November 27th, 2022 - Falling Leaves Into Infinity

 

Good afternoon!  The Meista here today on this lazy Sunday afternoon rocking out to a pairing of Dream Theater's wonderful and very underrated "Falling Into Infinity" and a delicious Falling Leaves Lager from the fine folks at Fisher Brewing Company!  This pairing is dedicated to my brother... thanks for rocking out with me!


Album Info:

• Artist: Dream Theater
• Title: "Falling Into Infinity"
• Recorded: June through July 1997 at Avatar Studios in Manhattan, New York City, New York
• Release date: September 23rd, 1997 (4th studio album by Dream Theater)
• Record company: East West Records
• Production: Kevin Shirley
• Album cover art: Storm Thorgerson 
• Personnel: James LaBrie (lead and backing vocals), John Myung (bass and Chapman Stick), John Petrucci (guitars and backing vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums and percussion, and backing vocals), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards and backing vocals)
• Guest musician: Doug Pinnick (vocals on "Lines In The Sand") 
• Musical style: Progressive metal, progressive rock
• Sound: In a word, epic!  Although it took a more radio friendly and commercial approach, like all of Dream Theater's albums, "Falling Into Infinity" is still a bold and compelling work with moments of cinematic progressive power and moments of straight forward rocking and haunting beauty.  The band is tight, LaBrie's vocals soar, and the music is wonderfully intricate, compelling, and mesmerizing!
• Major themes: Life, loss, fear, pain, knowledge, frustration, the music industry, child abuse, hope, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "New Millennium"
2. "You Not Me"
3. "Peruvian Skies"
4. "Hollow Years"
5. "Burning My Soul"
6. "Hell's Kitchen"
7. "Lines In The Sand"
8. "Take Away My Pain"
9. "Just Let Me Breathe"
10. "Anna Lee"
11. "Trial Of Tears"
• "I. It's Raining"
• "II. Deep In Heaven"
• "III. The Wasteland"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Falling Leaves Lager
• Style: German Lager / Oktoberfest
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0% 
• Pour: The Falling Leaves pours a clear, deep copper hue with a thin, off-white head with good retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, bready, grainy, and slightly grassy.  There are aromas of barley, crackery biscuit, light grassy hops, cereal grains, and soft caramel. 
• Taste: The taste of the Fallen Leaves follows the nose with lots of malty, light grassy, and hearty bready flavors.  There are notes of toasted barley, biscuit, hearty bread, light herbs, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very smooth and crisp with a dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The malty aromas and flavors of Fisher's Falling Leaves Lager is great for the more commercial sound found on Dream Theater's "Falling Into Infinity".  The sweeter bready and malty notes go great with LaBrie's emotional vocals, while the crisp lager notes are great for the soaring music!

Cheers!