Black Clouds & Silver Linings

A short song-by-song review:
A Nightmare To Remember is a heavy metal inspired song, but with some really cool riffs and breaks.

A Rite Of Passage is more like DT-pop, a song for newcomers to the band.

Wither is the album’s ballad, probably my favorite DT ballad so far.

The Shattered Fortress is the last song in the Twelve-step Suite, a collection of DT songs that deals with drummer Mike Portnoy’s fight with alcoholism. It contains many parts from the three other songs in the suite, and is probably even better for DT fans than newcomers as they should know the riffs and the story already.

They even repeat and tweak some of the lyrics from the previous song, without ruining this song’s unique feel.

The Best Of Times is a song Mike Portnoy wrote about his father, who died of cancer. The intro is mellow, but it soon picks up the pace and gives you some of the most catchy DT riffs ever. The song is about the good memories they had, and has a quite happy tune.

The Count Of Tuscany is based on a true story that guitarist John Petrucci experienced at Tuscany.

Summary
All in all this is yet another progressive masterpiece by Dream Theater. Only six songs you ask? Yes, but the playtime is still over 75 minutes. The songs vary in length from 5:25 (Wither) to 19:16 (The Count Of Tuscany).

This is not your average radio-music, this music is enjoyed best if you sit down and listen to it, maybe day dreaming and drinking your favorite drink (be it coke or whiskey).

I recommend the 3-CD Deluxe Edition, as it also includes a disk with 6 cover songs, and a disc with the whole album as instrumentals. Great if you want to listen to the instrumental genius of the band, or maybe try to learn some of the songs yourself.