MUSIC REVIEW: Dream Theater - Falling Into Infinity

"Some of their strongest material, but a lot of their weakest as well."

Mike Portnoy says that the recording of Falling Into Infinity almost broke the band up. Pressures from their record company to make a commercially appealing album were teeming here, evidenced by some very commercial rock songs and some standard ballads. In interviews, the band expresses considerable displeasure with their work here, with only a few songs ("Lines in the Sand", "New Millennium", and "Just Let Me Breathe") making the band members happy.

I can see why the band regards this album contemptuously. There was obviously a lot of strain between the band and their label. At the same time, it's strange: even though the band was clearly being burdened, they churned out a pretty good record on the whole. It's not my favorite DT album; it's notably more commercial, the production isn't so hot, and LaBrie's singing seems to be lacking some energy. But it doesn't need to be "the best", because I still enjoy it, and there's some truly great moments that are easily among the best they've ever done.

The three epics are probably the best offerings here. First, we have "New Millennium", an energetic progressive rock piece with some weirdly cheesy lyrics. "Lines in the Sand", is a phenomenal 12 minute piece that feels extremely short. Petrucci's evocative and metaphorically rich lyrics shine here, as does his incredible slow tempo solo in the song's middle section. The album closer, "Trial of Tears", is thoroughly excellent. It's lyrically introspective though very straightforward, but musically it's highly engaging. Particularly excellent is the stunning instrumental section in the middle. Derek Sherinian's best contribution to the band is here in the form of an incredible keyboard solo that moves me every time I hear it.

The shorter tracks show more of a dichotomy of quality. "You Not Me" is an awfully generic rock song. The original version of the song (available on the "Hollow Years" CD single) is much, much better. (Desmond Child came in and messed with the original.) Still, I think that the song could have done well on radio. The band would have sold quite a few additional albums if this had been a single release. The chorus' melody is catchy and the lyrics have a good hook or two. The next song, "Peruvian Skies" compensates for that lapse of mediocrity. It has a "Black album"-era Metallica feel, starting slow, then upping the tempo and rocking through the remainder of the track. "Hollow Years" is a pretty ballad with classical guitar (hooray!), if slightly repetitive lyrically. "Burning My Soul" is a tad insipid, with embarrassing lyrics and uninteresting mid-tempo metal. The stunning instrumental "Hell's Kitchen" serves as more than a lengthy segue into "Lines in the Sand". It's slow and beautiful, with grandiosity surging with the ending. "Take Away My Pain" is a good, emotional ballad, but I think the production weighs it down (cuz it's a great live song). "Just Let Me Breathe" is a rocker with catchy riffs, but the lyrics are dumb and and it's too long. The best part about it is Sherinian's keyboard solo, which is probably that dude's best contribution during his time with the band. Good live song, as well. Few people seem to enjoy the ballad "Anna Lee", but I like it a lot. It's a touching song about child abuse or something, with a beautiful chorus and a fine main piano melody.

I don't enjoy FII as much as I used to, because the songs have more energy live. The album almost feels tired, as if the band was bored while recording it. That missing energy is captured in the live setting though. Still, I regard FII overall as an fine release from progressive metal's reigning band. But who knows...maybe I'm just more forgiving than other people. All I know is that everyone in Dream Theater is a tremendously gifted musician, and despite the difficulties they made an album that is still better than most progressive metal bands can make.