I think it's pointless to continue to say the reviewer needed more time with the album. He clearly stated that he started listening to the album a lot before it was released.

I'm not defending him, I just think it's not a valid argument.

As for me, I'm loving the album at the moment. My least favourite song probably is "The Best of Times" probably because I think the lyrics fit strangely in the song's melody and it sounds kinda forced. The beginning of the song and the end of the song are great though, particularly the ending solo.

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 03.07.2009 at 06:53


Hmm... could this be it?

"Your spirit led my life each day
My heart is bleeding bad
But I'll be okay"

These lines make me cringe each time I hear it.

Man "The Best Of Times" lyrics are inspired on Portnoy's father's death... so show some respect for that god's sorrow... geez...

Dude... you better cut you tongue out for writing such a review.
I'm looking at things with clear eyes and I think you ate too much metal instead of good music.
They are interesting not for they are Dream Theater but because they make things the best way.

All of that album is a great masterpiece and you are wrong when you write that "A Nightmare To Remember" and "Rites of Passage" have the best musical moments in that album. This is only shows that you like heavier things, more Death and Brutal stuff - and these songs indeed got the elements you require.

You are an inappropriate review writer for you judge things from your point of view and not objectively.
Leave this place for more intelligent guys and go review bands like Behemoth and stuff...

You SUCK.

EDIT: Before writing things like "These lines make me cringe each time I hear it." Go and read about the songs and what made the band write the words... and only when you are fully prepared do review. Show some respect punk.

Written by BloodTears on 07.07.2009 at 21:45

I think it's pointless to continue to say the reviewer needed more time with the album. He clearly stated that he started listening to the album a lot before it was released.

I'm not defending him, I just think it's not a valid argument.

As for me, I'm loving the album at the moment. My least favourite song probably is "The Best of Times" probably because I think the lyrics fit strangely in the song's melody and it sounds kinda forced. The beginning of the song and the end of the song are great though, particularly the ending solo.

I agree the solo really hits that classical sweet spot. Makes the song. And yeah, like I said the lyrics are really weak... which is why I've been listening to the instrumental version more often.

And yeah, I don't know about you, but all these illogical, half-baked, pissy, fanboy comments are really starting to annoy me. It's like people just don't think before they post. Makes me >:( ...

Written by Quinaitor on 08.07.2009 at 09:52

Man "The Best Of Times" lyrics are inspired on Portnoy's father's death... so show some respect for that god's sorrow... geez...

Written by Dumper on 08.07.2009 at 15:55

EDIT: Before writing things like "These lines make me cringe each time I hear it." Go and read about the songs and what made the band write the words...

Regardless of the reasons behind the song... It still doesn't change the fact that the lyrics are very poor and awkward.

Written by Dumper on 08.07.2009 at 15:55

Leave this place for more intelligent guys...

Judging by your post, I'm hoping that you are purposely being ironic.

Written by Dumper on 08.07.2009 at 15:55

Dude... you better cut you tongue out for writing such a review.
I'm looking at things with clear eyes and I think you ate too much metal instead of good music.
They are interesting not for they are Dream Theater but because they make things the best way.

All of that album is a great masterpiece and you are wrong when you write that "A Nightmare To Remember" and "Rites of Passage" have the best musical moments in that album. This is only shows that you like heavier things, more Death and Brutal stuff - and these songs indeed got the elements you require.

You are an inappropriate review writer for you judge things from your point of view and not objectively.
Leave this place for more intelligent guys and go review bands like Behemoth and stuff...

You SUCK.

EDIT: Before writing things like "These lines make me cringe each time I hear it." Go and read about the songs and what made the band write the words... and only when you are fully prepared do review. Show some respect punk.

Man, you need to calm down a notch No need to go all mental on me. I don't even like Behemoth, but I've been listening to DT since 1994 and if this is a masterpiece for you, well, enjoy it instead of blowing a gasket.

And yes, this is my point of view. What the fuck do you expect a review to be? It's not a poll of opinions, or a copy/paste from the label promo package. Think before typing such nonsense and talking about objectivity, respect or intelligence. Especially since you seem to be lacking in all 3 departments.

Oh, and your EDIT section, I'm assuming you are attacking somebody else since I never said anything remotely close to this. And kid, you SUCK too, just for being so aggressive.

I agree with you Demonic Tutor... no need to be agressive...

To Fat... man I dare you to write of your father's death (i don't expect that to happen soon, blessings to your dad for real) and make so damned good lyrics...

All we can do is share each of our OWN ideas and OWN opinions and respect them:

I agree with the reviewer...Systematic Chaos is way better than BCSL.

Yeah, it all comes down to personal preference and interests at the end of the day, no need to get all agressive about it. What is it with people not respecting each others views?

