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Title: When the water breaks...
Review: Giving birth includes pleasure, pain and a whole lot of pushing. If the first LTE release was the energy and power of conception, LTE 2 is the actual birth experience. The musicians are four of the best currently working in the industry and their respective skills are in full evidence with LTE 2. The 1970's progressive rock influences, from Deep Purple to King Crimson, are woven throughout. But birth brings with it some structure as opposed to wild abandon, and there are passages that feel forced (can I say over-labored?) as opposed to letting the music find it's own path. Still, LTE remains the best of the Portnoy side projects and this album has enough juicy parts to make it a must. Maybe it's not a coincidence the John Petrucci's wife gave birth during the recording sessions...
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