A Change Of Seasons

Artist: Dream Theater

Label: Atlantic

By Randy Silvis

With the release of A Change Of Seasons, Dream Theater’s fifth album, the band has seemed to take a different route yet all the while returning to their Images And Words days. In order to return to the Images And Words days, the band reunited with David Prater, Doug Oberkircher and BearTracks Studio. The final result being “A Change Of Seasons,” a track that is just over twenty-three minutes long. It is very reminiscent of the early days of Dream Theater. In fact, “A Change Of Seasons” was originally written during the Images And Words sessions. However for whatever reason it was deleted.

The track itself is an incredible piece of work. With typical Dream Theater progression laced through-out; it makes for a must have in any music lover’s library.

As for part two, Dream Theater “Uncovered,” I don’t know where to begin. I, myself am not a big fan of cover music, however, once again Dream Theater doesn’t stop until they absolutely have you mesmerized. The “Uncovered” session was recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London during the beginning of ’95.

The covers themselves appear as follows, “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” which is an old Elton John classic. Followed up by “Perfect Strangers” by Deep Purple. And then, to what was a surprise to me, “The Rover,” “Achilles Last Stand” and “The Song Remains The Same,” all of which are Led Zeppelin classics. And if all of that isn’t enough, we still have the icing on the cake to cover, “The Big Medley.” Included in this are as follows: “In The Flesh” (Pink Floyd), “Carry On Wayward Son” (Kansas), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen), “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” (Journey), “Cruise Control” (Dixie Dregs) and finally “Turn It On Again” (Genesis).

As you see, there is something here for almost everyone. An unbelievable album through and through.