BCSL seems to be a bit like Systematic Chaos, not musically of course - but in the way people either hate it or love it.

To me it's probably one of the best they've done. Good review though.

The last album I've listened to By DT was Images & Words It was so nice , but not even close to be Heavy . I liked it but it didn't encourage me to buy more albums .

Written by The Night Wisher on 13.07.2009 at 16:07

The last album I've listened to By DT was Images & Words It was so nice , but not even close to be Heavy . I liked it but it didn't encourage me to buy more albums .

Why are you talking about Images and Words on this album's review? You should listen to it.

Written by BloodTears on 13.07.2009 at 19:03

Written by The Night Wisher on 13.07.2009 at 16:07

The last album I've listened to By DT was Images & Words It was so nice , but not even close to be Heavy . I liked it but it didn't encourage me to buy more albums .

Why are you talking about Images and Words on this album's review? You should listen to it.

Well sorry really , but what i wanted to say that I haven't bought any DT album after the one I've mentioned , anyway I've read the review it's neutral especially from a fan of the band but it seems to be that the album is not the best of DT.

Written by The Night Wisher on 14.07.2009 at 01:53

Written by BloodTears on 13.07.2009 at 19:03

Written by The Night Wisher on 13.07.2009 at 16:07

The last album I've listened to By DT was Images & Words It was so nice , but not even close to be Heavy . I liked it but it didn't encourage me to buy more albums .

Why are you talking about Images and Words on this album's review? You should listen to it.

Well sorry really , but what i wanted to say that I haven't bought any DT album after the one I've mentioned , anyway I've read the review it's neutral especially from a fan of the band but it seems to be that the album is not the best of DT.

Don't be sorry. Maybe I was a bit harsh on you. It's just that reviews are meant to talk about the album that is reviewed. The thread of the bands are to talk about everything else.

I think you should just listen to it instead of trying to read it beforehand in other people's opinions.

Written by BloodTears on 14.07.2009 at 09:41

Written by The Night Wisher on 14.07.2009 at 01:53

Written by BloodTears on 13.07.2009 at 19:03

Written by The Night Wisher on 13.07.2009 at 16:07

The last album I've listened to By DT was Images & Words It was so nice , but not even close to be Heavy . I liked it but it didn't encourage me to buy more albums .

Why are you talking about Images and Words on this album's review? You should listen to it.

Well sorry really , but what i wanted to say that I haven't bought any DT album after the one I've mentioned , anyway I've read the review it's neutral especially from a fan of the band but it seems to be that the album is not the best of DT.

Don't be sorry. Maybe I was a bit harsh on you. It's just that reviews are meant to talk about the album that is reviewed. The thread of the bands are to talk about everything else.

I think you should just listen to it instead of trying to read it beforehand in other people's opinions.

I agree with you ^^

Listen to it yourself and judge for yourself and see whether YOU like it or not, not anyone else.

Written by HyperDrifter on 14.07.2009 at 14:24

Listen to it yourself and judge for yourself and see whether YOU like it or not, not anyone else.

La la la!
I just sit here and sing to myself!
Na na na!
Hey, hey everyone!
I say--I say--
Let's talk!
About things!
Nu nu nu!
Things that make me smile!
Ha cha cha!
And things that make me frown!
Tah tah tah!
Like reinforcing ideas that are common sense!
*Que the sassy sax solo that symbolizes my frustration*
*Que mellow ballad-like outro*
But don't fret, DreamingDesire
I say nooooo. Don't wooooorrrrryyy!
It's not your fault.
Noooooo. It's not his fault.
Cus apparently...
It's quite oooobvious.
People need it.
Liiiiikkkkkeeee they neeeed a punch in the mouth.
But honestly...
Yooooouuuuurrrrrr!
WaaaaaaAAAAaaaaAAAAsting!
Yooooouuuuurrrrrr!
TiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

*Crowd applauds*
*Continued in Act 3; Chapter 7: People Should Think Before They Say Something Stupid*

As much of a Dream Theater fan as I am, I do have to agree with some of these points... and disagree...

I really do love the new album, and it kind of inspired me to whip out the whole collection, and enjoy the whole thing... I'm enjoying the whole collection so much, that it's driving my wife crazy. I don't really like comparing one album to another, but i'm not quiet as impressed with BC&SL as a few other albums, however... I am still impressed by it. The songwriting, I'll agree, is a little lax, compared to the work on other albums, nonetheless, the songs all seem to have those few bars that make the whole thing worth listening to. I actually have more trouble identifying with Scenes from a Memory, than the latest effort, in terms of that particular substance. Sometimes, the writing does get a little hokey, and it seems like they could've developed the idea a little better, but I didn't write it, therefor what I see is what I get... If I didn't want to listen to it, I wouldn't have bought it.

