the Lines Movement Project". Click this text to go see their Facebook page. Let's just say I have attended a fair number of recitals in my time. More than any other Dream Theater song, I have wanted to see this one choreographed into a modern dance recital. I'm hoping that she reads this. ;) )

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 15: "The Best of Times"

"The Best of Times", Track 5 on "Black Clouds & Silver Linings"(2009)

Length - 13:08
Tempo - mixture
Intro - slow, pensive
Texture - chamber-ensemble-like, some vocal harmony, polyphony of soloing with backing instruments
Features - different guitar effects for different parts of the song

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Black Clouds & Silver Linings" lineup:
John Petrucci - guitar, backing vocals
John Myung - bass
Mike Portnoy - percussion, backing vocals, occasional lead vocals
Jordan Rudess - keyboard, continuum, iPhone app Bebot
James LaBrie - Vocals

Lyrics:
Remember days of yesterday
And how it flew so fast
The two score and a year we had,
I thought would always last

The summer days and west coast dreams,
I wished would never end
A young boy and his father,
Idol and best friend

I'll always remember
Those were the best of times
A lifetime together
I'll never forget

Morning shows on the radio
The case of the missing dog
Lying on the fields at the only twelve
Watching Harold and Maude

Record shops, the stick-ball fields
My home away from home
When we weren't together
The hours on the phone

I'll always remember
Those were the best of times
I'll cherish them forever
The best of times

But then came the call
Our lives changed forever more
You can pray for a change
But prepare for the end

The fleeting winds of time
Flying through each day
All the things I should have done
But time just slipped away
Remember "seize the day"
Life goes by in the blink of an eye
There's so much left to say

These were the best of times
I'll miss these days
Your spirit led my life each day

Thank you for the inspiration
Thank you for the smiles
All the unconditional love
That carried me for miles
It carried me for miles
But most of all thank you for my life

These were the best of times
I'll miss these days
Your spirit led my life each day
My heart is bleeding bad
But I'll be okay
Your spirit guides my life each day

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song:beautiful, yearning, ripping

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to " ":Aesthetics are, by nature, subjective, so not everyone will agree with this because some people aren't keen on electric guitar. But if you'll pardon some bleeped profanity, this song is f****** beautiful. The entire damn song is sonic poetry. If you have been following the Share-a-thon from the beginning and aren't quite in love with this band yet, this might be the song that gets you truly intoxicated.
If you'll endulge a brief story?
I'd forgotten about it until my friend Alex reminded me. When I first talked to him about 'Black Clouds, I said, "Alex, I'm scared. This album is so good, I'm scared. I don't know how they can possibly do any better than this. Where can they possibly go from here?"
The next year, after a disagreement about direction, Mike Portnoy left the band. He wanted them to take a few years' hiatus and then come back. The other guys were like, uh, no, this is what we do. So Portnoy left the band, and was replaced.
So, Alex tells me, "Michael, you called it." I was like... whoa... I guess I kinda did. Cuz, the thing is, Black Clouds is peak Dream Theater with Portnoy. It's amazing, beautiful, powerful music. Such a damn good "record", as Alex calls albums.


Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 14: "Sacrificed Sons"

"Sacrificed Sons", Track 7 on "Octavarium"(2005)

Length - 10:43
Tempo - walking
Intro - ambiance, quotes on audio samples
Texture - doubling & harmony, polyphony, drum & guitar polyrhythmia
Features - extensive instrumental section, variety of vocal delivery

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Octavarium" lineup:
The Johns
Portnoy
Jordan Rudess - keyboard, continuum, lap steel guitar
James LaBrie - Vocals

Lyrics:
Walls are closing
Anxiously
Channel surfing
Frantically

Burning City
Smoke and fire
Planes, we're certain.
Faith inspired?

No clues
A complete surprise
Who'll be
Coming home tonight?

Heads all turning
Towards the sky
Towers crumble
Heroes die

Who would wish this
On our people?
And proclaim
That His will be done
Scriptures they heed have misled them
All praise their sacrificed sons
All praise their sacrificed sons

Teach them
What to think and feel
Your ways
So enlightening

Words they preach
I can't relate
If God's true Love
Are acts of Hate

Who would wish this
On our people?
And proclaim
That His will be done
Scriptures they heed have misled them
All praise their sacrificed sons
All praise their sacrificed sons

God on high
Our mistake
Will mankind be extinct?
There's no time to waste
Who serves the truth
For Heaven's sake?


