When Dream and Day Unite

When Dream and Day Unite
Studio album by Dream Theater
Released 1989 (1989)
Recorded July 18 – August 12, 1988 at Kajem/Victory Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
Genre Progressive metal, progressive rock
Length 51:25[1]
Label Mechanic/MCA
Producer Terry Date, Dream Theater, Steve Sinclair
Dream Theater chronology
The Majesty Demos
(1986)
When Dream and Day Unite
(1989)
Images and Words
(1992)
Singles from When Dream and Day Unite
  1. "Status Seeker"
    Released: 1989
  2. "Afterlife"
    Released: 1989

When Dream and Day Unite is the debut studio album by American progressive metal/progressive rock band Dream Theater, released in 1989 through Mechanic/MCA Records. The album is composed mainly of material that originally surfaced during the band's early years as Majesty, and is the only Dream Theater album to feature Charlie Dominici on vocals, as James LaBrie replaced Dominici as the lead vocalist on subsequent albums.

History

The band originally formed in 1985 by founding members John Myung (bass), Mike Portnoy (drums), and John Petrucci (guitar) under the name Majesty, which was inspired by Portnoy's commentary on the ending of "Bastille Day" by Rush. After the band found a keyboardist in schoolmate Kevin Moore, the band hosted auditions and settled on Chris Collins as the lead vocalist.

The band, still titled Majesty, recorded The Majesty Demos between 1985 and 1986, but shortly after was forced to change their name after another band threatened legal action. While touring around New York, Collins left the band, and the band went through many lead singers before settling with experienced vocalist Charlie Dominici. Unable to come up with a replacement name for their band, Portnoy's father suggested the name Dream Theater, which was the name of a nearby movie theater. They adopted the name, and eventually signed their first recording contract to Mechanic/MCA. The album was then recorded during the summer of 1988 at Kajem/Victory Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.

With the relatively warm reception of their original demos, the band expected their debut album to be received with much fanfare and buzz, but the album went largely unnoticed by the music scene, and eventually led to Mechanic/MCA cutting their contract ties with the band, resulting in a small, club tour for the album only in the New York area. Due to tensions within the band and creative differences, Dominici was fired from the band and they were without a lead singer for the next few years.[2]

15th anniversary performance

On the 15th anniversary of the album, the band performed it in its entirety in Los Angeles. Furthermore, during two additional songs in the encore, special guests Dominici and Derek Sherinian (both now former Dream Theater members) performed along with the rest of the band; however, original keyboardist Kevin Moore did not appear. The entire performance was recorded live and later released on CD and DVD under the title When Dream and Day Reunite through Portnoy's independent label YtseJam Records. The album also featured a live version of "Metropolis—Part I", which was originally from the band's 1992 album Images and Words, and a performance of a B-side called "To Live Forever".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

When Dream and Day Unite did not receive much attention upon release, but due to the commercial success of Images and Words, the album would later receive critical reviews and criticism from many resources. Robert Taylor of AllMusic criticized the band's songwriting abilities, despite agreeing that some of their melodies are quite enjoyable.[3]

The album also produced two singles, "Status Seeker" and "Afterlife", whose remixes and single edits for radio were done by Terry Brown of Rush production fame.

Track listing

All music composed by Dream Theater, except where noted.

No. TitleLyrics Length
1. "A Fortune in Lies"  John Petrucci 5:12
2. "Status Seeker"  Charlie Dominici, Petrucci 4:17
3. "The Ytse Jam" (music: Petrucci, John Myung, Kevin Moore, Mike Portnoy)(instrumental) 5:46
4. "The Killing Hand"
  • "I The Observance"
  • "II Ancient Renewal"
  • "III The Stray Seed"
  • "IV Thorns"
  • "V Exodus"  
Petrucci 8:41
5. "Light Fuse and Get Away"  Moore 7:23
6. "Afterlife"  Dominici 5:26
7. "The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun"  Petrucci 8:05
8. "Only a Matter of Time"  Moore 6:35
Total length:
51:25

Personnel

References

  1. When Dream and Day Unite (CD release "MCD42259/MCAD42259").
  2. "Dream Theater - When Dream and Day Unite". mikeportnoy.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  3. 1 2 Taylor, Robert. "When Dream and Day Unite - Dream Theater". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
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