Progressive-metal do-it-yourselfer JT Bruce's second album, The Dreamer's Paradox, is an instrumental concept about getting swept away in a dream-like state, leading a life by proxy in a parallel universe. The moods created by these 11 songs — borrowing heavily from sources as diverse as Styx, Dream Theater and orchestral soundtracks — are supposed to transport readers on the ethereal journey. Recurring musical themes act as characters that interact with one another. Although Bruce sporadically incorporates female backing vocals and spoken word, the effect tends to be distracting rather than complementary. Still, the overall concept seems to work, and much of the 74-minute album's second half dwells in a dark and heavy realm that will make listeners wonder just what kind of dreams (or nightmares) Bruce must experience. No wonder the man's web site is subtitled "The Twisted Mind of JT Bruce."
(Worth noting: The Dreamer's Paradox was released under a Creative Commons License, meaning that it apparently can be downloaded, shared, copied or distributed — free and legally — over the Internet. So have it, my friends.)
Track Listing:
1) The Dreamer's Overture
2) Ordinary World
3) Plunge Into Hyperreality
4) False Awakening
5) The Verge of Illusory Twilight
6) Life By Proxy
7) Parasomnia
8) The Mind Split Asunder
9) A Skeptic's Hypothesis
10) Elucidation
11) Hypnic Jerk
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