I think I'm going to let this sink in and wait until the official release before reviewing, but my initial impressions are that this album is DT 2.0. I have never heard DT like THIS. I think this is right after Images for me in terms of greatness, and probably tied with ADToE for second place. I was floored playing through this album straight through.
I was just thinking today how much I love ADToE. I think I may join you and put it in second as well...only difference being right after Scenes.
Cheers to good taste!
And to the thread topic, loving the new album. I wouldn't quite say that it's an instant classic, mainly because I believe many of these songs may need to grow on me/others. So possibly a classic waiting to happen.
There is only one very big negative to this album to me, and that is The Looking Glass. It is the first DT song that I strongly dislike since the songs I dislike on FIF. I even went back through the albums to confirm this. I do force myself to listen to it though, in case my tastes adapt. And also, I do understand why people like this song, and I fully respect that and am actually quite envious of those who love it.
Aside from that, the only other letdowns for me were FAS and EM. FAS is a minor letdown, because it's just basically an intro piece. Just sounds a bit Final Fantasy orchestra-y to me, and I was expecting something bigger, more emotional and more interesting.
EM is actually a pretty major letdown. I find the riffs really boring melodically, and absolutely nothing stands out. Also, the MM and JM "solos" that were spoken of are a joke.
The rest of the album is amazing!!! I've been listening to BTV prob more than any other song. If you know the story of the Ariel Castro kidnappings, the song may hold some more value to you lyrically, as that was one main inspiration for it.
TLG is wonderful, as is TBP.
And Illumination Theory is incredible. The only thing I wish is that some of the vocal melodies would have been better. The middle orchestral section is a top 3 highlight of the album for me. I don't care if it sounds like Disney, or whatever some people say...I think it's beautiful and incredibly emotional.
Someone had mentioned in another thread that IT didn't feel like a 20 minute song. I could not agree more. It feels like it's more like 13...more like the length of ANTR. I don't know why this phenomenon is so true to so many people. I guess it has to do with song arrangement.
Anyway, as of now I'd prob put this album under SFAM, ADToE, 6DoIT, and O8V (those aren't in order) for my fav. DT albums. It's probably tied with ToT for 5th, and has MUCH time to grow.