Dream Theater

Images And Words (EastWest)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Unfortunately, the powers that be here at the Hammer House Of Horrors decree that five stars is the maximum that I can award an album. In this case, it’s a travesty. This is worth for more, it’s simply superb, it’s Queensrÿche and Metallica meets early Yes, King Crimson and Floyd and is already one of my albums of ‘92.

The band released an album a year or two back on MCA, it didn’t sell a million so were promptly dropped (typical of MCA in those days). They’ve changed singers since those days, the new guy is James LaBrie, formerly with Coney Hatch, and I just can’t praise him, and the other four, highly enough.

The songs are intricate without being too complex (check out the twelve minute ‘Learning To Live’) and the melodies memorable. Guitar-wise, it’s beautifully indulgent, without being self-indulgent and David Prater’s production is perfect. Without mega bucks being invested in promotion how do EastWest break this band? Who knows. Simply do yourself a favour and buy it.

—Tom Russell