Review: Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)
Dream Theater, the beloved and respected progenitors of modern prog metal are back with their latest offering. Black Clouds & Silver Linings, the second album released under Roadrunner Records, has been highly anticipated after 2007’s Systematic Chaos opened Dream Theater up to a whole new fanbase of newer, younger fans. Surpsingly though, DT’s 2009 outing isn’t as assertive as one might think given their label and the appeal they have won from a crowd that demands a certain level of aggression. Black Cloud & Silver Linings is most definitely a DT release, but contains far fewer heavy moments than their last two albums, and really doesn’t push itself as the next great mainstream Roadrunner release. I find this fact to be fantastic, and a positive representation of the integrity of the band and it’s respect for the progressive ideal. However, does this lack of adherence to the modern metal doctrine end up hurting or benefitting the band’s sound regardless of integrity?
Unlike the last few DT albums, Black Clouds & Silver Linings has a much more retro vibe that reminds me a lot of 80’s prog rock (ala Yes and RUSH) with maybe some New Wave tossed in. This is very apparent during the first and last quarter of the tune, “The Count of Tuscany,” which is a much more poppy and New Wave piece than traditional Dream Theater. Another song with a retro feel is the tribute to Mike Portnoy’s father, “The Best of Times,” which was made with the best of intentions, but with a lack of dynamics and too much classic 80’s sap for my taste.
As for the positives, the opening track “A Nightmare to Remember” is an incredible song, and an instant Dream Theater classic for sure. Containing all the highs and lows, the aggression and the melody we have all come to expect of DT, “A Night to Remember” is perhaps the best song in the album save for maybe the single, “A Rite of Passage,” which is definitely the record’s bad ass moment and a draw for the more typical metal fan. These two tunes don’t make or break the album, but the merits of these two tracks really highlight the best moments of this LP. I also have to mention that “Wither” is a solid ballad, but isn’t the best the band has produced with a chorus that is a bit too melodic and poppy.
I may be in the minority here who actually thinks this album, despite some huge bright spots, is the weakest album the band as produced since Train of Thought. Popular opinion seems to be almost unanimous in its praise for Black Clouds & Silver Linings, but for me, there is just something about this album that “just doesn’t feel right” as sung in “The Count of Tuscany.” Perhaps its the retro feel, or maybe the spoken word passages sprinkled here and there throughout the album by James LaBrie, I don’t really know, but the dynamics for me just aren’t as prevalent. With that said, this album is still good, and definitely a worthy addition to the Dream Theater catalog.
GOOD
Top Tracks: A Nightmare to Remember, A Right of Passage
Similar Artists: Circus Maximus, Yes, Threshold, RUSH
1. A Nightmare to Remember
2. A Rite of Passage
3. Wither
4. The Shattered Fortress
5. The Best of Times
6. The Count of Tuscany
Kevin James LaBrie – Vocals
John Petrucci – Guitars, Backing Vocals
John Myung – Bass
Mike Portnoy – Drums, Backing Vocals
Jordan Rudess – Keyboards
http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater
Review by CODY
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Comments
Comment from Jared
Time: June 29, 2009, 1:17 pm
I’ve been listening to DT since the 7th grade. They are definitely my favorite band and this just might be their best album yet. At least in the last 10 years, it is. I thought Octavarium couldn’t be beaten!
Comment from Mark
Time: July 7, 2009, 11:48 pm
Their weakest album since ”Train of Thought’”, I beg to differ. TOT was a dark sounding album itself. Which, by the way, alot of fans thought it rocked harder than Octavarium.
Lack of adherence to any style of music, metal or otherwise, is the gold standard and trademark of DT and is why they are loved by so many fans.
Comment from cody
Time: July 8, 2009, 12:47 pm
Mark – You’re absolutely correct, I guess it was a bad choice of words on my part. TOT is definitely the most aggressive DT probably has been and a good album at that. What I meant was that all the albums following it were stronger in my opinion, save for their latest release. Thanks for the comment!
