Conor Fynes 'A Rite Of Passage' - Dream Theater (Single)

While I am in the school of thought that 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' is the band's best effort since their collosal 'Metropolis Pt. II: Scenes From A Memory,' the album is, and always will be tainted by one speck of subpar musical dust. This manifests itself as being the album's single, 'A Rite Of Passage.'

It's not a totally awful song to be certain; there are parts of it that are admirable, such as the energetic instrumental section, but it really lacks the energy and catchiness that makes a single work. The concept of 'catchiness' aside, it would be fine if the song was progressive, but with the exception of the aforementioned instrumental section, this is a very straightforward hard rock song.

The first part of the instrumental section (up until Jordan Rudess' keyboard solo) is fantastic, and has an amazing prog breakdown, where things really seem to get wonderfully chaotic. However, this short-lived brilliance is cut short by soloing from Rudess, who despite being an amazingly gifted pianist and keyboardist, decides to throw away any sense of melody, and chooses a more irritating-than-usual keyboard tone.

Don't even get me started on the 'radio edit.' It takes away any of the bite this song had to begin with.

The concept of a single is supposed to be a song that would capture the listener and convince him to buy the album. In other words, the single is supposed to be the most memorable and powerful song. This is neither; and ironically enough, 'A Rite Of Passage' is in fact the only black spot on the new album.

I'm a diehard fan of the band, and I don't even like it. One star.