Dream Theater (album)

Dream Theater
Studio album by Dream Theater
Released September 20, 2013
Recorded January–May 2013 at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York
Genre Progressive metal, progressive rock
Length 68:01
Label Roadrunner
Producer John Petrucci
Dream Theater chronology

A Dramatic Turn of Events
(2011)		 Dream Theater
(2013)		 Live at Luna Park
(2013)
Singles from Dream Theater
  1. "The Enemy Inside"
    Released: August 5, 2013
  2. "Along for the Ride"
    Released: September 9, 2013
  3. "The Looking Glass"
    Released: February 3, 2014

Dream Theater is the self-titled twelfth studio album by American progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater, released on September 23, 2013 in Europe through Roadrunner Records[1] and a day later in the US.[1]

Background

Preliminary writing for Dream Theater's twelfth album commenced on the A Dramatic Turn of Events Tour in April 2012.[2] During soundchecks, the band would jam and record their ideas, and guitarist John Petrucci would try out independently composed material.[3] They did not enter the recording studio until January 2013,[4] returning to Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York where they recorded their previous album, A Dramatic Turn of Events.[1] During the studio sessions, every band member's instrument was miked and captured as they were writing so they could hear ahead of time how everything would sound when it was recorded.[5] Recording concluded in May.[6]

Composition

Dream Theater is the first Dream Theater album with drummer Mike Mangini wholly integrated in the creative process from the start.[1] For the band's previous album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, John Petrucci programmed the main drum parts and Mangini recorded his own interpretations of them.[7] Commenting on Mangini's work, Petrucci said, "When people hear the drumming on this album, they’re gonna be pretty freaked out... I feel like now he’s just Mike Mangini unleashed. It's all him. It's all his creativity, all his decisions and ideas - and man, the guy's an animal."[8]

The songs on Dream Theater are shorter and more compact on average than on other Dream Theater albums, a conscious decision the band made during writing that Petrucci later admitted was a challenge for them.[9] Some songs on the album made use of a string ensemble conducted by Berklee College of Music student Eren Başbuğ.[10] In an article for Grantland, Steven Hyden noted the album's stylistic similarities to Rush, writing, "There are songs on Dream Theater that are just straight-up Rush imitations, most notably “The Looking Glass,” which crossbreeds "Limelight" with "Freewill" while leaving out Neil Peart’s misanthropic individualism."[11]

Dream Theater features two instrumentals, "False Awakening Suite" and "Enigma Machine", the former of which was written specifically to open the band's live shows.[12] The lyrics for "The Enemy Inside", which deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were written in response to the Boston Marathon bombings.[13]

Release

In June 2013, Dream Theater announced that their upcoming studio album would be self-titled and released in September.[14] The album's first single, "The Enemy Inside", was made available for streaming by USA Today on August 5.[15] Its second single, "Along for the Ride", was made available for streaming one month later.[16] The album was premiered by Rolling Stone on September 16 via a free online stream.[17] It was officially released one week later on September 23.[1] In its debut week, it sold over 34,000 copies in the United States to land at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band's third consecutive top ten debut and second highest charting album ever behind 2009's Black Clouds & Silver Linings, which debuted at number six.[18]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [19]
BW&BK 8/10[20]
Loudwire [21]
Metalholic.com [22]
PopMatters [23]
Sputnik Music [24]
Neobeat.co [25]
About.com [26]
PremierGuitar.com [27]

Dream Theater was very well received. Allmusic called it "one of the more dynamic, far-reaching albums in DT's catalog," giving special praise to Mike Mangini's full integration into the band. Loudwire gave the album a score of 4.5/5, praising its more streamlined sound compared to previous Dream Theater albums and saying that "Towering and atmospheric, ‘Dream Theater’ pushes the envelope into some new musical dimension, a cosmic realm reserved for the best". PopMatters was more critical, stating, "...on the whole, these songs amount to a noticeably watered down take on a core style".

It also received praise from Metalholic.com saying "Prepare to be not only submerged but actually touched by this album…’Dream Theater’ is an emotional leviathan".[28] UltimateGuitar.com gave a positive review, saying "The musicianship is flawless (as always), the composition is genius, the mixing is great".[29]

The band also received their second Grammy nomination when the first single from the album, "The Enemy Inside", was nominated for "Best Metal Performance".[30]

Track listing

All lyrics written by John Petrucci except where noted, all music composed by Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, LaBrie, John Myung and Mike Mangini, except where noted.

