A Light in the Dark

Let's start out by stating the obvious, which is that drummer Max Portnoy is the son of former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. In listening to the album, it's also obvious that Mike had a tremendous influence on the way that Max plays drums, and in the way this band writes music. This is so much so that one could listen to this, not knowing who this is, and almost come to the conclusion that this was once a Dream Theater cover band. The similarities are that strong. Of course, given the ages of the members (15 and 16), it's understandable that the songwriting chops aren't up to snuff compared to more seasoned bands and players.

So to start out with the good of the album, the talent of the members in the band, especially in Max's drumming and Thomas Cuce's keyboards, are well above average. This is true not just for high-school-aged kids, but on absolute scale. The execution of the music is also very solid. It's clear that the band knows how to put together a song that sounds like a Dream Theater song, and not sound like they're in over their heads in executing them. There are a couple of ballads, as well as plenty of that Petrucci crunch in the guitars. The vocals are solid, and the bass is unassuming but audible. This is actually an enjoyable album, and the band definitely has the potential to do great things in the years to come.

However, the main negatives are the fact that the Dream Theater influence is way too strong. The album grooves just like a later-period Dream Theater album, and the songs are put together in almost an identical way. Max Portnoy would benefit as a drummer from getting lessons from someone that isn't his father. This isn't to say that Max is a bad drummer, far from it. However, he plays just like his father. He could use some instruction in some different styles, so that he can grow as a drummer and develop his own voice. Further, the band needs to find its own voice. I'd love to hear that Next To None, in a few years, sounding like nobody other than Next To None, rather than just a band that sounds like Mike Portnoy's kid's band.

All in all, let's give this band credit. It's not easy for kids this age to put together an album this solid. They did a solid job, and I can't wait to hear from them in the future.