Anyone pick this up yet? So far, I am pleased with it. The production and/or mixing on the disc sounds strange to me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something just doesn't sound right to me. May just be me though...

I really love the heavy gothic stuff going on at the beginning, and the final installment of Portnoy's big composition on the 12 steps is cool because it re-visits so many of the past riffs and themes to tie things up nicely.

Still waiting for my pre-ordered 'super deluxe edition' to arrive.

Diggin' it!



Arttie

Mine is the three CD set, by the way...



Arttie

Yes - I have it. I like it.

So far so good.

I don't have any use for the all-instrumental versions of the songs.... Kind of an odd thing to put in there.


Arttie

I have the 3 cd's thing. Here's my thoughts:

1) It's a good CD, but I feel probably the weakest from them since Falling into Infinity. There's nothing here that is bad per se and, yes, Rite of Passage is an awesome song, but I feel it's less progressive overall, and more straightforward - and when I want straightforward I rather listen to something else like Cage or Grave Digger. When it's heavy, it's very heavy. When it's light, it's slightly too "commercial".
2) The covers CD is cool
3) I hate the packaging on this 3 cd set! The pictures and artwork are nice and all, but why did they have to put the cd's into individual envelopes, that are just crammed into a sleeve. It's just unwieldy and prone to loss.

Yeah., the packaging stinks....



Arttie

I agree on the packaging. I think the artwork is cool and well done, but the three discs in the envelopes stinks. I really like what I've heard on the covers disc. The Rainbow and King Crimson tracks are great!

Yeah, they pulled out some interesting songs to cover....




Arttie

I picked this up last week, and I must say....this is a PHENOMINAL release all the way around. I have not been THIS impressed with a new album form a longstanding band in a LONG time.....

I've finally received the special collector's edition today - vinyl, isolated tracks, backstage pass, everything. I just got done listening to the main disc. I'm really impressed. The production is incredible. I have to keep listening so I can get more familiar with the songs.

Well, they cover ground from an almost symphonic blackmetal feel to pantera-ish groove to influences from Queen and Rush.....often all in one song! Labrie managed to avoid the "billy goat" thing I hated from early in their career, and they've done away with what I've derisively called the "CBS Saturday Morning Special" progwank parts........so whats not to like?




with 5 songs over 9 minutes, 2 of which reach 16+ and nearly 20 minutes,.....I think it can also be said that they have completely mastered the art of "epic" after this disc, as well......

Its an okay disc. I think its better than Train of Thought, and on par with Octavarium and Systematic Chaos, but they all have miles to go to reach the level of excitement that other DT discs inspire.

I really wish they would let John Myung contribute lyrics again, and do away with the "lyrics AND music" rule. Fantasy-based lyrics can be deep and awe-inspiring, or they can be plain and rushed. Unfortunately the fantasy lyrics on this one lean towards the latter. Even Best of Times, which should be a touching tribute to a father, suffers from boring, uninspired lyrics.

Haven't listened to the covers or all-instrumental discs yet. Hopefully they're better.

And yes, the packaging for the three disc set sucks!