Disco de Dream Theater: “Falling Into Infinity”

This album has gotten a lot of negative response because, apparently, it's their "sellout" album. Well, don't take that too seriously, because aside from a few weaker songs (which are good, but not up to Dream Theater's standards), this album is friggin' amazing. There are definitely some weaker songs though. However, this album is still more than worth buying if you're a Dream Theater fan, because it's awesome!

Well, we obviously know that John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy are incredible musicians. John Petrucci's guitar work here is, IMO, his most tasteful, and easily his least flashy, but possibly his best. John Myung is a talented and humble bass player. On "New Millenium" he uses a Chapman Stick, which shows how diverse and talented he is. Mike's drumming definitely did not stand out here as much as previous albums, or as much as later albums, but it's still obviouse that he's an incredible drummer. James LaBrie has an amazing voice, not much else can be said on that. So, what about the new keyboardist, Derek Sherinian? Well, he's pretty good. Not quite the songwriter Kevin was, and not quite the technical player Jordan is, but hey, if he was hired by Dream Theater, don't you think he must be good? Well, he is.

I suppose I'll start off with the better songs. "New Millennium" is one of their best songs, IMO. John Myung uses a Chapman Stick on this song, and if you don't know what that is, look into it, cuz they're pretty cool. Anyway, this is a great song. It reminds me of "Pull Me Under" or "6:00", being a perfect opener, and a Dream Theater classic. "Peruvian Skies" is a great darker song, that builds up into some spectacular metal riffing and a great solo by John. "Hollow Years" is an amazing ballad. Just a beautiful song. "Hell's Kitchen" is an instrumental, but not the same kind as "Ytse Jam" or "The Dance of Eternity". It's not flashy and technical, it's more soft and beautiful, and John's guitar work is incredibly tasteful. "Lines in the Sand" is an epic song, and a strong one. Not another "Scarred", but it's very pleasing nonetheless. "Take Away My Pain" is another ballad, and another beautiful song. It's dedicated to John's father, who passed away. "Anna Lee" is another ballad, which a lot of people don't like. I think it's an excellent song. Now here's the best part. "Trial of Tears" is probably my favorite song on the album, and also the longest. It starts off slow, and it builds up. It has two incredible solos, one by John Petrucci and one by Derek Sherinian, and then it has a powerful finish. One of their best songs ever.

Now the weaker songs. Well, "You Not Me", while it isn't a terrible song, is definitely not up to DT's standards. It has a pretty cool wah wah riff, but prog. fans will definitely be turned off by this one, especially if they don't like "mainstream" stuff. "Burning My Soul" is almost awful. The music is decent, but the lyrics are pretty bad. Same with "Just Let Me Breath", although that's not nearly as bad. The music in "Just Let Me Breath" is killer, but the lyrics have already been said before 100 times, and said better. So, the weaker songs are ok, except for "Burning My Soul", but nothing spectacular.

Anyways, aside from those few bad points, this album is awesome. Even though I don't like it as much as say, "Images & Words" or "Awake, this album is excellent. Highly recommended to fans of Dream Theater.

From what I've read in reviews and in statements by bandmembers themselves, FII seems to be widely regarded as the band's "Black Sheep" release... Personally, I don't understand why it has inspired so much contempt and I certainly don't agree with the sentiment.

To me, Falling Into Infinity proves something that has been mostly lost in their work since... that Dream Theater are very well capable of playing technically complex music while still creating moving and melodic music - and are damn good at it. Every song is not an exercise in playing as many odd time-signatures as they can as quickly as as they can.. simply because they can. There is definite structure, restraint and solid songwriting contained on this CD.

What is very evident on FII is that the songs were written around phrasing, not time signatures. Whether this is by design or by chance, I don't know. But it works. What results is a work of music that flows but remains interesting. I really appreciate and enjoy this kind of writing.

A good example of phrasing over meter is "Losing It" by Rush, on their Signals album. "Losing It", is mostly in 5/8, with bits in 4/4 and a middle part that is in alternating 5/8 and 6/8.. Yet because of the way the music is written and phrased across those meters, it's not "in your face" and the song actually has a lilting feel.. almost like it's swing time.

Another big complaint is that some of the songs are too "soft" or "commercial".. To those who find fault with this I ask.. "So what?" Who, exactly, is to say that a Progressive band can't write a ballad or two? If some of the music on FII is to be considered DT's most commercial or "worst", then I say that it *still* stands head and shoulders above the unoriginal, uninspired and uninteresting drivel out there today. Hey.. does anyone complain that Rush wrote "Tears" or "Different Strings"? I've never heard any gripes.

Though many have complained about them, Songs like Anna Lee and Take Away My Pain are, to me, excellent, emotional and moving songs. No, they're not in 5/16 time or whatever.. but there's some excellent vocal melodies and harmonies layered into those pieces and, all in all, they are very strong pieces. And that, to me, is paramount to playing in odd time.. I don't care how well you play in 7/8, if the resulting music isn't good... the song is ruined. However, a song written in 4/4 (apparently the bane of progressive music) that is well written, phrased, constructed and layered can be an incredibly moving piece of music. I believe Dream Theater has proven this on FII and, additionally, that they are well capable of pulling it off.