Comment from Mike
Time: July 15, 2009, 7:19 pm
With the exception of “Best of Times”, which is the worst song DT has ever done, I think the music on Black Clouds is incredible. What completely and utterly ruins the album for me is the lyrics. Portnoy is the weakest lyric writer in the band, hands down, and Petrucci hasn’t written anything decent since 6 Degrees. If only they didn’t have the band-policy of the lyric writer also coming up with the melodies. Otherwise LaBrie and Myung (DT’s best lyric writers currently – we miss you Kevin Moore) could have saved this album.
The lyrics are simply too cringe-worthy to encourage a second listen. I’m going to stick with Awake.
Comment from Eric
Time: July 24, 2009, 9:04 pm
Well, personally, I do not listen to Dream Theater for the Lyrics. I listen to them for the music, and this album delivers. And the lyrics aren’t TERRIBLE, but again, not why I listen to DT.
Comment from Tom Moody
Time: August 13, 2009, 12:29 pm
‘the worst album since train of thought??’ I think it’s the BEST album since train of thought lol. For me, the best albums are, in order, Scenes from a memory, Images and Words, Awake, Train of Thought, and this. Octavarium and systematic chaos had there moments but they both seemed a bit unfocused to me, the sort of albums you may go back to for the odd track but you wouldn’t to all the way through more than a few times. BCASL combines everything i love about them into one cohesive package, merging the new more metal sound with the more retro, prog sound of the past. They also stick to what they do best on this album rather than experimenting with new/borrowed sounds that other bands do better. The metal grunts are a bit silly, but other than that this is the best sound they have had in years.
Comment from cody
Time: August 13, 2009, 4:32 pm
Tom – You really thing Scenes is their best work? I really enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, especially the lyrics, but I think there are definitely superior albums in their discography like images and words.
Comment from Jeff
Time: September 29, 2009, 6:11 am
all of you who down dream theater in any way shape or form are fucking morons! if you respect music in any way..you take it as it is…the best of times is for one an amazing song mike wrote for his late father….what matters is it came from HIS heart…..you think you could do better and accomplish as much as he did? i didn`t tink so….so don`t be saying shit about mike because you think the lyrics are weak.
Comment from cody
Time: September 29, 2009, 7:18 pm
Who said shit about Mike Portnoy? Did someone rub sand in your vagina Jeff?
Comment from abel
Time: October 21, 2009, 12:35 pm
DREAM THEATER IN MY OPINION IS GETTING WEAK,,,THEY ARE LOOSING CREATIVITY, THEY ARE LOOSING SENCE, THEY ARE LOOSING CONTROL AND SIGHT OF THEIRSELVES,,,,,THE ONLY THING THEY JUST DO NOW IS SOLO NOTHING ELSE,,,,,,THEY’RE MY FAVORITE BAND BUT I HAD TO SAY IT
Comment from tim
Time: October 26, 2009, 12:32 am
yep.. me too.. i think they’re only for the soloing.. even myung’s style is fading on this album..but still.. if you love music.. then take it as it is.. anyways .. a good album still….
Comment from Vasu
Time: January 11, 2010, 11:52 am
this album is very weak. None of the songs stand out to me. The lyrics are extremely cheezy and lame. The music is a rehash of all their old tricks, there is almost nothing new. The only new thing that warrants my praise is Jordan’s newest lead sound, very fresh, weird and cool. That’s the thing, almost nothing on this album is fresh!!
My favorite album is Train of Thought, NOT because it is their heaviest album, but because it is their MOST PROGRESSIVE. That’s right. The poly-rhythms, solos, interaction between JR, JP and MP are outstanding. I continuously revisit that album because it pushed the limits of human virtuosity.
Now, they are just pumping out stock songs based on all their old tricks. They need to take a step back, look at themselves and then PUSH FORWARD NOT BACKWARDS.
Comment from exezzus
Time: June 26, 2009, 5:10 pm
I mean, this album is just fantastic, i love all the song, but the count of tuscany is just perfect, made by gods, it’s everything and nothing, it mixes all feelings…..its just too much to be heard by human ears