Some of those moments that really do exemplify to me that Dream Theater is just as great a band as they used to be (...and I might as well just go in the order of the track listing)...

1- A Nightmare to Remember - I noticed that John Petrucci is bringing out speedier verse riffs, which animate the climactic part of the song very well, and then slowing down is no problem when going into the eerie yet mellow part. It was also great to hear Mike Portnoy bust out some heavy metal grunt, but the lines just seemed totally wrong for that one. On the whole, I find this song to be inspired by them sharing the stage with Opeth on the Progressive Nation tour, last year. I hear a lot of that kind of influence in there, and overall, it's not a bad song... Not the best, but not bad. 8 out of 10.

2- A Rite of Passage - Just hearing the first few bars of the opening just brings me back to 'In the Name of God', which is a great fucking song... I've noticed a definite trend of a ton of bands giving quite a bit of their attention and reference to the Middle East and Muslims, and I'm actually kind of getting tired of it... But when Dream Theater does it, they just do it so damn well. What really blows my skirt up about this song is the outlandish sounds from Jordan Rudess' keyboard solo... I don't think I've ever heard that kind of noise worked into music, and in such an interesting manner... I love it. 9 out of 10.

3- Wither - Now, usually, I do tend to go for the heavier songs, in terms of appeal, but this song is not really all that bad... It does make me think about their softer songs from previous albums, which always did show that a truly diverse band must show a lot of different sides, to maintain a consistent amount of interest. I don't think I've really given it as much of a chance as the rest of the songs on the album, but I'll be listening to it more, in the future. For now, I'll give it a 6 out of 10.

4- The Shattered Fortress - This is the song that I was anticipating the most, ever since Systematic Chaos... The final installment of The Alcoholics Anonymous Suite (1-The Glass Prison, 2-This Dying Soul, 3- The Root of All Evil, 4- Repentance, 5- The Shattered Fortress). As soon as I heard the buildup riff fading in from silence, I knew exactly which one this song would be. Hands down, this is one of the best works, of all their career... I love the epic songs, and ever since I first learned about the whole suite, I was excited to hear the next part of it. What I truly love about this opus is that it brings the 4 preceding installments all back to swim around in the mix, and create an absolutely explosive masterpiece, and also it brings forth a positive message in a totally badass way. 10 out of 10.

5- The Best of Times - This one I found to be a little corny, lyric-wise, but at the same time, it shows an upbeat side to the band, given that everybody but James LaBrie wrote it... A silver lining to the black cloud... Why not have that kind of metaphor? What I like about this one is that you can hear a lot of underlying influence from other bands in this one... I heard a little Billy Joel, Queen, Rush... And it was all executed with finesse... as to be expected. 7 out of 10.

6- The Count of Tuscany - Now I wasn't really sure about this song, at first, but after deciphering all the lyrics and listening to it all the way through... about 20 times... I really do like this song, quite a bit... As I said before, I love the epic songs... It's great to hear a band that was never afraid of pushing out a longer song on each album, just to really tell a story that would sound really dumb if shortened. My only complaint is that the anthemic chorus was introduced too early, and ends up being a little confusing the first time around, and it kind of creates a little Pulp Fiction effect for the song. However, my favorite part would actually be where all but Petrucci and Rudess drop out, and this beautiful ambiance is created, to which I like closing my eyes and imagining I'm floating in a warm peaceful ocean... Definitely a good soundbite for the thought of basking in serenity. 9.8 of 10. (0.2 docked for the chorus coming in too early.)

These are the reasons that I love this album... well the first disc, anyway...

...And let me make this point... I think I understand why the whole package concept was created... If I was spending $20 on just 6 songs, I'd probably feel a little ripped off... so I'm glad they decided to do the second disc, with the 6 covers on it... I am quite fond of their choices, too, because it's not all the normal crap you hear bands covering... It's nice to see somebody do a Queen medley, and have it be songs that weren't released for regular airplay... It's nice to see somebody cover Rainbow, period. How many bands do you see covering Iron Maiden, and not doing 'Aces High' or 'The Trooper'? With the second disc, I feel like I got my money's worth.

Well, what the hell... Let's talk about the third one... More bang for your buck... If you don't like the lyrics, here's your option to listen to the whole damn album without them!!

For those reasons, you all should quit your bitching... If you want to piss and moan about how you're disappointed about a band changing in a way that you don't like, get a band together, write and record your own shit... and see how it sounds from the other side.

Cool track by track thundergod.

