I have to say that my initial reactions were pretty similiar to Noxon's..
My first listen was in my car at high volume, and my initial thought was...??(
) "what the hell is this?"
It all sounded too flat and "loud", with few highlights...
But I was not worried, I had Noxon's review in mind...
Second listen was in my house, headphones and booklet in my hand...and it was sooooooooo different..
Everything started to make sense, slowly...
Now, after a few listens, I would say that is a pretty good work, even though not one of my favourites. Overall:
- very fresh and innovative, different from what I was expecting
- very well played
- good sound quality (I didn' like the drums sound in AFTR, but in the reast of the songs the drums are ok)
Looking at the songs:
- Surrender to reason is my favourite: very original, and I really love the main melody
- IT is great, and it contains some of my favourites moments (5'-6'; 12'-18') . I don't like the Embracing circle section, unfortunately...in particular, I don't like the arrangements of the "Morricone" section- I would have preferred a single instrument (like a cello) playing the main melody, while the arrangement chosen here is too "symphonic". I don't like the easter egg as weel, sound like a Allievi song (an italian "pop" pianist)
- BTV (metal???
, TBP and TEI are very good, and contais some nice sections. Need time to digest them fully.
- I've listened to EM only once, I need more time for that
- I don't like TLG and AFTR at all (I only like Petrucci's solo in TLG)
- FAS makes sense only as a show opener....
Overall I would rate it 7+/10
My current ranking would be something like
I&W
SFAM
ADTOE
Awake
SDOIT (Disc 2 >> Disc 1)
Dream TheaterOctavarium
BC&SL
SC
ToT
WDADU
FII
For my tastes, Dream Theater lacks a nice ballad and a nice "short epic", like Breaking All Illusions + Beneath the surface.
But I'm satisfied.