Review Summary: Awake is an ironic title for Dream Theater. The two previous albums were more like a dream. On "Awake" the nightmare starts with its heavier sound and dark lyrics.
“Awake” is the third studio album of Dream Theater and was released in 1994. The line up on the album is James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Kevin Moore, John Myung and Mike Portnoy.
Dream Theater has steadily achieved a startlingly sublime synthesis of soaring and unmistakable melody, progressive instrumentation and aggressive heaviness unrivalled within hard rock music. The legacy established throughout their virtuosic career of astounding aesthetic alchemy has made their very moniker synonymous with the power of talent, ability and momentum when brilliantly forged together. After thirty-five years since their formation, Dream Theater continues to cultivate, curate and protect their status as one of the founders of what is called the progressive metal.
After the success of their previous studio album “Images And Words” on the prog metal scene, Dream Theater made something really different from their previous album. This is just the reflection of a progression through the music. The progression could be bad or good for the different persons and, as we know, this is more a subjective opinion than a fact, indeed. For me, I think “Awake” is perhaps better than “Images And Words”. But, above all, it’s different and great.
Much of the musical material written for “Awake” was written by Dream Theater under pressure from their record label to produce an album as successful as their previous studio album “Images And Words”. The record label wanted the band to produce a more metal oriented album. This was also the last Dream Theater’s album to feature their former keyboardist Kevin Moore, who announced his decision to leave the band during the recording sessions of the album, to pursue a solo career. He was substituted by Derek Sherinian to perform with the band during the live tour of the album.
Sincerely, I missed him in Dream Theater. Despite the fact that I love Jordan Rudess, I always thought that Moore has a unique style. That is particularly evident with his collaborations with Fates Warning, another band I particularly love.
“Awake” is called the dark album of Dream Theater, because of the depressive emotion you have all along in the songs. But that’s not a bad thing. Even if some people believe that this release isn’t progressive enough but focuses too much on the heavy sound, I would say that they are wrong. I think this album reflects what we can call a mix of both worlds. There are songs that are heavier and some others that are softer, just like on any usual Dream Theater’s release.
About the tracks, “6.00” shows the more technical side of the band, with plenty of strange and syncopated rhythms. It tells us this isn’t another “Images And Words”. “Caught In A Web” is much like its predecessor with interesting keyboard effects over a nice rhythm. It’s one of the most keyboard oriented songs here. “Innocence Faded” is more radio friendly, almost a throwback to “Images And Words”. Still, it keeps the darker aura of “Awake”. “A Mind Beside Itself: I. Erotomania”, “II. Voices” and “III. The Silent Man” is a three part suite. It’s very complex, even by the standards of Dream Theater. It’s full of musical changes and passages that show the quality of the band. “The Mirror” is one of the heaviest songs here. What impresses me most here is Moore’s keyboard lines add to the hostile attitude as LaBrie delivers Portnoy’s story. “Lie” is like a counterpoint, more melodic and technical but still heavy and similar in tone to the previous track. The lyrics are also a counterpoint expressing Moore’s anger at being continually deceived “Lifting Shadows Off A Dream” is built around the bass guitar, with the other instruments providing support. It’s a pretty simple ballad with a nice atmosphere and great keyboard work. “Scarred” is the second epic here. It’s the most experimental track here and has more changes and musical passages than on “A Mind Beside Itself”. It’s one of their best tracks, a classic. “Space-Dye Vest” is a simple beautiful piano piece with drumming and guitars on the back. It’s simply amazing and shows why Moore’s keyboard work is so great. This is the perfect closer for the album and a great farewell to him.
Conclusion: We all know what to expect when you listen to a Dream Theater’s album, complex music, incredible guitar solos, enjoyable bass-lines, polished vocals, and amazing drum work. “Awake” isn’t an exception. James Labrie gives us an incredible vocal performance, his vocals have all kinds of shapes and cool structures. The music is exceptional, and well, the entire band is simply marvellous. So, “Awake” is a real masterpiece of Dream Theater and represents an impressive follow up to their great previous album “Images And Words”. It shows a different approach to a more progressive metal sound. Compared to its predecessor “Awake” has a heavier and aggressive sound and the lyrics are more dark and impenetrable. In my opinion, “Awake” is perhaps a better album than “Images And Words”. It hasn’t any weak points and is more expressive, inspired, honest and fresh. Sincerely, I think “Awake” is simply brilliant and a unique album in all Dream Theatre’s career. This is one of their best releases that will take some time to grow on you.
Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)
