Label: Inside
Out
When
prog rock fans listen to music they expect a great storyline, complex music,
and atmospheres that encourage that story. One artist that has had a proclivity
for doing that his entire career is Arjen Anthony Lucassen, otherwise known as
Ayreon.
When The Theory of
Everything came out last fall there was a lot of anticipation that his
masterful concepts would continue along with all the incredible guest
musicians. He did not disappoint, he never does.
A dream came true for Arjen on this musical sojourn.
Three major players joined in on all the proceedings, each one a legendary
keyboard player. Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Jordan Rudess made their
contributions count on the session. Another legend, John Wetton, provided
vocals as the character The Psychiatrist.
I found myself all wrapped up in this story while
listening. In short it’s about a boy and his mother that are not getting enough
attention from the scientist father who is working day and night trying to
literally figure out The Theory of
Everything. Further into the story, the
father finally tells the son that he had been giving him a drug, using him as
an experiment in hopes that it would help the boy overcome his problems. There
is much more to it all and that is a short encapsulation of what you will hear.
The music is right on time and spot on for every track and it always puts more
emphasis and thought upon the entire process of listening for the music fans.
Anyone that is familiar with Arjen’s music knows of his fascination with the
unknown, science fiction and what confounds man and all the mysteries of the
cosmos. That is his driving force along with a never ending desire to create
music in his studio.
Arjen
puts it all into proper perspective in his own words: "The
story on this album looks at what
happens when people are driven by an irresistible passion, like me in music.
In this case, it's a scientist who
is obsessed with finding the theory of everything -- the equation that will explain and tie together all known physical
phenomena. He's so focused on solving the theory that he risks losing
everything, including his family. But he is not alone -- all of the characters are driven to fill some
kind of emotional need no matter what the consequences. If I had to sum
it up in one sentence, I would say that
the story deals with the drive to succeed and the emotional costs that
come with treading the fine line between genius and madness."
One element I particularly enjoyed besides all of the
heavy prog metal guitars, bass and swirling keyboards was Troy Donockley’s
Uileaan Pipes. That one addition gave the music an air of distinction that separated
it from all other prog projects that came out last year. CD 1 has 22 tracks and
CD 2 has 20 so it a very generous collection. Arjen told me that it would take
some time to sit and listen and be able to assimilate the entire package. He
was right however it was a joy to do so.
Arjen continues to outdo the last project and he never
seems to run out of steam. He is always inspired and has a lot of respect in
the prog community. One look at the guest list would make that obvious. I know
he is a very humble man and does not consider himself to be a legendary
performer like the people that contribute to his projects but he has earned a
place amongst the elite in prog rock. The
Theory of Everything is one more addition to his ever growing popularity
and impressive legacy.
One bonus I always look forward to is the DVD and all
footage of Arjen and his guests during the creative process in the studio. I
would feel incomplete without it. Not only is he one of the hardest working
musicians on the planet, he makes it a point to communicate with all of his
fans. That is so important especially now in our digital age. This man is as
real as it gets folks and his music is something to be appreciated by all music
fans.
This album showcases masterful musicianship, incredible
vocals from talented men and women and a story that is thought provoking and
exciting every step of the way. If you need an escape valve for a few hours and
one that is not cookie cutter radio spew, then this can be your one way ticket
to another world. Arjen has the magic and he uses it to the fullest extent.
This is without a doubt a prog lover’s happy place.
5/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: ALL
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk Founder
March 21, 2014
Tracks:
Disc I
01. Phase I: Singularity
1 - Prologue: The Blackboard
2 - The Theory Of Everything [Part I]
3 - Patterns
4 - The Prodigy's World
5 - The Teacher's Discovery
6 - Love And Envy
7 - Progressive Waves
8 - The Gift
9 - The Eleventh Dimension
10 - Inertia
11 - The Theory Of Everything [Part II]
02. Phase II: Symmetry
1 - The Consultation
2 - Diagnosis
3 - The Argument I
4 - The Rival's Dilemma
5 - Surface Tension
6 - A Reason To Live
7 - Potential
8 - Quantum Chaos
9 - Dark Medicine
10 - Alive!
11 - The Prediction
Disc II
01. Phase III: Entanglement
1 - Fluctuations
2 - Transformation
3 - Collision
4 - Side Effects
5 - Frequency Modulation
6 - Magnetism
7 - Quid Pro Quo
8 - String Theory
9 - Fortune?
02. Phase IV: Unification
1 - Mirror Of Dreams
2 - The Lighthouse
3 - The Argument II
4 - The Parting
5 - The Visitation
6 - The Breakthrough
7 - The Note
8 - The Uncertainty Principle
9 - Dark Energy
10 - The Theory Of Everything [Part III]
11 - The Blackboard [reprise]
Disc III [Special Edition DVD]
01. The Making Of The Theory Of Everything
02. Full-length Interviews
03. Recording Session Time Lapse Footage
Tracks:
Disc I
01. Phase I: Singularity
1 - Prologue: The Blackboard
2 - The Theory Of Everything [Part I]
3 - Patterns
4 - The Prodigy's World
5 - The Teacher's Discovery
6 - Love And Envy
7 - Progressive Waves
8 - The Gift
9 - The Eleventh Dimension
10 - Inertia
11 - The Theory Of Everything [Part II]
02. Phase II: Symmetry
1 - The Consultation
2 - Diagnosis
3 - The Argument I
4 - The Rival's Dilemma
5 - Surface Tension
6 - A Reason To Live
7 - Potential
8 - Quantum Chaos
9 - Dark Medicine
10 - Alive!
11 - The Prediction
Disc II
01. Phase III: Entanglement
1 - Fluctuations
2 - Transformation
3 - Collision
4 - Side Effects
5 - Frequency Modulation
6 - Magnetism
7 - Quid Pro Quo
8 - String Theory
9 - Fortune?
02. Phase IV: Unification
1 - Mirror Of Dreams
2 - The Lighthouse
3 - The Argument II
4 - The Parting
5 - The Visitation
6 - The Breakthrough
7 - The Note
8 - The Uncertainty Principle
9 - Dark Energy
10 - The Theory Of Everything [Part III]
11 - The Blackboard [reprise]
Disc III [Special Edition DVD]
01. The Making Of The Theory Of Everything
02. Full-length Interviews
03. Recording Session Time Lapse Footage
No comments:
Post a Comment