|  October 26, 1999 Studio Release Information: This is Dream Theater's fifth studio album and the first album to feature Dream Theater's current keyboardist, Jordan Rudess. The song Metropolis Pt. 1 - "The Miracle And The Sleeper" was originally titled "Part 1" as a joke, but after pressure from fans Dream Theater decided to write Part 2. They wrote a 20-minute conclusion during the recording sessions for Falling Into Infinity, however the recording company did not want to release a double CD at the time so Part 2 was postponed. When Dream Theater was getting ready to record their fifth album, they decided to turn Part 2 into a concept album instead. Their result is a rock opera masterpiece and is often hailed as Dream Theater's best album to date. The story to this album is extremely complicated, containing a cast of five characters: Nicholas [N], Victoria Page [V], Senator Edward Baynes [The Miracle], Julian Baynes [The Sleeper], and the Hypnotherapist [H]. The story revolves around Nicholas and the discovery of the horrors of his past life as Victoria Page. You can view a detailed analysis of the album at the DT FAQ. The following movies were quoted as influences for this album: Dead Again, The Shining, and Angel Heart The following albums were quoted as influences for this album: Pink Floyd – The Wall, The Who - Tommy, The Who - Quadrophenia, Queensr˙che - Operation Mindcrime, Marillion – Misplaced Childhood, Marillion – Brave, Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, Kevin Gilbert - The Shaming Of The True, King Diamond - Abigail, King Diamond - Them, and Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage Images: Front Back CD Inlay Pages 1-2 Pages 3-4 Pages 5-6 Pages 7-8 Pages 9-10 Page 11 Tracks: ACT 1 1. Scene One: Regression (2:06) 2. Scene Two: I. Overture 1928 (3:37) 3. II. Strange Deja Vu (5:13) 4. Scene Three: I. Through My Words (1:02) 5. II. Fatal Tragedy (6:49) 6. Scene Four: Beyond This Life (11:22) 7. Scene Five: Through Her Eyes (5:29) ACT 2 8. Scene Six: Home (12:53) 9. Scene Seven: I. The Dance of Eternity (6:13) 10. II. One Last Time (3:47) 11. Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On (6:38) 12. Scene Nine: Finally Free (12:00) Total Time: 78:19 Line-up: - James LaBrie / vocals - John Petrucci / guitar, vocals - John Myung / bass - Jordan Rudess / keyboard - Mike Portnoy / drums, percussion, vocals GUESTS: - Theresa Thomason / additional vocals on Through Her Eyes and The Spirit Carries On - Theresa Thomason, Mary Canty, Shelia Slappy, Mary Smith, Jeanette Smith, Clarence Burke Jr, Carol Cyrus, Dale Scott / Gospel Choir on The Spirit Carries On (arranged by Jordan Rudess) Recorded: February - June, 1999 - BearTracks Studios, New York Label: Elektra Buy at Amazon Buy at CDUniverse |
