Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory

by Dream Theater

Overview

Dream Theater was almost aggressively out of fashion in 1999. Few bands subscribed to their dense blend of progressive rock and post-Halen metal, and those that did usually didn't have major-label contracts, the way Dream Theater did. There was a point where they tried to straighten out their sound somewhat as they flirted with straight-ahead, laid-back metal on 1997's Falling Into Infinity, but with its 1999 studio sequel, Scenes from a Memory, Dream Theater delves straight into old-fashioned prog rock. Scenes from a Memory is an unabashed concept album told in two acts, about the 1928 murder of a young woman and how a modern man is haunted by the crime. A convoluted, difficult tale is told in a convoluted, difficult fashion, with no less than four tracks clocking in at well over ten minutes and three others ranging from 6:30 to 8:50. Clearly, this is intended as some sort of masterwork, and what's remarkable is that Dream Theater comes close to creating just that with Scenes from a Memory. The album plays more like a suite than a collection of individual songs. At times, that means the album can bog down slightly in its own flights of fancy and long instrumental sections, but concentrated listens reveal the intricacies of the song structures and the musicianship. Occasionally, it can seem as if James LaBrie oversings, but that's a minor point: the overall, end result of the album is quite impressive indeed. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1999
Label:	Elektra / Warner Bros.
UPC:	0075596244824

Tracks

1. Regression
2. Overture 1928
3. Strange Deja Vu
4. Through My Words
5. Fatal Tragedy
6. Beyond This Life
7. Through Her Eyes
8. Home
9. The Dance of Eternity
10. One Last Time
11. The Spirit Carries On
12. Finally Free

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dream Theater   Primary Artist
Jordan Rudess   Conductor,Keyboards
Mary Smith   Choir/Chorus
James LaBrie   Vocals
John Petrucci   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Theresa Thomason   Choir/Chorus,Vocals
Sheila Slappy   Choir/Chorus
Dale Scott   Choir/Chorus
Clarence Burke, Jr.   Choir/Chorus
Mary Canty   Choir/Chorus
Carol Cyrus   Choir/Chorus
Mike Portnoy   Drums,Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
John Myung   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Jeanette Smith   Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

Doug Oberkircher   Engineer
Rory Romano   Mixing
George Marino   Mastering
Kevin Shirley   Mixing
James LaBrie   Lyricist
Dream Theater   Composer
John Petrucci   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
David Bottrill   Mixing
Michael Bates   Assistant Engineer
Brian Quackenbush   Assistant Engineer
Shinobu Mitsuoka   Mixing
Terry Brown   Producer
Mike Portnoy   Composer,Lyricist,Producer
John Myung   Composer
Jordan Rudess   Arranger