Starz, Milwaukee

By Patti Kolano

Dream Theater’s music is a strange blend of progressive metal and 1970’s epic rock. Characterized by highly complex arrangements and performed by trained musicians, the music somehow manages to remain unpretentious. The band’s performance at Starz highlighted the technical precision that is quickly becoming the band’s trademark.

Dream Theater is hardly a new band. Formed in the mid-1980’s, the band was initially called Majesty. Currently touring in support of their second album, Images and Words (their debut for ATCO records), Dream Theater is finally gaining the critical acclaim and commercial success they deserve. The band’s current lineup includes guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, drummer Mike Portnoy, keyboardist Kevin Moore and singer James La Brie, who was chosen after a year-and-a-half search.

Opening with the sweeping ‘Metropolis Part I,’ the band’s precise and powerful sound entranced the capacity crowd at Starz. Filled with outstanding guitar work and crisp, dominating drums, ‘Metropolis’ demonstrated that’ the band’s live show is remarkably similar to the polished sound of the album.

‘Under a Glass Moon’ featured many rhythm changes and highly dramatic vocals. LaBrie has a wide vocal range which has been enhanced by several years of opera training. His white hot vocal interpretation of the lyrics melds perfectly with the intricate instrumentation throughout the song.

The set allowed ample opportunity for each band member to showcase his own talent. ‘Another Day’ featured moving keyboards from Moore as well as emotion laden vocals from LaBrie. The current single ‘Pull Me Under’ makes prominent use of Myung’s six string bass. A quirky drum rhythm from Portnoy coupled with Petrucci’s twangy guitar work make ‘Take the Time’ a memorable song. It is also slated to be the band’s next video and single.

‘Ytse Jam,’ an instrumental piece from the first album, When Dream and Day Unite (currently unavailable), embodies the very qualities that make Dream Theater so unique. The song not only emphasizes the meticulous detail oriented playing of each musician, it also emphasizes the gracefully smooth sound the band as a whole creates.

It should be noted that Images and Words contains only eight songs, yet is nearly an hour long. This is a band that takes its music seriously and makes serious music. This album is a must for musicians.

It is impossible not to be impressed by the sheer complexity and depth of the music. It is impossible not to be impressed by the real musical talent possessed by the band. And it is impossible not to be impressed by the way each element of the band stands out in every song, yet at the same time blend harmoniously together to form the unusual sound that is Dream Theater.