Dream Theater: Falling Into Infinity (2LP, clear vinyl) [RHINO]

Why you'll love it

This limited 2LP set on clear vinyl spreads the album across four sides in a gatefold jacket, pressed in the Netherlands. It's the one Dream Theater studio album with keyboardist Derek Sherinian, produced by Kevin Shirley with a Storm Thorgerson cover.

This edition

• 2LP set
• Clear vinyl
• Limited edition
• Gatefold jacket
• Pressed in the Netherlands
• Stereo mix

About the album

Every long-running band has a record where they try on a different jacket, and this is Dream Theater's. After the A Change of Seasons EP they spent the best part of a year writing in New Jersey with new keyboardist Derek Sherinian, then cut the album at Manhattan's Avatar Studios (the old Power Station) in June 1997 with Kevin Shirley at the desk.

The songs are tighter and more melodic, without losing the chops. "New Millennium" opens on a heavy, swinging groove, "Peruvian Skies" builds from a quiet verse into a crushing riff, and "Hollow Years" is a gentle, almost acoustic ballad. "You Not Me" was co-written with hitmaker Desmond Child, "Hell's Kitchen" is a showcase instrumental for John Petrucci, James LaBrie wrote the words to "Anna Lee," and John Myung's lyrics anchor the epic closer "Trial of Tears."

Storm Thorgerson, the designer behind Pink Floyd's sleeves, gave it a suitably dreamlike cover, and Petrucci has long spoken fondly of it. By progressive metal standards it's practically a pop album, which in this genre still leaves room for a 13-minute closer.

Also at Kops: more Dream Theater on vinyl · browse Metal

Tracklist

Listen

On EastWest / Rhino (cat# RCV1 62060), a reissue of the 1997 album.