Happymeal
11-24-2004, 09:53 PM
Liquid Tension Experiment - 2
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000J7UT.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Released in 1999 thru Magna Carta Records
The Band:
Tony Levin - Bass
John Petrucci - Guitar
Mike Portnoy - Drums and Percussion
Jordan Rudess - Keyboards
The boys are at it again. Liquid Tension Experiment more or less need little introduction being the "supergroup" that they are. This 3/4 Dream Theater band once again shows everyone that they are the masters of their craft with this release, disproving the belief of sophomore slumps.
This time around, they chose to plan this out in a longer frame of time and make it a more well-calculated and spot on effort as opposed to their wandering and quite random debut. The result, without a doubt, is much of an improvement and makes for a very satisfying listen. In almost every aspect of this album they boosted up their energy level, skill and creativity, showing that they are truly a force to be reckoned with in the league of seasoned musicians.
The core sound more or less pretty much stayed the same throughout, just with more dashes of variety and the guys being extensive with their flexibility. Dream Theater similarities aside, they came up with an original piece of work that both DT lovers and haters can relate to. Heck, even non-metal fans can become converts if this is approached with open ears. The usual trademark DT prog rock sound is there, accompanied by groove bass extraordinaire Tony Levin's subtle yet fantastic lines that heavily contributes to the songs' charismatic aura.
Songs:
1. Acid Rain
2. Biaxident
3. 914
4. Another Dimension
5. When the Water Breaks
6. Chewbacca
7. Liquid Dreams
8. Hourglass
On to the obvious: 2 definitely is not the kind of album that death metal fans would go crazy over like teenyboppers singing the latest R&B anthem. Though it does not have that kind of angst, it contains some of the most hard-rocking instrumental tunes I've heard in recent memory. "Acid Rain" is a perfect example. It starts off with fast and crunchy riffs that will catch you off-guard the first time you listen to it, and never lets up its gusto 'till the end of its 6+ minutes. In this case, it's really just a basic song compared to the others on the list.
Don't take the "slow" and mellow tunes for granted as well. They're just as, or at some points even more beautiful and well thought of compared to their more fierce counterparts. Take "Liquid Dreams". Jordan spotlights in the intro, doing some relaxing bits that are have a contemporary tinge. As it progresses he sounds more like David Benoit(pseudo-jazz pianist) with the rest of the band backing him up playing a loungey marching tune. The effect that it exudes is just fantastic for me.
Almost every record has its highest point and with 2 it is in the 17-minute goliath that is "When the Water Breaks". Simply put, if you're not a patient listener, you will not, I stress, enjoy this album fully. It kinda sums everything up in one sitting. Hard-rocking, more melodic and restrained parts, and fantastic Petrucci solos, then delving in diferrent moods in every few minutes; it has it all. It turns out to be an orgasmic definition to the word "progressive".
Probably my only gripe about this is that it's really not an easy listen. Sure there's a couple of short tracks that you can pick up to when you're on the go, but as I said, this album seeks your full attention for it to bring out its rewards. Considering also that you are a discriminating(and/or traditional) metal fan that wants more meat and technicality and cannot stand the presence of keyboards, this isn't for you.
In conclusion, despite those some other flaws that were not mentioned, 2 is nothing short of marvelous. The songs, even if I didn't mention them all, are equally great as they have their own character. As a metal newb it really made me appreciate the genre a lot more. Though I know that it is not a perfect record by everyone's varying standards, it should at least deserve recognition from those who are willing to lend an ear.
I love this album.
4.3/5
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000J7UT.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Released in 1999 thru Magna Carta Records
The Band:
Tony Levin - Bass
John Petrucci - Guitar
Mike Portnoy - Drums and Percussion
Jordan Rudess - Keyboards
The boys are at it again. Liquid Tension Experiment more or less need little introduction being the "supergroup" that they are. This 3/4 Dream Theater band once again shows everyone that they are the masters of their craft with this release, disproving the belief of sophomore slumps.
This time around, they chose to plan this out in a longer frame of time and make it a more well-calculated and spot on effort as opposed to their wandering and quite random debut. The result, without a doubt, is much of an improvement and makes for a very satisfying listen. In almost every aspect of this album they boosted up their energy level, skill and creativity, showing that they are truly a force to be reckoned with in the league of seasoned musicians.
The core sound more or less pretty much stayed the same throughout, just with more dashes of variety and the guys being extensive with their flexibility. Dream Theater similarities aside, they came up with an original piece of work that both DT lovers and haters can relate to. Heck, even non-metal fans can become converts if this is approached with open ears. The usual trademark DT prog rock sound is there, accompanied by groove bass extraordinaire Tony Levin's subtle yet fantastic lines that heavily contributes to the songs' charismatic aura.
Songs:
1. Acid Rain
2. Biaxident
3. 914
4. Another Dimension
5. When the Water Breaks
6. Chewbacca
7. Liquid Dreams
8. Hourglass
On to the obvious: 2 definitely is not the kind of album that death metal fans would go crazy over like teenyboppers singing the latest R&B anthem. Though it does not have that kind of angst, it contains some of the most hard-rocking instrumental tunes I've heard in recent memory. "Acid Rain" is a perfect example. It starts off with fast and crunchy riffs that will catch you off-guard the first time you listen to it, and never lets up its gusto 'till the end of its 6+ minutes. In this case, it's really just a basic song compared to the others on the list.
Don't take the "slow" and mellow tunes for granted as well. They're just as, or at some points even more beautiful and well thought of compared to their more fierce counterparts. Take "Liquid Dreams". Jordan spotlights in the intro, doing some relaxing bits that are have a contemporary tinge. As it progresses he sounds more like David Benoit(pseudo-jazz pianist) with the rest of the band backing him up playing a loungey marching tune. The effect that it exudes is just fantastic for me.
Almost every record has its highest point and with 2 it is in the 17-minute goliath that is "When the Water Breaks". Simply put, if you're not a patient listener, you will not, I stress, enjoy this album fully. It kinda sums everything up in one sitting. Hard-rocking, more melodic and restrained parts, and fantastic Petrucci solos, then delving in diferrent moods in every few minutes; it has it all. It turns out to be an orgasmic definition to the word "progressive".
Probably my only gripe about this is that it's really not an easy listen. Sure there's a couple of short tracks that you can pick up to when you're on the go, but as I said, this album seeks your full attention for it to bring out its rewards. Considering also that you are a discriminating(and/or traditional) metal fan that wants more meat and technicality and cannot stand the presence of keyboards, this isn't for you.
In conclusion, despite those some other flaws that were not mentioned, 2 is nothing short of marvelous. The songs, even if I didn't mention them all, are equally great as they have their own character. As a metal newb it really made me appreciate the genre a lot more. Though I know that it is not a perfect record by everyone's varying standards, it should at least deserve recognition from those who are willing to lend an ear.
I love this album.
4.3/5