Jan 19 - Ordered Chaos

[Extended Play]

Rather than drone on with the usual "radio speak" I'll just get on with this week's set.

All three albums this week are completely unrelated. So, how is that different from every other week? I dunno. It just seemed rather apparent to me when I picked all three. Hmm, maybe it'll make more sense when I tell you what they are.

Adrian Belew - Op Zop Too Wah (97 - usa)
Dream Theater - Scenes From A Memory (99 - usa)
Kraan - Kraan (72 - germany)

Yes, all three albums in that order. Why? Well, why not?

Adrian Belew's Op Zop Too Wah comes after King Crimson finished their touring and recording duties for Thrak. It's noticeably similar to several of the poppier songs from Thrak. However, the most interesting thing I find in this album is how it flits from idea to idea, all 21 of them. No song is quite the same, exploring different themes, styles, and instrumentation. I guess it helps to all the work.

After being nearly crushed by Warner Brothers in 1997, Dream Theater came back with their most powerful album yet, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. Not only did they appeal to the core fans with a very similar sound to their first major album, Images & Words, but Dream Theater also switched keyboardists. Switching out rockstar-chic Derek Sherinian for Joran Rudess further cemented the group by bringing them back to the technical prog-metal roots that made both Images & Words and Awake such awe inspiring albums. Of course, it didn't hurt that they also had creative freedom again. That freedom shows here for both good and bad. While the music is some of their best, the concept and story are a bit confusing, much like Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime. Thankfully, it's still an album worthy of note.

Formed in 1967, Kraan spent almost 4 years building themselves up to record their first album, the self-titled Kraan. Fusing jazz, psychadelia, and funk-rock with Arabic and Eastern European rhythms, they created a sound that lends itself well to both structured pieces and lengthy improvisations. Like most other albums I play at the end of the set, this one is worth absorbing. So, don't waste the opportunity to sit back and devote your full attention.

Tommy