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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Not since 1980 and Yes's Drama had progressive rock dared to show off quite so unashamedly: Dream Theater's 1992 Images And Words is not so much an album of songs as a series of showcases for instrumental virtuosity. For many listeners that sounds like an instant recipe for disaster, but for die-hard progressive-rockers weaned on the glory days of Rush and Yes, Dream Theater were a shining throwback amid the low-fi wasteland of the 1990s. Images And Words is the kind of album that amateur musicians listen to with a mixture of awe and despair at the effortless display of fretwork pyrotechnics (it's also the kind of album that non-musicians listen to with blank incomprehension at why anyone would bother producing such endless widdly-widdly stuff). If the guitar work of John Petrucci (whose notes-per-second ratio puts Steve Vai to shame) isn't enough, just listen to drummer Mike Portnoy (who clearly models himself physically and emotionally on Animal from The Muppet Show) playing like a demented Neil Peart, thrashing his kit with every ounce of his strength while maintaining utterly baffling 15/8-metre rhythms. But what really makes this album work is that the whole band play together so well: they actually function as a single unit and consequently the music is much more than the sum of a series of individual solos. Production, too, emphasises the democratic balance within the band, giving due prominence to all. And unlike British wimps such as Genesis, you can also file Dream Theater under Heavy Metal, since not only can they out-play any progressive rockers you might care to mention, they can out-thrash Metallica whenever they feel like it, too. A slice of musical Hell, or a marriage made in Heaven, Images and Words doesn't exactly break any new ground, but it's a landmark in the history of progressive rock nevertheless. --Mark Walker
Product Description
DREAM THEATER Images & Words (1992 German 8-track CD for the second studio album by the American progressive metal band and the first to feature James LaBrie on vocals. Their most commercially successful studio album to date and considered a landmark release for the progressive metal genre includes the song Pull Me Under which is their the only Top 10 [radio or otherwise] hit. Comes with a fold-out lyric picture sleeve)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
From the first 2 minutes of Pull Me Under, you should be realising what an awesome musical journey you're in for. This album is one of Dream Theater many classics, and one of my all-time favourites.
This album is so many things. From mainstream metal in Pull Me Under, to a Pop-Rock Ballad, A piece of Prog-metal brilliance and a 70's prog rock that sounds awesome without sounding jaded. And that's just the first half. This is not just a prog album, nor is it just a metal album. Its diversity is what makes it so unique, so awesome. There's something for everyone on this album, so don't say, 'nah, it's prog, don't like it.' or 'it's metal, don't like it.' This album is especially brilliant because it is impossible to stereotype.
The best songs then: I could not believe when i found out the band was 'surprised' that Pull Me Under is their best known song. It has all the hallmarks of a mainstream song, just a bit longer. The chorus is a proper anthem, the verses are clever, the drums are pounding throughout this and the rest of the album... a great track. Surrounded is another excellent song, with an odd time feel in some parts, but it is still a great rock track. If you don't think you like prog, listen to this. Metropolis and Under A Glass Moon are both great metal tracks, the latter with one of the best guitar solos in rock history. Learning To Live is difficult to get into, but after you've listen to it 3 or 4 times, you realise just how awesome a song this is. It has everything you like in a prog, rock or metal track. Just believe me: It is awesome. Like the entire album. I may not have mentioned all the songs, but they are all as good as each other.
To finish, I will simply say this: Don't stereotype Dream Theater or this album. Get it, and you'll find out what all those die-hard fans are on about.
This album is so many things. From mainstream metal in Pull Me Under, to a Pop-Rock Ballad, A piece of Prog-metal brilliance and a 70's prog rock that sounds awesome without sounding jaded. And that's just the first half. This is not just a prog album, nor is it just a metal album. Its diversity is what makes it so unique, so awesome. There's something for everyone on this album, so don't say, 'nah, it's prog, don't like it.' or 'it's metal, don't like it.' This album is especially brilliant because it is impossible to stereotype.
The best songs then: I could not believe when i found out the band was 'surprised' that Pull Me Under is their best known song. It has all the hallmarks of a mainstream song, just a bit longer. The chorus is a proper anthem, the verses are clever, the drums are pounding throughout this and the rest of the album... a great track. Surrounded is another excellent song, with an odd time feel in some parts, but it is still a great rock track. If you don't think you like prog, listen to this. Metropolis and Under A Glass Moon are both great metal tracks, the latter with one of the best guitar solos in rock history. Learning To Live is difficult to get into, but after you've listen to it 3 or 4 times, you realise just how awesome a song this is. It has everything you like in a prog, rock or metal track. Just believe me: It is awesome. Like the entire album. I may not have mentioned all the songs, but they are all as good as each other.
