I think this is a good record. I wasn't floored by ADToE, although I thought it was a step in the right direction. DT '13 is another step, more like a leap up. It's more accessible, it sounds a little more inspired and the long songs don't actually sound long for the sake of being long. Illumination Theory is downright amazing.
That said, I'm sorta laughing at myself with one of my biggest criticisms of the record. I am the guy that for years has said that james labrie sounds best when he's allowed to sing in his comfort zone. And on ADToE and his last few solo albums he has. So it's sorta ironic that I now criticize him for doing it again on DT'13. But I am.
He's not doing anything out of his comfort range. He's not stretching high or going real low. And while James sounds great (he really does), his performance isn't dynamic, range-wise, which is bothering me. Ray Alder does a similar thing on the new Fates Warning. Great performance, but not rangy AT ALL. Right in the same area for the entire record.
So that bothers me.
But Jordan has tamed his circus act keyboards quite a bit, which is good to my ears. I know people love his whole carnival tone, but it grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. And much of that is removed from this album, thankfully.
Anyway, I'm encouraged by this release. I don't think they tackle any new ground musically, but I guess that can't really be expected from a band that has been around for 30 years. They've found a formula that works and are sticking to it. And it sounds good, if a little tried and true.
Good record. Just finishing my third and final listen until the CD gets here. Looking forward to seeing these tunes live. The Enemy Inside is also much better than I remembered it at first listen.