Awake Review
June 3, 2022
A bit lighter and bouncier than the last effort, Dream Theater’s 3rd album saw increased domination by keys. The softer parts are more plentiful and atmospherics are held in quite importance here. There’s still plenty of heavy stuff and it remains primarily a Metal album, but a few songs land strictly in Prog Rock territory, with even hints of Neo-Prog and Acoustic Rock in there.
The album is a little simpler, both in structure and technicality. Even the heavier parts are as smooth as butter, layered with warm keys and backed by a pristine production job. James LaBrie’s vocals have developed further, and quite a few moments here I was truly impressed with his range and delivery. I will say, I generally prefer Images and Words to this, but James’ vocals here blow his last performance away.
Honestly surprised this is held in such high regards since the band took a simpler, more commercial direction here. But thankfully they retained their excellent songwriting ability and taste for infectious melodies. There aren’t any weak songs here and really nothing can even be considered filler thanks to each song having a unique sound and stand out moments.
Also, Space-Dye Vest is… stunning. Impeccable use of samples, brilliant melody, fantastic lyrics… simply amazing.
The album is a little simpler, both in structure and technicality. Even the heavier parts are as smooth as butter, layered with warm keys and backed by a pristine production job. James LaBrie’s vocals have developed further, and quite a few moments here I was truly impressed with his range and delivery. I will say, I generally prefer Images and Words to this, but James’ vocals here blow his last performance away.
Honestly surprised this is held in such high regards since the band took a simpler, more commercial direction here. But thankfully they retained their excellent songwriting ability and taste for infectious melodies. There aren’t any weak songs here and really nothing can even be considered filler thanks to each song having a unique sound and stand out moments.
Also, Space-Dye Vest is… stunning. Impeccable use of samples, brilliant melody, fantastic lyrics… simply amazing.
2 likes
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | video | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6:00 | 5:31 | 90.2 | 51 | Audio |
| 2. | Caught in a Web | 5:28 | 91.3 | 48 | Audio |
| 3. | Innocence Faded | 5:43 | 91.1 | 45 | Audio |
| 4. | A Mind Beside Itself : I. Erotomania | 6:44 | 94.9 | 48 | Audio |
| 5. | A Mind Beside Itself : II. Voices | 9:54 | 93 | 45 | Audio |
| 6. | A Mind Beside Itself : III. The Silent Man | 3:48 | 86.9 | 43 | Audio Music Video |
| 7. | The Mirror | 6:45 | 91.7 | 46 | Audio |
| 8. | Lie | 6:34 | 88.9 | 46 | Audio Music Video |
| 9. | Lifting Shadows off a Dream | 6:05 | 88.6 | 45 | Audio |
| 10. | Scarred | 10:59 | 97 | 45 | Audio |
| 11. | Space-Dye Vest | 7:30 | 93.4 | 48 | Audio |
Line-up (members)
- James LaBrie : Vocals, Music (tracks 1-5, 7-10), Lyrics (track 2)
- John Petrucci : Guitars, Backing Vocals, Music (tracks 1-10), Lyrics (tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 10)
- John Myung : Bass, Music (tracks 1-5, 7-10), Lyrics (track 9)
- Mike Portnoy : Drums, Backing Vocals (track 7), Music (tracks 1-5, 7-10), Lyrics (track 7)
- Kevin Moore : Keyboards, Co-lead Vocals (track 11), Music (tracks 1-5, 7-11), Lyrics (tracks 1, 8, 11)
145 reviews
| cover art | Artist | Album review | Reviewer | Rating | Date | Likes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | Distance Over Time Review (2019) | 80 | 5 days ago | 1 | ||
 | | The Astonishing Review (2016) | 80 | Nov 5, 2024 | 0 | ||
 | | 100 | Oct 28, 2024 | 2 | |||
 | | Awake Review (1994) | 100 | Sep 27, 2024 | 9 | ||
 | | 95 | Sep 13, 2024 | 0 | |||
| | Distance Over Time Review (2019) | 85 | Dec 18, 2023 | 4 | ||
 | | Octavarium Review (2005) | 95 | Nov 2, 2023 | 5 | ||
 | | 95 | Aug 26, 2023 | 7 | |||
| | 95 | Jun 22, 2023 | 6 | |||
 | | Images and Words Review (1992) | 90 | Feb 8, 2023 | 3 | ||
| | ▶ Awake Review (1994) | 85 | Jun 3, 2022 | 2 | ||
| | Octavarium Review (2005) | 90 | May 13, 2022 | 4 | ||
| | Awake Review (1994) | 95 | Nov 10, 2021 | 8 | ||
| | 95 | Oct 23, 2021 | 11 | |||
| | 100 | Oct 23, 2021 | 12 | |||
| | 100 | Oct 22, 2021 | 29 | |||
| | Images and Words Review (1992) | 90 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Invisible Monster Review (2021) [Single] | 90 | Sep 24, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Happy Holidays from Dream Theater Review (2013) [Live] | 90 | Jul 28, 2021 | 8 | ||
| | 95 | Jul 3, 2021 | 5 |
Awake Review (1994)
구르는 돌 100/100Aug 8, 2020 Likes : 13
범작보다도 더 많은 명작을 가진 Dream Theater지만 이들의 앨범들 중에서도 최고 명반을 뽑으라면 아마 Images And Words, Metropolis Pt. 2, 그리고 본작이 뽑힐 것이다. Images And Words야 90년대 프로그래시브 메탈의 효시로 여겨지면서, 현재까지도 많은 사람이 가장 선호하는 작품으로 알려져 있다. Met... Read More
Awake Review (1994)
Brillian2you 100/100Dec 1, 2015 Likes : 11
15년 전쯤 처음 DT에 입문하고서 대부분 말하는 것처럼 가장 듣기 어려웠던 게 Awake였고 그중에도 Lie 이후의 세 곡, Lifting shadows off a dream / Scarred / Space-dye vest 이 세 곡이 참 손이 안 갔었다. 시간이 흐르고 앨범은 가만히 있었는데 내가 바뀐거 같다.
Awake를 지금 거의 한 10년만에 다시 듣는... Read More
Awake Review (1994)
FOAD 100/100Sep 27, 2024 Likes : 9
드림씨어터의 2,3,5집은 누가 뭐래도 록 역사에 길이남을 매그넘 오푸스들이다. 찬성하든 안 하든 상관없다. 그 중에서 3집은 가장 덜 대중 친화적인 멜로디와 곡 전개를 가지고 있다. 그들의 공연 세트 리스트들만 봐도 알 수 있다. 하지만 나는 굳이 한 장을 고르라면 이 앨범이다. 일단 플... Read More