********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song:heart-tugging, passion-eliciting, head-banging

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "Sacrificed Sons":
As a vocalist myself, one of the things that I appreciate so much about James LaBrie is that he stays true to his voice. It's a very healthy way to sing, and it should keep him in the game for at least two more decades. In this song, depending on the perspective he's taking, whether narrator, personal testament, or the perpetrators of 9/11, he uses a slightly different voice. If you pay attention, it's very effective.
One key to getting the most out of this song is to listen very intently. Put yourself in an environment where you can be safe to feel your feelings. The band is based out of Long Island, so we can imagine how personal 9/11 feels for them. Listening advice: allow, allow, allow yourself to be enveloped in this song.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
~Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 13: "Afterlife"

"Afterlife", Track 6 on "When Dream and Day Unite"(1989)

Tempo - fast walk, quick guitar
Length - 5:28
Intro - racing, groovy guitar
Texture - polyrhythmia, polyphonic. Occasional doubling between various instruments (the voice is an instrument)
Features - Petrucci soloing, Portnoy doing all kinds of variety

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"When Dream and Day Unite" lineup:
The Johns
Portnoy
Kevin Moore - keyboard
Charlie Dominici - Vocals

Lyrics:
I touched with one
Who made me run
Away from my own soul
In this world with its
Many illusions
We are moving like mice through a
Maze

And now I find
What's left behind
Has served to make me whole
Full of doubt, deception, and delusion
Seeking purpose to all earthly days

I search within
Beneath a skin
That bears both pleasure and pain
In a world full of constant confusion
I will not be a par to the craze

In the Afterlife
Will dark be bright?
Will cold be warm?
Will the day have no night?
In the Afterlife?
Will the blind have sight?
In the Afterlife

Behind closed eyes
Some comfort lies
In knowing the truth never spoken
Through this world with us
Hidden conclusion
We'll keep moving like mice through
A maze

In the Afterlife
Will dark be bright?
Will cold be warm?
Will the day have no night?
In the Afterlife?
Will the blind have sight?
In the Afterlife

In the Afterlife
Will dark be bright?
Will cold be warm?
Will the day have no night?
In the Afterlife?
Will the blind have sight?
In the Afterlife

********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song: proclamatory, testament, expression

Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "Afterlife":
This thing plays like a fast ballad. It's fun. Groovy transitions. Very stirring if you let it be. This song feels kinda like an entertaining lecture or sermon, fast-paced and passionate.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

*************************************
What is the "Dream Theater Share-a-thon"?

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 12: "The Count of Tuscany"

"The Count of Tuscany", Track 6 on "Black Clouds and Silver Linings"

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"The Count of Tuscany"

Tempo - varied. Starts out at a walk and mixes it up
Length - 19:18
Intro - semi-ethereal guitar, layered guitar
Texture - polyphonic, as per the usual m.o.. but there is joint singing on the chorus.
Features - soulful guitar, race-along pace, pink-Floyd-esque ambiancing

Lyrics:

Several years ago
In a foreign town
Far away from home
I met the Count of Tuscany

A young eccentric man
Bred from royal blood
Took me for a ride
Across the open countryside

Get into my car
Let's go for drive
I love the way I feel uptight
Just step inside

Maybe you'll recall
I kind of felt curious
A character inspired by my brother's life

Winding through the hills
Seeing far behind
On and on we drove
Down narrow streets and dusty roads

And last we came upon
A picturesque estate
On sprawling emerald hills
An ancient world of times gone by

Now let me introduce
My brother
A bitter gentleman - historian
Sucking on his pipe
Distinguished accent
Making me uptight - no accident

I
Want to stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right

I
I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life

I
Want to say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive

I
I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived

Would you like to see
Our secret holy place?
I come here late at night
To pray to him by candle light

Then viewing through the past
I saw which is believed
Still dressed in royal clothes
A saint behind the altar

History recalls
During times of war
Legend has been traced
Stuck inside these castle walls

Soldiers came to hide
With barrels filled with wine
Never to escape
These tombs of old that's where they died

Down the cellar stairs
I disappear
Like the angel's share
The end is near

Come and have a taste
A rare vintage
All the finest wines
Improve with age

I
Want to stay alive
Everything about this place just doesn't feel right

I
I don't wanna die
Suddenly I'm frightened for my life

I
Want to say goodbye
This could be the last time you see me alive

I
I may not survive
Knew it from the moment we arrived

Could this be the end?
Is this the way I die?
Sitting here alone
No one by my side

