Originally published in New Straits Times newspaper · December 1999
Not Quite A Dream Album
By R.S. Murthi
Review1 min read
Dream Theater
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory (Elektra)
Dream Theater continues its prog-rock explorations on this fifth studio outing with just enough imagination to make the music interesting.
But the concept album, about reincarnation and romantic intrigue, is essentially an excuse to rip off ideas from Pink Floyd’s The Wall and The Who’s Tommy.
And somehow it doesn’t quite work as well as the quintet’s previous more modestly-conceived recordings such as Images And Words and A Change Of Seasons.
The problem is, most of the tracks have too much structure and too little surprise, and the breakaway instrumental passages that are designed to enhance drama are too full of heavy metal cliches to stimulate listeners who cherish the best work of ELP, Yes and Genesis.
There are moments when it all comes together naturally in an exciting blend of infectious propulsion and inspired vigour but sadly they only happen in brief bursts.
Performance: 2.5
Sound: 3