No. Title Length
1. "False Awakening Suite"
  • "I. Sleep Paralysis"
  • "II. Night Terrors"
    •
  • "III. Lucid Dream" (instrumental; music by Petrucci, Rudess)
 2:42
  • 0:58
  • 0:45
    •
  • 1:03
2. "The Enemy Inside"   6:17
3. "The Looking Glass"   4:53
4. "Enigma Machine" (instrumental; music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini) 6:01
5. "The Bigger Picture"   7:40
6. "Behind the Veil"   6:52
7. "Surrender to Reason" (lyrics by Myung) 6:34
8. "Along for the Ride" (music by Petrucci, Rudess) 4:45
9. "Illumination Theory"
  • "I. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire" (instrumental)
  • "II. Live, Die, Kill"
  • "III. The Embracing Circle" (instrumental)
  • "IV. The Pursuit of Truth"
    •
  • "V. Surrender, Trust & Passion" (includes a hidden instrumental track)
 22:17
  • 1:16
  • 5:45
  • 4:09
  • 4:07
    •
  • 7:00
Total length:
 68:01

Bonus-DVD

Personnel

Dream Theater
String Ensemble
Production

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Argentina [34] 3
Austria [35] 7
Australia [36] 15
Belgium [37] 16
Canada [38] 5
Czech Republic [39] 4
Denmark [40] 6
Finland [41] 2
Germany [42] 4
Germany (Metal-Rock-Charts) [43] 2
Netherlands [44] 4
Hungary [45] 2
Italy [46] 2
Indonesia [46] 1
Japan [47] 1
Norway [48] 7
Portugal[49] 10
Spain[50] 11
Sweden [51] 5
Switzerland [52] 5
UK Albums Chart [53] 15
UK Rock Chart [54] 1
US Billboard 200 [55] 7
US Billboard Tastemaker Albums [56] 3
US Billboard Top Digital Albums [57] 10
US Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums [58] 1
US Billboard Top Rock Albums [59] 3

