Dream Theater - Octavarium

I am back to listening to Dream Theater, one of my favorite progressive metal bands.

This time its Octavarium.

Have not yet finished listening to it and it has already becoming a favorite.

To try comparing Octavarium with other Dream Theater works would mean spending a lot of time listening to each and every one of their album. But I neither don't have that time and have only a few of their albums.

I also don't want to try to decipher any deeper meanings on their songs and on the artworks on their album, although I am now fast becoming a fan that I might just do that soon.

Suffice it to say that listening to Octavarium is both a pleasure and a learning experience. I like the guitar riffs of John Petrucci, although on this album, he is a bit modest in showing off his virtuosity. The keyboards of Jordan Rudress are much visible here and Mike Portnoy, as always, can cast a spell with his drums. The vocals of James LaBrie is the best that I have heard so far.

Some of the songs are involving, like "Sacrificed Sons" a song about the 9/11 attack. I got the theme of the listening while listening to the intro, which are actual news clips about the attack. I almost cried listening to the main song.

"I Walk Beside You" is almost religious and very inspirational. Listening to the song reminded me of the "Footprints in the Sand" poem that I see almost anywhere.

I still haven't heard the main song of the album, Octavarium, which is a whooping 24 minute big one, divided into six sub songs (is there such a thing, sub songs?). I will listen to it later, while commuting home but I know I will love it.