A Change of Seasons

For the 1980 film of the same name, see A Change of Seasons (film). For the Hall & Oates album, see Change of Season
A Change of Seasons
EP by Dream Theater
Released September 19, 1995
Recorded May 1995 at BearTracks Studios in Suffern, New York (studio track); January 31, 1995 at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London (live tracks)
Genre Progressive metal, progressive rock, hard rock
Length 57:30
Label EastWest
Producer David Prater, Dream Theater
Dream Theater chronology

Awake
(1994)		 A Change of Seasons
(1995)		 Falling into Infinity
(1997)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [1]

A Change of Seasons is an EP by progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater, released on September 19, 1995 through East West Records. It comprises the 23-minute title track and a collection of bonus live covers performed at a fan club concert at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, England.

The title track, which was recorded at BearTracks Studios in New York, includes audio samples from the 1989 film Dead Poets Society and quotes from the 1648 Robert Herrick poem, To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,[2] was originally to be released on the 1992 album Images and Words.[3] The lyrics, written by the band's then-drummer Mike Portnoy, were not inspired by the movie but rather the death of his mother.[4] A Change of Seasons was also the first Dream Theater release featuring Derek Sherinian on keyboards.

An edited version of the title track was used in a downhill skiing feature during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.[5]

Although the record is labeled as an EP, at 57:30, it is much longer than a standard EP, or, indeed, many LPs. In fact, it is longer than Dream Theater's first two albums. Portnoy has said "It was important for us and the label for it not to be perceived as the latest studio record. That's why we tagged it an EP."[6]

Track listing

No. TitleLyricsMusic Length
1. "A Change of Seasons"
  • "I. The Crimson Sunrise"
  • "II. Innocence"
  • "III. Carpe Diem"
  • "IV. The Darkest of Winters"
  • "V. Another World"
  • "VI. The Inevitable Summer"
  • "VII. The Crimson Sunset"  
Mike PortnoyDream Theater 23:09
  • 3:50
  • 3:04
  • 3:14
  • 2:53
  • 3:58
  • 3:13
  • 2:54
2. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" (Elton John cover)Bernie TaupinElton John 10:46
3. "Perfect Strangers" (Deep Purple cover)Ian GillanRitchie Blackmore, Roger Glover 5:33
4. "Led Zeppelin Medley" Robert PlantJimmy Page 7:30
  • 1:00
  • 4:43
  • 2:47
5. "The Big Medley"

10:32
  • 2:25
  • 2:10
  • 1:25
  • 2:07
  • 1:03
  • 1:23
Total length:
 57:30

Credits

Chart performance

Year Chart Position
1995 Billboard 200 58[7]
1995 UK Albums Chart 88

References

  1. ↑ Carter, Phil. "A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
  2. ↑ http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/herrick/tovirgins.htm
  3. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "A change of Seasons in Images and Words". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  4. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "Did the movie Dead Poet's Society influence the song A Change of Seasons?". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  5. ↑ YouTube.com
  6. ↑ Portnoy, Mike. "Dream Theater - A Change of Seasons EP". About Mike - FAQ. Mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "A Change of Seasons - Dream Theater | Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2013-11-25.