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

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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

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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.