I don't understand
I don't feel that I deserve this
What did I do wrong?
I just don't understand

Give me one more chance
Let me please explain
It's all been circumstance
I'll tell you once again

It took me for a ride
Promising a vast adventure
Next thing that I know
I'm frightened for my life

Now wait a minute then
That's not how it is
You must be confused
That isn't who I am

Please don't be afraid
I would never try to hurt you
This is how we live
Strange although it seems
Please try to forgive

The chapel and the Sade
The soldiers in the wine
The fables and the tales
All handed down through time

Of course you're free to go
Go and tell the world my story
Tell about my brother
Tell them about me
The Count of Tuscany

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Black Clouds and Silver Linings" (2009) lineup:
LaBrie – lead vocals
Petrucci – guitar, vocals
Jordan Rudess- keyboards, continuum, iPad app, lap steel guitar
Myung – bass
Portnoy - percussion, vocals

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song: thorough, complete, beautiful, attack
Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "The Count of Tuscany":
Sometimes people pan post-Kevin-Moore Dream Theater lyrics as not being subtle enough or whatever. I don't frankly care that much. I grew up listening to 90s country which is almost never subtle... Just tells it like it is. The thing is, what some claim that they lack in lyrical erudition, they are AMAZING at composing a musical journey. This song has everything. Aside from prog or metal or rocl, it's just plain good music.

Final thoughts: until Illumination Theory came out, a friend of mine said that he wanted "The Count of Tuscany" played at his funeral. At last update, we were in limbo. ;)

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 11: "The Great Debate"

"The Great Debate", Track 4 on "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" (Disc 1)

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"The Great Debate"

Tempo - steady, slightly fast, walk. lots of fill
Length - 13:41
Intro - ambiance, interview/panel sampling
Texture - layering, layering, and more layering
Features - James using distinct voices for different characters and points of views. Jordan contributing thought-provoking/thought-accompanying sounds

Lyrics:

What if someone said
Promise lies ahead
Hopes are high in certain scientific circles
Life won't have to end
You could walk again

What if someone said
Problems lie ahead
They've uncovered something highly controversial
The right to life is strong
Can't you see it's wrong

Human kind has reached a turning point
Poised for conflict at ground zero
Ready for a war
Do we look to our unearthly guide
Or to white coat heroes
Searching for a cure

Turn to the light
Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates
Turn to the light
Turning away would be a terrible mistake

Anarchistic moral vision
Industries of death
Facing violent opposition
Unmolested breaths

Ethic inquisitions breed
Antagonistic views
Right wing sound bite premonitions
In a labyrinth of rules

Are you justified
Are you justified
Are you justified
Justified in taking
Life to save life
Life to save life
Taking life to save life

This embryonic clay
Wrapped in fierce debate
Would be thrown away
Or otherwise discarded

Some of us believe
It may hold the key
To treatment of disease
And secrets highly guarded

Are you justified
Are you justified
Are you justified
Justified in taking
Life to save life
Life to save life
Life to save life

Human kind has reached a turning point
Poised for conflict at ground zero
Ready for a war
Do we look to our unearthly guide
Or to white coat heroes
Searching for the cure

Turn to the light
Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates
Turn to the light
Turning away would be a terrible mistake

We're reaching
But have we gone too far

Harvesting existence
Only to destroy
Carelessly together
We are sliding

Someone else's future
Four days frozen still
Someone else's fate
We are deciding

Miracle potential
Sanctity of life
Faced against each other
We're divided

Should we push the boundaries
Or should we condemn
Moral guilt and science
Have collided

Turn to the light
We defy our own mortality these days
Turn to the light
Pay attention to the questions we have raised

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence" (2002) lineup:
LaBrie – vocals
Petrucci – guitar
Jordan Rudess- keyboard
Myung – bass
Portnoy - percussion

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song:
Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "The Great Debate":
Some Dream Theater songs are epic experiences, coming out and grabbing you. Some allow you to sit back and take from them what you will.
But, this is one of their more unique pieces, directly commenting on a public discourse. They share the points-of-view of both sides, rather sensitively. Usually, Dream Theater gets me thinking based on their musical composition choices. If I were to sculpt a Dream Theater song for display at an art museum, this might be the one. It's aggressive, emotional, socially conscious... Just very well done.

