What?: A single/EP with the title track and numerous live covers.
Why?: I originally bought "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" on a work mate's recommendation back in 2001 and loved it so went on a Dream Theater catch-up and bought everything.
Tell me more!:
I can tell you I thought this was an album when I bought it. It was probably cheap...
The title track, the 23 minute plus epic "A Change Of Seasons" was intended to be released on 1992's "Images and Words" but I suspect it was too long.
I like early Dream Theater. They're a little rougher, a little more metal, a little less produced. These days I feel like they've gotten too slick, and James LaBrie's voice irritates the crap out of me.
On "A Change Of Seasons" they still throw in every idea ever, but they've mixed it well into a single song. It flows nicely, the repeating themes hold my attention, and it's full of killer riffs. I like that some of the guitar effects sound cheap and I like that James keeps his singing to a minimum.
The covers are interesting in that I recognise the artists (Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple) but not the songs. I suppose that shows my ignorance a little. It's only in the final Medley that I recognise anything. Who doesn't love KANSAS' "Carry On My Wayward Son"? Assholes that's who. Even then, I don't think anyone should really go near Bohemian Rhapsody live, not even what's left of Queen.
Covers are fun, and I generally say if you're going to do them, do them live, but they're just too well done. They're played perfectly, and as such, aren't very interesting. I'd also like to think I'd take an interest in tracking the originals down, but I don't hear anything I really enjoy. Sorry, I never really caught the Zeppelin/Purple bug.
"A Change Of Seasons" is good and I suppose the covers are a nice bonus, but they're nothing really.
3/10
