Falling Into Infinity is the biggest departure from Dream Theater, as it is their least progressive and most "commercial" album. Spawned out of a compromise with record label execuatives who wished for an album that would sell well, Dream Theater was forced to abandon their plans for a 2-disc set, tone down the progressive elements in some songs and work with outside producers and songwriters. Is the result good despite all that it has against it? Yes.

Dream Theater manages to shine through the commercialism, most notably on songs such as Trial of Tears, Lines in the Sand and Peruvian Skies. The band also shines on the Elton John-inspired Anna Lee and the blistering metal anthem Burning My Soul as well as the subsequential instrumental, Hell's Kitchen.

Even the albums low points, such as the pop metal anthem You Not Me show a talent that can't be denied. This album holds a special place for me, as it was the first Dream Theater album I ever bought, and while it wasn't until I purchased other albums that I was totally hooked on this band, this album has grown on me immeasurably. Even my least favorite song on the album, Just Let Me Breathe sounds great when it's played live. This is probably DT's worst album when it comes to song-writing (it's still produced better than When Dream and Day Unite and the band didn't have full 100% control of their music, This album is a very worthy addition to any music collection.