Final thoughts: The lyrical marriage to the soundscape is really good, but, make no mistake, they still give us plenty of great sounds to enjoy.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-Thon, Day 10: "Raw Dog"

"Raw Dog", "God of War: Blood and Metal" soundtrack

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"Raw Dog" was recorded for the video game "God of War: Blood & Metal"

Tempo - up-tempo, occasional feel of meter changes
Length - 7:34
Intro - grindy, meter-changy attack
Texture - full-bore metal homorhythmia
Features - just when you think that it had ridden the wave, boom! Super-sweet soloing and dueting kicks in midway through.

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original three members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

Raw Dog lineup:
The Johns
Portnoy
Jordan Rudess
Note: This was the last track that Portnoy recorded with Dream Theater.


********************************

SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING
Words to describe this song: serene, peaceful, placid.
Just kidding.
This is aggressive heavy metal. Dream Theater can do whatever they want.
Stream-of-consciousness thoughts as I listen to "Raw Dog":
This song almost belongs on the "Train of Thought" album (2003). It's heavy, it's groovy, it keeps you on your toes, and there is plenty to digest, so it might take you a number of listens to really get a handle on everything that happens. It's really a great track. If you like bombastic romantic-period music, or 20-century experimental symphonic music, this may be the kind of jam that helps turn you into a true Dream Theater fan.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 9: "The Answer Lies Within"

"The Answer Lies Within", Track 2 on "Octavarium"

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"The Answer Lies Within"

Tempo - very slow walk
Length - 5:26
Intro - nature sounds, bells, piano
Texture - some homorhythmia with strings (unless you count the un-pitched percussion), otherwise polyrhythmia
Features - gentle piano, strings

Lyrics:

Look around
Where do you belong
Don't be afraid
You're not the only one

Don't let the day go by
Don't let it end
Don't let a day go by, in doubt
The Answer Lies Within

Life is short
So learn from your mistakes
And stand behind
The choices that you make

Face each day
With both eyes open wide
And try to give
Don't keep it all inside

Don't let the day go by
Don't let it end
Don't let a day go by, in doubt
The Answer Lies Within

You've got the future on your side
You gonna be fine now
I know whatever you decide
You're gonna shine

Don't let the day go by
Don't let it end
Don't let a day go by, in doubt
you're ready to begin

Don't let a day go by, in doubt
The Answer Lies Within

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Octavarium" (2005) lineup:
LaBrie – vocals
Petrucci – guitar
Jordan - keyboard
Myung – bass
Portnoy - percussion

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song: lovely, gentle, insistently positive
Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "The Answer Lies Within":
Full disclosure: I forgot that I liked this song. I do think that it takes a while to get going and pull me in, but the entire song is truly lovely. James is a very sensitive deliverer of ballads, and he does a good job sharing these advice-giving lyrics without sounding holier-than-thou. I like it most starting at about halfway in when John Myung starts to make his instrument heard and the song gets louder. "You've got the future on your side. You're gonna be fine now. I know whatever you decide, you're gonna shine". The harmony on "shine" is the highlight of this song for me. Yes, I'm a barbershop chorus director and quartet singer, but the causality is "enjoyment of harmony therefore I'm a barbershopper", not the other way around.

Final thoughts: Probably the place to start if you want to be able to say that you can play piano to a Dream Theater song. This is one of the best DT songs to put on a lullabye playlist.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 8: "Viper King"

"Viper King", Track 10 on "Distance Over Time"

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"Viper King"

Tempo - upbeat rock
Length - 4:00
Intro - dirty organ. oh, yeah
Texture - monophony with the intro, polyphonic, solo vocal moments for emphasis
Features - dirty organ. sick guitar solo.

Lyrics:

Venomous by design
Lying idle, biding time
Bore down the clutch, tore up the road
Six hundred horses, genetic code
Lightning speed, the road she bends
Slammed down the brakes, losing my ass end

Drive on, pushed to the limit
My Viper King, we're flying high
Drive on, filled with desire
Nothing to fear, I feel alive
My Viper King

Speed demon, tempting fate
Do or die, in the blink of an eye

Drive on, pushed to the limit
My Viper King, we're flying high
Drive on, filled with desire
Nothing to fear, I feel alive
My Viper King

Drive on, pushed to the limit
My Viper King, we're flying high
Drive on, filled with desire
Nothing to fear, I feel alive
My Viper King
My Viper King
My Viper King

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines).

