Far from Heaven

Album: A Dramatic Turn of Events
Lyricist: James LaBrie
Subject: Pushy parents.


The Music

“This is James’ centerpiece, for sure. There is bass on the track, along with a string section, but for the most part it was written as a piano/vocal.

“Jordan and I intended it to be a ballad, but it would also be the Part 1 for the next song, Breaking All Illusions. In fact, in Breaking All Illusions, we use the themes that are in Far From Heaven. Doing that isn’t new to Dream Theater.

“For a few days James, Jordan and I worked on the vocal melodies. James had some very strong ideas, which were great. He recorded his parts up in Canada with Rich Chycki. We never did anything like that, where I as a producer wasn’t present when the vocals were being sung, so it was a bit of an experiment.

"I was blown away when I heard what they had done, not only by the vocal sound but the emotional quality that James put into it. He has such a beautifully unique voice. The way that Andy Wallace mixed it, putting James right up front, gives me shivers.”

(John Petrucci - Musicradar.)


The Lyrics

"Basically, the lyrics are that far too often parents are expecting their kids to prove themselves, to be the best at what they're doing, and to outshine everyone else, and it makes them miserable. It keeps them far from that feeling of acceptance, and being accepted for who and what they are, so they're far from 'heaven,' they're far from feeling connected to a warm, productive and positive environment."

(James LaBrie - The Mirror & Roadrunner Records - Published Aug 2011.)


A Dramatic Turn of Events
1. On the Backs of Angels
2. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
3. Lost Not Forgotten
4. This is the Life
5. Bridges in the Sky
6. Outcry
7. Far from Heaven
8. Breaking All Illusions
9. Beneath the Surface