This was a really interesting project. I don't
really love either of these two albums, partly because of a good number of weak songs. But "shaving off the fat" was quite enjoyable!
I converted the seconds into minutes, simply because adding up times in their usual form is so annoying. But here's my best shot:
Side 1:
Surrender to Reason (6.57)
Far From Heaven (3.93)
Breaking All Illusions (12.42)
The Bigger Picture (7.67)
30.29 minutes
Side 2:
On the Backs of Angels (8.7)
Along for the Ride (4.75)
Illumination Theory (19.2)
32.65 minutes
62.94 minutes total. (I really don't like the "fat".
)
I organized these songs as a concept album about a character that goes on an existential journey. Surrender to Reason is a fitting opener, introducing the theme of new possibilities of spiritual knowledge. Far From Heaven tells you about the protagonist's deep-seated psychological scars and how she all alone in the world. Breaking All Illusions is the natural follow-up musically and thematically, where she "breaks on through to the other side" in self-reflection. Then comes The Bigger Picture, a confident assertion of her significance in the world and resolution in finding the meaning of life.
Side 2 starts with On the Backs of Angels, which lyrically hearkens back to Surrender to Reason ("restless angels help me find my way"). Surrender to Reason's message was too abstruse for our heroine to grasp at the start of her journey, however, but she is now ready to be carried by those angels, even if it means it will lead her to death, "like a lamb to the slaughter".
Then we have a nice breather with Along for the Ride, quieter but still maintaining the confident resolution to find life's meaning without being washed away by the shadow of fear. The grand conclusion to the story comes with Illumination Theory, which as we know has quite a bit to say about meaning and purpose. It ends climatically with our protagonist finally fulfilled, knowing that she is not alone in her struggles and pain.