Dream Theater (Elektra)

4 stars

After the ambitious 1999 concept album Scenes From a Memory, Dream Theater might be expected to scale back for the follow-up. But no, the New York progressive-metal outfit aims even higher on its sixth album, crafting a record designed to compete with such prog classics as Yes’ Close to the Edge or Genesis’ Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

A sprawling double disc, Six Degrees takes the band’s trademark thrash fury and artsy virtuosity and reaches for the ultimate prog-rock statement, the album long track. The entire second disc is the 42-minute title track – it’s a big bite to swallow, but is arguably the band’s magnum opus. By keeping the shredding to a (relatively) tasteful level and reining in singer James LaBrie’s operatic tenor, DT has produced a classic slice of prog.

While the second disc hearkens back to the band’s prog influences (Kansas and Rush especially), the first shows that DT is familiar with more current rock. The Great Debate is reminiscent of Tool’s recent work, even if its politicizing on stem-cell research falls flat.

Six Degrees’ biggest strength is keyboardist Jordan Rudess. After debuting on the band’s last album, he finally flexes his chops and expands his sonic palette, added extra layers to DT’s attack.

Sure, Six Degrees is a pretentious shred fest, but the playing and composition match the band’s lofty ambitions.

– Michael Senft