All in all, I think FII is an excellent album, with some strong song-writing that runs the gamut - from heavy and grinding, to grooving, to melodic and a hundred points in-between - and stands firmly in all respects. I give FII a solid 5 stars.

Mike Portnoy says that the recording of Falling Into Infinity almost broke the band up. Pressures from their record company to make a commercially appealing album were teeming here, evidenced by some very commercial rock songs and some standard ballads. In interviews, the band expresses considerable displeasure with their work here, with only a few songs ("Lines in the Sand", "New Millennium", and "Just Let Me Breathe") making the band members happy.

I can see why the band regards this album contemptuously. There was obviously a lot of interpersonal strain between the band and their label. At the same time, it's strange: even though the band was clearly being burdened, they churned out a great record. Granted, it's not my favorite DT release; it's notably more commercial, the production isn't so hot, and LaBrie's singing seems to be lacking some energy. Still, I enjoy it, and there's some truly great moments that are easily among the best they've ever done.

The three epics are probably the best offerings here. First, we have "New Millennium", an energetic progressive rock piece with some weirdly cheesy lyrics. "Lines in the Sand", is a phenomenal 12 minute piece that feels extremely short. Petrucci's evocative and metaphorically rich lyrics shine here, as does his incredible slow tempo solo in the song's middle section. The album closer, "Trial of Tears", is thoroughly excellent. It's lyrically introspective though very straightforward, but musically it's highly engaging. Particularly excellent is the stunning instrumental section in the middle. Derek Sherinian's best contribution to the band is here in the form of an incredible keyboard solo that moves me every time I hear it.

The shorter tracks show more of a dichotomy of quality. "You Not Me" is an awfully generic rock song. The original version of the song (available on the "Hollow Years" CD single) is much, much better. (Desmond Child came in and messed with the original.) Still, I think that the song could have done well on radio. The band would have sold quite a few additional albums if this had been a single release. The chorus' melody is catchy and the lyrics have a good hook or two. The next song, "Peruvian Skies" compensates for that lapse of mediocrity. It has a Black-era Metallica feel, starting slow, then upping the tempo and rocking through the remainder of the track. "Hollow Years" is a pretty ballad with classical guitar (hooray!), if slightly repetitive lyrically. "Burning My Soul" is a tad insipid, with embarrassing lyrics and uninteresting mid-tempo metal. The stunning instrumental "Hell's Kitchen" serves as more than a lengthy segue into "Lines in the Sand". It's slow and beautiful, with grandiosity surging with the ending. "Take Away My Pain" is a good, emotional ballad, but I think the production weighs it down (cuz it's a great live song). "Just Let Me Breathe" is a rocker with catchy riffs, but the lyrics are dumb and and it's too long. The best part about it is Sherinian's keyboard solo. Good live song, though. Few people seem to enjoy the ballad "Anna Lee", but I like it a lot. It's a touching song about child abuse, with a beautiful chorus and a fine main piano melody.

I don't enjoy FII as much as I used to, because the songs have more energy live. The album almost feels tired, as if the band was bored while recording it. That missing energy is captured in the live setting though. Still, I regard FII as an fine release from progressive metal's reigning band. But who knows...maybe I'm just more forgiving than other people. All I know is that everyone in Dream Theater is a tremendously gifted musician, and despite the difficulties they made a fine album with Falling Into Infinity.

What I like about Dream Theater is that every album they release is different to their other releases,keeping their style intact. With Falling Into Infinity they offered something different from what they were doing,but they changed too much.It seems to me that they tried to do something easier and slower,to be maybe more popular.

It's a good album,but every time I listen to it,I feel like I'm not listening to DT.

Why do people hate this album? Personally, I find thiss to be a great album, one of their best albums. True, it ain't SFAM, I&W, or Awake, but it still kicks ass. IMHO, I feel that John Myung (bass player) does his best work on this album, and on the opening song, New Millennium, he uses a chapman stick. Also, you get guitar solos from John Petrucci, great drumming from Mike Portnoy, soaring vocals from James LaBrie, and great keyboard effects from new-comer Derek Sherinian. Tell me, WHY is Derek so underrated? While not as talented as Kevin Moore or Jordan Rudess (sorry Derek), but he's still very talented (look into his solo material). Read on for my track ratings.

1. New Millennium - 5/5 Like I said earlier, Myung uses a chapman stick on this song. It's a great way to open an album

2. You Not Me - 4/5 While lacking in the lyrical department, it's a good song.

3. Peruvian Skies - 5/5 Great song, nice intro.

4. Hollow Years - 5/5

5. Burning My Soul - 5/5 Great music, but the lyrics aren't so good.

6. Hell's Kitchen - 5/5 Nice intrumental.

7. Lines in the Sand - 5/5 Second longest song. This is a great almost epic.

8. Take Away My Pain - 6/5 Second best on the album.

9. Just Let Me Breathe - 5/5

10. Anna Lee - 5/5 Nice acoustics.

11. Trial of Tears - 5555555555555555555555555/5 My favorite song on the album!!!! I love the bass in this song.

So there you go. One of the most underrated albums of all time. Still, Dream Theater is my favorite band, they always will be. If you're a fan of DT circa Images & Words and/or Awake, you'll be disappointed. If you're a true DT fan, you can't go wrong here.