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Black Clouds & Silver Linings Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

  • Summary: The tenth album for the metal band was also released as a 3-disc set featuring instrumental mixes and cover songs.

Top Track

Wither
Let it out let it out Fell the empty space So insecure Find the words And let it out Staring down staring down Nothing comes to mind Find the... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. For all its abundantly positive qualities and minor but clear distinctions from prior efforts, is still an archetypal Dream Theater album; one that's unlikely to broaden their audience all that much, but is conversely guaranteed to thrill their hardcore converts with its renewed devotion to the most exigent and stimulating facets of the band's chosen musical domain.
  2. Basically, Black Clouds & Silver Linings is an album that continues the band’s increased use of metal riffs combined with extended musical interludes but also brings in strong compositional skills that give the songs the kind of consistency they require in order to be truly memorable and engaging.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    They rarely threaten to run out of steam. [Aug 2009, p.101]
  4. Black Clouds and Silver Linings is a good album. It’s not great, but it’s their best in a while.
  5. Black Clouds and Silver Linings is, obviously, a mixed bag from Dream Theater. Fans like myself will enjoy it, but again, you can’t deny how familiar it all feels.
  6. Mojo
    60
    With four tracks topping 12 miutes, it's essentially a celebration of pre-punk boffin-rock, 'The Best Of Times 'and 'The Count Of Tuscany' both prog-metal masterpieces worthy of imperial-phase Rush. [Jul 2009,p.95]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. May 10, 2011
    10
    Probably the best album of their career thus far. Sort of builds on what made them successful into one monsterous masterpiece that mixes inProbably the best album of their career thus far. Sort of builds on what made them successful into one monsterous masterpiece that mixes in both dark and light themes perfectly. Awesome stuff. Expand
  2. LuigiN
    Nov 14, 2009
    10
    Totally awesome album! it's become one of my favorites of them and I'm already looking forward to the next album of these Prog Totally awesome album! it's become one of my favorites of them and I'm already looking forward to the next album of these Prog Metal masters! Expand
  3. Nov 24, 2020
    10
    My favorite album ever made. The Best of Times expresses an immense amount of raw emotion that gets me every time, The Count of Tuscany isMy favorite album ever made. The Best of Times expresses an immense amount of raw emotion that gets me every time, The Count of Tuscany is just a masterpiece and A Nightmare to Remember makes my head bang like crazy as much as it relaxes me in the calmed sections. I'm aware that this is not objectively their best album, but I just love it so much. Expand
  4. CarlosA
    Jul 18, 2009
    9
    I just can't stop listen to it. It's very well produced and the songs are performed in an incredible way, a long time standard for I just can't stop listen to it. It's very well produced and the songs are performed in an incredible way, a long time standard for the Dream Theater albums. The only drawback is perhaps the "Shettered Fortress" track which could have encompassed a more original feeling. All other songs in this album seem to properly agree with DT fan's high expectations. It has everything to make you feel the joy of being a DT fan. One of the best albums, if not the best overall, of the new DT era (i.e., since the release of the heavier Train of Thought, 2003). I strongly recommend to fans and to those who might not yet know this awesome band. Expand
  5. JoshH
    Oct 15, 2009
    9
    Dream Theater, ok there will be some bias as they are one of my favourite bands. This album won't entice many new fans, but it will Dream Theater, ok there will be some bias as they are one of my favourite bands. This album won't entice many new fans, but it will certainly please their old ones. There are some "hits and misses" but the songs, especially the monstrous Count of Tuscany, will give the listener some great enjoyment. Expand
  6. TonatiuthA
    Jul 29, 2009
    9
    Awesome, this is my favorite cd since Train Of Thought, just a little disappointment with Wither but, an excellent album.
  7. DougD.
    Jul 28, 2009
    0
    Prog rock never sounded so stale. It has also rarely been an enjoyable genre since the early 80s.

See all 23 User Reviews