Dream Theater

A Change Of Seasons (EastWest 7559-61842-2)

Rating: 3 out of 5 – Kompetent

Only today, an acquaintance got his mitts on this CD and threw it back in my face, describing it as ‘turgid cack’. Otherwise, fans will cop an earful of the 23-minute title track and find themselves escorted into mellow mists of ecstasy. They will then drivel superlatives about drummer Mike Portnoy’s superb paradiddle technique, etc...

Opinion is always sharply divided on Dream Theater, and the release of ‘A Change Of Seasons’ won’t change a thing. Described as a mini-album, it actually clocks in at over 51 minutes and contains the aforementioned studio epic together with highlights from their ‘secret’ show at London’s Ronnie Scott’s club in January.

Quite simply, if you’re already a Dream Theater fan you’ll adore this beyond words – and if you’re not, you won’t. The band are about as inaccessible and unfashionable as it’s possible to get. Their songs are not so much tunes as monumental tapestries of sound. Like a master artist, Dream Theater add layer after layer and alter textures with astonishing finesse. Awesome... if you like that sort of thing.

Even if you can’t abide such stuff, though, make sure you have a look at the character on the album’s cover. Surely it’s K! Editor Phil Alexander as a child!!

Steve Beebee