Editing Falling into Infinity (section)

==Composition==
[[File:20121021-215634-250 Portnoy-Sheehan-Sherinian-MacAlpine Boerderij Zoetermeer (cropped).jpg|thumbnail|right|''Falling into Infinity'' is Dream Theater's only studio album to feature keyboardist [[Derek Sherinian]] (''pictured in 2012'').]]
''Falling into Infinity'' is the first Dream Theater album to feature multiple songs with lyrics by Mike Portnoy. Portnoy and the rest of the band were forced to write more lyrics following the departure of Kevin Moore.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Rich|title=Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater|year=2007|publisher=Essential Works Limited|isbn=978-0-9545493-7-4|pages=189}}</ref> All of Portnoy's lyrics were inspired by his frustration with Elektra Records: "New Millennium" and "Just Let Me Breathe" are aimed at the music industry and label, and "Burning My Soul" targets [[A&R]] man Derek Oliver.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Rich|title=Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater|year=2007|publisher=Essential Works Limited|isbn=978-0-9545493-7-4|pages=203}}</ref> John Petrucci wrote six lyrics for the album, including those for "Peruvian Skies"; lead singer [[James LaBrie]] and bassist [[John Myung]] each contributed lyrics to one song each, "Anna Lee" and "Trial of Tears" respectively; while "Hell's Kitchen" is an [[instrumental]]. Both "Peruvian Skies" and "Anna Lee" deal with the subject of child abuse. As is the case with most Dream Theater albums, the songs were given working titles during production; for example, "Lines in the Sand" and "Burning My Soul" were originally called "Cat's Tail" and "Carnival of Clams", respectively.<ref>{{cite web|last=Portnoy|first=Mike|title=What were the working title for songs on Falling Into Infinity?|url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/31.aspx#343|publisher=Mike Portnoy Official Website|access-date=July 22, 2012|archive-date=August 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802200555/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/31.aspx#343|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the official Dream Theater biography ''[[Lifting Shadows]]'', author Rich Wilson described ''Falling into Infinity'''s musical style as having an "accessible nature".<ref name=TwoZeroFive>{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Rich|title=Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater|year=2007|publisher=Essential Works Limited|isbn=978-0-9545493-7-4|pages=205}}</ref> In his review of the album for [[AllMusic]], Jeremy Ulrey noted of the album: "Like many other progressive bands playing difficult music, Dream Theater inevitably chose to trim down both their bombastic production and intricate songwriting for a more laid-back approach, both live and in the studio."<ref name=allmusic/> Its writing was inspired by a multitude of artists including [[Elton John]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Portnoy|first=Mike|title=Was Anna Lee inspired/influenced by Elton John’s music?|url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/31.aspx#210|publisher=Mike Portnoy Official Website|access-date=July 22, 2012|archive-date=August 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802200555/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/31.aspx#210|url-status=dead}}</ref>