"Distance Over Time" (2019) lineup:
LaBrie – vocals
Petrucci – guitar
Jordan - keyboard,
Myung – bass
Mangini - percussion

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song/suite: cool, heavy, and grindy groove.
Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "Viper King"This one is kinda like a rock 'n' roller coaster. It's pretty much a standard mainstream rock uptune. They don't usually do this kinda song. Usually, their mainstream-type songs are ballads or power ballads. This one is just, like, hey, here's some badass rock.

Final thought: Get yourself a treat. Bob and weave with the music as you listen.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 7: "Illumination Theory"

"Illumination Theory", Track 9 on "Dream Theater" (self-titled album)

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"Illumination Theory"
Five movements: I. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire (Instrumental); II. Live, Die, Kill; III. The Embracing Circle (Instrumental); IV. The Pursuit of Truth; V. Surrender, Trust, and Passion

Tempo - moderately fast, slow, walking and majestic, slow and contemplative
Length - 22:17 (when you think that the piece is over, wait for it... wait for it...)
Intro - anticipatory, introducing themes for the rest of the song
Texture - mostly polyphonic with occasional doubling (including some keyboard and vocal doubling)
Features - It's a 22-minute song on a self-titled album 28 years into their career. It features everything Dream Theater-y that is Dream Theater, every member, many of their main styles, etc.

Lyrics:

[I. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire]

[Instrumental]

[II. Live, Die, Kill]

Consider this question
Look deep inside
Deliver a true confession
What are you willing to live for?

Consider this question
Open your eyes
Examine your own reflection
What are you willing to die for?

When your backs' against the wall
And the times uncertain
Consider this question
No standing by
When flesh and blood are threatened
What are you willing to kill for?

We seek to understand
We cry with head in hand

The bridges we build to connect
The distance that makes us forget
Hate di
viding us, love reminding us
Of our shared humanity

Hope can be a shadow fleeting
I would rather die believing
Chancing it all in a final act of faith

We seek to understand
We cry with head in hand

A story that needs to be told
An answer that begs to found
The beauty we wish to behold
Is never too far away

[III. The Embracing Circle]

[Instrumental]

[IV. The Pursuit Of Truth]

Mothers for their children
Husbands for their wives
Martyrs for the kingdom
Fighting for your life

A soldier for his country
A junkie for the high
Teachers for their students
Vengeance for a crime

Rebels for their freedom
A tyrant for the praise
Cowards for salvation
Money, love, and fame

Noble and brave
Lay down our lives for the cause
Death over shame
Grace before glory

[V. Surrender, Trust & Passion]

To really feel the joy in life
You must suffer through the pain
When you surrender to the light
You can face the darkest days

If you open up your eyes
And you put your trust in love
On those cold and endless nights
You will never be alone

Passion glows within your heart
Like a furnace burning bright
Until you struggle through the dark
You'll never know that you're alive
Never know
Never know
You'll never know
Never know
Never know
Never know

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines). Jordan Rudess became the keyboardist in the late 90s, and Mike Mangini became the drummer in 2010 following Portnoy's departure.

"Dream Theater" (2013) lineup:
LaBrie –vocals
Petrucci – guitar, backing vocals
Rudess - keyboards, iPad App GeoSynth, seaboard
Myung – bass
Mangini – drums, percussion

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song/suite:

Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "Illumination Theory"
Symphony orchestras often play on Sundays, so I'm giving you a nice, big Dream Theater composition for your Sunday afternoon matinee. Wear your metaphorical, metaphysical seatbelt for this one. It's a suite ride. (not sorry) This song is very play-or-sing-alongable. I am a vocalist, and I find myself seriously tapping my feet or imagining myself playing along with the guys. It's an infectious piece, impressive but making you feel like you're making the music with them. Frankly, it's inspiring, making me want to be a better and more rounded musician.
This piece looks long but it goes by fast. You don't need a long attention span to enjoy it.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 6: "Trial of Tears"

"Trial of Tears", Track 11 on "Falling into Infinity"

I am posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"Trial of Tears"
Three movements: It's Raining, Deep in Heaven (instrumental), The Wasteland

Tempo - walk (at various speeds), groovy fill (also varying speeds)
Length - 13:05
Intro - ambiance, then drums, continued sonic exploration, mellow but alive
Texture - bluesy, clean layers, hint of Pink-Floyd-ness
Features - ripping, groovy instrumental instrumental section; clean and powerful vocals

