When the Keyboard Breaks: Live in Chicago
Liquid Tension Experiment · 2009
58 min · 9 tracks · progressive metal
A frenetic blend of improvisational jazz fusion and progressive metal, showcasing virtuosic musicianship and spontaneous energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Universal Mind (When the Keyboard Breaks) — Opening the album with a brief yet powerful burst of creativity, this track sets the tone for the improvisational spirit that defines the entire performance.
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Close Encounters of the Liquid Kind — Spanning over 15 minutes, this track showcases the band's ability to weave intricate themes while allowing each member to explore their musical ideas, creating a dynamic interplay.
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The Haunted Keyboard — This track exemplifies the group's skillful blending of haunting melodies and complex rhythms, highlighting their collective improvisation prowess in a live setting.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album captures dynamic live improvisation with strong musicianship, making it engaging for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections, with several tracks exceeding ten minutes, allowing musicians to explore complex themes.
- Each track transitions seamlessly into the next, maintaining a high energy level throughout the performance.
- The instrumentation prominently showcases guitar and keyboard solos, often trading off in a call-and-response manner.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- dynamic live improvisational energy
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- intricate musicianship appreciation required
- extended tracks for deep listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When the Keyboard Breaks: Live in Chicago marks Liquid Tension Experiment's first release after reuniting in 2007, following a decade-long hiatus. This album captures their live performance energy while showcasing their intricate compositions and improvisational skills in a way that resonates with both progressive rock and metal audiences. It primarily features members from the influential progressive scene, including John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Symphony X· Animals as Leaders
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Universal Mind (When the Keyboard Breaks) 2:20
- 2 The Chicago Blues & Noodle Factory 7:03
- 3 Fade Away or Keep Going? 5:03
- 4 The Haunted Keyboard 9:34
- 5 Close Encounters of the Liquid Kind 15:13
- 6 Ten Minute Warning 5:55
- 7 That 'Ol Broken Down Keyboard Blues 6:34
- 8 Liquid Anthrax 4:55
- 9 That's All Folks! 2:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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