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Dream Theater // The Milestone Self-Titled Album Out Now!". Roadrunner Records UK. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Writing for the next DT album officially commenced while in Osaka the other day. Jet lag seems to open up one's creative channels.". John Petrucci - Facebook. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  3. ↑ Grubbs, Eric. "Dream Theater's John Petrucci On Obsessing Over Rush, Playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and More". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Teitelman, Bram. "EXCLUSIVE: DREAM THEATER’S JOHN PETRUCCI TALKS ABOUT DECISION TO REMAIN ON ROADRUNNER; WIN A SIGNED FILM CEL". Metal Insider. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  5. ↑ Rosen, Steven. "Dream Theater's John Petrucci: 'You Don't Have to Be Afraid'". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "DT album is officially wrapped! Looking forward to the mix.". John Petrucci - Facebook. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Epting, Chris. "Jordan Rudess Updates Noisecreep on the Next Dream Theater Album (VIDEO)". Noisecreep. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Note at the band's official Facebook page
  9. ↑ "DREAM THEATER's JOHN PETRUCCI: 'It's Really Hard' To Write Short Songs". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Balkin, Nick. "Dream Theater Recruits Berklee Student for Album". Berklee College of Music. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Hyden, Steven. "Can Dream Theater Be Rock’s Daenerys Targaryen?". Grantland. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  12. ↑ Bosso, Joe. "Jordan Rudess talks Dream Theater's self-titled new album track-by-track". MusicRadar.
  13. ↑ Titus, Christa. "Dream Theater, 'The Enemy Inside': Exclusive Video Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  14. ↑ Ouellette, Mary. "Dream Theater Announce Title + Release Date of New Album". Loudwire. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  15. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (5 August 2013). "Song premiere: Dream Theater's 'The Enemy Inside'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "DREAM THEATER: New Song 'Along For The Ride' Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  17. ↑ Reed, Ryan. "Dream Theater Channel Prog Metal in 'Dream Theater' - Premier". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "DREAM THEATER's New Album Cracks U.S. Top 10". BlabberMouth.
  19. ↑ Jurek, Thom (2013). "Dream Theater, Review by Thom Jurek". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  20. ↑ David Perri. "DREAM THEATER - Dream Theater". BW&BK.
  21. ↑ Epting, Chris (2013). "Dream Theater, 'Dream Theater' - album review". www.loudwire.com. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Metalholic.com - CD Review: DREAM THEATER — Dream Theater
  23. ↑ Ezell, Brice - Dream Theater: Dream Theater
  24. ↑ Gerhart, Thompson D. - Dream Theater
  25. ↑ Neobeat.co - "Dream Theater" Album Review
  26. ↑ About.com - Dream Theater — Dream Theater Review
  27. ↑ PremierGuitar.com — Album Review: Dream Theater - "Dream Theater"
  28. ↑ http://metalholic.com/cd-review-dream-theater-dream-theater/
  29. ↑ http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/dream_theater/dream_theater/index.html?no_takeover
  30. ↑ http://www.grammy.com/nominees?genre=All
  31. ↑ discogs.com
  32. ↑ http://theshamansblog.com/2013/05/14/eren-basbug-orquesta-el-nuevo-album-de-dream-theater-la-imagen-de-la-semana-lxxvi/
  33. ↑ Dream Theater Pre-Orders Available Now!!!
  34. ↑ "https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151632390947181&set=a.487625947180.264700.7677942180&type=1&theater"
  35. ↑ Dream Theater Austrian chart (Woche 39): http://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/album/
  36. ↑ Dream Theater Australian chart: http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Dream+Theater&titel=Dream+Theater&cat=a
  37. ↑ Dream Theater Belgian chart "http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Dream+Theater&titel=6%3A00&cat=s"
  38. ↑ Dream Theater Canadian chart: http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-10-12/canadian-albums
  39. ↑ http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=14&titul=151823&sec=eda60105852cf41f402e553a0f48017a
  40. ↑ Filter: "Uge 39" http://www.hitlisten.nu/
  41. ↑ "https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151630732017181&set=a.487625947180.264700.7677942180&type=1&theater"
  42. ↑ Dream Theater's German chart (Reference available until week 40): http://www.mix1.de/charts/longplaycharts.htm
  43. ↑ Dream Theater's German Metal-Rock-chart (Reference available until week 40): http://www.mix1.de/charts/metal-rock-charts.htm
  44. ↑ Dream Theater's Dutch chart: http://www.dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2013&date=20130928
  45. ↑ Dream Theater's Hungarian chart (2013. 39. hét): http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/top-40-album-dvd-es-valogataslemez-lista
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Dream Theater Italian charts: http://www.fimi.it/main/chart_id/1653
  47. ↑ "https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151629136102181&set=a.487625947180.264700.7677942180&type=1&theater"
  48. ↑ Dream Theater Norwegian chart: http://norwegiancharts.com/archiv.asp?sparte=a&woche=39&jahr=2013&todo=show
  49. ↑ "Top Oficial AFP" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  50. ↑ "Dream Theater alcanza el puesto 11º de ventas en España AFP" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  51. ↑ Dream Theater Swedish chart: http://swedishcharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2013&date=20131004
  52. ↑ Dream Theater Swiss charts: http://www.hitparade.ch/weekchart.asp?cat=a&date=20131006&year=2013
  53. ↑ Dream Theater - UK Top 100 Albums Chart: http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/dream%20theater/
  54. ↑ Dream Theater - UK Rock Chart: http://www.officialcharts.com/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/
  55. ↑ Dream Theater - Billboard 200 Chart: http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-10-12/billboard-200
  56. ↑ Dream Theater - Billboard Tastemaker Albums Chart: http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-10-12/hard-rock-albums
  57. ↑ Dream Theater - Billboard Digital Albums Chart: http://www.billboard.com/artist/301301/dream%2Btheater/chart?f=400
  58. ↑ Dream Theater - Billboard Hard Rock Albums Chart: http://www.billboard.com/charts/2013-10-12/hard-rock-albums
  59. ↑ Dream Theater - Billboard Rock Albums Chart: http://www.billboard.com/artist/301301/dream%2Btheater/chart?f=408