Feeding the Wheel
Jordan Rudess · 2001
61 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal
A kaleidoscopic blend of intricate keyboard work and progressive metal rhythms creates an immersive sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Quantum Soup — This track serves as a centerpiece of the album, featuring dynamic shifts in tempo and mood that highlight Rudess' innovative keyboard techniques while exploring thematic depth.
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Dreaming in Titanium — With its compelling melody and complex structure, this track exemplifies Rudess' ability to merge emotional expression with technical skill, making it a standout piece.
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Revolving Door — This composition showcases a blend of melodic hooks and intricate instrumental interplay, illustrating the album's overarching theme of constant transformation and evolution.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Rudess' blend of intricate keyboard work and metal rhythms creates a distinct sound that rewards attentive listening.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief intro track that sets a thematic tone before launching into complex compositions.
- Each track features intricate keyboard solos that often intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating a dense sonic texture.
- The final track serves as a culmination of themes presented earlier, revisiting motifs and providing a sense of closure.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- immersive soundscapes for deep focus
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- intricate layers for attentive listening
- cerebral exploration through instrumentals
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, Feeding the Wheel was Jordan Rudess' first solo album after joining Dream Theater, marking a significant point in his career. At this time, he was establishing himself not only as a member of a renowned band but also as a talented solo artist capable of blending complex compositions with his virtuosic keyboard skills.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Liquid Tension Experiment· Symphony X
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Voice (Intro) 0:19
- 2 Quantum Soup 11:02
- 3 Shifting Sands 6:00
- 4 Dreaming in Titanium 4:08
- 5 Ucan Icon 5:41
- 6 Center of the Sphere 1:37
- 7 Crack the Meter 6:13
- 8 Headspace 3:58
- 9 Revolving Door 8:33
- 10 Interstices 4:03
- 11 Feed the Wheel 10:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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