Published on Oct 28, 1998
The argument I’ve heard about many bands I’ve seen in concert is
that they’re so much better live than they are on disc. This has
indeed been true for some of the bands I’ve had the privilege to
see over the years, but not necessarily true for all of them.
In the case of Dream Theater, I would argue that the live album
does not do them justice. In the case of their latest release
Once In A Livetime, the album proves without a doubt that
this band is one of the most technical and talented bands out there
today, but something is lost in the translation that can only be
understood by seeing James LaBrie and crew perform live. (I know; I
saw them for the first time this past August.)
This two-disc set, recorded in Paris just a few months ago, is a
definite “for the fans” release. While this is usually a comment I
reserve as a slam against a disappointing album, in fact, the album
is structured for those who have literally hung on to every note
the band has played. Taking four movements from their heavily
requested
magnum opus “A Change Of Seasons,” LaBrie, guitarist John
Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboarist Derek Sherinian and
drummer Mike Portnoy tear through material that just could be the
pulse and nerve center of progressive rock today.
Not familiar with Dream Theater?
Once In A Livetime might please you, but it’s sure to
overwhelm you. The newcomer to the Dream Theater experience (which
I still count myself as a member of) won’t appreciate songs like
“Pull Me Under,” “Peruvian Skies” and “Ytse Jam” as being
incredible works that capture the ears and the soul of the
listener. (Often, the band also shows their sense of humor, working
in riffs from Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rimsky-Korsakov into
their music.) They might not understand how there can be 13-minute
songs on this album while other tracks like “Puppies On Acid”
dribble out of the gun at around one minute.
For the long-time fan, this set will simply be over two hours of
nirvana. From tracks like “Scarred” and “Trial Of Tears” to the
tastefully controlled solos by Sherinian, Portnoy and Petrucci,
Once In A Livetime is the early Christmas present that Dream
Theater fans have been waiting for.
All this being said, the set doesn’t always seem friendly to the
newcomer as it would to the long-time fan, and this could scare off
potential new fans to the band’s message. However, if you give this
set a chance to grow on you and to mature to your ears like a
bottle of fine wine, the result will be that more pleasureable.
Once In A Livetime still lacks in that Dream Theater is a
band who must be experienced in concert. On disc, you don’t get to
see Myung work his way through a piece on the Chapman Stick, nor do
you see his and Petrucci’s fingers fly on certain passages. You
don’t get to see the technical precision with which Portnoy attacks
his drum kit. And honestly, all of this is more than worth the
price of admission and a half-flat beer.
Once In A Livetime is still a very worthwhile disc to
experience, though casual fans or newcomers should seriously
consider learning more about the group and their music before
diving into this one headfirst.