Lyrics:

[I. IT'S RAINING]

Under the sun, there is nothing to hide
Under the moon, the stranger waits inside
People disappear
The music fades away
Splashing through the rain
I'll dream with them one day
It's raining, raining,
On the streets of New York city
It's raining, raining, raining deep in heaven

I may have wasted all those years
They're not worth their time in tears
I may have spent too long in darkness
In the warmth of my fears

Take a look at yourself
Not at anyone else
And tell me what you see
I know the air is cold
I know the streets are cruel
But I'll enjoy the ride today

It's raining, raining,
On the streets of New York city
It's raining, raining, raining deep in heaven

I may have wasted all those years
They're not worth their time in tears
I may have spent too long in darkness
In the warmth of my fears

As I walk through all my myths
Rising and sinking like the waves
With my thoughts wrapped around me
Through a trial of tears

Hidden by disguise, stumbling in a world
Feeling uninspired, he gets into his car
Not within his eyes to see, open up, open up
Not much better than the man you hate

[II. DEEP IN HEAVEN]

[Instrumental]

[III. THE WASTELAND]

Still awake
I continue to move along
Cultivating my own nonsense
Welcome to the wasteland
Where you'll find ashes, nothing but ashes
Still awake
Bringing change, bringing movement,
Bringing life
A silent prayer thrown away,
Disappearing in the air
Rising, sinking, raining deep inside me
Nowhere to turn,
I look for a way back home
It's raining, raining, raining deep in heaven

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines). Derek Sherinian, who took over on keys after Kevin Moore left (someone needed to play the keys for the "Awake" tour), records his only full-length album with the James, the Johns, and Mike. Don't weep for him, though. He has a heck of a career going.

"Falling into Infinity" (1997) lineup:
LaBrie – lead vocals and backing vocals, arrangement
Petrucci – guitar, background vocals, arrangement
Derek Sherinian – keyboards, backing vocals, arrangement
Myung – bass, Chapman Stick on tracks 1 and 8, arrangement
Portnoy – drums, percussion, backing vocals, harmony vocals on track 1, arrangement

************************
SPOILERS AND SUBJECTIVITY BELOW: YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS AFTER LISTENING

Words to describe this song/suite: coooool, bittersweet but refreshing, enveloping. They did an amazing job of capturing the feelings that rain and pain bring into your body if you allow them to do so.

Stream-of-consciousness reflection as I listen to "Trial of Tears"
This song has meter changes, off-beat trickery, and things of that nature. Blues-type guitar. Some people listen to Dream Theater and think that they're just being pretentious when they put in changes like that, but, for me, once my brain began to be capable of wrapping its gooey tentacles around the juiciness of what DT does, I realized that I found the changes within the music very emotional. The thing about listening to Dream Theater is that, with songs like this, I find that they make so much more sense if I listen actively and submit. Sure, if you listen passively, you might think, "why are they doing that unnecessary thing? Just tell the story."
I argue that this misses the point.
When you can do more things, you can tell different kinds of stories. The sonic journey is a companion on the journey with the lyrics.

Final thought: James is sohhhhhhh good in this song.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

I reread these words to myself, and it hurts. I wish so painfully that I could talk to him about this blog series. I wish that I had started this project sooner... And, of course, the irony is, without the strength of my longing and regret for his presence and the sound of his voice, for his giddy school-boy love for this music, would I be able to stay on task? I don't know, and I may never know. I'm trying to honor his memory, but wish that I could share each post with him, or with his help. He, himself, wrote a book, after all.

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 5: "Outcry"

"Outcry", Track 6 on "A Dramatic Turn of Events"

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu.
We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************

"Outcry"

Tempo - slow walk, significant fill
Length - 11:24
Intro - ambiance, then drums, continued sonic exploration
Texture - monophony, then polyphony. build to chorus has vocals over ambiance. some semblance of homorhythmia on the chorus. bass-keyboard polyphony in transition sections, occasional keyboard-guitar doubling
Features - choral keyboard effects add intensity, fast-paced keyboard tinkering, many mood shifts. Emotional seatbelt may be advisable

Lyrics:

Somewhere overhead
Distant thunder roars
The revolution has begun
The war to end all wars

As I welcome death
I hear the battle cry
Bullets fall like fire
Raining from the sky

The rebel in us all
Someday gets tired
of being pushed around
But freedom has a price
The cost is buried in the ground