Written by MightyFuckinThor on 16.07.2009 at 19:21

4- The Shattered Fortress - This is the song that I was anticipating the most, ever since Systematic Chaos... The final installment of The Alcoholics Anonymous Suite (1-The Glass Prison, 2-This Dying Soul, 3- The Root of All Evil, 4- Repentance, 5- The Shattered Fortress). As soon as I heard the buildup riff fading in from silence, I knew exactly which one this song would be. Hands down, this is one of the best works, of all their career... I love the epic songs, and ever since I first learned about the whole suite, I was excited to hear the next part of it. What I truly love about this opus is that it brings the 4 preceding installments all back to swim around in the mix, and create an absolutely explosive masterpiece, and also it brings forth a positive message in a totally badass way. 10 out of 10.

I find this track to only be appealing mostly because of the rehashed segments from the previous parts of the Portnoy Power Suite (well, that's what I like to call it). Can't agree with the 10 out of 10 though. I find Jordan and John's solos to be REALLY boring.

VERY nice, well thought-out post, though. Why didn't/don't you polish and submit it to the staff for a review?

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 17.07.2009 at 09:47

Why didn't/don't you polish and submit it to the staff for a review?

Remember, we don't accept song by song reviews. It's in the FAQ

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.07.2009 at 10:18

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 17.07.2009 at 09:47

Why didn't/don't you polish and submit it to the staff for a review?

Remember, we don't accept song by song reviews. It's in the FAQ

Oh... D: I thought I've seen some of them before. I'm guessing you guys used to?

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 17.07.2009 at 10:20


Oh... D: I thought I've seen some of them before. I'm guessing you guys used to?

I think those are really old ones.

Wither came straight to my best DT ballads list.

What's wrong with song-by-song reviews? I used that format to really organize what I like about the album, because if I just left it generalized, my point wouldn't get across.

That's neither here, nor there, I guess.

Thanks guys, for citing my post, as well as sending replies. I appreciate your insight, very much, and I'm glad to see some more Dream Theater fans.

Written by BloodTears on 17.07.2009 at 11:24

Wither came straight to my best DT ballads list.

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDqHuPKSwUs&feature=related

It's so fucking awesome! It makes me like the song even more!

Written by Nicko's Nose on 06.08.2009 at 20:10

Written by BloodTears on 17.07.2009 at 11:24

Wither came straight to my best DT ballads list.

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDqHuPKSwUs&feature=related

It's so fucking awesome! It makes me like the song even more!

Thank you for the link! It sounds beautifully. I really like this song, I think I like it so much because I can relate to it, I feel like that sometimes when I try to write. And I don't know why people are complaining that it's such a simple song.

Written by BloodTears on 07.08.2009 at 21:00

Written by Nicko's Nose on 06.08.2009 at 20:10

Written by BloodTears on 17.07.2009 at 11:24

Wither came straight to my best DT ballads list.

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDqHuPKSwUs&feature=related

It's so fucking awesome! It makes me like the song even more!

Thank you for the link! It sounds beautifully. I really like this song, I think I like it so much because I can relate to it, I feel like that sometimes when I try to write. And I don't know why people are complaining that it's such a simple song.

I really like it too! I think it's much better than A Rite Of Passage, which isn't bad at all, but it's very average for a Dream Theater song. People complain that it's too simple because DT is all about complex songs, but music doesn't need to be complex to be good. Sometimes it's nice to listen to a simple song.

Written by Nicko's Nose on 07.08.2009 at 21:44

Written by BloodTears on 07.08.2009 at 21:00

Written by Nicko's Nose on 06.08.2009 at 20:10

Written by BloodTears on 17.07.2009 at 11:24

Wither came straight to my best DT ballads list.

Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDqHuPKSwUs&feature=related

It's so fucking awesome! It makes me like the song even more!

Thank you for the link! It sounds beautifully. I really like this song, I think I like it so much because I can relate to it, I feel like that sometimes when I try to write. And I don't know why people are complaining that it's such a simple song.

I really like it too! I think it's much better than A Rite Of Passage, which isn't bad at all, but it's very average for a Dream Theater song. People complain that it's too simple because DT is all about complex songs, but music doesn't need to be complex to be good. Sometimes it's nice to listen to a simple song.

I think people could be more open-minded, that's all. But as soon as a band breaks the convention (even conventional for the band itself), we have a riot

Written by BloodTears on 07.08.2009 at 21:47

But as soon as a band breaks the convention (even conventional for the band itself), we have a riot

I would LOVE to hear them do an acoustic album! Wait... that seems like a prog cliche... so I guess it wouldn't be very unconventional after all.

For a reason this makes me think of Deep shadows and brilliant highlights,
I can't help to like Ville Valo, I'm a girl..

Written by Fat & Sassy! on 17.08.2009 at 07:29

Written by BloodTears on 07.08.2009 at 21:47

But as soon as a band breaks the convention (even conventional for the band itself), we have a riot

I would LOVE to hear them do an acoustic album! Wait... that seems like a prog cliche... so I guess it wouldn't be very unconventional after all.

Yey, I'm there with you!