Atco. 1997.
Proof positive that one can be a virtuoso musician and also have heart, Dream Theater are in impressive form on this album, arguably their best. They do it by never allowing technical flash to overwhelm their songs; there's substance under the style, in the form of ear-catching riffs and aggressive rhythms. The opening "Pull Me Under" is, quite simply, a great song, from its sparse introduction to its heavy-duty main riff to its memorable lyrics. Dream Theater, as its name implies, is an introspective band, exploring the complexities of the human heart and bringing them to life with songs like "Learning to Live," "Take the Time," and "Wait for Sleep". Unlike many metal bands, they favor an optimistic outlook, as with "Another Day" and "Surrounded," and even the dazzlingly complex "Metropolis, Pt. 1" is an entertaining listen. -- Genevieve Williams

Customer Rating:
Summary: The only Progressive Metal album I own
Comment: My favorite metal album

Back in 1992 I was starting college and I would go to school and then work at the local hardware store until 9:30pm. I had a lot of energy still and I started listening to a hard rock radio station on my way home. Through most of the 80s I was so into pop music it was a nice change for me to start listening to something different. One day this song came on the radio called "Pull Me Under". I instantly loved it and back in '92 the song was on quite a bit. I loved it so much I went out and bought the album. To my surprise I loved every song on this album which is rare. Some of the stand outs to me are "Take the Time", Metropolis", and "Another Day. To this day this album is still on my "essential" album list which I can't say about many albums I bought at the time, even albums by some of my favorite bands haven't held up this well.

What really sold me on this album is the talent of the entire band. Though I am not a musician I can tell these guys really know their stuff. The complexity of the songs have really helped keep my interest. Also the song writing is top notch as well dealing with topics not covered in a lot of popular music.

If I am in the mood for some fast pace fun rock music this is the one I go to every time. Yes, it sounds a little dated but I think despite the heavy use of Synth, I think it has held up very well and at least to me this is a classic. If you are someone who doesn't care for metal check out the samples because this album is very accessible to non metal fans like me.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Tried multiple times - just not that impressed
Comment: Purchased this CD about a year ago due to all the great reviews posted on Amazon. I have three Dream Theater CD's, Metropolis Part II, Train of Thought and Change of Seasons. Train of Thought is really good and Metropolis Part II is one of my favorite CD's.

Listened for a few times when I received, and I wasn't very impressed. Pull Me Under, Under a Glass Moon and Another Day have their moments, but overall just wasn't much to grab my attention.

Recently decided to give it another listen to see if I just put it to the side too quickly. Sometimes it just take more listens for an album to grow on you. After five or six more listens, sad to say I still don't care for this very much.

Oh the guys can really play their instruments, but most of the songs just really fall flat. The operatic screaming of James La Brie makes me cringe ever time I hear it. I find myself dreading some of the chorus just for this reason. Just sounds too 'hair bandesh' in too may parts.

I will keep on enjoying my other DT releases, but this one is not really that good.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Absolute Best!
Comment: By far my favorite Dream Theater album. It was in instant classic and it has stood the test of time. You won't regret buying this album!

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: what can you say...
Comment: ...that hasn't been said before about this album. it just delivers all around. this is by far my favorite band and a very VERY close 2nd favorite album next to scenes from a memory. undoubtedly this album, as all DT albums do, delivers musically. sure, there are new bands out there that make crazier music with faster, more random stops and heavier, more chaotic music (i know this because i have friends who shove bands like between the buried and me, dillinger escape plan, and the number 12 looks like you down my throat.) HOWEVER, in my opinion, as much as i appreciate bands like that, my friends that shove these bands down my throat don't take time to appreciate music like dream theater mostly due to their short attention spans and lack of patience. dream theater is a very technical band, and though they even can tend to over-do it at times, for the most part they have a large amount of restraint that those bands i mentioned earlier lack. with that being said, on to the album.

this album creates a feeling inside me that i cannot totally describe, except that it is a really positive emotional feeling. dream theater is plenty technical too, but they accomplish this feat in a less "in your face" method than the bands i mentioned earlier, and they also don't just decide to be technical for the sake of doing it for bragging rights. they do this because it sounds amazing! the fact that human beings can write such powerful music that is equally based on feeling as it is technicality absolutely blows my mind! bands like dillinger and buried simply cannot capture the EPIC feelings that these guys do. they write their songs with insight on what they're trying to do and the feeling they try to convey with a great deal of passion and professionalism. they go off on tangents sometimes, usually i would hate this, but DT's are done to perfection, fitting in every nook and cranny to the slightest detail, most of which the average listeners out there wouldn't even notice. with superb musicianship combined with the emotional and extremely talented vocals of james labrie (yes, i actually like him, why most people don't i neglect to understand,) this album is just about as good as it gets. instead of going on a long list of details that describes how good these musicians actually are, let me sum it up in this one statement: at times, the music is so good (whether it be due to technicality or the majestic feelings) that you can easily achieve a level of disbelief that these guys are even human.

this music is just awesome, epic, well thought out, technical, well intentioned, and it's not going to give u a headache like the rumbling chaotic "progressive" death metal music that is out there today will. this band does it with class! buy "alaska" by between the buried and me, then buy "images and words" and see the difference. the sound on this album is crisp and clean and there is nothing that they want you to hear that is not heard. my only complaint is that i do not quite enjoy the way the snare sounds on this album, too mechanical. other than that, it delivers in every single aspect of music possible.

p.s. portnoy did eventually, thank god, establish a better snare sound.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Really Great Album by a Really Great Band
Comment: I picked this album up on an impulse and I must say, it was a good buy. This was Dream Theater's second studio album and contains their only big radio hit, "Pull Me Under". The whole album is an awesome display of musicianship and is a real treat to listen to. If you are a fan of the band, or liked "Pull Me Under", it is certainly worth the buy.

---