Dream Theater

Images And Words (Atlantic 5567921481)

Rating: 4 out of 5 – Kookin’

‘Nurture this band, Jon, as if it were your very own son. The child has been born and it must now grow. Let’s take this one all the way’ – Derek Oliver in the letter to me that accompanied Dream Theater’s advance tape.

Well, that self-confessed plastered old tart Oliver – one-time Kerrang! Wimp mastermind and now the thrusting A&R giant behind Dream Theater – has done it this time. ‘Images And Words’ is as ridiculous and awesome as Del-Boy’s coiffure.

‘I set out to demolish the notion that prog-heads are boring bastards, and I think I proved my point with this record’ – Derek Oliver.

Indeed, Dream Theater may smack of Yes, but not as often as they come across like Queensrÿche playing Metallica. The band’s – and Oliver’s – thesis suggests that the grandiose and powerful techno rockers Dream Theater pound out are the logical conclusion for musos who have become too constricted by the Thrash genre. Well, it has to go somewhere.

Consequently, album-opener ‘Pull Me Under’ is a gargantuan mash of James LaBrie’s Jon Anderson-tinged vocals and some leviathan riffing, a trick Dream Theater repeat on ‘Under A Glass Moon.’ By this point, you will either consider ‘Images And Words’ to be the sound created by Gods or the biggest load of inconsequential rats’ piss ever committed to recording tape. Dream Theater will inspire love or hate, and at least that’s something.

Drummer Mike Portnoy says that the band “go beyond” progressive rock. Really? There’s nothing here that’s as joyously silly as ‘Return Of The Giant Hogweed,’ although ‘Metropolis (Part One)’ is as pompously overblown as ‘Awaken.’

Dream Theater chop chunks of Power Metal on a retro idea and, for some bizarre and God-forsaken reason, it works in the most insane way. Now, will this thing be bigger than Oliver’s expense account?

—Jon Hotten

(photo caption) Dream Theater: going ‘all the way,’ Del-boy style?!