"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.
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