This entire album is growing on me. The problem with new albums and internet forums is the knee jerk reactions to albums.
People proclaim within a few listens its the best or worst of the bands career. I'm one of the oldest members of the board and I would say that the days before the internet were pure magic when it came to your favorite bands releasing new albums. Half the time you didn't even know one was coming out until days beforehand. Then when you did rush out to buy the record you listened to it with no preconceived notions. You didn't have the vast opinions of others floating in your head creating an almost subliminal bias to things you haven't even heard before.
I want to form my own unbiased opinion of every track but its hard to when you read the thoughts of so many and ponder why they feel as they do.
Now I'm sure not everyone is effected by this, but it does have an effect on me.
I am liking the album so far. Its a grower for me. My first listen didn't rock my world, but with every new listen different nuances are coming to the surface and the depth of the record is starting to penetrate.
So that's my thoughts at the moment.
p.s. Illumination Theory is amazing!