To finish, I will simply say this: Don't stereotype Dream Theater or this album. Get it, and you'll find out what all those die-hard fans are on about.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album after hearing only tiny bits of Dream Theater at school and on this site. I was a bit apprehensive given some of the negative reviews they've been given but i needn't have worried.
Thankfully, I found much to like in this album. From the eerie riff-laden opener "Pull Me Under" and the emotive ballad "Another Day" to the multi-dimensional extremity of "Metropolis..." and "Learning to Live", every song on this album reached out to me in a way no music has ever done previously.
And of course, we must not forget the superior musicianship that this band possesses. I cannot think of another band where all the members are this talented in their respective fields. That includes singer James LaBrie, whom a lot of people dismiss as being too camp and whiny, but I think he's very underrated.
I must warn you though, Dream Theater are most definitely not for everyone. I thought they were too over-the-top after the first listen but my opinions quickly changed. But it must be remembered that there is no middle ground with Dream Theater whatsoever; this album will either be the best or worst thing you have ever heard. If you like heavy music with a strong sense of melody, as in Iron Maiden, Rush and, at times, Metallica then you will probably lap this up. If, however, you buy this album expecting a straight down-the-middle heavy metal album then I suggest you reconsider.
Thankfully, I found much to like in this album. From the eerie riff-laden opener "Pull Me Under" and the emotive ballad "Another Day" to the multi-dimensional extremity of "Metropolis..." and "Learning to Live", every song on this album reached out to me in a way no music has ever done previously.
And of course, we must not forget the superior musicianship that this band possesses. I cannot think of another band where all the members are this talented in their respective fields. That includes singer James LaBrie, whom a lot of people dismiss as being too camp and whiny, but I think he's very underrated.
I must warn you though, Dream Theater are most definitely not for everyone. I thought they were too over-the-top after the first listen but my opinions quickly changed. But it must be remembered that there is no middle ground with Dream Theater whatsoever; this album will either be the best or worst thing you have ever heard. If you like heavy music with a strong sense of melody, as in Iron Maiden, Rush and, at times, Metallica then you will probably lap this up. If, however, you buy this album expecting a straight down-the-middle heavy metal album then I suggest you reconsider.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is still my favourite DT album. I heard that John Petrucci was a red hot guitarist, and after hearing the first 30 seconds of Pull Me Under in a shop, I got it.
For the uneducated, DT are a progressive metal/rock band, all superb musicians. They can get as heavy as Metallica, but the vocalist is far more melodic, the keyboards are ever-present, and the guitarist is world class (never been a big fan of Kirk Hammett). They like long instrumental breaks, complex drum patterns (just a bit too fond of the double bass drum IMHO, but that's about the only criticism I can come up with) and capable of writing a good solid chorus as well (Take the Time springs to mind).
And it's not just thrashing. There's an excellent rock ballad (Another Day) with a fantastic soprano sax solo, a nice keys/vocals interlude (Wait For Sleep), and the final song changes so many times you forget what it was like at the start, but it's all great stuff. Yes, Rush, early Genesis and even Pink Floyd influences are there if you listen hard enough.
But these guys are in a class of there own, and this is a benchmark for all the other prog bands out there.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Classy Stuff
Heard the opener 'Pull Me Under' many years ago and loved it, so quite why it's taken me this long to get around to buying the album is anyone's guess. But Amazon's £3. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Victor Meldrew
great
all my life running away from metal and now I found that I love it. Dream Theater at least!!!! Many thanks to Ignacio, who made me see the light.
Published 5 months ago by Alberto
Great buy
I bought this album having reintroduced myself to Dream Theatre from my school days. I loved it then, but appreciate it far more now. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Powdered
vastly overrated
I quite enjoyed DT's Awake album and bought this, after reading everybody raving about it and most people saying it's one of their best albums. I was VERY disappointed. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Metaltoe
Downright essential
If you have any interest in metal, progressive music, talented musicians, or breathing, listen to this album. It's brilliant. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Staker
best progressive album ever
for me this is the best album that i ever bought for DT i just cant stop playing it year after year - i got this album on tape back in 92 when it came out and it was in every mag... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Nawaf Ahmed Albardooli
Avoid this CD
I would avoid buying this album if you were thinking of living in the 21st century; it just won't play. If you really want it, download it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by billhs711
I really like this album
This album opens up with the most famous dream theater song Pull Me under
whic starts of with a guitar plucking single notes and then a keyboard sounding like a guitar lead... Read more
whic starts of with a guitar plucking single notes and then a keyboard sounding like a guitar lead... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Cubby Kovu
Images and Words
Images and Words was the last Dream Theater album and I layed my hands on and after thinking I had their sound figured I still found something fresh. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Fraser J
Poor in comparison to their other's
While not an awful album overall it is pretty poor in places. Don't judge the band on this album. See what Train of Thought and Black Clouds and Silver Linings have to offer.
Published on 12 May 2010 by G. A. Mcintyre
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