Dream Theater
Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Release Date: Jun 23, 2009
Genre(s): Rock, Metal
Record label: Roadrunner
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Album Review: Black Clouds & Silver Linings by Dream Theater
Very Good, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 4.0/5
Review Summary: Dream Theater expand their metal influences and deliver a collection of actual songs in the process.Dream Theater have gained a reputation within the metal community as the kings of musical masturbation. Whenever a negative comment is made about the band it generally includes the fact that they can’t write actual songs and only seem capable of jerking off their instruments and blatantly emulating their influences. Of course, fans know that these accusations are false but even they’d have to admit that actual songwriting doesn’t seem to be as big of a priority as it used to be.
Based on rating 6/10
Dream Theater seem to be out of new tricks, but at least they know how to play to their own strengths. Black Clouds and Silver Linings is their tenth full-length studio album, coming a full 20 years after their poorly distributed, little-noticed debut, When Dream and Day Unite. It was 1992’s Images and Words that put them on the map, with its minor hit “Pull Me Under”.
Opinion: Excellent
Let me preface this review by stating that I truly am a fan of Dream Theater. Since discovering them six years ago, they’ve been a major influence and have served as a gateway to discovering dozens of other bands. Hell, 1999’s Scenes From A Memory is one of my favorite albums ever; it’s simply a masterpiece. That said, they’re newer works have shown the band leaning towards a more commercial sound, whether it be more generic metal or cheesy pop aesthetics.
Opinion: Fairly Good
Let me preface this review by stating that I truly am a fan of Dream Theater. Since discovering them six years ago, they’ve been a major influence and have served as a gateway to discovering dozens of other bands. Hell, 1999’s Scenes From A Memory is one of my favorite albums ever; it’s simply a masterpiece. That said, they’re newer works have shown the band leaning towards a more commercial sound, whether it be more generic metal or cheesy pop aesthetics.