Originally published in Bay City Nights · October 1992
Images and Words review
By EastWest Records
Review1 min read
Dream Theater – Images and Words
by Rich Peterman
By all rights “Images and Words”, the second release from Dream Theater, should be an instant classic. These guys have compiled an eight song, hour-long release that crosses the boundaries of multiple styles of playing. They’re hard as Metallica one minute, soft and sappy as any Warrant ballad the next. Throw in a “Yes-ish” keyboard solo, then snap your neck with a blistering blues run and you get an idea of what this band can do. Oh, did I forget to mention that’s all in one song?
What is most impressive about “Images and Words” is that it never gets bogged down in a progressive mish-mash of overplaying and needless soloing. There are some incredible chops on display from keyboardist Kevin Moore and guitarist John Petrucci, but never so much that they become overly pretentious.
Check out the work of “Take the Time”, a piece that showcases Dream Theater as a tight band, not a collection of individual soloists. The funky groove twists and turns until it reaches a heavy, driving chorus only to diverge again on an instrumental run. Moore and Petrucci interplay their lines and work off each other, much in the way Yngwie Malmsteen and Jens Johansson did before Yngwie discovered Bon Jovi.
Not to be overlooked is vocalist James LaBrie’s ability to cover a wide range of styles, sounding as comfortable with “Another Day”’s subtleness (complete with soprano sax) as he does during “Metropolis - Part 1”’s thrashiest moments.
(note: Dream Theater can be seen at Flash’s in Cleveland on October 17)