I like 'Chosen', would have preferred 'A Better Life' as its own song, ...
A Better Life is its own song. What do you mean?
But, it is boring, repetitive, and 'preachy'.
I don't understand. How is it preachy?
Anyhow, those questions aside, I have seen many people reference their "abridged" versions. The only abridged version I heard was the press promo I get prior to release. That was good in terms of giving a good intro to the music. It did leave quite a bit to be desired as to the story itself, however. So I made a new version trying to pare down as much of the album as possible to 1 single CD length and preserve as much of the story as possible. It isn't perfect, but I enjoy it. Here is what I came up with:
Descent of the NOMACS (because intro)
Dystopian Overture (because intro x2)
The Gift of Music
The Answer (not critical to have, but helps the introduction of the characters flow, and is so short that it's not a problem to keep)
A Better Life
Lord Nefaryus
A Savior in the Square
When Your Time Has Come
Three Days (I get why we get Faythe's introduction before this song, and it is super important. But for an abridged version, skipping right to Three Days works so well)
Ravenskill
Chosen (just because it's a great song)
A Tempting Offer
The X Aspect (sets up Moment of Betrayal so well)
Moment of Betrayal
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Astonishing
Our New World (I fully agree with Astonishing being the closing track on the album. But for an abridged version, this works better as a closer. And the music flows nicely doing it this way)
That is about 74 minutes. I could add another song, but don't feel the need. And, yes, I know I left off A New Beginning. As nice as that solo section is at the end, I don't mind losing the song because this is already long, and it flows well without that song. This collection also really marginalizes Faythe because we lose virtually every song that has any major character development for her. But for a single album's worth of songs, it works well emphasizing Arhrys, Gabriel, and Nefaryus, and pushing the other characters to the background.