Six Degrees of Turbulence\nDream Theater\nElektra\nIn the early '90s Dream Theater proved that progressive rock was not dead, just on a vacation. Its intricate songs and heavy riffs captured the ears of metal and prog fans alike at a time when neither style was popular, thanks the band's accessibility. \nFor anyone familiar with Dream Theater, Six Degrees of Turbulence is more of the same but with a few improvements. For one thing, singer James LaBrie continues to get better at using his voice as an instrument. The rest of the band, led by virtuoso guitarist John Petrucci, sound just as polished as ever but a little less mechanical. Like any good prog album Six Degrees has moments where you think, "How did they do that?" Complex meters are as natural as breathing to this band. Really the greatest surprise with Six Degrees is that the actual concept of this concept album is much clearer than usual. \nThe first disc of the two (there are close to 100 minutes of music here) deals with specific issues of inner struggle: doubt, feeling trapped and invisible. But the second disc is even more focused. Each non-instrumental track is about a different person's problems. Dream Theater has never been a band to come up with great lines in their lyrics and this album certainly won't change anyone's mind on that point. But on a larger scale it does seem to address some issues that are typically avoided in rock music, especially the ways in which psychiatric problems are treated…or not treated.\nThe album is not without its faults either. The instrumental "Overture" makes me think of those wonderful, uplifting moments in numerous John Cusack films from the '80s when you know he's just about to get the girl. They're just too sweet to be listened to more than once. Fortunately, most of the instrumental sections are packed with captivating rhythms or the standard Petrucci guitar solo, which is anything but standard.\nBecause of the length of these songs, several of the "would be" memorable moments are forgotten by the end. It might take a few listens, but as with most progressive rock albums, the payoff is better for the more intense listener. This one's a solid album for a Dream Theater fan and along with Awake, their '94 release, a good place to start for anyone interested in the future of this forgotten genre.\n
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