Yeah, I like the lyrics as well. Ross may *occasionally* stink it up as a singer (usually just live), but he also writes all the lyrics and vocal melodies (according to the booklet of Aquarius, anyway), which are for the most part exceptional. And, c'mon, Aquarius was about a mermaid, which definitely isn't standard prog-metal fare
The concept of Visions is a bit more cliche, but not totally. I can see how the references to alternate realities, dreaming, and so-on seem generic, but once you start putting the story together I think you'll see that it really does offer some surprises that make for great twists.
If you didn't like Aquarius, though, I can't imagine you liking Visions. Rumby, I think you're looking for the wrong things from this band. People like them specifically because of the reasons you seem not to. They *are* as :traditional prog-metal" as it gets, especially Visions (Aquarius was more diverse), but people like them because they perceive them as a band "getting the genre right" in a sea of lame DT-copy bands. That's what it was for me, anyway. People who've drifted from the genre completely aren't going to like it, I don't think.
FWIW, I still recommend Aquarius over this. Both are good, but after listening to this for a solid week I feel like parts of it drag and the thrills have worn-off. Flash-back into Aquarius, and I felt like I was still discovering the band's secrets a month in.