Head's Up ---- DT's TOT is online

[rubyeye]

Ok, Dream Theater set the standard for Progressive Metal with Images and Words. Remember that.

Now, we have Train of Thought....Well, If "As I Am" left you feeling nostalgically goofy, rest assured the rest of the album is anything but. Although if you follow what people have been saying on their website forum, you have to agree that this is definately heavier, very experimental, and certainly an homage/tribute album to bands like Metallica/Megadeth/Meshuggah, and the like.

While it's not the IAW-2 everyone was hoping for, it's certainly different. It generally sounds very "commercial" that is similar to what you hear on the radio, but this is Dream Theater. While I generally have lost interest in them musically, they do continue to bring something new to the metal scene that is worth a listen or two- just to flex your listening muscles.

I still don't know what to think of TOT. It's nothing special, but can't be completely dismissed until I've given it a thorough listen. So far my favorite tracks are: In The Name of God and Endless Sacrifice.

[Flint the Dwarf]

While it's not the IAW-2 everyone was hoping for, it's certainly different.

Hm? Who was hoping for that? I, personally, would have much preferred something akin to Awake or Scenes From a Memory. As long as they stay away from the atrocity that is Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, I'm fine with 'em. However, this album seems to be nothing impressive. I'm listening to it now, and yeah, it's polished and commercial but I don't really like it yet. I'll give it time to grow on me, but I don't think I'll like it as much as some of their other stuff.

We'll see. I haven't listened to it beginning to end yet. LaBrie sounds a bit better, but he still doesn't seem to be delivering quite the vocal performance he used to be capable of.

Looking at the song lengths made me think of Morningrise, if only it could be that good.

[rubyeye]

Well, over the course of the entire weekend I've fully emersed myself in a "Train of Thought." Final analysis: average.

Typica DT stuff, nothing spectacular, but nothing horribly bad. Their songs are long, complex, and has a medley quality to it - especially with This Dying Soul. There are movements and riffs I like but overall, it's not as melodic as they used to be. But as others have compared to, it does sound closer to Awake. Much heavier. You kind of have to be in the mood for it. Not something I can just plug in at any time.

So sorry Dream Theater, I'm afraid like Queensryche's Tribe and Stratovarius' Elements, you've reached your limit - at least with me.