We suffered far too long
We gather now growing stronger
We will not be ignored

Anymore any longer
Our anthem will guide us

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling tonight

Far too many years
Of chaos and unrest
Far too many voices
Brutally surpressed

We fight for what is just
For all that we believe
We fight 'till death or glory
Fight to be set free

The streets are bathed in blood
Time to step down
and time to walk away
You'll never rule me now
Though you may stand upon my grave

You can look the other way
Or you can face the light
Although it seems so far away
Freedom's worth the fight

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling

Rise up, be counted
Stand strong and unite
Wait for the outcry
Resistance is calling tonight

The world watches on
While we risk our lives
Locked in a kingdom of fear
As our children die

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines). Jordan Rudess took over keys for the "Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory" album. Mike Mangini became the drummer for "A Dramatic Turn of Events".

"A Dramatic Turn of Events" (2011) lineup:
The Johns
Mangini - percussion
LaBrie - vocals
Rudess - keyboards, tablet PC, keytar, etc.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~

Dream Theater Share-a-thon, Day 4: "The Looking Glass"

"The Looking Glass", track 3 on self-titled album "Dream Theater"

I will be posting a link to a song/piece by my favorite band, Dream Theater, hopefully every day until we have successfully enjoyed every original song that they have recorded in-studio. There are many good reasons to do this, but you can probably guess most of the ones that I'm thinking.

No adieu. We're just gonna do it.

I'm going to try to help you know what to expect a little bit without influencing the way that you experience the song. At least in the initial write-up, I won't tell you what I think the best or my favorite parts are. I want you to have the chance to enjoy the music on your own without any spoilers, just as I did.

I will also tell you that some of the things that Dream Theater does may be quite different than much of the music that you have listened to before. Sometimes it may be so new that it makes you a bit uneasy or just doesn't connect to you at all. If that happens, I encourage you to listen to it a few times, perhaps in different ways... once in the background while you do dishes, once with your eyes closed and your full attention, once hanging upside down like a bat. You get the idea.

You may even want to come back to it later for another listen.

I believe that, if you go on this journey with me, you will find more than a few songs that you enjoy. My mom saw Dream Theater live in K.C. and really enjoyed them, and she usually listens to NPR which I don't think gets to rock and roll that much. Dream Theater truly has something for everyone. Not everything they do may be your thing, but some of it may change your life for the better the way that it did mine.

****************************
"The Looking Glass"

Tempo - quick walking tempo, significant fill
Length - 5:01
Intro - guitar with grindy sound and clean playing, piano tiddly
Texture - polyphony, different instruments taking turns at prominence
Features - This song is a Rush tribute. The original members got started playing a lot of Rush together, and they pay homage to that with the way that they composed this song.

Lyrics:

I would not expect you felt alone in standing north
Better to rise above the clouds Then be a stranger in the crowd
All that you protected doesn’t matter anymore
Rather be stripped of all your pride
Than watch your dreams be cast aside

You are caught up in your gravity
Glorifying stardom
Singing your own praise

You live without shame
You’re digging up a gold mine
Standing on the sidelines
Watching through the looking glass

You are not content with being nameless and unknown
Trying to rise above the fray
Eager to give it all away

Some will not admit that 15 minutes have expired
Too much attention much too soon
Don’t see you walking on the moon

You are caught up in your gravity
Bathing in the spotlight
Imitating fame

You live without shame
You’re digging up a gold mine
Standing on the sidelines
Watching through the looking glass

You are caught up in your gravity
Glorifying madness
Singing your own praise

You live without shame
You’re digging up a gold mine
Standing on the sidelines
Watching through the looking glass

You live without shame
You’re digging up a gold mine
Standing on the sidelines
Watching through the looking glass

************************

Dream Theater formed at Berklee in 1985. The original 3 members were John Petrucci (guitar) and John Myung (bass), friends from Long Island, and Mike Portnoy (percussion) whom the Johns heard in a practice room and said, "we gotta get that guy". (Something along those lines). Jordan Rudess took over keys for the "Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory" album. Mike Mangini became the drummer before the album "A Dramatic Turn of Events".

Self-titled album, "Dream Theater" (2013), lineup:
The Johns
Mangini - percussion
LaBrie - vocals
Rudess - keyboards, tablet PC, keytar, etc.
Eren Başbuğ- guest arranger for "Illumination Theory"
Thank you for reading, and enjoy!

Yours in harmony,
Michael

~In loving memory of Tim~