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Dream Theater: 'Falling into Infinity' Album Review

After two masterful works, Dream Theater decided to explore a softer progressive rock sound and the results were inconsistent

Matthew Clouse

Jan 29, 2018

Anderson University

108

Dream Theater: 'Falling into Infinity' Album Review

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Line-up:

James LaBrie - vocals

Derek Sherinian - keyboards

John Petrucci - guitars, backing vocals

Mike Portnoy - drums, backing vocals

John Myung - bass

Additional info:

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Kevin Shirley.

Falling into Infinity is the fourth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released on September 23, 1997 through EastWest Records. Its total length is 78:12. It is the band's first and only full length studio album to feature keyboardist Derek Sherinian following the departure of Kevin Moore. Despite the fact that the band utilized a more mainstream sound, this album was still not the commercial success that the label hoped for.

Even though Falling into Infinity utilizes a more straightforward progressive rock sound, the band is still very progressive and sticks with their roots on certain tracks. I do really enjoy certain songs from the album, but there are some tracks that are very disappointing and do not have the emotional impact they are supposed to. This album does have a fantastic 13 minute epic called "Trial of Tears" that will leave any Dream Theater fan smiling. I do enjoy Labrie's vocals a lot and believe that this album contains one of his best performances. The other members may not always shine, but their performances are consistent though.

Top Tracks:

1. "Trial of Tears"

2. "Peruvian Skies"

3. "Lines in the Sand"

4. "New Millennium"

Grading Scale:

1-1.5: Garbage

2-2.5: Awful

3-3.5: Bad

4-4.5: Disappointing

5-5.5: Mediocre

6-6.5: Satisfactory

7-7.5: Good

8-8.5: Great

9-9.5: Excellent

10: Perfect

My Verdict:

Falling into Infinity is an inconsistent album that has plenty of great songs, but also has some very disappointing material from the band. None of the songs on this album are bad though. This album definitely can be a bit underwhelming after the band's previous two releases that would both qualify as masterpieces. This album is far from perfect, but is still an underappreciated record in the Dream Theater discography.

Grade: 7/10

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Dream Theater: 'Falling into Infinity' Album Review

After two masterful works, Dream Theater decided to explore a softer progressive rock sound and the results were inconsistent

Line-up:

Additional info:

Top Tracks:

Grading Scale:

My Verdict:

Grade: 7/10

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1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

34. Changing your major is OK.

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

"You should know exactly what career is right for your future by the time you're 18."

"Save all your money."

"Get plenty of sleep and adjust to a regular sleep schedule."

"Make sure to eat healthy, balanced meals. Don't forget those fruits and vegetables."

"Surround yourself with good, moral people."

"Don't do anything stupid."

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It's the best party food

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Pizza doesn't care what you look like

It comes in all forms

It's the food that is always free at events

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